प्रियदर्शिका नाटिका (सम्राट हर्षवर्धन - चतुरङ्क शास्त्रीय नाटिका सान्वय सटीक)

Act I. ] 3 pp. 4-5. Nala, with a sudden attack, by the cursed king of the Kalingas, who had cherished a feeling of resentment at the thought that he had betrothed (promised) his daughter to Vatsarāja, although solicited for himself by him, and who found an opportunity (lit. a weak point) in that king Vatsa did not return till then from captivity —this, to tell the truth—I do not believe though it has come to pass. How is it that fate has been exceedingly cruel and thus disposed (adverse) towards us! For, that princess I bore away from the tumult of the assault of that sort and terrible like the destruction time of the world and placed in the house of the forest- king, Vindhyaketu, connected with a friendly bond with king Dṛḍhavarman, thinking that I might some how take her to king Vatsa and thereby free my master from his obligation (lit. debt of promise). But when I had gone to Agastya's holy pool to bathe, as it was not far off, some people fell upon Vindhyaketu in an instant, slew him, and depopulating the place like demons, burnt it; and it is not known in what plight the princess too now is. The whole place was carefully searched by me; but I did not find out whether she was carried off by those marauders or burnt by them. So what am I, luckless one, to do! (Reflecting) Ah! I have heard that Vatsarāja has escaped from imprisonment and returned to Kauśāmbī, carrying off with him Pradoyata's daughter. What! shall I go just there then? (Sighing and observing his own condition.) But what sort of thing shall I say, going there without the princess? Ah! Vindhyaketu had said to me to-day —"Don't you fear. His honour, the great king Dṛḍhavarmā, is alive; and is in captivity greatly dis- abled by severe wounds. I will, therefore, go to my master and make the remaining part of my life blissful (lit. fruitful) by serving his feet. (Going about and looking up). Oh the extreme rigour of the autumnal sun! since it is fonud to be extremely severe even by me heated as I am by many afflictions. This sun that is freed from the screen (lit. bond) of clouds and has reached Libra after occupying Virgo, is