In the Avanti country is a city built by the gods at the beginning of
time, adorned with wonderful wealth and opportunities for
enjoyment. In the earliest age it was called Lotus City, then
Pleasure City, then Golden City, and now it is called Ujjain. There
lived a king named Heroic. And his queen was named Lotus.

One day the king went with her to the sacred Ganges river and
prayed to Shiva that he might have children. And after long prayer
he heard a voice from heaven, for Shiva was at last pleased with
his devotion: "O King, there shall be born to you a brave son to
continue your dynasty, and a daughter more beautiful than the
nymphs of heaven."

When he heard the heavenly voice, the king was delighted at the
fulfilment of his wishes, and went back to his city with the queen.
And first Queen Lotus bore a son called Brave, and then a daughter
named Grace who put the god of love to shame.

When the girl grew up, the king sought for a suitable husband for
her, and invited all the neighbouring princes by letter, but not one
of them seemed good enough for her. So the king tenderly said to
his daughter: "My dear, I do not see a husband worthy of you, so I
will summon all the kings hither, and you shall choose." But the
princess said: "My dear father, such a choice would be very
embarrassing. I would rather not. Just marry me to any
good-looking young man, who understands a single science from
beginning to end. I wish nothing more nor less than that."

Now while the king was looking for such a husband, four brave,