विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)

171
I am!' cried she, 'where shall I look for protection now?—
oh, where shall I find peace? Could I but restore you,
my dearest husband, to life and consciousness, if but for a
moment, I would willingly forfeit mine own! Alas! this
would never have happened had I not compelled you to
comunicate the secret of your death! I am irrecoverably
undone!' While Moheeny was thus lamenting her cruel
loss, Shambae rushed into the room with outstretched
arms, feigning great distress, and exclaiming, 'My dear
lady!—my angelic mistress!—what is the matter? What
has happened to you?' 'Cruel woman!' replied Moheeny,
'Your are the cause of this mischief!—I know it but too
well! You have cruelly, heartlessly, deceived me! Your
barbarous advice has made me miserable for life, depriving
me of my dear and fondly-cherished husband! There was
not the slightest need for his communicating to me the
secret which you have, by your artful designs, wormed out
of him for my own and his ruin. His blood be upon your
head! He had expressly desired me not to admit you into
our service, but out of pity for you I prevailed on him to
consent to it; and this is what you have done in return for
so much kindness! Oh, inhuman wretch!—how could you
be so un

172

city hard by, where I will procure for you one of the hand-
somest and mightiest of the princes of the earth to supply
the place of him whose loss you now deplore. This king—
for he is the reigning monarch of the city in question—will
not, I am sure, give you the least cause of dissatisfaction :
he will bestow upon you his undivided affection, and share
all he has with you.' This speech so enraged Moheeny,
that she seized a large stone, and threw it with great force at
Shambae, who, however, by a timely motion of her head,
avoided the blow which had been aimed at her. Notwith-
standing this unmistakeable sign of Moheeny's disinclina-
tion to listen to the widow's proposal, the latter again
addressed her. 'You are a lovely being,' said she, 'and it
will never do for you to pine away in obscurity in this
desolate wilderness. Besides, some misfortune greater than
the present will probably befal you if you remain here, now
that your protector and husband is numbered with the dead,
nor can I stay with you any longer; so take my advice,
and follow me. Leave this dismal place, and let the recollec-
tion of the dead be buried with him. It is appointed that
every man should die once,—it is the road we must all go;
in a word, it is worse than useless to rush into extremes of
passion when by so doing we cannot remedy the evil.'
Shambae continued in this strain for some time, and at
length succeeded in making some impression on Moheeny,
who, on considering her isolated condition, and the impos-
sibility of remaining much longer in that dreary spot, in the
end consented to accompany the widow, and be guided in
her future proceedings by circumstances.
"There were now only seven days required for the expira-
tion of the period at the end of which Hurridass, the prince's
bosom-friend and companion, had promised to visit them.
Moheeny knew this, and she resolved upon keeping it closely
locked within her own bosom, lest the widow should find
means to deceive Hurridass and prevent his coming, so
much in dread of this woman did the unfortunate Moheeny
stand. Previous to their departure she went into her

173
husband's room, and wept over his remains; she then
covered them with a large winding-sheet, upon which she
placed two of the jewels of her neck ornament, exposed
openly to view, for the information of Hurridass, should he
arrive in fulfilment of his promise. After this, with a heavy
heart, she bade Shambae take her where she pleased.
Moheeny plucked off two other jewels on her way out, and
placed them in the middle of the entrance to the cave; and
all along her journey she managed, .unperceived by her
companion, to drop a jewel here and there, at short dis-
tances, by which their track might be preserved, should
Hurridass feel disposed to follow her.

