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

KINGS OF KASHMÍRA. 163

who can consolidate a kingdom. The second is very
liberal, but his expenses are so great that if he had gold
as high as the Pradyumna hill, there would not be one
karṣha of it left.* The youngest is wickedly inclined and
addicted to vice, he would soon ruin the court. I do not
consider any of them to be a good and worthy son. I
will not bestow the kingdom on any ; he who is the strong-
est will get it when I am dead ; this is my purpose. Who
will appreciate my worth unless many perish in the conflict
after I am gone? Men will then appreciate my peaceful
reign. One does not know that the sun has set if dark-
ness does not cover all sides, and men's sight is not
blinded, if robbers do not rob, and good people are not
alarmed. I have obtained the kingdom by my own power,
and have governed it by my intelligence, but by quarrel-
ling among themselves, my wicked sons are destroying
every thing. The royal power with its seven constituents,
and with its mineral wealth, is like a body with seven
limbs and blood ; but it is being wasted by the three
wicked sons, as by three diseases. There does not exist a
good minister today who, like a physician, can restore
it to health by nourishment and treatment. I have long
enjoyed this kingdom, and have tasted the joys of religion,
song, literature, and my life is satiated. I have no other
work to do. I have, owing to my love for my subjects, in-
creased all the new productions of the country threefold

---

• A karsha is equal to about 280 grains troy.