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PRINCESS MALLI
17 ing Kumbh of Videh had a beautiful daughter. Her
name was Malli.
One day king Pratibuddh of Koshal went for serpentworship (Nag-puja) conducted by his Queen Padmavati. Here he saw a garland of many-coloured-flowers. So he at once exclaimed, “What a lovely garland! I have never seen such a garland before."
The King's minister was with him. He heard the king's words and said, “Sir, excuse me. I saw an exquisite garland on the birthday of Princess Malli. No other garland could be compared with it. It was like a rainbow." Then King Pratibuddh asked “I see. How did you like the Princess?” The minister said, “Oh, she is so beautiful." Now, the king was uneasy. He wanted to marry that Princess Malli. Hence he sent a word to the King of Videh, asking for his daughter in marriage.
Around the same time, a merchant named Arhannak visited the royal court of King Chandrachhaya of Anga. He talked of the matchless beauty of Princess Malli of Videh. He added, “On hearing of the beauty of the Princess, I went
