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Ratnavali is a famous Sanskrit drama about a beautiful princess named Ratnavali, and a great king named Udayana.
This Sanskrit play is a sequel to the story of Princess Vasavdatta of Ujjaini and King Udayana of Kaushambi. Because of certain events that were happening, Vasavdatta had to fake her death. In order to keep the relation strong between Ujjaini and Kaushambi, they sent Vasavdatta's Sinhalese cousin, Ratnavali, to be married to Udayana. But, the plan of Vasavdatta's fake death worked, and she was back as the Queen of Kaushambi. Unfrotunately, Ratnavali didn't know that. Her ship broke down and she floated in the water until a merchant ship found her and took her to the palace. The minister didn't want her to be sad, so he told the Queen that her name was Sagarika. Vasavdatta said that she could be her companion and take care of Medhavini, the myna bird. Vasavdatta made sure that Udayana didn't see Sagarika, because she was very beautiful. The Fetsival of Madana the love god took place at the palace. Sagarika wanted to go, except she had to watch Medhavini. Another companion of the Queen's named Susangata offered to watch Medhavini. When Sagarika reached there, Vasavdatta was worried that Udayana would see her, so she ordered her to go back. She was disappointed and drew a picture of Udayana on a leaf. Susangata found out about her love for Udayana, and drew her picture by his side. A ferocious monkey came inside ad opened the cage. Medhavini flew away. The women hid behind a tree. Vasantaka (One of Udayana's Brahmin friends) and Udayana heard the bird repeating Susangata and Ratnavali's conversation, and followed it to the garden house and they found the picture. "Why this is the Queen's companion Sagarika!" Vasantaka said. The king was absorbed in her beauty and said "I must meet her." So they met. The Queen approached with her headmaid, Kanchana Mala and saw the picture. Udayana made excuses about how he conjured the girl out of his imagination. Vasantaka and Susangata made a plan. Whenever there was a veneration, Sagarika and Susangata would dress up as the Queen and Kanchana Mala. Kanchana Mala overheard them and told the Queen. At the veneration, Udayana oopened his arms and said, "My dear Sagarika!" The Queen showed her fgace and went away upset. Meanwhile, Sagarika had been in the forest. She felt ashamed about what she was going and made a noose out of the vines. Udayana saw her and ran over. "Stop o' Queen!" He said. Sagarika lifted the veil and hugged him. The real Queen saw this and was outraged. She sent Vasantaka to jail and Sagarika to an inner apartment where her hands and feet where tied up. When a minister came to see Udayana, Susangata came in saying, "There is fire in the inner apartment!" Vasavdatta felt bad about what she had done. Udayana ran in to save her. "How is this possible? The fire does not burn my hair!" He said. The flames disappeared, it was a trick. Then the minister came and told them about her real identity. Vasavdatta apologized to Ratnavali and organized their wedding, so that Ratnavali could be his 3rd wife, for he had married Padmavati when the plan was in action of Vasavdatta's death. Then they all lived happily ever after.