“Know therefore, Vichitrakatha, that I am that Yaksha, and that these wives of mine are Jyotirlekhá and Dhúmalekhá. So, if creatures of godlike descent, like myself, have to endure such alternations of joy and sorrow, much more then must mortals. But do not be despondent, my son, for in a short time you shall be reunited to your master Mṛigánkadatta. And I remained here to entertain you, for this is my earthly dwelling, so stay here, I will accomplish your desire. Then I will go to my own home in Kailása.” When the Yaksha had in these words told me his story, he entertained me for some time. And the kind being, knowing that you had arrived here at night, brought me and laid me asleep in the midst of you who were asleep. So I was seen by you, and you have been found by me. This, king, is the history of my adventures during my separation from you.”
When prince Mṛigánkadatta had heard at night this tale from his minister Vichitrakatha, who was rightly named,[29] he was much delighted, and so were his other ministers.
So, after he had spent that night on the turf of the forest, he went on with those companions of his towards Ujjayiní, having his mind fixed on obtaining Śaśánkavatí, and he kept searching for those other companions of his, who were separated by the curse of the Nága, and whom he had not yet found.
[1] I read with the MS. in the Sanskrit College bhuktottaram.
[2] It also means “the virtues of good or learned men.”
[3] It also means “without wealth;” vritta also means “metre.”
[4] i.e. female Yaksha.
[5] The notion which Lucretius ridicules in his famous lines, (Book III, 776 and ff,)
Denique conubia ad Veneris partusque ferarum