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