हम्मीर महाकाव्यम् (रणथम्भौर चौहान वीरगाथा एवं इतिहास)

enable them to bear down all their many enemies. Jelâlu'd-
dîn, said the envoy, now looked upon Vîranârâyaṇa as
his brother, and called upon the Almighty to witness if there was
aught of deceit in his heart. The envoy concluded by inviting
the prince, in the name of his master, to be the guest of the
latter in his capital. "Should your Majesty have any objection,"
added the wily man, "to accept of Jelâlu'd-dîn's hospitality,
Jelâlu'd-dîn himself will come to Raṇathambhôr and pass a
few days with you."
At this time there was pending some feud between Vîranâ-
râyaṇa and Vigraha, king of Vakshasthalapura. Bent
upon chastising Vigraha, Vîranârâyaṇa gave a willing
ear to the ambassador, and resolved upon an alliance with
Jelâlu'd-dîn. Vâgbhaṭa disapproved of this alliance with
the wicked Muhammadans, sought an interview with Vîra-
nârâyaṇa and spoke against it. "An enemy," said he, "is
never changed to a friend, do what service you may to him;
and if you have any wish to live and govern the kingdom, you
must listen to the advice of your teachers and elders, and
avoid having aught to do with Jelâlu'd-dîn and the
Muslims."
Vîranârâyaṇa was incensed at his uncle's advice, and con-
temptuously asked him not to think of the cares of the state,
as they were now ill-suited to his old and weak mind; that he
himself was equal to the task of government, and henceforth
would do and act as best pleased him.
Vâgbhaṭa, stung to the quick by this answer, left the
palace and departed for Mâlwâ. Other courtiers, too, after
Vâgbhaṭa had left, tried to dissuade the king from going
to his enemy, but all failed. Vîranârâyaṇa at length went
to Yoginîpura. The wily Muslim came out to receive him, and
treated his guest apparently with the greatest respect. The
prince was delighted with his reception, and became much at-
D