Page:Katha sarit sagara, vol2.djvu/42

 Vidyádhara, whose name was "Devajaya, after sitting down, spoke thus to Manorathaprabhá— " Manorathaprabhá, king Sinhavikrama informs you that your friend, his daughter Makarandiká, out of love for you, refuses to marry until you have obtained a bridegroom. So be wishes you to go there and admonish her, that she may be ready to marry." When the Vidyádhara maiden heard this, she prepared to go, out of regard for her friend, and then Somaprabha said to her:— " Virtuous one, I have a curiosity to see the Vidyádhara world: so take me there, and let my horse remain here sup- plied with grass." When she heard that, she consented, and taking her attendant with her, she flew through the air, with Somaprabha, who was carried in the arms of Devajaya.

When she arrived there, Makarandiká welcomed her, and seeing Somaprabha, asked, " Who is this ?" And when Manorathaprabhá told his story, the heart of Makarandiká was immediately captivated by him. He, for his part, thought in his mind, deeming he had come upon Good Fortune in bodily form— " Who is the fortunate man destined to be her bridegroom?"

Then, in confidential conversation, Manorathaprabhá put the following question to Makarandiká; " Fair one, why do you not wish to be married ?" And she, when she heard this, answered: " How could I desire marriage until you have accepted a bridegroom, for you are dearer to me than life?" When Makarandiká said this in an affectionate manner, Manorathaprabhá said— " I have chosen a bridegroom, fair one; I am waiting here in hopes of union with him." When she said this, Makarandiká said " I will do as you direct."*

Then Manorathaprabhá, seeing the real state of her feelings, said to her, " My friend, Somaprabha has come here as your guest, after wandering through the world, so you must entertain him as a guest with becoming hospitality." When Makarandiká heard this, she said:— " I have already bestowed on him, by way of hospitality, every thing but myself, but let him accept me, if he is willing." When she said this, Manorathaprabhá told their love to her father, and arranged a marriage between them. Then Somaprabha recovered his spirits, and delighted said to her:— " I must go now to your hermitage, for possibly my army, commanded by my minister, may come there tracking my course, and if they do not find me, they may return, suspecting something untoward. So I will depart, and after I have learned the tidings of the host, 1 will return, and certainly marry Makarandiká on an auspicious day." When Manorathaprabhá heard that, she consented, and took him back to her own hermitage, making Devajaya carry him in his arms.