174
CHAPTER XI.
Veytal concludes the history, and disappears.
"THE Princess Moheeny and the widow Shambae pro-
ceeded on their way together, as we have seen, and within
a few days arrived within the dominions of king Kankame-
roo, by whom the princess was so loved, though he had
never seen her. Shambae immediately sent forward a
messenger to his majesty, informing him of the successful
termination of her mission, and that she was even then
conducting the object of his passion towards his capital.
The messenger appeared before the monarch with as little
delay as possible, and the king was thrown into a transport
of joy on receiving the glad tidings. He ordered that two
palanquins, several female attendants, and a proper suite,
should be sent out to meet Moheeny, accompanied also by
a large number of musicians and all the other necessary
appendages to the train of a lady of rank and station.
Shortly after, Moheeny and Shambae were conducted to the
palace in great state, and the people flocked in from all
quarters to catch a glimpse of the beautiful lady that was
brought for the king. They all with one accord gave their
opinion that she was a person of incomparable beauty and
figure, and that there was not one in the whole kingdom
who could be compared to her. Moheeny was directed to
take possession of one of the best sets of apartments in the
palace, which was assigned to her by the king's express
command.
"The monarch found in Moheeny all that the most vivid
imagination could have painted, and he was for awhile
almost beside himself with joy at the contemplation of her
dazzling beauty. He was so transported with extacy that
he addressed her thus:—'My goddess! my charmer!—

175
whence came you ? I never before felt for the handsomest
among women what I now feel for you ! From the day on
which I became possessed of the rich diamond, I have been
like one in a trance, and your lovely presence restores me
to life, love, and happiness !' Then, turning to Shambae,
who stood by, he said, ' My good woman, you have placed
me under a deep debt of gratitude : but for you I should
ere this have been numbered with the dead. I give you
credit for the greatest tact and ability, and you shall hence-
forth have charge of all my queens. I thank you sincerely
for all you have done : you have acted the part of a
great and skilful physician, and have cured me of my
malady. You may rest assured you shall not go unre-
warded.' The king continued praising this woman exces-
sively, adding at last that she even surpassed his minister
in capacity and judgment ; and she was immediately made
matron and keeper of his queens' apartments.
“ At night, after supper, the king sent for Shambae, and
desired her to ask Moheeny whether she would allow him to
pass the night with her. The widow accordingly repaired
to Moheeny's room,.and begged her to grant his majesty's
request. Moheeny smiled, and said, ' I should have had
much pleasure in acknowledging my gratitude and esteem
for the king by obeying him at once, but that I have made
a vow to a certain deity, which precludes the possibility—
for the present, at least—of compliance. I have been very
fortunate in falling into such good hands. My vow was made
for the purpose of securing a good and happy position, when
the death of my husband left me without a friend or
protector. This I have now obtained, but I cannot on any
account agree to the king's proposal until after I shall have
fulfilled the vrut.* Only then can I venture to take part
in anything worldly. Permit me also,' continued Moheeny,
' to thank you for your share in what has resulted in
securing me so happy a condition. Your kindness I shall

• Consecration by vow.

. 176
never forget. You seem to have great influence with his
majesty : use it now in my behalf. All I want is nine
days for completing my vow. I also desire that his majesty
will be pleased to order the necessary preparations for the
occasion, and direct the chief priest of his household to
prepare for the vrut, in accordance with our law. Lose no
time, good mother, but go quickly and submit my requests
to his majesty, and intercede for me.' The deluded Sham-
bae returned to the king, and communicated to him all that
Moheeny had said ; at the same time she besought him to
have patience, and to grant Moheeny's request ; adding
that there was no fear of her escaping, as she was strictly
confined within his palace, and carefully watched. The
king unwillingly consented, and retired to sleep. Next
morning he directed a temporary shed to be erected, beau-
tifully and richly ornamented, and, having summoned the
priests and worshipped the deity, as was the custom, the
brahmins and other devout persons were sumptuously feasted
for the space of nine days. On the ninth day, towards the
close of the ceremony, Moheeny, according to the direction
of the chief priest, worshipped the deity, and then, clasping
her hands together, she addressed it thus :—‘ O goddess !
I know thee to be the principal maker of the universe ; the
hermits and sages are perpetually thinking of thee ;
Brahma* is unable to recount thy invisible power ! How
then can I, with my profane tongue, praise thee as I ought ?
People born blind are restored to sight if thou but lookest on
them ; the lame are made to walk, the idiot restored to
sense, and the dumb made to speak ! Thy compassion is
great beyond measure ! If thou pleasest thou canst imme-
diately change pebbles into precious stones ; therefore the
devotees engage in the profoundest and most abstract
contemplation of thee. Hermits are absorbed in the medita-
tion of thy goodness ; the pious and learned are continually

• The first of the Hindoo Triad, or the form of the deity as crea-
  tor of the universe.

