SANSKRIT STUDIES
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But meanwhile Nandana, impatient of meeting his new bride, approached Makaranda in his usual vulgar manner, but was repulsed by him with disdain. Nandana was greatly offended. He had heard of Malatfs love for Madhava. Making that the plea for rejecting her, he left his supposed bride in great wrath. Kamandak! had succeeded in creating a dislike for Malatl in Nandana’s mind, but the final success of her plan was yet far from sight, as the king’s attitude in the matter had to be reckoned with. When the news of Malatfs affront reached Madayantika, she felt the insult to her brother as her own and resolved to see Malatl and prevail upon her to agree to meet her brother in good humour. Madayantika reached Bhurivasu’s residence with much indignation but as she entered Malatfs apartment, Maka- randa noticing her come pretended to be asleep. Madayantika, unwilling to disturb him, seated herself on his couch and began to converse with Lavangika. After they had referred to the un- toward incident that had enraged Nandana, their conversation turned upon Madayantika’s love for Makaranda, her great bene- factor. As she confessed her deep love for him, Makaranda was greatly pleased to listen to it. On her being cunningly asked whether, if Makaranda met her that moment and proposed to marry her, she would yield her assent, she replied that he who had hazarded his life for her sake had entire liberty over her. Maka- randa discovered himself then and Madayantika having agreed to run away with her lover, they all started in the night for the garden where Malatl and Madhava were. Soon after the city guards who had been apprised of the elopement, pursued the party and overtook them. Makaranda stayed behind to meet them while the others advanced towards the garden to inform Madhava of all that had happened. Madhava started at once to assist his friend. In the confusion that followed, Malatl stepped out alone in anxiety to look for her lord. Just at that time, Kapalakundala, who, as we know, had sworn revenge, came and carried Malatl away. She had been waiting all along for a fit opportunity to perpetrate her misdeed unobserved by anybody. Such an oppor- tunity had now arrived and she conveyed Malatl to a hill known as Sri-parvata ‘to tear her to pieces there’, as she said. Madhava and Makaranda who had successfully routed the guards were conducted to the king. When he learnt of their prowess and of their high rank, he, with his usual partiality for merit, pardoned
