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TRANSLATION
147
153. What will she do when angry? Let us see this curious
point. With this idea in mind the king kept him back; he was allowed to leave at a later hour and
went home. 154. Seething with anger, I had bolted the door of the dwelling
house. Whilst I was asleep he arrived and called to me: 155. ‘My lady, like the Rohana mountain you produce jewels
but the jewels are virtues ; forgive this my offence
as I fall at your feet : I will not do this again. 156. The king held me back for a great while even though
I repeatedly made to go out. I have been brought to ruin, for being in the service even of a divinity takes
away all pleasure. 157. This is a death whilst the body is still breathing, a
burning without fire, a bondage without shackles, a soiling without mire, a great suffering without being in hell ; for to subject the good intellect of a man to the contumely occasioned by being in service is a
sixth major sin in addition to the other five. 158. Therefore be gracious upon my head, lady, for I am but
a kind of slave to you, and I will keep your prohibition
for I am like the remains of a god's sacrifice.' 159. As I gave no answer to him as he fell at my feet he again,
a second and yet a third time, spoke to me thus. 160. As I still gave him no answer he said: “This, my mis
fortune, I brought to my house with my own hands.' 161. Because of these words spoken in anger a fire flamed up
in me so I unbarred the door and, not heeding him, · rushed out. 162. I plunged into the aśoka grove and eluded my husband
who was close behind me. Emerging from there by a
wicket gate I set out for my father's house. 163. Then I was seized by robbers who said, brandishing sharp
swords and arrows: Wretched woman if you scream we will kill you.'