177
praising thy endless power! O goddess! O deity! behold
my miserable condition, and listen to my invocation! Pity
me, and relieve me from the dreadful misfortune that, is now
impending over me!' As she was thus praying, a voice
was heard from the heavens, saying, 'Moheeny! fear not!
—your deliverance is at hand! Your beloved husband
and his friend will soon visit you!' On hearing these
words of consolation, the princess felt greatly reassured.
She prostrated herself before the deity in thanksgiving, after
which she arose, calm and collected.
"Let us return now to Hurridass, whom we left with the
hermit. He there mastered every mysterious art, and
became thoroughly conversant with the moral duty of man-
kind. One night he dreamed that his friend, Prince Sew-
dass, was in great danger, and expiring in the cavern where
he had left him in health and enjoyment. This occurred
on the very night during which Shambae was engaged in
prosecuting her base designs against the prince. He started
up in affright, and looked around him, feeling much inclined
to set out on the instant, but as the hour was late he
contented himself with awakening the hermit and telling
him his dream. The next morning, however, he requested
the hermit's leave to go and see his friend, whom he had
promised, he said, to visit in four months, and that period
had already expired. The hermit consented to his going,
and instructed him in a certain charm of resuscitation, at
the same time giving him a pair of clogs, telling him to put
them on his feet and then think of the place he wished to
reach, and he would be instantly transported there. Hurri-
dass, after prostrating himself before the hermit, and receiv-
ing his benediction, did as he was bid, and instantly, almost
within the twinkling of an eye, he found himself at the
cave. He was surprised to find that neither the prince nor
his consort was there to receive him, and he began to search
the different rooms. When he came to the bed-chamber,
he perceived some one lying on the bed: he approached,
and great was his horror, on opening the curtain and
X

178
removing the sheet, to find the prince stretched out life-
less! He was fully convinced that this misfortune had
been brought about by the sword, for which he searched in
the chamber and all over the place in vain. He thought
he should perhaps find it in the fire-place, and sure enough
it was there, plunged among the hot coals. He removed
it for the purpose of cooling it, after which he rubbed its
edge, and ran into the prince's apartment, taking a little
water in his palm. There he uttered some words, as he
had been instructed by the hermit, and sprinkled the water
on the body of the prince, who moved as if in sleep, and
then opened his eyes wide with astonishment at not finding
his wife there, instead of whom he saw his friend Hurridass.
Sewdass got up hastily, and they embraced each other in a
most affectionate manner. The prince had not been aware
of any design against his life, and therefore made no
allusion to it, but at once enquired into the state of his
friend's health. Hurridass, instead of satisfying him on this
head, informed the prince of the cause of his journey by
means of the clogs, and how he had brought him to life
again. It then occurred to the prince that all this must
have been the work of the widow, and he accordingly told
his friend all that he knew of the matter. Hurridass inter-
rupted him, and proposed they should both set about
searching for Moheeny at once, which they did. They
went into every room and place where there was any likeli-
hood of finding her, but it was all in vain, as Moheeny had
departed with the widow a few minutes before the arrival of
Hurridass. In this dilemma they found under the cot the
two jewels which Moheeny had placed on the sheet which
covered her husband's remains, and they recognised the
jewels as having formed part of her neck ornament. At last
they lighted upon the one she had left at the gateway; they
then re-entered the cavern and proceeded to examine the
valuables and treasures in the place, all of which they found
correct.
"The prince and Hurridass now made up their minds to

