Malayavatí
(falling at his feet, and clasping her hands).
Give me the crest-jewel, as a memorial of my husband, that, wearing it in my bosom, I may mount the funeral pile, and quench my burning sorrows in the fire.
King.
O devoted one! why do you thus trouble me? Is not this the fixed determination of us all?
Queen.
O King, why do we then delay?
King.
There is no reason. But one, who has always maintained a sacred fire, obtains purification from no other. Therefore, we will fetch fire from the sacred fire-cell, and burn ourselves.[1]
Śankhachúda (to himself).
Alas! for the sake of me, a single individual, this whole family of Vidyádharas is utterly destroyed. I will see what can be done. (Aloud.) O father, not without due deliberation should such a rash purpose be carried out. The sportings of destiny demand thought. Perhaps, when he finds that he is not a Nága, the enemy of the Nágas will let him go again. Let us then follow Garuda in this direction.
- ↑ Compare Colebrooke's Essays, I., page 157. At the obsequies of a priest, who maintained a consecrated fire, his funeral pile must be lighted from that fire.
