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

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their separation again. ‘Did I not,’ said she in conclusion,
‘forbid you to beat the drum?’ Notwithstanding all she
said, Charoo obstinately determined to go with her, and
asked her to transform him into a fly, and to take him on
her bosom. She could not refuse to do this, and in this
manner they went to the Amravutty. When they arrived
there, Chitrangee found that Indra’s court was full of
angels and other spiritual beings. She proceeded to pay
her homage to Indra in the usual form, and then took her
allotted place among the others. The angels were much
disconcerted at the sight of Chitrangee’s beauty, for in
that respect she far excelled them all. Indra bade her be
seated, and then with much attention and solicitude enquired
after her health and condition. She replied that ‘she was
very happy, through his generosity and liberality. After a
few more questions, which were appropriately replied to, he
desired her to sing. She bowed her head in token of
obedience, and then commenced singing, with such eloquent
pathos and sweetness as to ravish the ears of all present.
Indra himself was completely under Chitrangee’s influence,
so great an effect did her song produce on him. She
continued singing in the same admirable strain till near the
conclusion, when all at once her voice unfortunately failed
her, and all the effect she had before produced was lost in
the ridicule created by this mishap. Indra became highly
incensed at this, and passionately exclaimed, ‘O thou wicked
woman! unworthy of the honor I have deigned to bestow
on you!—go hence, and be transformed into a black moun-
tain of sixty yojuns in length, in the province of Marwar.’
He had scarcely ended these words, when poor Chitrangee
fell into a swoon, on recovering from which she addressed
Indra, with trembling and fear, in the most moving terms.
‘Oh, my gracious lord!’ said she, ‘do not, I entreat you,
punish me so rigorously for the offence I have unwittingly
committed! Be merciful, and I promise never more to be
guilty of the like! I repent of it, and will be more careful
for the future.’ Indra was moved by her strong appeal,

215
and considering that she had but just returned from under-
going his former sentence of punishment, said, ‘Fear not!—
you will soon be relieved; for if the mountain be broken to
pieces, you will be restored to your enjoyments, and once
more admitted into my palace.’ Again bowing her head,
she returned to her abode in deep concern, as she could not,
she knew, expect any further mitigation than had been
already vouchsafed her. The first thing she did on her
return home was to restore Charoo to his former shape, and
inform him of the decree that had been passed against her
by Indra. Charoo regretted exceedingly the folly he had
been guilty of, in beating the drum, which had resulted in
such woeful consequences. However, he told her not to be
disheartened, but to place her reliance on God, who is both
powerful and merciful, and would most assuredly save her
from the impending evil. ‘I will also,’ continued he,
‘strive my utmost to be of service to you.’ After this
dialogue they sat down to eat, but they could not swallow
their food, for their hearts were heavy. The whole of the
day was spent in vain regrets and sad reflections. At night
they retired to bed as usual, but as soon as Chitrangee fell
asleep she became inanimate, and at that very instant the
black mountain was to be seen in the province of Marwar,
as Indra had willed. Moreover, the whole population of
Chitrangee’s dominions were once more thrown into the
state in which Charoo found them when he visited that place
on the first occasion,—motionless, though with the full use
of their senses. Charoo, as a human being, was the only
one who had not fallen under this general visitation of
Indra’s ire. He arose early next morning, and surveyed
the town and all in it with wondering eyes and a failing
heart. He thought it would be impossible for him to
remain there any longer, without a single living creature
with whom he could converse, so he repaired to the place to
which the bird had directed him if he wanted any aid. He
had not been there long when he saw the bird coming in
that direction, loaded with the celestial fruits. Charoo

216
saluted the bird, and when asked whether it was his inten-
tion to return, he replied in the affirmative. The bird
desired him to sit on his back as before, and in the shortest
possible time he was once more transported to the abode of
the royal geese, who received him with a hearty welcome,
and regaled him in the best possible manner. He spent
that night in their company, and the next morning, after
returning suitable thanks to them, he set forward on
his journey.
“In a few days he arrived at the city of Badrikadar, and
hastened to the hermit’s cell, who had ever some advice in
store for the unfortunate Charoo. He related all that had
occurred to him since his last visit, after which the hermit
told him that there was a certain king in Marwar whose
dominions were very extensive. ‘The black mountain into
which Chitrangee has been transformed must be in his
territory,’ said he; ‘go therefore to his court, in the guise
of a Mahaunt,* and tell him that a new black mountain
has just sprung up in his kingdom, which will daily increase,
and in time not only cover his whole realm, but will also
kill all the inhabitants, without a single exception. This
will throw him into great consternation, and I have no
doubt he will ask your advice as to what steps he ought to
adopt to prevent the evil; you can then tell him he must
employ a large number of masons and stonecutters to hew it
down.’ Thanking the hermit for this piece of friendly
advice, Charoo set out for Marwar.
“When he arrived he saw the mountain situated there:
it was of a jet black colour. He crossed about sixteen yojuns
to the southward, and entered the king’s court, where he
was very kindly received. When the counterfeit Mahaunt
had represented fully the mischief that would accrue by the
increase of the black mountain, the king exhibited much
astonishment and fear. After in vain trying to devise in his
own mind some means to avert the danger, he asked the

• A devotee.

Mahaunt's advice, who answered thus:—' Is there not a
minister or an astrologer at your majesty's court, who can by
his judgment and wisdom suggest some plan? If there be
none such, my advice would be that you employ immediately
a large number of stonecutters and labourers to hew down
the mountain, and thus save your kingdom from the utter
ruin with which it is threatened. Be not apprehensive, but
act as I have now suggested.' The king asked the minister
why he had not mentioned to him the sudden appearance of
the mountain, and appeared much enraged. The minister
begged his majesty's pardon, and without any loss of time
employed a great many stonecutters and others to demolish
the black mountain. Next day the king set off to see it,
accompanied by the Mahaunt, the minister, and some other
officials, and was much astonished at its size and peculiar
colour. The labourers were all very busy, cutting it away
piecemeal; and there seemed a fair chance of its being
speedily removed altogether, to judge from the great number
of men employed. The Măhaunt was very liberally enter-
tained for some time by the king and his courtiers, as a
benefactor who had by his timely notice and advice saved
their country from ruin. At length he asked for permission
to depart, which gave the king much concern, as he would fain
have retained him in the palace. With this view the king
said he would confer on him the honors and emoluments of
his minister, to which the Mahaunt replied, 'I have no incli-
nation whatever to remain, however exalted the position you
may allot to me. I was on my way to Swethbund Ramesh-
wer on a pilgrimage, when I saw the great evil which was
impending over your kingdom; I therefore turned from my
way to acquaint you with it. It is the duty of every man to
act thus when it lies in his power.' The king and his
courtiers conceived a great regard and veneration for this
Mahaunt, and they pressed him very much to accept diffe-
rent costly presents, all of which, however, he firmly declined.
The king then thanked him in the most grateful manner,
and said he had been instrumental, under Providence, in
cc

218
saving the lives and properties of all his subjects, by which
he had placed each and all of them under the greatest of
obligations to him. A large retinue was ordered to attend
him on his departure, the king himself following him out of
the city, where, after having once more renewed his acknow-
ledgments, they parted, with many kind expressions of
sympathy and regard.
"As soon as the black mountain had been demolished,
and the place where it had stood made into a level plain,
Chitrangee arose from her couch, on which she had lain
inanimate since the night after her return from Indra's
palace; and at the same time the whole capital once more
recovered from its death-like state. Chitrangee rejoiced that
her punishment had been but of short duration, and she
eagerly looked forward to the arrival of her beloved Charoo.
The latter, as may be supposed, made all possible haste to
reach Badrikadar, and on his arrival there he informed the
hermit of his success. He remained with him for a few
days, being greatly worn out by his journey, after which,
having recruited his strength, he proceeded to the Himon-
chul mountain, where he again met with the royal birds,
who were glad to see him. Next day he was conveyed to
Chitrakoot, as he desired, and after thanking the friendly
bird who had transported him on his back, he entered the
town, at the improved aspect of which he was once more
delighted, as well as with the happy condition in which he
found all the inhabitants. Chitrangee, who was hourly
expecting Charoo, perceived him at a distance, and she ran
and embraced him with great joy and affection. After a
short repose, he acquainted her with his adventure, and by
what means he had obtained her release. Chitrangee
renewed her fond and endearing caresses, and praised him
for his tact and ability."
The Princess Pudmavuntty here interrupted the Rajhouse,
and observed how wonderful it was that a goose—a bird of
such small dimensions and physical powers—could rise into