179
proceed in their search for Moheeny beyond the precincts
of the cave, and therefore they made a hasty meal and came
out together. A few steps further on they found another of
the jewels, and so on at short distances from each other :
these they gathered, and continued to follow the track. In a
few days they arrived at the city where Moheeny was ; and
here they heard almost every man whom they met speak of
a certain lady of high rank and rare beauty who had recently
been brought to the palace, and who was then engaged in
performing a ceremony to a certain deity, and that the
ceremony was to conclude on that day. This lady, they
said, had been brought from a remote place by a widow
named Shambae, who was in the king's service, and had
been sent to fetch this lovely creature, who was now
deservedly admired by all, about four months before. The
prince and his friend, on hearing this intelligence, were
extremely concerned, and much incensed against the said
widow ; they could not help cursing both her and the king.
They, however, lost no time in disguising themselves like
respectable devotees, and in hastening to the palace. On
their arrival the attendants conducted them, by the king's
orders, to the assemblage of priests, who importuned them
to assist at the last ceremony of the nine days' celebration.
Moheeny, when she saw them, immediately recognised
them, and received them with every demonstration of joy
and respect, entreating them to assist her in the purnahooty.*
Moheeny then sent for the widow, and, when she came,
desired her to tell his majesty to send all his royal treasure,
both jewels and cash, to be laid before the deity. It was
brought accordingly, by order of the king, and piled before
the deity in a circle. This latter ceremony was performed
in the apartment allotted to Moheeny. The last rite having
been performed, she distributed immense treasure and large
quantities of clothing to the Brahmins, who, after regaling

• A particular burnt-offering to several deities, made at the close
  of certain ceremonies.

180
themselves at the expense of the king, set out on their
respective journeys. Moheeny likewise bestowed her charity
very liberally on others who had assisted her in the cele-
bration. That day seemed very long to the king, so impa-
tient was he to enjoy the society of the beautiful female who
had tantalised him so long. It was scarcely dusk, when he
sent for Shambae to carry a message from him to Moheeny.
"Prince Sewdass and his companion Hurridass, having
taken some refreshment in Moheeny's apartment, were
engaged in concerting plans of escape. In the mean time
Moheeny sent for Shambae, and said to her, 'Good mother,
the vow I made to secure the king for my husband has
been fulfilled by your kind aid, for which I cannot
sufficiently thank you. I shall ever remember it with
feelings of gratitude.' Saying this, Moheeny approached
her, and, holding her hand, respectfully forced her to sit
down on a raised seat. No sooner was the widow seated
than Moheeny shut the door of the apartment, and Hurri-
dass beckoned to the prince to lose no time. 'Take the
bar, and worship first the widow's head and then her feet,'
said he. The hint was immediately taken by the prince,
who got up, and, taking the bar, struck the widow on the
head with such force that she fell dead without a groan. He
repeated the blow in his fury, though Shambae showed no
sign of life. Hurridass then rapidly collected all the
treasure, among which he found the paduck* which Moheeny
had lost, and having made it into a bundle, he put on the
invaluable clogs, took Sewdass and Moheeny one on each
shoulder, muttered the charm that had been taught him by
the hermit, and they were immediately transported back to
the cave. The prince was lost in surprise at the miraculous
aid afforded by the clogs, and thanked Hurridass for his
kindness and the trouble he had taken in saving them from
the danger they had just escaped. Moheeny set about
relating to them all that had occurred to her subsequent to

• The centre diamond.

