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

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.

191
Charoo continued his evil courses, without any attempt at
reformation.
“One day he went as usual with his companions to
engage in play, and he lost a large sum of money. Not
satisfied with this, he borrowed a thousand rupees from an
acquaintance, which he also lost in the same way. When
their gambling was concluded the lender demanded instant
payment of his money. Charoo had no alternative but to
endeavour to comply, so he requested his creditor to accom-
pany him to his brothers, whom he desired to liquidate the
debt for him. Instead of doing so, however, one of his
brothers became so enraged and choleric that he refused at
once, and, in addition, began to revile Charoo. ‘Foolish
man!’ said he, ‘you have already dissipated your share of
our father’s legacy. You are now approaching manhood, and
yet make no effort to wean yourself of your evil practices, or to
get rid of your swindling associates. You are a disgrace to all
who are in any way connected with you! Get thee hence!
—quit this house instantly, and find a dwelling where best
you can!’ These words so mortified the misguided Charoo,
that he immediately resolved on leaving the paternal roof.
Before he put his final determination into effect, however,
he applied to his other brother for the pecuniary assistance
he required, but he met with no better reception than before.
He then resolved upon endeavouring to borrow the money,
and went for that purpose to each and all of his professed
friends, but he found that they either would not or could
not lend him a single coin. He was thus placed in a great
dilemma; but at length, on his using great persuasion and
entreaty, his creditor consented to wait until the morrow,
when Charoo promised to procure the amount for him by
some means or other. Having obtained this respite, he
proceeded home in a thoughtful mood, and very much
crestfallen at having lost the reputation and position he
once held among those given to his mode of living. He
found his wife waiting for him, and no sooner did she see
him than she divined from his countenance that he had met

192

with some heavy loss; she did not therefore venture to
question him. Charoo bathed himself and worshipped the
household deity, after which he partook of his supper and
went to bed. His wife then ventured to ask him the cause
of his great uneasiness, which, she said, altogether changed
the expression of his features, and rendered him unusually
dull and melancholy. Charoo could not withstand the
affection which prompted the enquiry, so he revealed every-
thing. ‘This morning,’ said he, ‘I lost a great deal of
money in gambling, and when I had nothing left I borrowed
a thousand rupees from an acquaintance, which soon went
the same way as the rest. The creditor made a demand
for instant payment, and, not having any money of my own
left, I took him to my brothers, and begged of them in turn
to pay it for me. They had not only the cruelty to refuse
me, but heaped terms of opprobrium and abuse on my head;
and, to add to the indignity, they told me never more to
set foot within the family mansion. Hereupon I applied
for assistance to those who called themselves my best and
most intimate friends, towards whom I had on all occasions
been most liberal and true, but I fared no better. I am
sensible now of the value of money. My brothers would
never have treated me in the manner they did had I still
possessed my wealth, or even a portion of it; nor would my
friends, as they called themselves, have disregarded my
application to them. I am certainly to blame for my folly
in squandering away my inheritance. I might have been
trusted to any extent had I not proved so fickle and weak-
minded. I now repent of my past conduct, and will try to
atone for it in future. My present difficulty is how to meet
the debt I have to-day incurred. The man will assuredly
be here to-morrow, and I have no means of paying him.
What shall I do? Whither can I look for assistance?’
Charoo's wife was a model of beauty and virtue, and could
not but feel deeply for her husband's misfortune. In her
affection she said to him, ‘I pray you not to give the
matter another thought, but take the trinkets I now wear,

