महाराणा कुम्भा (हरविलास सारदा - मेवाड़ साम्राज्य के अद्वितीय विजेता, निर्माता व विद्वान्)

Maharana Kumbha.
had lately given birth to a cub. Ran Mal
said he did not mind that, and went on.
Placing his men at suitable points he ascended
the hill with 60 men. They commenced the
ascent where the parapet was yet low. The
path was steep and rugged ; and in the
darkness of the night each grasped his
neighbour's skirt for security. As the party
reached a ledge of the rock, the glowing eye-
balls of the lioness flashed upon them as she
came roaring towards them. Ran Mal ordered
his son, Aradakamal, to dispose of the beast.
He advanced and buried his poniard in her
breast.¹ This omen was superb. They soon
reached the summit. Some had ascended the
parapet, others were scrambling over when the
minstrel slipping, fell, and his drum which
was to have accompanied his voice in celebrat-
ing the conquest, awoke, by its crash, the
daughter of Cháchá. Her father quieted
her fears by saying it was the thunder and
rain of bhádon, and told her to fear God only
and go to sleep, for their enemies were safe
¹ Another account says that Ran Mal's sword only
wounded the lioness, whereupon Chandan Charan, who was
with Ran Mal, killed her with a poniard. See footnote in
Vir Vinod, p. 318.
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