A History of Sanskrit Literature c16.s1.17

c16.s1.17

We come to more definite chronological grounds with the name of Mayūra,³ who flourished at Harṣavardhana’s court in the seventh century and who was reputed the father-in-law⁴ of Bāṇa, while Mātaṅga Divākara won fame comparable to both of them. The legend tells that he described so minutely the beauties of his daughter that she cursed him in anger, and he became a leper, from which unhappy state he was rescued through the aid of the sun god whom he celebrated in his *Sūryaçataka*. It seems probable enough that the legend is due to a verse of the *Mayūrāṣṭaka* which describes the appearance of a maiden who has secretly visited her lover and is returning from his side: