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

KINGS OF KASHMÍRA. 189
ravāva, and what did they not earn thereby through the
favour of the king who showered gold on them. Every
man was afraid of the king who was always under the in-
fluence of the wicked even when he was in his private
apartments or among his women, and the wicked were
like demons well skilled in dissimulation.
Once upon a time the ministers sent the barber Pūrṇa
to the king, and when the king was alone, the barber
asked him what he intended to do with the former
ministers. "These your father's ministers" he said "des-
troyed your party, and yet you have made them power-
ful now that you have obtained the kingdom. These
men, Hassana the treasurer and others, are loved by
your youngest brother, and cunning as he is, he is trying
to win them over by his wiles. Your body is frail and
you always confide in your brother, so that it will not
be long before the destruction of yourself, your sons, and
your servants is effected." When the king heard this he
said :— "It is true that my youngest brother dislikes my
son, but I will tell you the reason why nevertheless I
give protection to this wily man. My youngest brother is
violent in temper, and my eldest, who is active in his pre-
parations to usurp my place, is cunning, I intend to quell
my eldest brother by means of my youngest, even as a
thorn is extracted by a thorn. It is for the sake of this ser-
vice that I am giving him shelter, not out of respect for
him." When the barber heard this he made two or three
great men acquainted with the intention of the king.