219
the air with Charoo on her back, and convey him such a
distance. "Do not be surprised at that, my good and
gracious lady," replied the Rajhouse; "I am glad to observe
your spirit of enquiry, and I will satisfy you that the Sarjah
rides on the goose, the Kartick Swamy on the peacock, and
Vishnoo on the Garood.* These birds ascend with their
riders on their backs, with such speed and velocity that in
a very short time they traverse great distances. Permit me
to relate to your highness an unheard-of story on the subject.
THE STORY OF THE ANGEL, OR SOVEREIGN RULER OF
THE SEA, AND THE TWO BIRDS CALLED TITVI.†
"There lived at one time a pair of birds called Titvi,
who inhabited a certain locality on the sea-shore, where they
were spending their days in peace and plenty. One day
the birds went out, leaving their nest unprotected, and in it
some eggs on which the female bird was at that time sitting.
A malicious frog, who had conceived a hatred against them,
availed himself of their absence to steal the eggs, out of
mere spite, and took them away to his abode, in a hole
under a rock by the sea-shore. When the birds returned
to their nest, they were much grieved to find their eggs
missing, and they became very disconsolate. Looking about
them, they saw the print of the frog's feet on the sand, and
from this they were convinced that he was the thief.
Having made this discovery, the female bird said to her
companion, 'We have been deprived of our eggs by a mean
despicable frog who lives near us : shall we not go to the
angel who is the sovereign ruler of the sea, and complain to
him of the injury that has been done us?' 'Certainly!'
replied the male bird. So they applied to the angel, in a
most humble and supplicatory manner, for the restoration
of their eggs, but he gave little heed to their represen-

• The bird and vehicle of Vishnoo. He is generally represented
  as the king of the birds.
  † A bird, Parra Jacana, or Goensis.

220
tations. The poor birds were very much dissatisfied with
the manner in which the angel treated their complaint,
and they returned to their dwelling more disconsolate than
ever. While sitting brooding over their ill-fortune, they
hit upon the following expedient, by way of retaliation on
the angel ruler: 'Let us,' said they, 'dry up the water
from the sea, so that the subjects of the angel may suffer
thirst for his having refused to attend to our just prayers.'
Having resolved upon this, they set about it in right good
earnest, and with their little beaks, drop after drop, they
commenced emptying the ocean. They had not been long
employed in this manner when Narud Moonee* happened
to pass by, to whom they represented their grievances.
Moonee assured the birds that he would procure them every
satisfaction, and said, 'Do not disturb yourselves, but be
easy in your minds. Depend on me: I will endeavour to
have your eggs safely restored to you.' This assurance
delighted the birds, and they continued their task with great
energy. The Moonee, after being made fully acquainted
with the grievances of the Titvis, bent his steps towards the
residence of the chief of the birds. When he arrived there
he began by stating that the angel ruler of the sea was so
haughty and proud that he scrupled not to allow the greatest
indignities to be offered to the noble family of birds; he
then entered into an explanation of the cause which led him
thither—namely, the grievous wrong sustained by the Titvis.
He also made the following observations:—'It would be
a glorious action on your part to out-brave a power you can
no longer revere. Now, let me see how you will resent the
insult offered to your race by the angel ruler of the sea.
For a frog, the meanest of the mean, to have perpetrated
this outrage on any of your subjects, detracts much from
your honor.' The Garood, as tenacious of his rights over
his subjects as he was revengeful by nature, set out with

• The son of Brahma, and one of the ten original Mooni or Rishee.
  He delighted in exciting quarrels.

