Page:Katha sarit sagara, vol2.djvu/436

 But a man's mind is sound owing to good actions in a former life, and a hero, who possesses self command and energy, obtains wealth, and the object of his desires, not a spiritless coward like you. So, my good fellow, have recourse to self-command, and strive for the attainment of your ends."

When that friend said this to me I returned him a careless and random answer. However, I concealed my real thoughts, spent the night in a calm and composed manner, and in course of time came here, to see if by any chance she lived in this town. When I arrived here, I saw you with your neck in a noose, and after you were cut down, I heard from you your sorrow, and I have now told you my own.

So I have made efforts to obtain that fair one whoso name and dwelling-place I know not, and have thus exerted myself to gain what no heroism could procure; but why do you, when Madiravátí is within your grasp, play the faint-heart, instead of manfully striving to win her? Have you not heard the legend of old days with regard to Rukminí? Was she not carried off by Vishnu after she had been given to the king of Chedi? While that friend of mine was thus concluding his tale, Madirávatí came there with her followers, preceded by the usual auspicious band of music, in order to worship the god of Love in this temple of the Mothers. And I said to my friend, " I knew all along that maidens on the day of their marriage come here to worship the god of Love, this is why I tried to hang myself on the banyan-tree in front of this temple, in order that when Madirávatí came here, she might see that I had died for her sake," When that resolute Bráhman friend heard that, he said, " Then let us quickly slip into this temple and remain hidden behind the images of the Mothers, and see whether any expedient will then present itself to us or not." When my friend made this proposal, I consented, and went with him into that temple, and remained there concealed.

And Madirávatí came there slowly, escorted by the auspicious wedding music, and entered that temple. And she left at the door all her female friends and male attendants, saying to them, " I wish in private to crave from the awful god of Love a certain boon* that is in my mind, so remain all of you outside the building." Then she came in and addressed the following prayer to Kámadeva after she had worshipped him, " O god, since thou art named ' the mind-born,' how was it that thou didst not discern the beloved that was in my mind? Why hast thou disappointed and slain me? If thou hast not been able to grant me my boon in this birth, at any rate have mercy upon me in my next birth, O husband of Rati. Shew me so much favour as to ensure that handsome young Bráhman' s being my husband in my next birth."