अवन्तिसुन्दरीकथासारः /41

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS
 
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when Ratnodbbava was heard consoling us from far; and the

surging waves wafted us ashore. We searched for him far and

near on the coast but could not find him. In agony of sepa-

ration, my mistress attempted suicide but I prevented her.

She was delivered of this baby in a grass hut close by. The

mother and the baby are shivering in the cold wind; and

to warm them, I have started in search of fire. As the place

is full of danger I carried the baby in my arms.'
 

 
'No sooner had she finished her tale than a wild buffalo

knocked her down. Then a wild elephant killed the buffalo

and was about to kill the child. I was terrified and did not

know what to do, when the roar of a lion was heard. The

elephant picked up the child and flung it in the air. A large

monkey that was perching on a tree caught hold of

him; and taking him for a fruit, climbed to the top. The child

slipped from his hands and fell into my basket of flowers.

Wondering at the decrees of fate, I took him in my arms

and carried him to the nurse. She was unconscious. I fed the

child with cow's milk and searched in vain for his mother in

several places. Finally I took him to the sage Vāmadeva

and he bade me bring the baby to you.' The king accepted the

child with mingled feelings of joy and sorrow and named him

Puşṣpodbhava, indicative of his coming from a flower basket.

(Av. Sāra IV. 101-12; Av. 190-93)
 

 
Story of Devarakṣita
 

 
At about this time there appeared another Brahman with

a child and said: "King! (I am a Brahman named Kiīrtideva).

During my pilgrimage to Kumārī in the southern country I

heard that a Brahman (named Satyaśarman of Patāṭaliputra)

renowned for learning and hospitality was living on the bank

to Kaāveriī. I proceeded to his residence and saw him a victim

to misery and affliction, (and his wife withering from mental

pain). However he was not slow in extending his hospitality

to me. After taking rest, I said (in the course of the conversa-

tion: 'The very sight of one's own countrymen infuses con-

fidence more than the long acquaintance with a foreigner. And

hence), Oh great Brahman! I make bold to ask you how it is

that you are living in this corner of the land, leaving the

flower-city in the well-governed Magadha country. (You

look like a recluse though you are really a householder and

your wife is bereft of colour on her face, like the digit of the

moon at dawn). If I am not prying into your secrets, please