388 APPENDIX I away, Vaisampayana had asked his soldiers to bathe in the holy Achchhoda lake before setting out. As he strolled along the bank of the lake, a great change came over Vaisampayana, who stood motionless before an arbour, until losing all self-control, he sank down and wept bitterly. He seemed to recognise some thing and as if seeking what was lost. To all their entreaties to come away he remained obdurate and at last they left him there at his own earnest entreaty. Chandrapid on hearing this strange story was greatly pained. He was comforted, however, by the thought that this would be a good reason for asking leave to go in search of Vaisampवैyana. Chandrौpda came back to the city and leal that Tarapida had gone to Sukanasa to comfort him. Chandr pida entered the minister's house and sat down, distressed by Manorama's lond laments. Tarapida binted that Vais'ampaya) conduct was due to some fault of Chandrapda, when Sukanasa protested against such injustice to the prince and angrily said that the whole blame lay with his son, an ungrateful reprobate. Chandrapida then besought leave to go in search of Vaisampayana as the only atonement for the fault his father had ascribed to him. Tarapda gave the permission and bade Sukanौsa to find out a lucky day for the prince's departure. Chandrapida secreal ordered the astrologers to say that the next day was luckyThey told him As the aspects of the planets stand you ought not to o: but the will of the prince is the most proper time.' Next morningChandrapida's mother performed for him the usual auspicious ceremonies and bade him a loving farewe: Then he saw his father who ordered him to perform his mission and return as quickly as possible. Then Chandhapfda set out and rode day and night regardless of hunger, thirst and weariness until he was overtaken by the burst of the rains. When he had done two-thirds of his journey he met Megha nada who had been sent by Keyiraka, despairing when the rains broke that Chandrapida would over take him. Sad at heart, Chandrapida rode on and reached Achchhoda, where he posted his guardsmen on four sides of the lake and advanced alone on horseback. But nowhere could he see any trace of Vaisamp. yala. Perplexed he went to Mahasveth's hermitage, where he found the holy maid seated at the entrance of her cave, weeping bitterly and supported by Taralika, To his eager inquiries as
