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192 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 703. Out of fear of the king's men I have come here at dusk
bringing food and drink in order to feed my loved one. 704. But as I cannot reach him standing on the ground I am
without hope and all my endeavours are fruitless, so
I have begun to weep. 705. But if I am able to do so through your kindness I shall
feed him'. I said: 'If so, lady, climb on my shoulder.' 706. Then greatly rejoicing she coiled up her hair and climbed
onto my shoulder and taking her platter spoke these
words: -707. You must not look up.' I agreed but she did not get
down for a long time, and drops were falling on my
shoulder. 708. Then as I looked up with my face in the air I saw that
she was carving up the man and throwing bits of meat
into her pot 709. and drops of blood were falling. Then, terrified, I let
her fall and, dropping my sword in alarm, began to
flee at full speed. 710. That wicked woman, seizing my sword, ran after me
threatening : You wretch, you slave, you have run
away,' and came up close to me. 711. Saying: 'Yakṣiṇī of the gate, supreme lady, I have
sought refuge with you, save me' I reached the area
of the gate. 712. One leg was inside and the other outside the cross-beam.
She sliced off the buttock which was outside and at
once seized it. 713. I fell down and cried piteously before the yakşiņi and
that family deity, being moved to compassion, 714. removed my pain and transferred to my leg the buttock
and leg of the other man who had been impaled and
was still alive. 715. That deity said : “My son, I have a compact with the
śākinis that whatever is outside the cross-beam they may kill
