Note 2 — Chapter LXXXVI · (Vetála 12)

But the great minister Dírghadarśin continued unweariedly upholding the burden of his kingdom’s cares, day and night. And a general rumour spread to the following effect, “Dírghadarśin has plunged in dissipation the sovereign, who is satisfied with the mere name of king, and so he manages now to enjoy himself all his master’s power.” Then the minister Dírghadarśin said of himself to his wife Medhávatí, “My dear, as the king is addicted to pleasure, and I do his work, a calumny has been circulated among the people against me, to the effect that I have devoured the realm. And a general rumour, though false, injures even great men in this world; was not Ráma compelled by a slanderous report to abandon his wife Sítá? So what course must I adopt in this emergency?” When the minister said this, his firm-souled wife Medhávatí,2 who was rightly named, said to him; “Take leave of the king on the pretext of a pilgrimage to holy bathing-places; it is expedient, great-minded Sir, that you should go to a foreign land for a certain time. So you will be seen to be free from ambition, and the calumny against you will die out; and while you are absent, the king will bear the burden of the kingdom himself, and then this vicious tendency of his will gradually diminish, and when you return, you will be able to discharge your office of minister without blame.”