The Beginnings of Buddhist Art and Other Essays in Indian and Central-Asian Archaeology c11.s1.29

c11.s1.29

16. (L., 32). Without allowing himself to be discouraged by the length and terrible difficulties of the journey, the hero of the story at last succeeds in reaching the city of king Druma. At this very moment a crowd of *Kinnarīs* is engaged in drawing water in great quantities for the bath of the princess — because, they say, of that human odour which she has brought back with her from the earth, and which will not disappear. Sudhana takes advantage of this to throw the ring of recognition into one of the pitchers, which he recommends to the servant as the first to be emptied over the head of Manoharâ. According to the text the trick is played without the knowledge of the *Kinnarī*; but according to pl. XXXV, 2, so elegant in its morbidezza, it cannot be that she is deceived concerning the intention of the gesture and the motive for the recommendation of the young man.