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in order to ensure her father's success in the combat. And while she was there, she said in secret to a devoted confidante ' My friend, it is for my sake, that my father has become involved in this war. And if he is conquered, he will give mo to that prince; for kings disregard love for offspring altogether, when the interests of their kingdoms are at stake. And I do not know whether that prince is a suitable match for me in respect of personal appearance, or not, I would sooner meet my death than marry an ugly husband. I think a good-looking husband, even though poor, is to be preferred to an ugly one, though he be emperor over the whole earth. So you must go to the army and see what he is like, and then return. For, my fortunate friend. Prudence*[1] is your name, and Prudence is your nature.'
" When the princess had given this order to her confidante, that girl managed to come to our camp, and after seeing you, prince, went and said to that princess, ' My friend, I can say nothing but this; even Vásuki †[2] himself has not got a tongue able to describe the beauty of that prince. So far however I can give you an idea of it: as there is no woman in the world equal to you in good looks, so there is no man equal to him. But alas ! that is but a feeble description of him; I believe in these three worlds there is no Siddha, or Gandharva, or god like him.' By this speech of her confidante's Śasánkavatí's heart was fixed on you, and at the same moment it was nailed to you by the god of love with his arrows. And from that time forth she has remained desiring the welfare of you and also of her father, becoming gradually attenuated by penance and the grief of separa- tion from you."
" So go secretly this very night, and carry off that princess from that sanctuary of Gaurí, which is now unfrequented, and bring her here without being observed. Let her be conveyed to the palace of Máyávațu; and then these kings, after securing your rear against the fury of the foe, shall come there with me. Let this fighting be put an end to. Do not allow any further slaughter of soldiers. And ensure the personal safety of yourself and the king your father-in-law. For war, that involves a great waste of human life, is an inexpedient expedient, and sages affirm it to be the worst of all political measures."
When Śrutadhi had said this to Mŗigánkadatta, that prince and his ministers mounted their horses and set out secretly at night. And the prince arrived at the city of Ujjayiní, in which only women, and children, and sleepy men were left, and entered it easily, as the gates were kept by
