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

KINGS OF KASHMÍRA. 117
he said, that owing to the dust-rain there would be a
famine in such a year. The year 36 of the last century
was the harbinger of a severe famine, and men feared that
the present year 36 would become like the one that was
past. The country was beautified with the shāli rice, when
snow fell in the month of Agrahāyaṇa and caused distress.
The earth covered her face with snow, as with a white
mantle, as if unable to bear the sight of the people's dis-
tress. The ripe shāli crop which had gladdened the
hearts of men was covered with snow, even as men of
learning and merit are covered with sandal paste in
an assembly of the wicked and the ignorant. The
monster famine soon stamped its mark on the coun-
try ; there were emaciated men distressed for want
of food, oppressed with hunger, and with eyes in-
flamed. A hungry man, distressed with the thought
of what he should eat, entered a house at night, and
leaving aside gold and other riches, stole rice from a pot.
All day, and even at night, the beggars entered the
house where there was rice, one after another, even as
arrows enter a body. Some took shells (coin) with them,
went to houses where there was grain, and obtained dry
cakes with which they sustained their lives ; and some
died by eating after too long or too short an interval,
Feeble, emaciated men in villages longed to obtain rice
which was like nectar to them, but lived on edible
leaves, roots, and fruits, as if they had taken some reli-
gious vow. Some again supported themselves by cook-