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TRANSLATION 57. The king said : My dear, for a woman who has made up
her mind it is right to take the vows.' Whilst they were thus engaged in conversation the hour of twilight
arrived. 58. They carried out the ceremony of the adoration of the
Jina and other rites and when they reached the royal residence they engaged for a long time in discussion
of the vows and then went to sleep. 59. At daybreak the king, having intimated his purpose to
the leading men, said: “It is my intention to give
my kingdom to my son Municandra. 60. They replied: Whose eyes are not rejoiced at the sight
of the full moon of the king's moon, attractive, delightful, very distinguished, with excellent rays con
sisting of ambrosia ? ' 61. When the auspicious moment had been determined by
the astrologers the prince was consecrated. Then the remains of the offerings were distributed and homage
was paid him by the king and other citizens 62. and he became king. The decision to take the vows was
communicated to the harem and to the citizens and
the people wept copiously. 63. The women of the harem, withering like a lotus grove
seared by a cold wind, rolled on the ground and took
off their girdles and garlands. 64. They broke their strings of pearls, they smashed their
bracelets, they threw away their rings; they abandoned their flowers whether threaded, interwoven, criss
crossed or bunched. 65. They shattered their ornaments, they undid their tresses,
they rubbed off the collyrium from their eyes, they collapsed on the ground swooning and again and again
they lamented thus : 66.''You who are dear to our heart, alas, why do you go
away abandoning us weak women, like pieces of meat ? In fact we merit your pity.
