Page:The Katha Sarit Sagara.djvu/424

 His speech pierced my heart like an arrow, and I reflected— "Alas! males are thus wickedly regardless of their youthful offspring, and show no affection to, or compassion for their females, though they are attached to them. So of what comfort is this husband to me? Of what use is this body that brings only pain?" Thus reflecting, I prostrated myself before Śiva, and devoutly placed him in my heart, and then in front of his symbol, before the eyes of the swan, my husband, I uttered this prayer; " May I become in the next birth a princess remembering my former state,"— and thereupon I flung myself into the sea. Consequently, I have been born in this life such as you see. And because I remember the cruelty of that husband in a former birth, my mind does not feel inclined to any suitor. So I do not desire to be married; the rest is in the hands of Destiny. " This is what the princess said then in private to my daughter, and that daughter of mine came and told it to me."

" So, my son, I have told you what you asked me. And that princess is undoubtedly destined to be your wife. For she was long ago designated by the god Śiva as the wife of the future emperor of the Vidyádharas. And I see that you are marked with all the distinguishing signs of an emperor, such as the peculiar freckle, and other marks. Perhaps you are some distinguished person brought here by Providence for that very purpose. Rise up, for the present we will see what there is in my house in the way of provision." After the old lady had told him this, she brought him food, and he and Gomukha spent the night there. And in the morning, the prince deliberated in private with Gomukha as to the steps to be taken, and then he assumed the dress of a Páśupata ascetic, and accompanied by Gomukha, he went to the king's gate, and roamed about in front of it, crying out again and again— " Ah my female swan ! Ah my female swan !" And the people gazed at him. . And when the maids beheld him thus employed, they went in astonishment and said to the princess Karpúriká; " Your Highness ! we have seen at the royal gate a Páśupata ascetic who, though he has a fellow, is unfellowed in beauty,* and he continually utters these words, ' Ah my female swan ! Ah my female swan !' which bewilders the minds of the women." When the princess heard this, she, as having been a swan in a former birth, was filled with curiosity, and had him, just as he was, conducted by her maids into her presence. And she saw that he was adorned with infinite beauty, like a new god of Love that had taken a vow to propitiate Śiva. And she said to him, when he looked at her with an eye expanded by curiosity, " What is this that you are continually saying, ' Ah ! my female swan ! Ah ! my female swan?' " Though she said this to him, he went on to say— "Ah! my female swan !" Then his companion Gomukha answered her; " I will explain this in a few words, listen, Your Highness.