Simhasanadvatrimshika f7.p14

f7.p14

rājño 'ktam: tat karmānusāreṇā 'bhūt. idānīm asya viṣaye mahān prayatnaḥ kartavyaḥ. mantriṇo 'ktam: katham? rājā 'bravīt: yaḥ ko 'pi rājaputrasya cikitsāṃ kariṣyati, tasyā 'rdhaṃ rājyaṃ dīyata iti grāme ghoṣo dāpayitavyaḥ. mantriṇā 'pi tathā kārayitvā svabhavanam āgatya śāradānandanasya purataḥ sarvo 'pi vṛttāntaḥ kathitaḥ. tat sarvaṃ śrutvā śāradānandanena bhaṇitam: bho mantrin, rājño 'gra evaṃ nirūpaya: mama kāpi kanyakā vartate, tasyā darśanam asya kāryam; sā kamapy upāyaṃ kariṣyati. tac chrutvā mantriṇā rājño 'gre tathai 'va kathitam. tato rājā sarvasabhāsahito mantrimandiram āgatyo 'paviṣṭaḥ. tadanantaraṃ rājaputro 'pi sa se mi re 'ti vadann upaviṣṭaḥ. tac chrutvā yavanikāntaḥsthitena śāradānandanena padyam abhāṇi: sadbhāvaṃ pratipannānāṃ vañcane kā vidagdhatā?

The king said: 'That happened in accordance with past deeds. Now great effort must be made regarding him.' The minister said: 'How?' The king said: 'A proclamation should be made in the town: "Whoever shall cure the prince, to him half the kingdom is given."' The minister too, having caused that to be done, went to his own house and recounted the entire event before Śāradānandana. Having heard all that, Śāradānandana said: 'O minister, state this before the king: "I have a maiden daughter; she should be shown to him; she will employ some means."' Hearing that, the minister told the king in just that way. Then the king, accompanied by his entire court, came to the minister's palace and sat down. Thereupon the prince too sat down, saying: 'sa-se-mi-re.' Hearing that, Śāradānandana, standing behind a curtain, spoke a verse: 'What cleverness is there in deceiving those who have attained good faith?