If thou really entertainest an
affection for me, demand me of my father. Thou sayest, O king, that thy
heart hath been robbed by me. But thou also hast, at first sight, robbed
me of my heart; I am not the mistress of my body, and therefore, O best of
kings, I do not approach thee; women are never independent. What girl is
there in the three worlds that would not desire thee for her husband, as
thou art kind unto all thy dependents and as thou art born in a pure race?
Therefore, when the opportunity comes, ask my father Aditya for my hand
with worship, ascetic penances, and vows. If my father bestoweth me upon
thee, then, O king, I shall ever be thy obedient wife. My name is Tapati
and I am the younger sister of Savitri, and the daughter, O bull amongst
Kshatriyas of Savitri, of (Sun) the illuminator of the universe.'"
SECTION CLXXV
(Chaitraratha Parva continued)
"The Gandharva continued, 'Saying this, Tapati of faultless features,
ascended the skies. The monarch thereupon again fell down on the earth.
His ministers and followers searching for him throughout the forest at
length came upon him lying on that solitary spot, and beholding that
excellent king, that mighty bowman, thus lying forsaken on the ground like
a rainbow dropped from the firmament, his minister-in-chief became like
one burnt by a flame of fire. Advancing hastily with affection and respect,
the minister raised that best of monarchs lying prostrate on the ground
and deprived of his senses by desire.
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