181

her departure from the cave, and in conclusion also thanked
Hurridass for the signal service he had rendered them.
“ King Kankameroo, having arrayed himself in his best
and most costly apparel, awaited the coming of the widow
in accordance with his summons. The attendant who had been
sent for her returned and said that she had gone to Moheeny’s
apartment, whither he had followed her,—that finding the
door closed he had knocked at it, but no answer came from
within,—that he cried out several times, but received no reply.
The king immediately repaired in person to the door of the
apartment, and ordered it to be broken open ; this having
been done, they entered, and perceived, to their great
amazement and horror, that the unfortunate widow was
dead : her hands and feet were widely 'extended, and she
lay weltering in her blood, a bar lying across her breast.
At this spectacle the king began to lament the loss of one
he prized so much as an instrument for carrying out his
objects and designs ; but his grief was turned into rage when
he found that not only Moheeny was missing, but also all
his treasure ! He was wild with passion, and for a time
could not utter a single word. At length he swooned, and
found some relief in unconsciousness. When he recovered,
he cried aloud, ‘ Oh, where is my diamond of love, and all
my state treasure ? How have I been deceived ! I do not
think it possible that I can survive the stroke ! Let me
die ! I cannot sustain this double loss—the jewel of my
heart and the jewels of my state !’ His minister, who had
received notice of the event, immediately repaired to the
palace, and found the king in a great frenzy. He endea-
voured to compose him, and said ‘ Your majesty must take
courage, and not succumb to the grief which I know you
must feel at the loss of your fair lady and the treasure of
the state. Consider well what a sage has said, that acquisi-
tions, death, and losses are not in the hand of man,—they
are only in the hands of God. It is true that men are
allowed to live and to enjoy themselves in this world, but
that is because God so wills it. Our enjoyment here will

182
be in proportion to our merits. We doat upon such
temporal enjoyments, and do our utmost to prolong them,
but we cannot expect to be in possession of them for a
moment longer than God wills it.’ ‘Oh my friend!’ said
the king, ‘that is all very true, but listen to me. Were
you capable of procuring for me the object of my love?—
No; it was Shambae who brought her here. The beauty
and charms of that unequalled being have smitten me to
my heart’s core, and I am wholly absorbed in grief and
melancholy. Look what hypocrisy she has resorted to,—
how she has killed my faithful servant, and made away with
all my treasure! And in what way could she have effected
all this? Alas! is there nothing you can propose to
discover her retreat?’ ‘Do not allow yourself to suffer
any more on her account,’ resumed the minister; ‘suppress
your evil desires, and reflect for a moment on the greatness
of God and his power. He has made all these luxuries and
enjoyments for men, but how transient and short-lived are
they! I implore your majesty to divert your mind from
these worldly prizes, and to fix it in the contemplation of
the glory of the Almighty, which will teach you and all of
us how to conduct ourselves in this world. I trust your
majesty will act as becomes your good sense and mature
judgment, and, by adding to the comforts of your subjects,
and ameliorating their condition, give them cause to love you
and acknowledge your merit, and thus call down upon you
the blessing of heaven.’
“Prince Sewdass and his friend Hurridass had by this
time almost wholly forgotten the trials and sufferings they
had undergone; and after living for awhile in ease and
comfort, they contemplated visiting their respective parents,
from whom they had not heard since their elopement.
After some consultation they raised, with great exertion
and at enormous expense, an immense army, like that of
some great and powerful monarch, and, loading a number
of camels with the wealth, riches, and furniture they found
in the cavern, they set out for the city from whence they

183
had first travelled. The troops formed a magnificent
retinue, and in a few days they reached the neighbourhood
of the city. The officer of the fort received information
that a great army was approaching, and he became greatly
alarmed. When, however, he saw it with his own eyes, he
thought proper not to lose a moment in reporting it to the
king, who was also taken by surprise. He directly despatched
an officer to bring authentic intelligence as to the object
of this grand array of men and beasts. The officer, on
reaching the advanced guard of the strange army, tried to
glean some information from the soldiers, but could learn
nothing satisfactory, so he returned to the king without loss
of time, and informed him that he had failed in extracting
anything from the men, as they were all profoundly silent.
On this the king ordered his regular troops to be on the
alert; and, as soon as the principal officers of state had
been summoned to his presence, he ordered them to proceed
with the troops, and stop the progress of the enemy, and,
if need be, to engage them in battle.
“ The king's army accordingly proceeded on their
mission, and marched quickly to meet the forces of Prince
Sewdass. The latter, seeing the hostile movement of the
king's troops, and rightly guessing the cause, despatched a
messenger with an epistle addressed to the king. He was
ushered into the royal presence, and was received with the
usual courtesies. He then delivered the packet, and
informed his majesty, in addition, of every particular
regarding Prince Sewdass and the minister’s son. The
king and his minister could scarcely believe their senses;
but after awhile, every doubt as to the identity of the
persons heading the foreign troops having been removed, the
court rang with cheers of joy and welcome. The king went
forth in person to meet his son, and in his train followed
the minister and a host of others. The two friends, Sew-
dass and Hurridass, were delighted to see their respective
fathers, and having alighted from their chargers, they
embraced them with sincere joy and much affection. They