221
the Moonee, accompanied by the chiefs of the birds and
their families, to the sea-shore, where they found both the
Titvis engaged in the difficult exploit of drying up the sea.
They all fell to, and simultaneously commenced to aid the
efforts of the outraged birds: They also forcibly and -
unsparingly seized with their sharp talons the largest fishes
of the deep, and thus spread death and ruin around. The
angel, perceiving the immense loss of his subjects, and the
innumerable host opposed to him, was so intimidated that
he approached the Garood in the most abject terror, and
requested a truce, which was granted after an ample apology
had been tendered to the Titvis, and their eggs restored to
them uninjured.
“This example,” continued the Rajhouse, “serves to
show that birds are not to be despised as a weak race.
They are endowed by nature with the power of traversing
the wide expanse of air, and they are capable of achieving
great ends, even that of resenting any wanton or cruel
injury inflicted on them.” To the Rajhouse, Charoo on
the back of the goose seemed but as a pebble set on
a mountain.

222
CHAPTER XV.
Veytal concludes his story and disappears—King Vickramadetea cele-
brates the marriage of Prince Duutsain with the Princess Pudma-
vautty, after which he departs from their palace with the brahmin
Somedut, who is still in the form of a parrot.
“THREE months of uninterrupted happiness, and the
enjoyment of every kind of pleasure, were experienced by
Charoo and his beloved spouse on the Chitrakoot mountain.
At the end of that time, being one day on the uppermost
story of their palace, viewing the surrounding scenery and
the vast extent of the city, Charoo was struck with the sight
of the celestial birds and trees which surrounded the palace.
At the same time, happening to look towards the bherry,
which stood close beside him, he felt a strong inclination to
play on it again. He addressed his wife, and asked her to
join him in doing so, but she refused, well knowing the
consequences that would result therefrom. She remained
silently watching him, not deigning to give him any further
answer. Charoo took up the two sticks that were attached
to the bherry, and commenced sounding it. While engaged
in this amusement, the sound reached Amravutty, and was
heard by Indra, who immediately felt an inclination to hear
the melodious singing of the lovely Chitrangee, so he ordered
his attendants to summon her to his presence. One of the
attendants accordingly set out to convey the order to Chi-
trangee, and having arrived at her palace and communicated
his royal master’s wishes, he requested her to lose no time in
obeying them. She immediately went into her apartment,
gorgeously dressed and bedecked herself, and was about to
set off with the messenger, but before leaving her palace
she addressed Charoo as follows:—‘ I pray you, dear
Charoo, to remain here until I return from the court of

223
Indra, to whose palace I have the honor of being invited.’
The manner in which she addressed Charoo was at first
somewhat distant, but her regard and affection for him
overcame every other feeling, and she informed him that
she would use her utmost endeavours to please Indra by
playing the most charming and pleasant airs she knew, that
they might captivate the monarch and ensure for her a safe
and speedy return; but if, on the contrary, Indra should
be displeased with her, she must only submit patiently to
whatever he might think fit to inflict upon her. Charoo,
on hearing this, was greatly alarmed, and would on no
account be left behind: he insisted on going with her, and
she was at last prevailed upon to agree to it. She there-
fore transformed him into a Bhrumer,* thereby enabling
him to accompany her without being noticed. They
accordingly entered the palace of Indra together, and found
the monarch seated in the subha, surrounded by innumer-
able angels. On approaching him, Chitrangee prostrated
herself, and then stood apart, with her eyes cast on the
ground. Indra commanded her to be seated, and having
enquired about her health, made known to her the reason
why she had been sent for, which was that he might hear
her sing and see her perform before him. She bowed low,
and proceeded to gratify him, by commencing to sing in
such a bewitching tone of voice as to charm Indra and the
whole court. In addition to this, she intermingled extem-
pore passages in her song, descriptive of the virtue and
amiable qualities of Indra, which secured his approbation,
as much by her words as by the sweetness of her voice and
the graceful movements of her delicate and lovely form.
The angels, likewise, who surrounded the person of Indra,
seemed to enjoy the scene exceedingly: they were lost in
admiration of the sylph-like movements and musical tones of
Chitrangee,—so much so, that they looked like so many
marble statues, so steadfastly and silently did they gaze on

• A large black bee.

