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TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MANIPATI-CARITA
950. filled the cup of a palāśa leaf with blood. He came back and said: 'My dear, I have found a little nasty water, 951. shut your eyes and drink it.' The queen did so and went forward again for a while; then once more she complained:
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952.
'I am very hungry, my lord; I cannot even move a step.' Out of love for her the king went aside and 953. cutting some flesh from his buttock, he rubbed together some reed twigs and kindled a fire; then he cooked the meat and took it to the queen.
954. She was revived by that meal and again they set out and at length arrived at a city called Benares.
955. With the proceeds of their jewellery the king set up in trade and took a shop whilst Sukumālikā remained at home and would tell her husband:
956.
957. The king used to leave a cripple with a beautiful voice to amuse her, and attracted by his singing she fell in love with him.
'You are in the shop all day long but it is hard for me for I spend the day alone in the house.'
958. No reliance is to be placed in women even if very affectionate and kindly and kept well under control or in forests even if very attractive and convenient and of very small extent.
959. She abandoned a distinguished king, resembling a divine prince, rich in wealth and attached herself to a fearful, ugly, revolting cripple.
960. Now as time passed she thought:
When there is appre
hension life in the home is misery.
By some expedient
I will kill him who has long been my husband.' 961. She was desirous to make love with the cripple at her sweet will. Now one day in the rainy season a great She said to her husband: She walked down with her husband to the Ganges, and as she was watching she went behind her husband as he was standing on the brink of the river
flood arose in the Ganges.
962. 'Darling, look at the flood.'
