There was once a king called Mahasena who ruled the kingdom of Alaka.
Mahasena and his wife Sasiprabha had a son called Sundarasena. Sundarasena was extremely handsome and that was the reason that he was given that name.
Sundarasena was friendly with all the sons of the ministers in his father’s court and they all grew up together. Drdhabuddhi was one of the sons of a minister of the kingdom and he was Sundarasena’s best friend.
Once just as Sundarasena was about to go on a hunting expedition with his friends, a great female ascetic by name Katyayani came to the kingdom.
She saw the beauty of Sundarasena and she realized that there was only one woman in the entire country who would be a match for the man.
She came forward to tell Sundarasena about this.
But that was when Sundarasena’s troubles started.
As he had been packing for the hunting expedition, he had not been able to pay any attention to Katyayani.
Katayayani was angry at being ignored by the prince. “I came to tell you all about a good match for yourself. However, if you are not interested, I shall keep silent.”
The prince realized his mistake. He asked forgiveness from the ascetic and asked her to wait in the palace while he returned from the hunting expedition.
Katyayani saw that the prince was sincere and agreed to this.
She waited in the palace of the kingdom while the prince went on the hunting expedition.
Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara
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