193
which you know are yours, and dispose of them to satisfy
your ruthless creditor.’ Charoo affectionately embraced
her, and thanked her from the bottom of his heart for the
sacrifice she had made. They then composed themselves
to sleep with some degree of calmness.
“Next morning, Charoo sent for the creditor, and when
he came he made over to him valuables sufficient to cover
the debt, and took from him an acquittance. Charoo was
naturally of a liberal turn of mind, so after he had trans-
ferred to him such jewels as he knew would be sufficient,
he asked the creditor whether he had received enough.
‘Let me know,’ said he, ‘whether they are sufficient or
not. I will give you more if you wish it and will consent
to follow me, as I am about to travel into foreign parts.’
The creditor was aware that what he had already received
would more than liquidate his claim, but being of a grasping
nature, and without a grain of conscience, he said he would
follow Charoo. On leaving home, Charoo said to his wife,
‘Dear wife, I am indeed sorry to leave you alone, but
necessity compels me to it. It is no longer possible for me
to live here after what has occurred. I must try to regain
my lost property. I am about to enter into foreign trade,
as well as to gain by travel some knowledge of the world.
During my absence I trust you will spend your time between
your domestic concerns and thoughts of me, and conduct
yourself in a peaceable and respectable manuer in the bosom
of my family.’ His wife was bathed in tears at this sudden
resolution of her husband : she begged him never to forget
her in the midst of the acquisitions which she felt sure he
was fated to make, and wished him every possible happi-
ness. With many expressions of mutual sympathy and
good feeling they parted from each other.
“Charoo set out on his journey, accompanied by his
creditor, and in a few days arrived at the city of Kanchun-
poory. He there learned the condition attached to the
acquisition of the Princess Chitrangee’s hand in marriage,
and he was determined to make the venture. The prospect
z

194
before him, in case he succeeded, encouraged him greatly.
He went to the palace, near which the pillar was erected,
and enquired of the head guardsman whether what he had
heard as having been proclaimed regarding the princess was
true ; and on receiving a reply in the affirmative, Charoo
first examined the pillar very narrowly, and then briskly
climbed to the top of it. It was not without difficulty,
however, and that of no ordinary kind, that he effected this
feat. Having got up, he proceeded slowly to untie the
silken knots which enclosed the rubies, and having secured
them all, he descended with far greater ease than he
mounted. He gave the rubies to his creditor, who, being
now perfectly satisfied, went his way.
“The guardsman in charge of the pillar never for a
moment expected that Charoo was capable of displaying so
much perseverance and presence of mind as was required
for so hazardous an undertaking, and he was therefore much
astonished when he saw it performed so readily. The
agility and strength of Charoo soon became the theme of
conversation throughout the city ; and the report of the
performance of the arduous feat was immediately conveyed
to the king, who was greatly delighted to hear of the youth’s
prowess. He directed Charoo to be introduced into the
palace without the loss of a moment, and all eyes were
directed to where the hero of the day was to make his
appearance. Charoo was accordingly brought in, and the
king advanced to meet him, and to give him a cordial wel-
come, extolling his courage and perseverance in terms of
high praise ; after which he was conducted into the presence
of the princess.
“The fair Chitrangee, seeing a young man of prepossess-
ing appearance and great physical powers, felt a sudden love
for him in the private recesses of her heart. She was grati-
fied, too, that he had ventured forth to win her at so great
a risk of humiliation and mortifying ridicule, to which he
would most certainly have been exposed had he failed in
his attempt. It now only remained for him to give a

195
description of the Chitrakoot mountain, which the princess,
after the usual exchange of civilities, requested him to do.
Charoo told her in reply, that if he had known it was
absolutely necessary to relate the tale of Chitrakoot, he
would have procured the necessary information. 'Some
time ago,' continued he, 'I called at Indra's palace, on
particular business, and on my way I saw from a great
distance the mountain in question, but as I then had no
interest in learning anything about it, and being quite taken
up with my business, I thought it would be losing time to
visit it. If, however, you are anxious to know the particu-
lars respecting that place, I must solicit from you sufficient
time to travel there, which I will undertake to do solely on
your account, and hasten back with the desired information.
Please God I shall soon return.' The king and the
princess were equally pleased with the eloquence and sound
sense with which Charoo spoke. The remainder of that
day was spent in feasting and other enjoyments, and on the
following morning Charoo expressed his willingness to
depart for the mountain of Chitrakoot. The king and the
princess having consented, he set out, followed by their
earnest prayers that God would be pleased to preserve him
from all dangers; that blessings might attend him in all
he undertook; and that he might return safely home.
Charoo thanked them in all sincerity for their kind and
affectionate wishes on his behalf, and commenced his
journey with a stout heart.

