Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.281

c7.281

GHAṬA. A notorious thief. He had a friend called Karpara. They were jointly known as Ghaṭākarparas. Once both the friends went to commit theft. Leaving Ghaṭa at the door-steps Karpara entered the chamber of the princess who, after enjoying sexual pleasures with him gave him some money asking him to repeat such visits in future. Karpara told Ghaṭa all that had happened and handed over to him the money which the princess had given him. Karpara went again to the princess. But, owing to the weariness caused by the night's enjoyment both the princess and he slept till late in the morning. Meantime the palace guards found out the secret and took the lovers into custody. Karpara was sentenced to death and led out to be hanged. Ghaṭa was present on the spot and Karpara asked him secretly to save the princess. Accordingly Ghaṭa, without anybody knowing about it, took the princess over to his house.