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CHAPTER SIX
harem. Abhaya, devoted to his father's purpose, quickly told his father and informed him of the appointment. From that time on Sujyeșthā, in subjection to the God of Love, thinking of Sreņika, experienced great unhappiness.
Some time on the appointed day Sreņika went to the door of the passage with the thirty-two sons of Sulasā. Śreņika in a chariot, accompanied by Sulasā's sons in chariots, entered the passage like a cakrin entering a cave of Vaitādhya. 158 When Sujyeșthā saw the Lord of Magadha emerge from the passage and had observed that he looked like the picture, she was greatly delighted. She told the whole affair to Cillanā and said good-bye to her. Cillaņā declared, “ I will certainly not stay here without you.” Sujyeșthā had Cillaņā get in the chariot first and she herself hurried to get her jewel-casket. Then Sulasā's sons said to King Sreņika, “Master, it is not fitting to stay too long in an enemy's house.” Impelled by Sulasā's sons, the King took Cillaņā, returned by the same passage, and went away as he had come.
When Sujyeșthā came, after getting her jewel-casket, she did not see Śreņika like the moon hidden in a cloud. Then because of her frustrated love and her sister's abduction, Jyeșthā cried out, “I have been robbed. Cillaņā is being kidnaped, alas!” Then the charioteer Virangaka said to Cetaka, who was rapidly arming himself, “What is this insult to you, lord, when I am here?” Then Virangaka, prepared for battle, irresistible, went to the door of the passage with the intention of taking back the maiden. Then, as Sulasā's sons left the passage, long-armed Virangaka slew them with just one arrow. While the charioteer dragged out their chariots because of the crowded condition of the passage, the Lord of Magadha went far away.
Then Vīrangaka, whose wish was done and not done by the rule of incompatibility in argument, told the whole thing to Cetaka. Cetaka was filled with anger and delight simul
158 251. See I, pp. 233 f.
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