‘MĀLATĪ AND MĀDHAVA’
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Madhava Malati Makaranda Kalahamsa Nandana Kamandaki Avalokita and Saudamani Mandarika Lavangika Madayantika Aghoraghanta Kapalakundala
Dramatis Personae
Hero, son of minister Devarata. Heroine, daughter of minister Bhurivasu. A friend of Madhava.
Madhava’s attendant.
Companion of Bhurivasu’s royal master. A Buddhistic nun.
Her pupils.
Kalahamsa’s sweetheart.
Malati’s nurse.
Nandana’s sister.
A fanatic devotee of Kali.
His pupil.
Devarata and Bhurivasu were two ministers of state — one employed in Vidarbha and the other in another kingdom whose capital was Padmavatl. They were great friends in youth when they pursued their studies together; and before they parted, they had vowed to bring about matrimonial alliance between their children, if ever they should become fathers. There was born of Devarata in course of time a son; and of Bhurivasu, a daughter: the veriest j ewels among children. The boy was named Madhava ; and the girl, Malati. As Madhava grew up and was fit to go out to learn, his father sent him to Padmavatl. In selecting that place for study, Devarata had the idea that Madhava’s presence there might put his old friend in mind of the bridal compact, if he chanced to forget it. He also thought that the great personal charm of the youth and the qualities of his mind would serve as an inducement to Bhurivasu to offer Malati in marriage to him. Bhurivasu had not at all forgotten the school-day compact and the youthful couple would readily have been united in happy wedlock; but there was one formidable obstacle. The king of Padmavatl had a boon companion by name Nandana, who was neither young nor handsome; and he was seeking the hand of Malati through the king. Bhurivasu was in a fix. He could not agree to such an ill-assorted match; nor could he openly refuse to give the girl in marriage to one that was the favourite of his royal master. When the king once actually broached the
