Section 7.3 - The third tale of Madhava

Now, when SRNGARAMANJARI said "Mother, I remain unsatiated (by hearing) these stories narrated by you. Please tell me therefore the means of winning over a person of Kusumbha raga". VISAMASILA began: In the city of Vidisa there lived a bawd by name BHUJANGAVAGURA. Her daughter's name was KUVALAYAVALI. She was the one abode of beauty, youth, charm, and grace, and her chief aim was to earn money. In that city where she was earning wealth by harlotry turned up by chance a learned brahmana named MADHAVA, after amassing inexhaustible wealth from Simhaladvipa. Hearing of her fame, he sent her the fees and spent with her one night. Being gratified that same night, in the morning he gave her a lot of wealth, thus satisfied her and left her alone as was befitting. After two or three days he was again called by her. He was again served with a bath, food and so on the same way and slept there the same way. Thus being sometimes invited and sometimes sent away, he spent many happy days in her company. One day she arranged a gambling party and began draining the resources of MADHAVA. After many days she divested him of all his wealth. When he was pauperised he knew that now she would drive him out, therefore (29) he should act in such a manner that his reputation would not be completely ruined. While he was thus thinking monsoon, which produced torments of love, by the

directions being covered with clouds whose rumbling resound in the forest unevenly spread out and possessing groups of colourful peacocks who look like the blooming Kutaja flowers, came to an end. And descended again the Autumn, as if to encourage him, which procured for the Lord of Rati a sovereign rule (lit. having one umbrella) in the three worlds and which was the seed of activity of those desirous of conquering; when (in autumn) autumn) the clouds became white as if brought to bear palor by the sandalpaste of the women in the form of directions separated from the rainy days as from their lover; when like an armlet made of various jewels, the rainbow was lost to the women in the form of directions who had become lean, being free from fat (clouds); when rows of royal swans, who by their lustre surpass the rays of the autumnal moon and who were eager for the lotus lakes flew in the directions like the fame of the flowered-arrowed-one which is continuously seeking desirous paths; when the forests, imitated the dark beauty of the eyes of the protectress of the rice-field by the fully blooming Kuvalayas, after giving up the mass of clouds which were insignificant because the weight of the water had flowed out due to constant raining; when the lustre of the sun, continuously spreading in the world as if at the order of the Fish-bannered-God, bore more heat; when the lakes of the lotuses raised their heads in the form of lotuses with their curly hair in the form of the blooming Kuvalayas to see the Autumn which is enchanting due to the blooming Kuvalayas and the sweet cackling of the female swans; when the moonlight which destroyed the beauty of clusters of Kumudas, every night and in every lake produced swarms of bees, the life breath of the self-born one like Rati who got back his life; and, like a fair lady, whose mind does the air Autumn not captivate, with her face in the form of the moon free from clouds, smiling under the guise of the open Kasa flowers, with a sweet voice in the form of the intoxicated and cackling swans, with teeth in the form of the open Bandhuka flowers, with eyes in the form of the blooming Indivaras, with breasts in the form of the clouds as white as dried sandal, with delicate hands in the form of the fresh lotus-plants, possessing three folds in the form of the small streams, with broad thighs in the form of the clear sandy banks, decorated with a tinkling girdle in the form of the row of the cranes sweetly clucking, and with a lustre in the form of fresh open Bijaka flowers? MADHAVA, knowing this to be the proper time for journeying desired to go to the Malaya country in search of wealth. He said to the bawd: "It is our duty to secure wealth and spend it. I am proceeding therefore towards the Malaya country to earn wealth. Hearing this KUVALAYAVALI started weeping and said to him:

"I cannot live even for a moment without you". MADHAVA said to her, "How can I dare to take you to the forest full of lions and tigers? I will return after sometime. (30) Do not unnecessarily feel miserable". When thus addressed she cried more, shedding tears as big as pearls, and said "I do not desire to sustain my life even for two or three days without you, what to say of so many days? Therefore take mercy on me and stay here for sometime". In this manner, uttering words befitting a harlot, she tried to dissuade him but he did not stay back. While leaving he gifted to her his gorgeous upper garment. said: Both of them followed him for some distance when the bawd "Sir, how will she live without you? Therefore please give her something as a token of remembrance". He replied, "I have no such token with me". To that the bawd made a rejoinder: "As a token of remembrance give this garment of yours. Remembering that it had been worn by you, thinking of you only, and waiting hopefully for your return only, she will pass her days". "I will do that" he said, "but many travellers come this way, and I feel shy. On leaving this path I shall give it to you". After going some more distance, he saw a lonely spot and he called the bawd. He threw her on the ground, and while she lay tossing about, shrieking 'Mother! Run, run,' he quickly and forcibly cut off her ears and nose. And said to her, "the garment that you asked for as a token of remembrance is not everlasting. For remembrance this token I give you". Saying this, thinking that his purpose had been served, not worrying about his loss of wealth, he went away. Therefore, child! even the passionate become indifferent when troubled. The men of Kusumbha raga become averse and bring about evil. Therefore without giving offence to them and guarding the causes that lead to estrangement, the people of Kusumbha raga should be drained of their resources. As a cloth dyed in Kusumbha cannot bear heat, washing and the like, so also the man possessing the Kusumbha raga". Then SRNGARAMANJARI said, "Mother, my curiosity increases, therefore tell me all that has been alluded to by you".

When addressed thus, she (VISAMASILA) said, "Child, now hear how by discernment, hidden treasure can be found out and how a man of Haridra raga can be won over". THUS ENDS THE THIRD TALE OF MADHAVA IN THE SRNGARAMANJARIKATHA COMPOSED BY MAHARAJADHIRAJAPARAMESVARA-SRIBHOJADEVA.