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

424 KINGS OF KASHMÍRA.

again. Yosobha knew how to distinguish the cultivators
from the soldiers, even as a swan knows how to separate
milk from water.
Merja Laskara, Yosobha Khāna's son, took posses-
sion of the country, when his father had left it in order
to serve Jyallāladīna. He was without a blemish, a
jewel fit for the head of all men; his person was like
nectar, and he looked graceful like the youthful moon.
Now one of his Yavana servants went to the banks of
the Vitastā, and there harassed the people by ordering
them to lift loads of wood. Merja Laskara himself saw
the Yavana harassing the people and said to his minis-
ter,—"See how he is killing the men. Alas! do my
servants oppress the people of Kashmīra? Why do they
not fear king Jyallāladīna? How strange it is that there
is no robbery, no fear from thieves or from wicked men,
that merchants pay no tax either in village or in town,
that clouds rain, the earth becomes fruitful, and the
cultivators keep their annual gain, and the country suffers
no loss when emperor Jyallāladīna rules!" He then
ordered the Yavana to be promptly arrested, and the
minister immediately hurried to seize him. But the
Yavana fled in fear, whereupon the minister reported
that the man had run away. Merja Laskara then
said:—"Now that the man has fled, do what I say,—
take the boats laden with wood into the middle of the
Vitastā and burn them in such a manner as to strike
terror to the people." The minister did as he was