accordingly the queen and her son were brought with great state to the palace. Thus for the sake of three days was Bidhátápúrush's command violated.
Madankumar was very fond of sports, and one day when quite a young man he asked his father to let him join in a hunting expedition. Reluctant as his parents were, the importunity of the youth carried the day, and he set out with a large number of attendants, the prime minister's son being the chief among them. This young man was especially commissioned by the king to look after his son. For the whole day the chase continued without success, and Madan being loth to go home empty-handed proposed to have tents pitched in the woods and pass the night there. Tired out with the chase, he was soon asleep. Now it happened that about midnight two parees,[1] Kala Paree and Nidra Paree by name, who were flying to visit the dancing hall of Indra the king of the Hindu gods, looked down and saw Madan as he lay asleep in his tent and, entranced with his handsome person, they halted in their flight.
"Sister," said Kala Paree, "look downwards. There is one tent there full of lustre. I see a thousand moons together, the brightest gems in the world gathered and heaped up there. Or it may be that one of the gods is reposing in the company of men."
"It is none of these," replied her sister, "it is Madan, the son of famous king Dandadhar."
"We must find a wife worthy of him," said Kala Paree. "Can you think of one?"
"Surely Madhumala alone is a fit bride for such a man," Nidra Paree declared.
"Then, sister" said Kala Paree, "let us take up the bed on which the prince lies, and carry him to his bride."
Nidra Paree did as her sister wished, and Madan's bed was in the twinkling of an eye carried to the regions beneath the sea and placed in Madhumala's room beside her couch.
- ↑ Fairies.
