Hindoo Tales; Or, the Adventures of Ten Princes

by active 7th century Dandin

My new acquaintance then turned to me, and said: "You seem to have been a great traveller; tell us in what country we may be most in safety and best able to live."

I smiled at this, and answered: "The world is wide, and there are plenty of countries pleasant to live in; but, after all, one's own country is the best; why should you banish yourselves? I think I can contrive some means by which you will be enabled to remain here in safety and comfort. Wait then a while, and if I cannot do this I will tell you where it will be best for you to go."

Before we had time to say more, the young girl started up, saying: "I dare not stay a moment longer. I have stopped away from my mistress to see you, and now I hear her coming, and must join her directly. Any one may see the princess at this festival; I hope you will have a good view of her." Saying this to me, she ran off, and we both followed her to the place where the princess was to perform—an open stage which had been erected in the park.

Presently she made her appearance, followed by a train of female attendants, and the moment I saw her my heart was drawn towards her. I almost doubted whether she were a goddess or a mortal; but when she began to play, I was even more captivated by her graceful movements than I had been by her beauty.

First she made a low obeisance in honour of the goddess; then taking up the bright red ball with her slender fingers, she let it drop as if accidentally, and striking it as it rebounded, caught it on the back of her hand and sent it high into the air; then she made it rise and fall, at first slowly, then faster, and then very rapidly, keeping time to it by graceful movements of the feet. Sometimes it seemed to stand still, sometimes to fly up like a bird; at one time she would strike it alternately with her right hand and left hand; at another send it high into the air, dancing meanwhile to her own singing; then the ball would go quite away, and come back as if of itself. Thus she went on a long time amidst the applause of the surrounding spectators, performing various graceful movements, striking the ball with feet as well as hands, and even making it whirl round and round her so rapidly that she seemed to be enclosed in a fiery red cage; now with one hand holding up her dress or replacing her hair which had fallen down, and keeping the ball in motion with the other; now taking several balls and keeping them all in the air at once.

At last the performance was ended; and, after again making a low obeisance in honour of the goddess, she walked slowly round the stage, leaning on the arm of her foster-sister Chandrasena, and followed by her maidens, casting several significant glances at me, and especially giving me one long lingering look as she withdrew.

My new friend, Kosadâsa, who had stood near me all the time, invited me to his house, where I was most hospitably entertained.

In the evening, Chandrasena, the lady to whom he had introduced me, came to see him. I said to her: "I promised to find some means of freeing you from the importunities of the prince; this is what I have thought of. I have a magic ointment, a small quantity of which applied to your face will make you look like a monkey in the eyes of all who see you. Your persecutor will certainly then be disgusted, and give you no more annoyance."

"Truly I am exceedingly obliged to you," she answered, "for such a charming proposal. But whatever I may be in a future birth, I have no inclination to be turned into a monkey now. If you have nothing better than this to propose, we shall not esteem your wisdom very highly. Happily, I have thought of something much better. You have heard that, according to the word of Durgâ, the princess is to be allowed free choice of a husband. You are greatly in love with her, and she is favourably disposed towards you, from your appearance. My mother, of whom she is very fond, will do everything in her power to promote your interests; and no doubt she will choose you. The king and queen will of course give their consent; and the marriage once completed, there will be no further danger, since Bhimadhanwa will be subject to you, and you will be able easily to protect me. Wait, therefore, a few days, and I and my mother will do our best on your behalf. But I must not stay longer; my mistress will be waiting for me."

After she was gone, Kosadâsa and I got into conversation about that which so greatly concerned us both; and so much interested were we, that we never thought of going to bed, but sat up talking all the night. In the morning, I went to the park, and stood for some time near the stage on which I had seen the princess; and in imagination saw her there again, in some of those graceful attitudes which she had displayed. While I was thus deep in thought, I was accosted by Bhimadhanwa, who introduced himself to me, appeared very friendly, sat down with me, and, after some conversation, invited me to his house.