A History of Indian Literature v3.c35.s13.8

v3.c35.s13.8

Prince Apahāravarman is a master-thief and scientifically schooled burglar. He speaks about larceny as a wholly honourable profession. Therein he is not a person devoid of moral grounding. He plunders a city for the purpose of helping a man ruined by a harlot, so that he may regain his fortune, since he has heard that the city is full of rich miserly fellows : for this he is resolved to follow "the instruction prescribed by Karṇīsuta¹ in order to make them realise the perishability of wealth and to bring them to senses thereby". Even Upahāravarman, the hero of the second story, in his turn, who has no scruple either in respect of falsehood, or cheating or killing in his activities directed for getting possession of a queen, is declared "moralist" by Rājavāhana, who says :