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her. Her singing elicited the highest applause, and afforded
the greatest enjoyment to Jupiter, Mars, and Venus.
"The first song was followed by others not less accep-
table, both from the sentiments they expressed, the feeling
which they evinced, and the sweet voice in which they were
sung. She produced a great sensation on the present
occasion, and much emotion in the breasts of all there
assembled, until at last she committed an error in omitting
one verse of the last song, which was immediately detected
by Indra. The angels also murmured at the omission.
Indra was enraged at this, and expressed his anger as
follows :—'Oh thou wretched and negligent woman, who
vainly attemptest to please !—it were far better that thou
wert a rock in the midst of the ocean than that thou
shouldst again present thyself before me!' He had
scarcely delivered himself of this awful judgment than
Chitrangee fell into a swoon, and dropped heavily to the
ground. After a time she came to herself, when the
recollection of what she had heard from the lips of Indra
rushed into her mind with all its horror. She knelt before
him, and in a most lamentable tone cried, 'Oh, most
mighty monarch! ruler of the heavens !—thy power extends
to the utmost limits of these celestial realms, and before
thee every crowned head bows in obedience! Be pleased
to extend thy mercy and clemency to thine unfortunate
servant! Pardon her fault, and relieve her from the dread-
ful sufferings to which thou hast doomed her! Even the
wife of Gowtum Rishee, who was doomed by her husband
to remain within a rock for a period of sixty thousand years,
had her sentence revoked, and was again received into favor.
Deign, then, to extend to me thy mercy! Thou hast from
my infancy retained me in thy especial service, and hast
conferred on me the sovereignty of Chitrakoot : thou surely
wilt not now condemn me to the torments I must suffer in
the fathomless depths of the sea! Permit me, great
sovereign, to continue in the enjoyment of thy bounty!'
"Chitrangee's prayers and entreaties had no effect

225
whatever on Indra, as he did not appear in the least moved
by her distress : she therefore sought other means for
appeasing his anger. She approached Jupiter, who was
seated close by, and addressed him in a very earnest
manner. 'Oh, Gooru!' said she, 'high and noble being!
—who receives the adoration of both men and angels, for
your occult knowledge and deep wisdom!—I pray you
graciously to use your influence and interest with the
mighty Indra, to obtain for me a reversal of the sentence
which has been passed upon me!' Jupiter was touched by
her passionate appeal, and addressed Indra with much
eloquent energy. He gained his point so far as to obtain
a great mitigation of the sentence; for Indra, turning to
Chitrangee, said, 'Oh, thou bewitching woman!—be of
good cheer! Thou shalt regain thy present form and
enjoyments when the rays of the sun shall fall upon thee!'
This in a great measure dispelled Chitrangee's grief, and
she thanked Indra sincerely, sighing deeply, however, to
find that the pleading of Jupiter on her behalf had not
proved more effectual. Indra heard the sigh, and questioned
her about it. 'Why art thou so dejected?' said he. Chi-
trangee replied, 'O gracious monarch!—I cannot but fear
that, according to thy decision, I shall be immersed under
water, and I am unable to conceive how the sun is to shine
on me there. I therefore stand but a poor chance of being
released from the sea if I am once placed there.' 'Be easy
in thy mind,' replied Indra; 'the person who has always
aided thee will endeavour to help thee on this occasion
also.' Chitrangee was somewhat consoled at these words,
as she placed the most implicit reliance on what Indra said:
Shortly afterwards she took her leave, prostrating herself
once more before him, and proceeded to her dwelling.
“ Chitrangee returned to Chitrakoot, and again changed
Charoo into his original shape; she also told him, with
much indignation, what had occurred at Indra's court, and
the punishment she had to undergo in consequence. She
felt very keenly the indignity that had been offered to her,
DD

