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

KINGS OF KASHMÍRA. 69
through fear, and Hamsa and Gaura, captured him
after allowing him a little respite. But when Sāha died
they were incited by the lust of royal power to fight
against each other, even as two bulls are attracted by
a cow and engage themselves in breaking each other's
horns. At the time when Laddarāja was released from
prison by Hamsa, Gaurabhaṭṭa died in battle and glad-
dened the hearts of the celestial females. Fortune, ever
moving as the elephant's ear, now abandoned her fickle-
ness, and settled on Hamsa in the absence of a more
deserving object, even as an unchaste woman clings to
an old husband. But Shāhikhāna, though a boy, did not
brook the pride of Hamsa, as the new moon does not
brook the darkness increasing during the dark fort-
night. The wise heir apparent (Shāhikhāna) held a
council of the Ṭhakkuras, and killed in battle Hamsa-
bhaṭṭa who had killed Laddarāja. The love of the
people flowed towards Shāhikhāna, as the water flows
downwards. As black bees disregard the Kunda flower
and go to mango blossom, so the Royal Fortune felt a
desire to embrace the heir apparent, now flushed with
victory. But the time has not yet come for the prince to
be a king, and Royal Fortune remained therefore in a state
of suspense. Owing to the excessive love of the subjects
which the prince enjoyed, and owing also to his clever-
ness, the king bestowed on him the management of the
kingdom out of affection. Then Merakamsāra, the evil
minded Turushka, guided the powers of the prince as