184
then proceeded into the city, amid the cheers of those
assembled. The king conducted them to his palace, where
Hurridass took leave of the prince and the now aged king,
and wended his steps, together with his father, to the pater-
nal mansion. There he was met by his mother and relatives,
who all by turns lavished on him their affectionate caresses.
In like manner was the prince received at the palace.
“The day following, the aged monarch declared before
his assembled courtiers that, being worn out with age and
the infirmities attendant thereon, he had resolved on placing
the crown on the head of Prince Sewdass, his son, and on
nominating Hurridass prime minister, in place of his father.
The assembled gentry and the officers of the court heard the
resolution with great and unfeigned joy, for they knew that
the successors to the king and to the minister were worthy
of that distinction, and would acquit themselves in a manner
worthy of their rank and position. Accordingly, the king,
having seated Prince Sewdass on the throne with all due
form and ceremony, invested Hurridass with the robe of the
prime minister. Rejoicings and displays befitting the
occasion were celebrated in and around the palace, and the
populace shouted with one voice their wishes for long life
and prosperity to the newly-created sovereign and his minis-
ter. Thus did Prince Sewdass and his friend enter at an early
age into the administration of state affairs, but they never-
theless conducted themselves with so much dignity and
judgment that they gained the applause of all who witnessed
their bearing and conduct, as well as universal respect
and esteem.”
The peacock, having concluded the above relation, flew
from the chowrung on which he had been seated, and was
instantly lost to view in the design upon the wall.

185
CHAPTER XII.
Veytal re-appears, in the form of a peculiar description of swan, and
commences to relate the history of the Princess Chitrangee and
Charoo, the merchant's son.
WHEN the peacock made his exit, as related at the
conclusion of the last chapter, there remained only a prahur*
to sun-rise. The Princess Pudmavutty and the disguised
brahmin were much delighted with the narration of the
peacock, and wished that some other bird would make its
appearance and amuse them in a like manner, which would
enable them to sit out the remainder of the night in the
enjoyment of similar pleasure. They had barely time to
give expression to their thoughts, when the Veytal
again appeared, for the fourth time, in the shape of a
Rajhouse,† and took up his seat upon the chowrung, as the
three other birds had done. It must be recollected that the
brahmin was the only person present who knew it to be
the Veytal. The fine shape and beautiful feathers of the
Rajhouse contrasted so strongly with his odd tricks and
apparently funny disposition, that the princess fell into an
immoderate fit of laughter, but she did not tell it to
commence its tale, which as usual fell to the brahmin, who
addressed the Rajhouse in the following words:—"Oh most
excellent bird!—I pray you do us the favour of diverting
us with a tale until the dawn, which will not be long in
coming. We have spent the greater portion of the night
in listening to the interesting tales of three different birds,
and I sincerely hope you will contribute to our amusement
from the store of knowledge you doubtlessly possess." The
* A period of three hours.
† A peculiar description of swan.
Y

