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DISCOURSE 22
to the royal court. Bowing to the King, Bharavi said, "Your highness, I can argue with any scholar. I have the confidence that I will attain victory in the disputation". The king was greatly pleased to hear this. A great and scholarly disputation took place between that scholar and Bharavi and Bharavi attained victory in the argument. The king entertained a feeling of high regard for Bharavi. Cordially, the king embraced Bharavi and then the poet was made to sit on an elephant. The king himself waved the chamar (a kind of whisk) and the Chief Minister held an umbrella over the poet. In this manner, the poet was taken to his home with great honour. Bharavi's parents extended a respectful welcome to the king. The king saluted them and said, "I am blessed by seeing you". Trilochan said, "Oh, Emperor of the Southern realm! It is really my good fortune that a great Emperor like you should sanctify my house by visiting a poor man like me". The king said, "O you, greatest of scholars! Indeed compared to you who possess the wealth of knowledge and the wealth of spiritual attainments I am indeed poor". The king returned to his palace.
Bharavi went to salute the feet of his mother, Bhagawathi but she said, "Dear son, first salute your father". Bharavi accordingly prostrated to the feet of his father. Trilochan placed his hand over the head of Bharavi and said, शतं जीव (may you live for a hundred years").
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Bharavi's mother, Bhagawathi was sad on hearing the rough words uttered by Trilochan. She said to Trilochan, "Is one word enough? You did not even embrace your victorious son. Do not you have so much affection for your son"? Bhagawathi's eyes welled up with tears.
Trilochan looked towards Bhagawathi and also towards Bharavi and said, "Dear wife! our son has attained a great honour, more than what he deserves.. How can I get the feeling of embracing him until he learns to deserve and receive honour and until he proves himself worthy of honour. The king personally came with him on the elephant to leave him in his house but our proud son did not go back at least a little distance to see the king off. The king is a great lover of merit. He honoured
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