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ŚRENIKA, MEGHAKUMĀRA AND NANDISENA
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his house and painted a likeness of the Lord of Magadha on a tablet. Then he changed his color and voice by means of a pill, put on the dress of a merchant, and went to the city of Vaiśālī. He took a shop near King Ceṭaka's harem and gave much merchandise to the harem's slave-girls. Abhaya constantly worshipped Śreņika painted on the tablet and said, when he was questioned by the slave-girls, "This is King Śrenika, my god. Astonished, the slave-girls described to Sujyeṣṭhā Śrenika's form, just as they had seen it, surpassing that of gods. Sujyeṣṭhā instructed her chief slave-girl, who was like a friend: Bring that picture quickly. I have great curiosity. The slave-girl got it from Abhaya by persistence and showed King Srenika's picture to her mistress.
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When Sujyeṣṭhā had looked at the very handsome form, she became absorbed, her lotus-eyes motionless, like a yogini. After a moment, she went in haste secretly to her friend, the earth for the deposit of wealth of secret plans, and said:
Clever girl, I wish the man whose likeness is on the tablet for a husband. Who shall be an honored creator to arrange a meeting with him? If he is not my husband, beyond doubt my heart will break in two, like a ripe cucumber. Lady, what device is there in this matter? Or perhaps, this is a device. This same merchant, who worships this picture is a refuge. Cultivate him, manager of my affairs. Go quickly and tell him this message from me,' Greeting to you, illustrious sir." " After urgent requests from the slave-girl who had gone (to him), Abhaya said: "I shall soon accomplish the wish of your mistress. I shall have an underground passage dug. I shall bring him by the passage. Your mistress must get into his chariot immediately. When your mistress has seen Śreņika who has come then, she will be delighted at the agreement of his looks with the picture. The king will come by the tunnel to that place on that day, at that moment, Abhaya made an appointment by her mouth.
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The slave-girl came and reported this to her and told Abhaya, Your speech is a command," and went back to the
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