186
Rajhouse replied, “I do not refuse to do your bidding, but
ere I proceed I must beg of you to obtain the permission of
our royal hostess, which is essentially necessary. Moreover,
the relation I purpose giving is one of much interest, and
will doubtless be productive of considerable amusement.”
The princess, hearing this, thought to herself that this tale
would probably surpass even those she had already heard,
and therefore bade the Rajhouse proceed at once with it;
whereupon the bird, having indicated to the brahmin that
the princess had both laughed and spoken, and solicited the
close attention of all present to what he was about to relate,
began as follows:—
“There was once in heaven, in Indra’s* hall of audience,
a grand assemblage of angels and other spirits, at which
dancing-girls of every description and nation were invited
to attend. Among them was one named Chitrangee, who
was possessed of great beauty and attractions, combined
with skill and a genteel deportment. Indra, who was much
pleased with her, desired her to sing and dance, and she
submissively obeyed his royal mandate. She sang with
such tenderness and pathos that the whole assemblage
expressed their high delight, and extolled her beauty and
qualifications in very profuse terms, as well as her musical
performance. Before, however, she had ended the dance,
she lost her unison and consonance with the instrument,
which greatly displeased them. Indra, preceiving this
confusion, fell into a violent passion, and exclaimed, ‘O thou
wretched woman!—thou false one!—what is this thou art
doing before the subha?† Thou shalt assume the form of
humanity, and dwell in the world!’ These words fell upon
the ears of Chitrangee like a thunder-clap, and she stood
as though spell-bound in the midst of her dancing. Clasping

• The name of the deity presiding over Swarga (the Hindoo Para-
  dise) and the secondary divinities.
  † An assembly.

187
her hands together in the most submissive manner, she
thus addressed the enraged Indra :—‘ My lord, be merciful
to me !—pardon my shortcomings if I have been wanting
in my duties ! Restore me to thy favor and to happiness,
otherwise I shall be wholly undone !’ Indra was moved
and somewhat appeased by her entreaty, and told her that
she should not be subjected to any great misery, but should
be transformed into a princess, and should dwell in the
court of a king,—that when she attained the age of twelve
she would become possessed of great talent and virtue,—
that a person who would give her a full account of Chitra-
koot would wed her,—and that after she had made herself
fully acquainted with that narrative she would exchange
her mortal frame for one of celestial mould, such as she
then possessed, and be again reunited to the host of heavenly
beings. She prostrated herself accordingly at the feet of
Indra, and, after taking leave of all those assembled there,
she returned to her abode at Chitrakoot, where she spent
the day in the usual manner, but in a very dejected mood.
At night she retired to sleep, and in her sleep her soul
quitted her body and descended to the world.
“ There was at that time a king in the city of Kanchun-
poory named Chakradunt, who was gifted with every virtue,
and who had a very chaste and handsome consort, but
although they had been married for several years they had
not been blessed with issue. This was a source of great
uneasiness to the king. At length the queen, for the first
time, became pregnant, which sent a thrill of joy into the
king’s almost withered heart. In the usual course of nature
she was delivered of a daughter of surpassing beauty, and
they called her Chitrangee.* The king caused great rejoic-
ings to be made, and thanksgiving to be offered throughout
his dominions, and performed the usual ceremonies enforced
by custom and religion. The child was reared with great
care and solicitude until she arrived at years of discretion,

• Signifying, Endowed with varied talents and excellencies.

188
when the king proposed that she should marry ; and with
that view ordered his minister to repair, with a suitable
retinue, to the courts of various neighbouring princes, to
seek for a personage of befitting rank and position to become
the husband of Chitrangee. He also sent several other
officers on a like errand. They were engaged in this way for
several years, but no eligible consort could be found for the
princess. They therefore returned to court, and acquainted
the king with the unsuccessful result of their mission, at
which he was extremely grieved, and thrown into consider-
able anxiety. While he was revolving in his mind what he
should next do, the princess, observing the mood he was in,
presented herself before her father, and begged him in such
moving terms to make her acquainted with the cause of his
apparent distress, that he could not refrain from opening
his mind to her. ‘My lord,’ said she, ‘be not grieved
that you have not been able to procure a fit personage to
become my partner for life. Permit me to propose a plan
which I trust will prove successful, and ensure the realisa-
tion of your wishes. I am sensible of your paternal love
and affection, which have for their aim the promotion of my
happiness. The scheme I would propose is this : let a
large, round, and smooth wooden pillar be erected ; on its
top let one thousand small bundles be fastened, in a single
row, and under each of these bundles place a ruby. The
person who claims my hand in marriage must first climb
to the top of the pillar and remove each of the rubies
separately from under its respective bundle, and then give
me an exact account of the Chitrakoot mountain, as I am
very desirous to become acquainted with it. The person
who acquits himself of this task to my satisfaction shall
be my husband, of whatever degree or condition in life he
may be, even if he be poor or deformed. Your majesty
need only write notices to this effect, and publish them far.
and wide, besides sending them to all the courts you can
think of. I am sure the greatest men and princes will
attend, if not on my account, at least for the sake of

