Indian Antiquary Vol 01

SR No.: 032493
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 430
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 22 MB

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the son of the minister said to her- Love me.' She, who had finished bathing, seeing that night had come, became afraid and spoke to him, Be it so, on the third day at night-fall I will meet you secretly.' Speaking thus to him, she went. After leaving him she addressed the domestic priest to this effect, On the third day hence, in the second watch of the night, I shall be at your disposal.' Turning away from him she said to the foujdar On the third day her.ce, in the third watch of the night I am ready to do your will.' After she had made this assignation, he let her go and she went home, filling as it were, by her frightened glances, the sky with lotuses,
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[OCT. 4, 1872.
husband deposited with me.' Hearing this she exclaimed in a loud voice, Hear ye deities of the house, be witnesses, ye goblins: he has my property. Speaking thus she defaced him also with lamp-soot. Then she said 'The night has passed, go. Quickly the Vânia went forth, covering his face from fear of the people who are about early. Bereft of his garments, he was hooted on the road by the people. Wise Upakośâ who had thus protected her virtue, after his departure, started early for the audience-hall of King Nanda. The king was informed, that the daughter of Upavarsha, the faithful wife of Vararuchi had come, and he honoured her there. She said 'O king, the Vânia Hiranyagupta conceals great wealth which my husband deposited with him. It is now for you, Lord, to give orders.' After that, when that liar had been summoned and come, Upakośâ said 'Lord, at home I have witnesses; order my household-gods to be brought, who are kept in a box, they will declare the truth.' The basket-box was brought at the king's command and placed by the bearers in the midst of the assembly. Then the faithful wife spoke again Ho ye deities, who are worthy of constant worship, tell the truth for my sake. If you remain silent in this matter of evidence, I shall quickly burn the basket.' Hearing this, they said, full of fear, Forsooth, thy property is in the hands of Hiranyagupta, we three are witnesses to that.' All present in the assembly, who heard this miraculous answer, were astonished; they opened the basket and saw the naked men smeared with soot. When the king had been informed of the circumstances of the case, he punished them by a fine and honoured Upakośâ as his spiritual sister. About this time I (Vararuchi), by the grace of Sambhu, remembered the grammar, learned with joy the news about my house and went to visit my teacher. The story of Upakosa."
Being in want of her husband's money she tried to remedy its concealment (by the banker). But Hiranyagupta asked her for an assignation in her house. She said to himOn the third day hence, at the end of the night, I will obey thee, what harm is there (in my doing it).' She told that story to her domestics. When the third day had come, the excellent minister, trembling and having lost all control over himself, entered in the night her house, where the lamps had been extinguished. Upakośâ called him by his name and said 'On you I have placed my affection.' At her order he entered a dark room in the interior of the house. There the servant-maids smeared for a long time the limbs of the lover with a soft unguent consisting of oil and lamp-soot. But, when in the second watch of the night the domestic priest came in haste, Upakośâ showed to the (first lover) an open wooden box, said Enter, enter quickly here comes the master of the house,' and made him enter it. Closing it with an iron bolt, she said to the domestic priest You must not touch me without having bathed.' He also was treated in the same manner (as the first lover). When he had been anointed with oil and soot, the third also came. Forsooth, who escapes being deceived and made a fool of by the rogue Cupid! After the priest, overwhelmed with fear, had been disposed of in the same box (as the first lover), the third also, in his turn, was made to resemble a goblin. At the end of the night the excellent Vânia Hiranyagupta arrived, and the foujdar was concealed likewise in the woodenbox. Then Upakośâ, facing the box, spoke to the Vânia, who was sitting at his ease on an excellent seat, 'Give me the deposit.' Hiranyagupta replied Love me, sweet smiling one. I have the money, fair-browed one, which your
This sample of Kshemendra's style will fully bear out the strictures passed on him. His brevity sometimes makes him unintelligible andhis style is far from being easy and flowing..
But I must return to the chief point in question, viz. what light Kshemendra's work throws on the origin of the Vrihatkathâ. In this respect the concluding verses of his poem are of the greatest importance. After enumerating, in the Anukramanika, the contents of his work, he gives the following information regarding his prede