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

KINGS OF KASHMÍRA. 197
in their eyes and with loud cries, saying, "why has Fate
destroyed our protector the old king?" 'This short
reign became intolerable and appeared long, even as an
evil dream that is dreamt in a summer night. The
king's servants felt happy in amassing wealth by plunder,
in purloining household articles, and in oppressing the
people, even as owls are happy in darkness. The king
lay drunk with wine, and did not perform his duties
towards his subjects, but spent his time rolling on his
bed within the palace. He listened day and night to
songs sung by a potter, and did not give audience even
to men of merit who were worthy of a king. 'The
beautiful palace in Lakshmīpura,* which was completed
in the reign of Shāhābhadena, was burnt down by fire.
The great row of buildings in the neighbourhood of
Balāḍhya maṭha was also consumed together with the
wealth of many citizens. When men saw the destruction
of houses and witnessed other calamities in the country,
they said that the disasters would cease only with the
death of the king. The king ascended the palace and
saw his own five chambered house in flames ; he felt
happy and sank into the pleasures of drink.
In the meantime Neyadhīshaṇa sent the king's
son on an expedition into foreign countries. At the
sight of the army the kings of the foreign countries

• This perhaps refers to the city of Shrinagara.