द्वितीय राजतरङ्गिणी (जोनराज - कल्हणोत्तर मध्यकालीन कश्मीर का प्रामाणिक इतिहास)

KINGS OF KASHMÍRA. 113
their master in that field of battle, ambitious of obtain-
ing fame, even as black-bees roam about in a garden in
the presence of spring, seeking for flowers. Soldiers
whose heads were lopped off lay in the battle field, like
morsels of food in a vessel for the hungry Yama. What
with the sound of the war trumpet, what with the uproar
of men, and what with the lion like shouts of heroes,
there was a noise, the like of which was never heard.
The king's servants, who had received the king's favours
as a debt, now repaid it by casting aside all hopes of
their life; and they earned merit and praise by saving
the lives of many bewildered people. The sharp arrows
of the royal troops fell on the party of the Khāna, as if in
fear, and seemed to convey to him a friendly hint to save
himself. His banner also trembled in the breeze and
flew backward, as if seeking shelter behind in fear of the
battle. The field of the battle where slaughter took place
was like a lotus plant; the severed heads of warriors
beaming like lotuses, and the chariots moving like
leaves on the water. The king beheld the extraordinary
heroism of his son and his army, and when at last the
battle was over, he thought that he had obtained a new life.
All through the day, while the battle lasted, Hājyakhāna
was held by force by his servants, and now he turned
back from the combat, surrounded by the guards. When
the timid elder brother saw his younger yield, he pur-
sued him and killed the soldiers who were overcome by
their fear and felt ashamed at their defeat. What need