196
CHAPTER XIII.
Veytal proceeds with his tale.
“ KING CHAKRADUNT himself accompanied Charoo
beyond the city gate, and at parting addressed him thus :—
‘ My dear Charoo, you will, I doubt not, by God’s blessing
succeed in your enterprise. Lose no time, therefore, in
returning to us. You will gladden us by your early
re-appearance.’ Charoo renewed his thanks to the king,
and went his way. He travelled northward, and in due
course of time arrived at the capital city of Badrikadar,
which was not only famed for its wealth and situation, but
was also much esteemed and held in high repute by Hindus
as a place especially devoted to worship and for pilgrimage.
In this city there was a temple dedicated to Shree Narayen,
to which Charoo immediately repaired, and made his invo-
cation in the manner prescribed by Hindu law. On his
way to the famed mount it was his good fortune to meet
with an aged and venerable hermit, whose solemn counte-
nance and devout appearance caused Charoo to throw himself
humbly at his feet. The hermit desired him to rise, and
bestowed upon him his benediction. He was pleased to see
a youth of such a comely and handsome bearing as Charoo,
who, although he had then attained only his seventeenth
year, yet exhibited the proportions of a full-grown man.
The hermit, addressing him, said, ‘Young man, where are
you going, and what is your name? Are you married?
Are your parents still living, and what calling do your family
pursue? Do not dissemble, but speak the truth.’ Charoo
sighed, and then faithfully informed him of every particular
respecting himself and the mission on which he was engaged.
The hermit recommended him to accompany him to his abode,
and on their arrival there Charoo earnestly solicited the

197
hermit to guide and advise him, in order that he might
succeed in obtaining the information he sought. The
hermit smiled, but looked thoughtful. 'What is your idea,
Charoo,' said he, 'of this mission? Do you think it
possible that you will succeed? You are indeed lucky in
having met with me, because you would otherwise never
have found out where the Chitrakoot mountain is situated,
even if you wandered over half the world. In all proba-
bility no human being has ever gained admittance there;
how, then, can you by any possibility expect to succeed in
your mission? However, listen attentively to what I am
about to say, for it is of the utmost importance to you.
There is on the mountain of Himonchul* a most beautiful
Vur tree: it has a large trunk and seven branches. It
rises to a great height, and the branches extend a hundred
and twenty yojuns in circumference. On one of these
branches there live a family of royal geese, consisting of a
gander, a goose, and three goslings. These birds possess
the remarkable power of entering into the three worlds,—
namely, heaven, the earth we inhabit, and the infernal
regions. They possess as much sense and discernment as
any of the human kind, and they live chiefly upon celestial
fruits. One of the birds goes daily to the heavenly regions
for the purpose of procuring sufficient fruit to last for
the day; this they do by turns. When the fruit is brought,
it is immediately divided into seven shares, one of which is
offered to God, and set apart for that purpose; a second is
reserved for any guest who may happen to visit them; and
the remaining five are distributed amongst them—one to
each. Before they sit down to their meal, the bird who
has brought the food that day calls out in a human voice
for a guest, three times successively; if one chances to be
near he is at once invited to partake of the share allotted
to him, but if no guest appear they commence their repast,
at the conclusion of which the two unconsumed shares are

• One of the Himalaya mountains.

