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148 TWO PRAKRIF VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 164. Having sought refuge in a place where there was no
protection I was like a young deer overcome by fear of a tiger, with quivering eyes. They kept me in front
of them as I made my way outside the city. 165. With her ornaments our daughters will become rich, so
let us take them now,' so thinking 166. they seized all my ornaments and handed me over to
Vijaya, chief of the bandit stronghold of Simhaguhā
who became very affable. 167. He put me in charge of his mother and informed her:
'This woman will be mine: I intend to make her my wife.' 168. “My son, this casket of supreme loveliness has been
brought to you by a great store of merit from ascetic
practices accumulated in a former incarnation of yours.' 169. So saying she brought me to her house and said to me :
My dear, he is valiant, steadfast, determined, gentle,
and handsome in body, 170. possessed of fortune and virtue, and generous in giving
as should be the custom of royal chaplains; it is through your good fortune that he has appeared and
he will always do your command. 171. When a woman's husband is vanished or dead, has
entered the monastic life or is impotent another man · may take the position of husband : this is the tradition
in the world. 172. So my daughter, having arrived at the attainment of your
desire through the power of the ripening of previously
amassed karma, accept as husband this captain of men'. 173. I replied : 'Mother, do not speak thus; as a woman of
good family even if I lay down my life I will not have
contact with another man. 174. Even though the lust of life shall fade from my limbs
like sweat when the body is fanned I will not bring
two families into public disrepute. 175. In adversity find another husband : this is the popular
saying: in fact what can appear inedible to the extremely hungry?'
