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

KINGS OF KASHMÍRA. 327
Rājapurī. Having thus secured a victory, and joined by
the king of Rājapurī, he arrived in the house of Masoda-
nāyaka in the month of Chaitra. The Nāyaka received
the Khāna in his house as if he were a god ; and owing
to the Khāna's virtues, the Nāyaka's devotion to him was
never shaken. The sea may over leap its shores, the
sun may rise in the west, but a Kṣhattriya never swerves
from his duty towards one who asks his protection.
The Khāna had now collected an army and was joined
by the Chhayilla soldiers, and, with a view to overcome
his enemies, he stationed himself on the top of a hill.
The soldiers were like diseases, and destroyed every-
thing in the houses, and the people remained in them with
difficulty, even as life remains in a body prostrated by
illness. Jerāka, who was in prison with his back fastened
to a door, was killed by the Mārgapati out of fear, within
the city. When the officers of the king heard of this
they all became displeased and spoke ill of the Mār-
gesha, for the Mārgesha had violated the assurance of
safety he had given to Jerāka. In the month of Jyāiṣhṭha
the cruel Mārgesha heard the evil news, and being dis-
tressed, remained at Mallashila with the king. As the
draṅga road was blocked, those who had received
pay from both parties despaired of reaching the two
armies. At that time, the people of this country had to
eat their food without salt, and who did not hear of this
ludicrous Mārgesha curry? It was with difficulty then
that the people in the city bought one and a half pala
of rock-salt for twenty-five dīnāras.