324. 360 CHAPTER VI

360 CHAPTER VI

be realised by taking into consideration the effect of it. For, the effort in itself is very innocent and insignificant, but it is quite in keeping with the helpless situation, in which the focus of the situation, the heroine, is placed, as also with her basic mental state. THE EFFORT SITUATION. Ratnāvalī is in Udayana's harem as a keeper of Vasavadatta's pet bird. It is the day of celebration of the spring festival. Every one in the palace is in the festive mood. Grand preparations have been made for the celebra- tion. The King is coming to receive the love-offering from the queen, according to the age-long custom. Sāgarikā, who is no other than Ratnavalī in disguise, also comes to see the celebration. But the queen, fearirg the effect of her beauty on the amorous mind of the king, sends her away to look after the bird. Sāgarikā, however, impelled by the youthful curiosity, sees the celebration, concealing herself behind a tree of the palace garden, the scene of festivity. On this occasion it is customary to worship Cupid. The queen has invited the king as usual to come to accept her offering. The king comes. But such is his natural beauty that Sagarika thinks that Cupid himself has come, and, as any young girl would do, prays that his sight may not go altogether futile. The celebration ends and a bard announces the presence of the subordinate Rajas in the audience-hall to pay their respects to King Udayana. This announcement reveals the identity of the king to Sagarika, who so long mistook him to be Cupid. She immediately remembers that to him it was that her father gave her in marriage. What effect such a situation will have on the mind of a young unmar- ried princess, it is not difficult to imagine. Which girl