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

6 KINGS OF KASHMÍRA.
spend his money to save his life from the Rākshasas.
On one full moon night in the month of Chaitra, a
dependant of theirs was stationed at Bhīshāyaka dressed
as a Rākshasa chief, adorned with precious jewels but
covered with grass. And as the signal was given, he stood
forth in the presence of men, blessed the king, and
took away his ornaments, and retired into the forest by
night. Then these two men told the king that since the
Rākshasa chief had accepted the king's offerings and had
blessed him, his kingdom would be without danger. Thus
the wily men frightened the worthless king like a child,
and robbed him of all his wealth. The king, after
reigning for nine years, six months, and ten days,
died on the eighth bright lunar day of Bhādra, in the
year 40.
Then his son named Varttideva reigned. He died
on the tenth bright lunar day of Bhādra, in the year 47.
For want of a worthy successor the citizens elected
one named Vopyadeva their king. He was like the
Rākshasa chief covered with grass, and to him homage
was paid. Once this foolish king felt happy at the
sight of large blocks of stone, and he ordered his
ministers to increase the size of the smaller ones by
making them drink the milk of beasts! On one occa-
sion this foolish prince heard of the greatness of the
shrine of Sureshvarī, and, accompanied by his ministers,
came there by boat. He made faces on the water,
and was angry at seeing his face disfigured in the re-