226
and regretted, equally with Charoo, their approaching
separation. ‘My beloved Charoo,’ said she, ‘I do not
know how long I shall remain entombed in the ocean, nor
how I am to be released from that position. Indra has,
however, pledged his royal word that I shall not have to
remain long there, but I cannot banish my doubts.’ Charoo
was deeply affected at the excessive grief of Chitrangee, and
he tried to soothe her by citing several moral examples and
arguments. ‘My dearest love,’ said he, ‘do not give
yourself up to grief. Consider the infinite power of God,
who can do all things, and can devise means of relief when
none are apparent to us, blind mortals as we are. Resign
yourself, therefore, to Him; be hopeful and patient, and He
will, in his own good time, bring about the completion of
all we can desire. It is to Him alone that we should
address ourselves in our misfortune.’ Charoo thus contrived
to restore Chitrangee’s mind to some degree of tranquillity,
and they then sat down together and partook of their usual
repast. The whole of that day was spent by Chitrangee in
bewailing her hard lot, and by Charoo in consoling her by
trying to impart to her courage and patience; he also
assured her that he would not rest a moment until she was
emancipated from her dreadful condition. After supper they
retired for the night as usual. Chitrangee, troubled and
uneasy in her mind, thought of nothing but her coming
fate, but at length she fell asleep, and, as before, remained
inanimate. Charoo was very sanguine in the belief that he
should succeed in devising means to regain his beloved and
affectionate wife, though there were times when his heart
wholly failed him as he contemplated the awful condition to
which she was now reduced. He felt that he could not of
himself be of any service to her,—it was from others that
he must look for aid, and even that was an uncertainty, at
the best; however, he offered up a long and earnest prayer
for help and guidance to the Supreme Ruler of the universe.
He slept not a wink that night, so great was his anxiety,
and at dawn, when he rose, he found the city and all in it,

227
excepting himself, in the same paralysed condition as on the
two former occasions. He suffered much self-reproach as
he reflected that all these misfortunes were owing to his
inconsiderate conduct in playing upon the bherry, but he
also remembered that what was done could not be undone,
—his only course now was to set about remedying the evil
as much as lay in his power. He accordingly left the
palace, taking with him five valuable jewels, and proceeded
to where he was accustomed to meet his friend the royal
bird. At the usual hour of noon it made its appearance,
and after saluting each other, they sat down and dis-
coursed together for some time. Charoo felt abashed at
being so often compelled to seek the assistance of the oblig-
ing geese; his friend, however, guessed what was in his
mind, and asked him, when their conversation was ended,
whether he desired to be taken back,—if so, he had only to
say the word and it would be done. Charoo felt very grate-
ful, and at once accepted the offer, at the same time
apologising earnestly for the trouble he was giving them.
‘ My good friend,’ said the bird, ‘ there is not the least
inconvenience or annoyance involved in the task : we
are ready and willing at all times to be of service to man,
and we feel a great pleasure in such acts; the obligation
may be said to be conferred on us by those who afford us
such opportunities of evincing our charity and good feeling.
Do not, therefore, scruple to command us, whenever you
stand in need of assistance. Make haste, then, and place
yourself on my back: I will speedily transport you to our
abode.’ Charoo did as he was bid, and the bird took his
flight through the air with such incredible swiftness that he
alighted with his burden at their destination almost instantly.
“Charoo found himself once more in the company of the
royal birds, who showed him every kindness and hospitality,
as was their wont. They enquired after his health in the
most affectionate manner, and then set before him a choice
selection of celestial food. Charoo spent that day with the
hospitable birds, and on the following morning continued

228

his journey. He travelled direct to the residence of his
friend the Rishee,* and, after prostrating himself at his
feet, disclosed to him the sad fate of Chitrangee, and how
he was conjured by her to labour for her release. The
Rishee paid great attention to what Charoo said, and after
a short silence, during which he was communing with
himself, he told him that he should go to Shree Ram-
ashwer, and there entertain some brahmins and devotees on
the most costly viands, taking care to secure the presence
of men well acquainted with the Shastras† ; that he should
also throw a large quantity of dainty food into the sea
daily, in the name of God, because there existed a certain
class of fish in the sea who enjoyed especially the favor of
heaven, whereby they were enabled to assume at times the
form of human beings. ‘I am confident,’ continued he,
‘that by this devout practice you will win the regard of
those fishes, who will in the end help you to carry out your
design. They, seeing your daily care in providing for them,
will naturally enough endeavour to repay your kindness.
They will appear in the guise of man, and you will only
have to make known your wishes to meet with the desired
success. Go, then, and set about it directly. Let me
inform you that you cannot do a better action than distribute
food to those who are in want of it. It is said, too, that to
obtain a high character for virtue it is proper to bestow on
the brahmins elephants, horses, cows, lands, gold, jewels,
and more especially a daughter, if you are possessed of one ;
though these gifts are not to be compared to the bestowal
of grain, as recommended in the divine law. I will briefly
relate to you an instance of the charity of bestowing grain.
There was once a nobleman named Kerna,‡ who was
endowed with many good qualities ; he was, however, parti-

