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

KINGS OF KASHMÍRA. 59
khāna, Shāhikhāna, and Mahmadakhāna, as the three
worlds are beautified by the waves of the Ganges. The
sons of queen Shovā were adopted children, and were
therefore banished. One of them, Piruja, was, however, not
banished from the city by the king. On the side of
Pradyumna hill, the king built a town, even like the
town of Alakā reflected on the Mānasa lake, and in-
habited by virtuous people. The Yavanas, who had
accumulated wealth, were indifferent as to the king's
treasure, whether it was large or small. The kingdom of
Kashmīra was polluted by the evil practices of the
mlechchhas, and the Brāhmanas, the mantras, and the
gods relinquished their power. The gods who used to
make the glory of their prowess manifest, even as fire-
flies manifest their light, now hid their glory on ac-
count of the country's sin. When the gods withdrew
their glory, their images became mere stones, and the
mantras, mere letters. Owing to the sin of the Kali
yuga, the merits of those who did virtuous acts were lost,
and the gods deserted the images, even as serpents cast
off their skins. As a crystal becomes red or white or
black by the reflection of the object that is near it,
even so, the king became changed. Sūhabhaṭṭa who
disregarded the acts enjoined by the Vedas, and was
instructed by the mlechchhas, instigated the king to
break down the images of gods. The good fortune of the
subjects left them, and so the king forgot his kingly
duties and took a delight, day and night, in breaking