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 Since be assumes such airs, though he is a miserable mortal, he should be destroyed.' " When I heard that, I said, ' What, what? Who is he? Listen, he has been created by Śiva as your future emperor. If he is a mortal, then mortals have attained divinity, and the Vidyádharas have seen the valour of that mortal; moreover, if he comes here, we shall soon see which party will be destroyed.' When I said this in wrath, that assembly was disturbed. And Śrutaśarman and Dhurandhara rushed forward to slay me. And I said to them— ' Come now, let me see your valour !' Then Dámodara rose up, and restrained them, exclaiming ' Peace ! an ambassador and a Bráhman must not be slain.' Then Vikramaśakti said to me— ' Depart, ambassador, for we, like your master, are all created by Śiva. So let him come, and we will see whether we are able to entertain him or not.' When he said this in a haughty manner, I laughed and said, ' The swans utter their cries in the lotus-bower and enjoy themselves much, until they see the cloud that comes darkening the heaven.' After saying this I rose up in a contemptuous manner, left the court, and came here." When Maya and others heard this from Prahasta, they were pleased. And they all, Súryaprabha and the rest, determined on preparing for battle, and made Prabhasa, the impetuous in war, their general. And receiving the command from Suvásakumárá, they all prepared that day with strict vows to consecrate themselves for the combat.*

And at night, Súryaprabha, as he was lying sleepless, saw a wonderful and beautiful maiden enter the chamber, in which he was occupying a soiltary couch in accordance with his vow. She came boldly up to him, who pretended to be asleep, with his ministers sleeping round him, and said to her confidante, who was with her; " If he possesses such glorious beauty, when he is asleep, and all the graceful motion of his body is still, what must it be, my friend, when he is awake? So let be ! we must not wake him up. I have gratified the curiosity of my eyes. Why should I fix my heart too fondly on him? For he will have a battle with Srutaśarman, and who can say what will befall either party in it? For the feast of battle is for consuming the lives of heroes. And should he not be fortunate, we shall have to take some other resolve. † And how could one like me captivate the soul of a man who, when roaming in the air, beheld Kámachúdámani?" When she said this, her confidante answered, " Why do you say this? Why, fair one, is it your duty not to allow your heart to attach itself to him? Why should not he, the sight of whom captivated the heart of Kámachúdámani, captivate the heart of any