Month: February 2021

The maiden who sang about karma…

Read the previous part here… A huge wave rose high into the sky, and as it receded, a huge कल्पवृक्ष (Kalpavriksha) came into view. It was adorned by huge branches of gold, with fruits of gems and coral, and sweet-smelling flowers of many varieties. On it’s trunk sat a maiden, so beautiful that even beauty …

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The island of gold…

Read the previous part here… The king refused to relent, and as they were speaking, the king’s attendant entered and said “My king! The sun is rising slowly from the waters of the lake, and so your time of taking the holy dip is passing. Please come with us now…” The king readily agreed, seeing …

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The pilgrimage…

Read the previous part here… Dīrghadarśin however, continued to work responsibly, shouldering the king’s duties as well as his own. He worked relentlessly day and night, upto a point when rumors started floating around the kingdom that the minister was the one who had set the king on wayward ways, so that he could usurp …

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The saga of Dīrghadarśin…

Read the previous part here… Now I have a question for you. Who among the three – Indulekhā, Tārāvalī or Mṛgāṅkavatī, was the most delicate? Remember, if you know the answer, and don’t tell me the truth, your head will burst into a hundred pieces! तच् छ्रुत्वा सो ऽब्रवीद् राजा सुकुमारतरात्र सा ।अस्पृष्टे मुसले यस्याः …

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Who is the most delicate of them all?

Read the previous part here… When she said this, and burst into tears, the king, being distressed, summoned her attendants, who ran there in trepidation and alarm. And he had made for her a bed of lotus leaves, sprinkled wdth water, and sandalwood lotion applied to her body. तावद् बुद्ध्वा तृतीयास्य सा मृगाङ्कवती प्रिया ।तत्पार्श्वम् …

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Of blisters and bruises…

Read the previous part here… Indulekhā was playing with the king’s hair, when a blue lotus accidentally slipped from her ear and fell onto her lap. Immediately, a wound formed on her thigh, where the lotus had fallen, and the delicate queen let out a feeble cry and fainted. तद् दृष्ट्वा विह्वलेनार्त्या राज्ञा परिजनेन च …

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Of delicate darlings…

Read the previous part here… Now I have a question for you. Who among the three – Samudradatta,Dharmadatta or the thief, was the most generous? Whose was the most genuine sacrifice? Remember, if you know the answer, and don’t tell me the truth, your head will burst into a hundred pieces! तच् छ्रुत्वा स महीपतिर् उज्झितमौनस् …

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All is well that ends well…

Read the previous part here… “Here”, said Madanasenā, as she began to remove her bangles. “Take all my ornaments, and let me go.” “Why would I care for gold, o fair one?”, he sneered. “You are priceless – your face as beautiful as the moon, your hair as black as night, your beautiful body…I am …

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Of thieves and promises…

Read the previous part here… When she heard this, she wiped her tears and said softly “I love you more than I love myself, but please hear what I have to say to you. I have a request though – promise me that you will not punish me or think low of me, once I …

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Of marriages and promises…

Read the previous part here… Even the evening sun sank slowly into the horizon, red, as if inflamed by the sinking passions in the young merchant’s heart. And the moon, that was easily surpassed by her beauty, rose slowly upwards, comforted that she had retired for the night. Dharmadatta went home and lay on his …

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