Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/197

Rh Buddhist monastery and feed the poor who collect there in large numbers.

Having heard that Manimêkalai was in the dress of Bikshuni or mendicant in the Buddhist monastery, her grandmother Chitrapati was in a furious rage. Vowing that she would induce prince Udaya-Kumara to bring back Manimêkalai in his golden chariot, she hurried to the prince’s palace, accompanied by a few of her servants. Entering the palace, she came into the presence of the Prince who was seated on a throne supported by shining figures of lions, and fanned with chowries by servant maids who were standing on both sides of him. As she bowed low at his feet, the Prince enquired with a smile “Are Mâthavi and Manimêkalai still disposed to remain in the monastery ?“

“Long life to the brave Prince,” said Chitrapati. “Manimêkalai is now in the public hall attached to the monastery outside the city. I pray you will take her with you and enjoy the pleasure of witnessing her skill as an actress."

“When I last saw her in the crystal alcove, she stood with her arms folded on her bosom and her dark eyes seemed to melt with love. Her coral lips revealed the lustre of her pearly teeth, and her smile thrilled through me. That sweet smile and fairy form entered my heart at once never again to leave it. But what puzzles me yet is that, on the following night, a goddess appeared in my sight and warned me not to think of her. Was that a phantom of my imagination, or was it a real goddess that warned me so gravely,” said the Prince.

“Let not such doubts disturb your mind," replied Chitrapati, “surely, you ought to desist, if Manimêkalai was a girl born in wedlock: but she is an actress trained to display her charms on the public stage and to allure and captivate the rich. Need I tell you that it is the duty of a king to bring her back to the profession to which she was born.”

Encouraged by Chitrapati, Udaya-kumara mounted his chariot, and urging the steeds harnessed to it, arrived in no time at the monastery. He saw Manimêkalai appearing in her marvellous beauty, like the divinity of the place, and feeding the poor