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

KINGS OF KASHMÍRA. 159
to their powerful enemies even as the wind is to cotton,
are known to have been destroyed by wine. Think of this.
Malleka Jamrathā who took possession of a kingdom knew
of the sin of drinking wine, but he was wise and kept him-
self aloof from it. His son Shāhimasoda began to drink at
sports and pastimes after his father's death and lost every
thing. The great city of the Mallekā, rich with the seven
requisites of royal power,* has now become a thing of the
past, owing to the evil habits of the wicked son, and is
even like a corpse with seven members. Wine is red in
the cup, and by its color I take it to be the heart's blood
of him who drinks it. There is no enemy to the living
like wine which is taken as beneficial ; for when taken
in excess it kills. Men drunk with the maireya wine
will commit deeds which even a madman will not do, for,
even he shrinks from such acts. The sprite in the shape
of wine enters the body of the man who drinks and in a
moment destroys his life while he is weeping or laughing.
O Son! You have come to your present condition by
taking wine which is poison ; now save your life, and
give up this hateful wine from today. You are foolish
and addicted to evil habits, but if you do not give up
wine without delay, you will be deserted by your good
fortune, and your life will be short."
When the prince heard these very commendable
words of his father, he replied that he would drink wine

• King, minister, ally, treasury, kingdom, fort, and army.