________________
304
TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MANIPATI-CARITA
176. She said: If you do not do my bidding then I shall die.' Retorted the he-goat: Die then there will be other females for me.'
This king of the six regions
of Bharata is going to the cemetery to die at the bidding of his wife.
177. The she-goat continued:
178. But you devoid of love and denuded of courage through desire for your own life do not do my bidding shame on your manhood.'
179. Then the he-goat said: 'I am a goat only by birth but he makes himself one by his action in dying for the sake of a wife.'
180. All this was overheard by the king as he was passing by ; so he refrained from dying and, giving the goat a golden chaplet,
181. he said: 'Lady, if you are weary of your life then die : there will be other women for me like you.'
182. So just as that king became mindful of his own interest you must be equally intent on yours.' Thus spoke the elephant groom,
183. and Mahasenā refrained from death; and Cellana hearing this was content with the necklace and enjoyed sensual pleasures with the king.
184. Then by the force of destiny that god-bestowed necklace was broken suddenly and could not be mended by anyone, allegedly because it was very intricately fashioned.
185. Whoever might have been capable of mending it would not do so, being afraid of the word of the god spoken aforetime before the king.
186. One day the king caused a proclamation by drum to be made in his city that whoever mended the necklace would receive from him a lakh of
money.
187. One aged jeweller, being weary of life, skilfully repaired the necklace in order to provide wealth for his sons.
