(98.)
INTRODUCTION.
15
the
Desirous of seeing a hundred kings he, also, crossed
ocean-wave dark like the Kramuka tree, where, thrown
by Bhargava in the guise of sharp arrows, a bar, as it were,
prevents even to day the free advance of the sea.
(99.) If he retraced his steps from that bridge, which,
causing the head of the sea to become bald, appears like the
nurse who ran after her foster daughter ravished by the lord
of Lanka and was startled at hearing the news that Sità was
with the Rakshasas, still his fame did not turn back.
(100.) That chief of wise men turning his face from common
princes roamed, full of curiosity, leisurely over the Southern
land.
How shall I sing of the high bosoms of the fair ones
there, from whom the God with the five arrows is happy to
learn as a pupil?
(101.) There the lucky poet received from the Chalukya
king, the terror of the Cholas, the dignity of Chief Pandit,
distinguished by the grant of a blue parasol and a mast elephant.
Since that time princely Fortune held him in eager, firm em-
brace, with armlets jingling on her sportively encircling arms.
(102.) He, the tale of whose fame the elephants even
guardians of the quarters of heaven, heard with tremors of joy,
when the bees were sent to sleep by tasting their ichor, has
composed this truly lovely poem out of affection for the prince
of Karnata May it be an ornament of the throats of the learned.
(103.) I have gained wealth in every quarter, I have won
blessings worthy of the virtuous, in disputes with worthy ad-
versaries I have gained everywhere high fame of victory. May
I soon hold converse with the Kashmirians, who are virtuous
and praised for their cleverness in extracting the quintessence
of matters.
(104.) I have gained some favours from kings, I have seen
some bits of splendour, I have studied some compositions, by
G
