पृष्ठम्:Sanskrit Studies.djvu/२३

'VISION OF VĀSAVADATTĀ' 15 Vasavadattā: (To herself) My partiality for my lord has made me forget my resolve. What shall I do now? Yes, I see. (Aloud) Sister, thus the people of Ujjain say. Padmavati: That is likely. He is not a stranger to Ujjain; and beauty, as they say, is a joy for all. Though this incident reassured Vasavadatta that her lord was alive and well, and was so far a source of great relief, her feeling had another side which made her quite sad. Yet so strong of heart was she that she did not, even under such trying circum- stances, reveal her identity. The wedding was soon arranged to take place at Rājagṛha, and when the bridal day arrived, Vāsavadattā herself, as Fate would have it, had to string the wedding garland which according to custom had to be entrusted to auspicious hands. She was chosen, in particular, because of her high rank and her friendship for the bride, not merely for her skill in such work. When the marriage was over, Udayana remained at Rājagṛha for some time. Vāsavadatta who was sorely distressed at the course which events had taken, would gladly have put an end to her life; but the hope that she might catch a glimpse of her sweet lord kept her alive. Now Padmavati had reared a beautiful flower-plant in the royal garden and it blossomed unusually well that season. Desirous of showing it to Udayana, she invited him to visit the garden; and herself, accompanied by Väsavadattā, went there early to await his arrival. When the two friends had seen and admired the wealth of flowers which the plant had borne, Vāsavadattā asked 'Sister, how do you like your husband?' to which Padmavati replied: 'Friend, I do not know what to say; but I cannot bear to be away from him'. This made Vasavadatta introspective and she was saying to herself 'Even Padmavatī, who is but newly wedded to him feels thus! But I am yet alive!' when Padmavati interposed: 'I have however one doubt,' and added 'Was his Majesty as dear to Vasavadattā as he is to me?' Vasavadatta answered unawares-'Even more." Padmavati at once asked 'How do you know?' Vasavadattā realized her mistake but it was too late and so added 'If she had not im so much, she would not have stolen out of her father's house to follow him.' At this stage Padmavati's nurse who also was there, intervening asked the