History of Bengali Language and Literature c10.103

c10.103

They saw each other and fell in love. How could an interview be effected? It was impossible to attempt anything like it on the face of the guards—those eunuchs who kept a strict and vigilant watch at the palace gate. Sundara disguised himself as a Sannyasin, wore matted locks and a false beard and covered his face with ashes and saw Rājā Vira Sinha. To the surprise of the Rājā and his courtiers he declared his desire to enter into a scholarly discussion with Vidyā, and, if he succeeded in winning the game, to take her for his wife. A strange story from the lips of an ascetic! Such a challenge would only be entitled to credence and approval if a prince were the suitor. But as Vidyā had promised that any man was welcome to accept the challenge irrespective of age and social status, the false Sādhu insisted on being ushered behind the screen to have a discourse with her in various branches of learning and win her for his bride. The maids of Vidyā humourously asked her to match her powers with his and if she should prove the weaker of the two, to court the lot of an ascetic's wife and wonder with him bare-footed,