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CHAPTER THREE morning nor in the evening, neither by night nor by day, did the girl get rest; broken by the fever of love. Knowing that her illness was incurable by itself, her friends, with the wish to protect her, told her parents. The parents were delighted when they learned that she was in love with Pārsva; and to reassure them, they said repeatedly
'It is a good thing that Prince Pārsva, crest-jewel of three worlds, suitable for her, has been chosen as a husband by our daughter, intelligent. Our daughter alone is at the head of ambitious women. Such a desire of another girl does not arise anywhere. We shall marry our daughter to Prince Āśvaseni. For generally a wish is in accordance with the obtaining of fruit.'
Her friends went and told her father's speech to this effect; she rejoiced at that speech like a peahen at thunder. Restored by that hope of a husband, she passed the days, counting them on her fingers, like a yogini a muttering of charms. Like a digit of the new moon, she became so thin that she looked like another bow of Kāma. Seeing their daughter very miserable, day after day, the parents decided to send her, who had chosen her husband, to Pārsva. A lord of the countries, Kalinga and others, named Yavana, hard to control, learned about that and said in the assembly: 'When I am available, why does some Pārsva marry Prabhāvati? Who is this King of Kuśasthala who will not give her to me? Or, if mere beggars take the object given here, heroes will take all their wealth, after snatching it away.'
Saying this, his power unequaled because of many soldiers, he blocaded Kuśasthala quickly in many ways. There was no entry nor exit of anyone there, like of wind in the body of a master yogi engaged in meditation. I, being sent by the king escaped from the city at night. I am Purușottama, son of the minister Sāgaradatta. I came here to tell you this news. Henceforth, let your Majesty do what is fitting both for your own people and the enemy-people."
Then Aśvasena, angered, his aspect dreadful from a
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