Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t19.5

v2.c10.s2.t19.5

received a message from Kṛṣṇa, Siladitya’s half-brother inviting him to come and meet Siladitya. He hesitated about the invitation in the beginning, but soon he made up his mind and started off to the palace. Siladitya was extremely arrogant to him at the beginning. He called Bana a libertine and even told him to go away immediately. But Bāṇa successfully changed Siladitya’s opinions about him in one visit by telling stories about his family and showing his knowledge, capability and good moral characters and thus was invited again into the palace. Later, he returned to his hometown and created Harṣacarita at the request of his relatives and friends who were all eager to listen to the stories of Siladitya. Bāṇa’s later life still remains a secret to us today, and he died even before he could finish the novel Kādambarī which was eventually completed by his son Bhūṣaṇa.