Page:The Katha Sarit Sagara.djvu/505

 479 those mothers of theirs, and Śrutaśarman and his followers took leave of Sumeru, and went each to his own place. But Súryaprabha and his wife, accompanied by all his former wives, went in the chariot first to that ascetic grove of Sumeru. And he sent his companion Harsha to announce his success to the kings and to his brother Ratnaprabha. And at the close of day he entered the private apartments of his wife Kámáchúdámani, in which were splendid jewelled couches, and which were admirably built. There he flattered her by saying to her, " Now other women dwell outside of me, but you alone live in my heart." Then the night and his sleep gradually came to an end.

And in the morning Súryaprabha got up, and went and paid compliments to his head-wives, who were all together. And while they were rejecting him, as being in love with a new wife, with playfully sarcastic, sweet, affectionate, and bashful turns of speech, a Vidyádhara named Sushena came, announced by the warder, and after doing homage, said to that triumphant king— " Your highness, I have been sent here by all the princes of the Vidyádharas, the lord of Trikúta and others, and they make this representation to your highness— ' It is auspicious that your coronation should take place on the third day at the mountain Rishabha, let this be announced to all, and let the necessary preparations be made.' " When Súryaprabha heard that, he answered the ambassador— " Go, and say to the king of Trikuta and the other Vidyádharas from me— ' Let your honours begin the preparations, and say yourselves what further is to be done; I for my part am ready. But I will announce the day to all, as is fitting.' " Then Sushena departed, taking with him this answer. But Súryaprabha sent off his friends Prabhasa and the others, one by one, to invite all the gods, and the hermits, Yájnavalkya and others, and the kings, and the Vidyádharas, and the Asuras to the great festival of his coronation. He himself went alone to Kailása the monarch of mountains, in order to invite Śiva and Ambiká. And as he was ascending that mountain, he saw that it gleamed white as ashes, looking like a second Śiva to be adored by the Siddhas, Rishis, and gods. After he had get more than half-way up it, and had seen that further on it was hard to climb, he beheld on one side a coral door. When he found that, though gifted with supernatural power, he could not enter, he praised Śiva with intent mind. Then a man with an elephant's face opened the door, and said— " Come ! enter ! the holy Ganesa is satisfied with you." Then Súryaprabha entered, inly wondering, and beheld the god seated on a broad slab of jyotírasa* with one tusk, and an elephant's proboscis, in brightness like twelve suns, with pendent stomach, with three eyes, with flaming axe and club, surrounded by many Ganas with the faces of animals, and falling at his feet, he adored him.