Page:Katha sarit sagara, vol2.djvu/456

 beautiful hermit maiden and tried to carry her off by force but was thus cursed by her relations; ' When, villain, you approach another's wife against her will, your head shall split into a thousand fragments;' so he will never force himself on the wife of another, do not be afraid. Moreover you will soon be reunited with your husband, as the god announced." Soon after the maids bad said this to me, Vegavatí, the sister of that Mánasavega, came to me to talk me over; but when she saw me, she was tilled with compassion, and she comforted me by promising to bring you; and you already know how she found you.

Then Prithivídeví, the good mother of that wicked Mánasavega, came to me, looking, with her garments white as moonlight, like the orb of Luna without a spot, seeming to bathe me with nectar by her charming appearance; and with a loving manner she said to me, " Why do you refuse food and so injure your bodily health, though you are destined to great prosperity? And do not say to yourself, ' How can I eat an enemy's food?' For my daughter Vegavatí has a share in this kingdom, bestowed on her by her father, and she is your friend, for your husband has married her. Accordingly her wealth, as belonging to your husband, is yours as much as hers. So enjoy it. What I tell you is true, for I have discovered it by my magic knowledge." This she said, and confirmed it with an oath, and then, being attached to me, on account of her daughter's connexion, she fed me with food suited to my condition. Then Vegavatí came here with you, and conquered her brother, and saved you; the sequel I do not know.

So I, remembering the magic skill of Vegavatí and the announcement of the god, did not surrender my life, which was supported by the hope of regaining you, and, thanks to the power of the noble Prabhávatí, I have regained you, although I am thus beset by my enemies. But my only anxiety is as to what would happen to us, if Prabhávatí here were deprived of her power, and you were so to lose her shape, which she has bestowed on you by way of disguise. This and other such things did Madanamanchuká say, while the brave Naraváhanadatta remained there with her, endeavouring to console her. But one night Prabhávatí went to her father's palace, and in the morning Naraváhanadatta, owing to her being at a distance, lost her shape, which she had bestowed on him. And next day the attendants beheld him there in male form, and they all ran bewildered and alarmed to the king's court and said, " Here is an adulterer crept in;" thrusting aside the terrified Madanamanchuká, who tried to stop them. Then king Mánasavega came there at full speed, accompanied by his army, and surrounded him. Then the king's mother Pŗithivídeví hurried thither and said to him, " It will not do for you or mo either to put this