In the south, there was the city of Pratisthana. A very handsome king Prthivirupa was its ruler.
One day two hermits came to his court and wondering at his exquisite form exclaimed, "Your Majesty ! We travel all over the world far and wide ; but we never saw a man or woman, more handsome than you excepting one. In the island of Muktipura, king Rupadhara has a daughter Rupalata, a Rati in human form. She is fit to be your queen and you alone are a proper match to her. If Brahma brings both of you together, his creation bears fruit and has a meaning."
As the words of the hermits entered the ears of the king, the arrows of Cupid followed and pierced his heart.
The king had an artist Kumaridatta, in his service. He sent for him and said, "You paint my picture exactly as I am, go with these hermits to the island of Muktipura and tactfully show it to the king and his daughter. See if the king offers her hand to me. Paint that damsel on a canvas and bring it to me."
Accordingly the artist painted the picture of the king and went to the island in the company of the hermits.
The hermits and the artist arrived at Patrapura, on the seashore in a few days and from there sailed to the island. The artist Kumaridatta approached the palace and before the entrance unfurled his flag, which proclaimed that the world had not his equal.
The servants carried the news to the king, who sent for the artist in curiosity. He bowed to the king and said that he had travelled all over the world and found none to equal him. He added he could draw the picture of anybody among men, Suras and Asuras and requested the king to test his capacity.
The king sent for his daughter Rupalata and ordered the artist to produce her likeness in his art. He did so in a very short time and examining it the king was quite satisfied. The king thought within himself that it would be possible to get a match proper to his daughter with his assistance.
He openly said, "You say, you travelled far and wide. Have you come across a person who can be a proper match to my daughter !"
The artist replied, "Your Majesty ! Surely king Prthvirupa of Pratisthanapura is the proper person. I wondered at his beauty and painted his picture. Please see and form an opinion for yourself."
So saying he handed it over to the king, who examined it minutely and was lost in appreciation for a considerable time.
At last he exclaimed "We are fortunate to have seen such a handsome form at least in a picture. Those who see him in person are indeed blessed. I honour them."
Turning to the artist the king said, "Your art is faultless. You go back to the king with the picture of my daughter and show it to him. If he consents to have her, let him come to my capital, with his retinue. I shall celebrate the marriage of my daughter with him in a befitting manner."
He gave rich presents to the hermits and the artist and sent a messenger with them to the court of King Prthvirupa. Very soon they arrived at Pratisthana and delivered the message of the king.
The artist unfolded the picture of Rupalata before the king, which so charmed the king that he should not draw back his eyes from it, like the cataka bird which knows no satisfaction with drinking the cool moonlight.
At length, he lifted his eyes from the picture and cried out, "Friend, both are blessed and to be praised, you who painted her and Brahma, who created her. I give my consent to the proposal of the king. I shall go to Muktipura and have the hand of Rupalata."
He gave rich gifts to the messenger, the hermits and his artist. He spent all the day in looking at the picture and by loitering in the garden.
Early next day, at an auspicious moment the king started with a proper retinue to Muktipura. He mounted his elephant Mangalaghata and arrived in the Vindhya forest, by sun set.
The next day he mounted another elephant Satrumardana [destroyer of enemies] and was advancing in the forest. The king was in the centre with some men behind and before him. At a certain stage, a prince from the advance party came to the king and reported that many hill men, who were bandits attacked the army and killed many of them.
In anger the king rode to the front and made short work of the bandits and their leader's head was soon wallowing in the dust, severed by an arrow shot from the king's bow.
The survivors fled pellmell, The king resembled Arjuna dealing with the Kaurava forces. The scuffle came to an end and the king's elephant drenched in blood appeared like the Anjanamountain [dark like collyrium] with the rivulets red with the new influx of waters. The king encamped on the banks of a lake, to give rest to his wounded soldiers.
Starting early next day, the king arrived at the port town Patrapura. The king of that city welcomed the royal guest and served him and his army as befitting his status. He rested there for the day.
Next day the king of the port town made all arrangements and king Prthvirupa and his army set sail. After sailing for eight days, the party arrived at the island of Muktipura. At the news of his approach, king Rupadhara was overjoyed. Both met on the shore in a close embrace. Rupadhara conducted the king through the streets of his city to his palace and the women of the city also enjoyed the sight.
Next day king Rupadhara celebrated the marriage of his daughter Rupalata with king Prithvirupa. On the occasion, king Rupadhara gave countless precious gems as gift to his son-in-law, and those who witnessed the function thought him to be Ratnakara.
The hermits and the artist also received valuable gifts. The day was crowded with engagements of dance, music and other festivities. At night he was conducted to his apartment, which was lighted by gems and festoons of diamonds. He spent the night happily with Rupalata and woke up early morning, at the proclamation of heralds.