189

displaying their gallantry and capacity.’ The king approved
highly of his daughter’s suggestion, and set about it forth-
with. Letters having been sent to all the neighbouring
courts, and public notice given, the pillar was erected near
the gate of the palace, and preparations on an extensive
scale were made for the occasion. Shortly afterwards the
messengers returned from the several courts, with a reply
that all the nobles and princes regretted very much they
could not consent to attempt the task, as it was a most
severe one: they had heard of many, they said, but none
of them so difficult of accomplishment as the one now
proposed by his majesty. Though they might perform the
dangerous ascent of the pillar, it was more than doubtful
whether any could be found to give an exact account of the
Chitrakoot mountain. Under these circumstances, therefore,
they each and all begged his majesty would excuse their
attendance, which could be productive of nothing but their
utter humiliation and discomfiture. The king was astonished
and much disappointed on receiving this reply. He however
resolved on giving the matter a fair trial, and with that
view sent criers round the country, intimating that all classes
of persons would be allowed to contend for the princess’
hand in the manner prescribed; and in the mean time a
strong guard was placed in charge of the pillar.
“In the city of Charten, which was formerly governed
by a powerful monarch, there lived a merchant named
Nanawuttee, who had by his care and industry amassed
much wealth, and who lived in great splendour. He was
married to a beautiful wife, endowed with much virtue and
good sense, who had borne him three sons. The first was
called Kotashwer, the second Lockaswer, and the third
Charoo.* Of these the youngest was the greatest favourite
with his parents. The merchant was confined to his bed
with old age and infirmities; he thought he had not long
to live, and he therefore called his wife and sons to his

• Signifying, Elegance.

190
bedside, and told them that he could not long remain their
friend and protector, but was about to pay the last debt of
nature,—that he was thankful to God for prolonging his
days so far, and for the happiness that had been vouchsafed
to him. ‘But,’ said he, ‘I must now leave you and attend
the call of the Supreme lawgiver. Be careful to follow my
example, and bow with submission to the will of God, who
orders everything for the good of his creatures. Remem-
ber also that it is the lot of every man to die once.’ Then,
addressing himself to his favorite child, he said, ‘My beloved
Charoo, you are still unsettled in life. You are young,
and do not yet know the world.. Be guided therefore by
your elder brothers, who will instruct you in all that is
necessary for your happiness. Be of good cheer, and do
not take my departure from amongst you to heart. Be
wise, and continue to live together in peace and harmony.
Be virtuous, and you will meet with your reward hereafter.’
Shortly afterwards, the old man died, and his sons became
the sole heirs to his immense property. They conducted
themselves in such a manner as to deserve the applause of
all good men, as well as of their neighbours and relatives.
Young Charoo, however, had, unknown to all, become a
confirmed gamester, which was not found out until it was
too late to snatch him from the yawning chasm into which
he was fast rushing: the habit had taken too deep-rooted
a hold on him. In addition to his gaming propensities he
was daily squandering away his share of the fortune in
extravagant and riotous living. The two elder brothers
tried to check the growing evil, and begged him repeatedly
to reform his conduct, so detrimental to his prospects in
life, and injurious alike to his character and fortune. They
said that he who led a life of debauchery and excesses
deserved to be treated in a severe manner, and be at last
reduced to extreme poverty and want. Notwithstanding
their continued entreaties and corrective advice, they
regretted exceedingly to find that it was all of no
more avail than was the good example set by themselves.