198
thrown into the water. This is their daily practice ; you
must therefore proceed thither as a guest, taking care to be
within hearing when the bird utters the usual call. When
you present yourself they will invite you very civilly to join
them, and will place a portion of the fruit before you with a
request that you will partake of it. But do not touch it at
first ; and when they ask you the reason you must unfold
your mission to them, and beseech their aid. Being very
charitably disposed, they will doubtless agree to help you ;
and after they have promised their assistance you may eat
the fruit laid before you.’ After this advice the hermit
presented Charoo with a fine fruit, and desired him to eat
it, telling him that it possessed the rare virtue of preserving
a person from every harm—from the attacks of wild beasts,
snakes, or human beings, as well as from the pangs of
hunger. Charoo received it with much gratitude, and
eagerly devoured it ; he then prostrated himself at the
hermit’s feet, thanking him for all he had done for him ;
and after receiving his blessing a second time, he started
anew on his journey, in the direction pointed out by the
holy man who had so materially befriended him.
“ On his way towards Himonchul, Charoo encountered a
great many hardships, all of which he successfully
surmounted. At last he arrived at the foot of the mountain.
Its immense height filled him with astonishment—its top
seemed to pierce the skies. He could not then discern the
tree the hermit had told him of, in consequence of the
prevailing mist ; he therefore remained where he was for
that day, and anxiously awaited the coming morrow, when,
with renewed strength and vigour he resolved to commence
the perilous ascent. He was engaged for several days in
this discouraging task, until at last, after much toil and
fatigue, he gained the lofty summit, where he had the
satisfaction of seeing the gigantic tree, with its seven large
branches and its profuse and tender foliage ; it also appeared
loaded with fruit in uncommon abundance. Being scarcely
able to distinguish objects in the dusk, he did not look for

the birds, but lay himself down to recruit his wearied frame.
He spent the night in reflecting on the past and in devising
plans for the future, and at early dawn he rose to look
about for the birds. As noon approached, the heat became
intense, and he sat down under the tree to refresh himself.
While seated there, happening to cast his eyes upward, he
saw one of the feathery tribe descending from a great height,
and at length it alighted upon the very bough under which
he was seated, but still at a great distance from him.
Charoo arose and approached nearer, regretting much that
he could not converse with the bird. He was still proceed-
ing towards it, when he heard a loud voice, resembling that
of a human being, enquiring if there was any guest to join
them in their mid-day meal. Our traveller answered
immediately. 'Yes,' said he, 'I am here, a stranger in
this place.' The old goose, hearing this reply, immediately
sent off one of her goslings, who flew towards Charoo and
invited him to honour their dwelling with his presence.
Charoo consented at once, whereupon the gosling raised him
from the ground and took him up to one of the furthermost
boughs of the Vur tree. The other birds seemed exceedingly
pleased, and received Charoo very courteously. The old
bird addressed him, saying; 'We are to day highly favored
by the Almighty in providing us with a guest.' The whole
of them then entered into familiar discourse, soon after
which the birds set before Charoo his share of the celestial
fruit, being the sixth portion. They desired him to eat
without ceremony, telling him they had not the power to
procure for him any other dainty. Charoo, as he had been
instructed by the hermit, showed no inclination to eat, and
the birds, perceiving it, said, 'We beg you will be kind
enough to honor us by partaking of our food. We have
offered you all we possess.' Charoo was moved by their
affectionate solicitude, and could no longer remain silent,
so, addressing himself to them, he said, 'It has pleased
God to bring me here in the character of a guest. I am a
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me. Your condescension emboldens me to prefer a request
which I would otherwise have never ventured to do. I will
explain to you first why I have travelled so far, and then
tell you what it is I desire of you.' He then told them in
detail every circumstance with which it was necessary for
him to acquaint them, and concluded by requesting that
they would be kind enough to take him to the Chitrakoot
mountain and afterwards bring him back to their abode.
The birds readily consented to do so, and assured Charoo
that they would do all in their power to promote his designs,
what he had already asked them being a mere trifle. After
this, Charoo desired them to proceed with their meal, and
he himself fell to heartily. On the following day the royal
bird directed the one whose duty it was to go that day for
their daily allowance of fruit, to take up Charoo to the
mountain of Chitrakoot, and to bring him back again, if he
wished to return that day, or whenever he liked. The bird
accordingly, with Charoo sitting on his back, flew away with
incredible speed, and soon conveyed him to the top of the
mountain. At parting, the bird told him he would return
that way with the fruits at noon, and that until then he
might walk into the town and inspect the novelties there to
be seen. 'You must return to this place by that time,'
continued the bird, 'and if I am not here, wait awhile for
me, as this is the spot we daily frequent.' Charoo thanked
the bird, and then directed his steps towards the gate
of the city, on entering which he observed a great many
men in various attitudes,—some were seated, others lying,
and some standing on their feet, but all appeared to have
lost the power of motion. He approached several, and
found them all inanimate,—they could neither move nor utter
a word. Charoo passed through several of the streets, and
saw that in the shops, which were open, men were apparently
busily engaged in counting money, and filling up bags with
it, while others were in the act of locking up chests, but all
in the same fixed attitude, without a single sign of life or
motion. Charoo then amused himself by changing the

