Note 5 — PART II.

(476) ‘“Why should there be shame concerning one who is her servant, ever at her feet, that grief should have made its home in one so tender, and my desires be unfulfilled? (477) Now, what can I do when at some days’ distance from her. Her body cannot even endure the fall of a flower upon it, while even on adamantine hearts like mine the arrows of love are hard to bear. When I see the unstable works began by cruel Fate, I know not where it will stop. (478) Else where was my approach to the land of the immortals, in my vain hunt for the Kinnaras? where my journey to Hemakūṭa with Mahāçvetā, or my sight of the princess there, or the birth of her love for me, or my father’s command, that I could not transgress, for me to return, though my longing was yet unfulfilled? It is by evil destiny that we have been raised high, and then dashed to the ground. Therefore let us do our utmost to console5 the princess.” (479) Then in the evening he asked Keyūraka, “What thinkest thou? Will Kādambarī support life till we arrive? (480) Or shall I again behold her face, with its eyes like a timid fawn’s?” “Be firm, prince,” he replied. “Do thine utmost to go.” The prince had himself begun plans for going; but what happiness or what content of heart would there be without his father’s leave, and how after his long absence could that be gained? A friend’s help was needed here, but Vaiçampāyana was away.