History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c17.3

c17.3

And it happened one day as the king, Narasiha, was out on his elephant on pleasure attended by Māṇavamma, he became thirsty and drank of the water of a tender cocoanut sitting on his elephant and gave the nut (of which he had drunk with the water that was left therein) to Māṇavamma thinking him to be some other attendant. And Māṇavamma took the nut that was offered to him and communed thus with himself: ‘This king is a friend to me and, considered in its true light, what is there mean or degrading in eating the remnants of that which another had partaken? It can in no wise harm me, therefore, to drink this.’ Then he drank off the nut. Yes, so great are the efforts of exceeding prudent men who are resolved to overcome difficulties! And the king (happening at that moment to turn round) perceived the error he had made, and fearing (lest what he had done should grieve his friend, and desiring also to repair the wrong he had unwittingly done to him) seized the nut and himself drank off what had been left in it by his friend. In such manner do honourable men always conduct themselves.