He spent there ten days like Indra in Heaven. On the eleventh day, at an auspicious moment, he started back to his capital with Rupalata. His queen Rupalata rode on the elephant Jayamangala and he seated himself on the elephant Kalyanagiri.
At the shore king Rupadhara and his queen Hemalata gave a parting embrace to their daughter. The king embraced his son-in-law and blessed him. The wedding party wentback to Pratisthana. King and queen Prthvirupa and . Rupalata, were happy and enjoyed life to the full.
After this Gomukha remarked, "The valiant endure separation for long, amidst troubles. Prince ! Can you not bear it for a short time ? At dawn, tomorrow you shall marry Alankaravati." Before that sentence came to a close, Marubhuti, son of Yaugandharayana came on the spot and exclaimed, "You can say anything, you who know not the pangs of separation. Man keeps up valour, discrimination and character, until he becomes a target to Cupid and his arrows. Only three are fortunate-Sarasvati, Jina and Skanda, for they could throw off Cupid like a straw that sticks to the edge of dress. "
On this Gomukha kept silent ; but the prince supporting Gomukha said, "It is proper for Gomukha to say so, to while away time and to entertain me. Will a friend expatiate upon the wearisomeness caused by separation ? As far as possible a friend should try to console one, who is tortured by the pangs of separation. He will not leave him, a helpless victim to Cupid."
Thus the prince spent the night, in listening to the stories narrated by his friends.
Next day, after morning ablutions, when the prince was in the company of his friends, Kancanaprabha arrived with her husband, son and daughter. The ministers of the prince welcomed them. In the meantime thousands of Vidyadharas got down from the sky carrying loads of gold, precious gems and other materials, necessary for the marriage occasion. King Vatsa and his queen came to the residence of the prince.
Alankarasila, with the consent of king Vatsa, made arrangements for the function by his vidya. By a mere thought, a golden dias, decorated with celestial white curtains and flowers was ready and Alankarasila celebrated the marriage of his daughter Alankaravati with Naravahanadatta. The spectators, both men and Vidyadharas, were very happy. The prince received many valuable gifts and servants. Thousands of celestial damsels were gifted to Alankaravati to serve and keep her company.
The Vidyadhara king, his wife and son along with their retinue flew back to their city. King Vatsa arranged festivities for several days to entertain the newly married couple. As a good poet possessed of faultless letters, Naravahanadatta was happy with Alankaravati, in Kausambi.
The celestial engaged the prince and the princess by their dance and music, daily at stated intervals. The ministers, Gomukha and others, were the constant companions of the prince and amused him by narrating stories of heroes and heroines.
One day Kancanaprabha came to Kausambi to invite the prince and her daughter to come to her place Sundarapura and give her the pleasure of their company for sometime.
The prince obtained permission of his parents and accompanied Kancanaprabha to Sundarapura along with his queen and ministers. As they were taking a flight in the vimana, the earth appared small as a mound and ocean as a patch of water.
By degrees the vimana took them over the Himalayan regions, full of wonderful scenes. In time the party arrived at Sundarapura, the abode of Kancanaprabha and the Vidyadharas. Celestial nymphs welcomed the party with divine music.
Kancanaprabha waived camphor lights over the heads of the couple and conducted the prince and her daughter to inner apartments. The prince's friends and ministers were duly honoured and comfortably lodged.
In the company of her daughter and son-in-law Kancanaprabha's joy knew no bounds. She made their stay quite comfortable by her vidya. It was almost a heaven to the couple.
On next morning Kancanaprabha told the prince to pay a visit to the temple of Umapati and worship him. King Alankarasila. the father of Alankaravati created a pleasure garden round the temple.
Within the garden was a lake named Gangaghata. He told the couple to go to the garden and enjoy the scenery. Accordingly Naravahanadatta went to the garden with his queen and ministers. There the trunks of the trees were of gold, branches of diamonds, flowers of pearls and sprouts of coral. All bathed in the lake, worshipped Umapati and sported in the lake of golden lotuses. They all spent the afternoon in the bowers of celestial trees kalpa vriksas.
Celestial damsels entertained the party with their music and dance. They drank sweet flower juice and enjoyed subtle jokes of Marubhuti and Vasantaka. The prince spent about a month with Alankaravati in her father's capital. Before sending them back, Kancanaprabha gave her daughter and son-in-law celestial clothes and jewels and gave valuable presents to his friends and ministers.
On their return journey Kancanaprabha accompanied them to Kausambi. Before king Vatsa and his queen she advised her daughter, "My dear one ! Never give trouble to your husband by anger or envy. It is a great sin and results in sorrow and separation. Because of it, I am now leading a lonely life and my husband spends his time in the penance grove."
Tears trickled down her cheeks. She embraced her daughter and flew back to Sundarapura. Days rolled on happily with the prince, his queens and friends.
One morning, when all assembled, to entertain the prince and his queens, Gomukha began to tell a story.