Vidyadhar Malla, the chief of the Karachuli race, a Rajput tribe, was
the king of Triling and Kalinga. Bhagurayana was his minister. Charayana
was his Vidushaka or confidential attendant. Chandraverma, the king of
Lata, was the maternal uncle-in-law of Vidyadhar Malla. He had no son.
To satisfy his desire for a son, he dressed his only daughter
Mrigankavali as a son to pass her off as such. People knew that the
child was a son.
Bhagurayana had heard from the sages that "whosoever shall wed the
daughter of Chandravarma shall become the paramount sovereign." So he
told Chandravarma, "My king desires to see your son." Upon this
Chandravarma sent his child to the queen of Vidyadhara Malla to be taken
care of by her. Thus the minister contrived to bring Mrigankavali to the
palace of his king.
One day, while the king is asleep, Mrigankavali puts a necklace on the
neck of the king, being induced by a maid-servant who had instructions
to do so by the minister. The king takes this as a wonderful dream. The
vision of a beautiful maid agitates his mind. The king thus relates to
Bidushaka the story of his fancied vision, "for the burden of the heart
is lightened by sharing it with a faithful friend."
"A glorious halo appeared before me in my dream, bright as the moon's
resplendent disk; within the orb a beauteous maiden moved as gently
radiant as the lunar rays in autumn skies.
Advancing near me, she inclined her head in reverence, and, as if
pouring ambrosia into my ears, pronounced in softest tones,
'Glory to the deity of love!' Then sighing, she took up this string of
costly pearls and placed it on my neck. This awoke me, I started up and
saw my vision realised. I caught the nymph by her scarf, but she hastily
extricated herself from my hands and fled, leaving me this necklace
alone the evidence of her presence." Bidushaka asks his Majesty, "Was
not the queen with you when you dreamt? What did she do?"
The king replies, "The queen got angry and left me." Bidushaka remarks,
"Why could not you assuage her anger?"