201
drapers' goods from one shop to another, after which he
spilled some ghee which he found in one, and broke a large
jar of oil in another, but the owners only eyed him fiercely,
without being able to utter a syllable, still less to prevent him
from committing his depredations. Charoo next went into
one of the largest buildings in the city, where he found
men and women engaged in different domestic occupations,
and every one of them in a similar paralysed state. He
could not comprehend what this phenomenon meant—that
they should one and all be thus deprived of the power of
speech and locomotion. At last he came to a very extensive
square, in the centre of which a large mansion was situated.
He entered it, in the hope of gaining some information
relative to the extraordinary state of affairs in the place.
The building was magnificently furnished, and the windows
and doors were set in gold. He entered the inner hall,
where lay a quantity of costly articles, as well as rich
utensils of pure gold and silver. Next to this was a cham-
ber, which appeared to Charoo to belong to a princess or a
queen, and in the centre of it a handsome alcove, lighted by
four lamps of solid gold. A slave stood at each corner of this
alcove,—the two at the head holding fans in their hands,
as though to keep the flies from disturbing their mistress,
who lay within, and the two at the foot having their hands
raised, in the act of presenting virahs to her : they too were
all as motionless and insensible as the dead. He approached
the alcove, and lifted the curtain which surrounded it,
that he might see the lady who lay therein, and he was
much struck with her exquisite beauty and loveliness. He
fell passionately in love with her on the instant, so fascina-
ting were her celestial charms. ‘ It is impossible,’ he
mentally said, ‘to behold so much loveliness without paying
the homage due to it.’ He replaced the curtain as he found
it, however, and left the place without exploring any further,
nor did he even cast one stray look behind until he was
fairly out of its neighbourhood. He felt very much dejected,
nevertheless, as he retraced his steps to the place of
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202
rendezvous, and awaited the coming of the bird. While
there, as he cast his eyes around, he could not help admiring
the beauty and grandeur of the scenery in and around that
noble city, and it sent a pang of sorrow though his heart
to think that so many of the good things of this world
should lie in such profusion without a single creature being
permitted to partake of the enjoyments which they afforded.
"The royal bird arrived at the appointed time, and having
rested a short space, he bade Charoo prepare for his journey.
In a few minutes he had transported him to the top of the
mountain from whence they had set out. The other birds
expressed much joy at his return, and, as usual, appor-
tioned the fruit into seven shares, one of which they again
offered to Charoo, and desired him to partake of it. They
waited until he had commenced, and then they all followed
his example. It was really a source of much pleasure to
Charoo to reside with these intelligent birds, who showed
such love and esteem for him, and he passed that day very
pleasantly in their society. The old bird enquired of Charoo
whether he had completed his mission, to which the latter
replied very cheerfully that he had, and thanked them again
for their aid. The birds then informed him of the advan-
tages he would derive from having partaken of celestial fruit,
—that it had the property of preventing sickness of every
description, so that he would never more fall sick or suffer
even the slightest indisposition,—nor could any beast,
reptile, bird, or any of the creatures that injure man, have
power to hurt him,—in short, that he had been inmortalised
by eating of the fruit. Charoo rejoiced at having fallen
into the company of these celestial birds, and he was
strangely delighted to hear that he would never die. He
was profuse in his thanks, and having made as suitable a
return in words as he could for the invaluable boon and
kind favors granted to him, he requested permission to
depart. The old bird was greatly averse to parting with
his guest so soon, and regretted it exceedingly; he therefore
begged of him to stay a little longer, and to partake of a