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VIJAYAVEGA'S REPORT (pp.81-99):鈥�"sir : nothing else could achieve what has actu-. ally been by the divine power of the ring. Last year at the end of the rainy season when the rivers were free from floods, the Commander-in-Chief ordered from Kundinapura a march in the direction of Kanci-mandala with the intention of bearing King Kusumasekhara down. Bringing to book the intervening vassals, he entered the boundaries of the Kanci region. Knowing full well the inferior power of his own army, King Kusumasekhara took refuge in a castle with full military preparations, with the intention of passing time, while he deputed his spies to various kings for military assistance. Meanwhile the Commander-in-Chief laid a tight seige around the castle. Day after day passed with fighting which became at times curious, at other times fierce, sometimes comic and sometimes boaring. Thus did a long time pass away. "Once during the Spring season, when the Festival- -of-Love-god (Madanamahotsava) was at its height, everybody was busy enjoying and, the first quarter of the * almost night being/over

181 almost night being over, and the soldiers were about to go to bed, the bugles and drums all of a sudden i emitted a warning signal and the whole camp was up on the feet in a moment. The commander could not make out the cause of confusion. But presently two riders, Karataka and Kandarata, came rushing to report that the enemy had mounted a surprise night assault against them. The commander was much delighted at the news and ordered f for his chariot, and having mounted it, he swiftally drew at the head of the attack. Then ensued a fierce battle at close quarters and the whole atmosphere was full of various noises of twangs of the bows, cries of the wounded, clinking of swords, clatter of chariot- -wheels and roars of flooding blood-steams. Soldiers began to fall dead with every passing moment in the terribly raging battle, when a young prince was seen approaching and repeatedly sotang shouting at Vajrayudha by his name in a challenging voice. The commander also took up the challenge and both, Vajrayudha and the prince, were locked in a fierce duel. When 1 soon found that the former was fighting a losing battle, I remembered the Balaruna ring which I slipped into one of his fingers. And, lo : the whole army of the enemy suddenly

182 became motionless and fell fast asleep along with the prince. Our forces were overjoyed and rushed forward. But the commander stopped them in your name and approached the chariot of the prince, whose condition was miserable. He, therefore, asked the accompanying female attendant about the prince. " With eyes full of tears, the chowry-bearer replied: 'He is Samaraketu, the heir-apparent of Canraketu, the king of the Simhala country. Ordered as he was by his father to help Kusumasekhara of this city, he arrived with his army at Kanci. For the last five or six days he was cheerless and care-worn. Today, in the morning, for some unknown reason, he dressed magnificently, went with the retinue to the temple of the Love-god, passed there the whole day and, at night, having sent off all his attendants, slept in the temple. At midnight unexpectedly he set out with his army ready for a surprise night-attack, inspite of the disapproval of his ministers and friends and came to the present plight. " When the next day dawned, the rival army regained consciousness along with the prince, Samaraketu, who, realizing that he was captured by the enemy, again swooned out of deep sense of shame. Thanks to the cool

183 breeze of the forest, he again regained consciousness. The commander then announced ceasefire and restrained our soldiers froom looting the enemy camp. The prince was brought to our barracks where he was lodged with the commander who arranged for due medical treatment. When the prince recovered completely he was brought, with all his attendants, to the commander who honoured him with I best of dishes, drinks, dresses and ornaments and told the prince that he was free to return to his country.At this juncture as the prince wanted to know about his rivals at whose hands he had suffered such an unexpected/ defeat, the commander told him about the power of the divine Balaruna ring and the whole story of your Highness acquiring it, begginning with the meeting with the god Jvalanaprabha and winning the grace of the Goddess-of- -Prosperity. The prince was highly impressed by the story and expressed a desire to have the honour of meeting and of paying his respects to Your Highness. The commander, therefore, brought with him the prince, who is at present camping near Sakravatara garden on the bank of the Sarayu. I have been detailed in advance to wait on Your Highness for further orders."