* A saint of person of great sanctity.
† Sacred laws.
‡ King of Anga, and half brother to the Pandava princes, being
the son of their mother Pritha, by the sun, before her marriage
to Pandu.

229

cularly distinguished for his generous liberality, which in an
especial manner secured him the esteem of all. He took a
great delight in relieving the poor and needy, and many a
family was indebted to him for their support and mainte-
nance. No one who ever applied to him went back empty-
handed. The greatest men and all the ruling sovereigns
commended him for his charity; in short, there was none
to be compared to him. On one occasion, this good man
was lying on a bed of sickness, without any hope of recovery,
having been wounded in a battle with the Kauravas; and
every moment expecting that death would put an end to
his sufferings. In this state Vishnoo* appeared to him, in
the shape of a brahmin, and said, “O thou noble and
generous man!—I have heard of thy fame far and wide—
that thou art just and liberal to all—and thy praise is in
every mouth. Being destitute and in want of even the
necessaries of life, I am emboldened to address thee, and
trust thou wilt, with thy usual generosity, aid me in my
difficulties. Such an act of benevolence will secure for thee
undying bliss.” The sick nobleman was much moved by
this appeal, but he could not rise from his bed, so severely
and dangerously had he been wounded; his understanding
was nevertheless perfect. He was very desirous of bestow-
ing something on the brahmin, but had nothing at the time
within his reach; he remembered, however, that two jewels
had at a former period been placed in his teeth, so he said
to the brahmin, “My good man, I pray you be kind enough
to take a little stone and with it knock out gently the two
jewels you will find fastened in my teeth; take them for
your use, and depart in peace. I have no doubt that by
disposing of them you will be enabled to supply your
wants.” The pretended brahmin replied, “I do not like
to pluck out the jewels with my own hand; do it thyself,
and then present them to me; I shall otherwise go without
them.” “I beseech you, good brahmin,” said the noble-

• One of the three principal Hindu gods.

230
man with much earnestness, “stay a moment!” and with-
out loss of time he raised himself a little with much
difficulty, and, taking a piece of stone, knocked out the
jewels from where they had been placed, and held them
towards the brahmin, but lo! the god had disappeared!
and instead of him was seen Vishnoo, in his natural form,
the rays which illuminated his countenance lighting up the
whole room, who, with pleasure beaming from his eyes at
the disinterestedness of the nobleman, said, “Oh, virtuous
and munificent man!—ask for whatever thou wilt, without
any reserve, as I am exceedingly pleased with thee for thy
liberality and charitable disposition.” “Great and merci-
ful being!” cried Kerna, “what pangs of hunger have I
not endured! All I ask of thee now is some food, that I
may appease the cravings of my stomach.” Vishnoo smiled,
and said, “Thou hast been renowned during life for thy
liberality in bestowing many things on the poor, but no
food hast thou been known to give them: how then canst
thou now expect food for thyself? But do not despair, but
rely on me;—try and recollect whether thou hast on any
occasion pointed with thine own hand to a place where a
traveller might find food.” Kerna thanked Vishnoo for
reminding him of the circumstance, and said that one day,
as he was proceeding to the king’s palace in great haste, he
met a travelling mendicant who asked to be directed to
some place where he might obtain food and lodging for the
night, and that he had pointed with his finger to a place where
he doubtless procured both. Vishnoo then said, “Put into
thy mouth the very same finger with which thou pointedst
out the place, and thou wilt be relieved from hunger.”
Kerna instantly did as he was ordered, and a delicate and
nourishing juice oozed out of his finger end, which
completely satisfied his hunger. He thanked Vishnoo for
such a miraculous interposition, and begged hard to be
allowed to live a little longer in the world, that he might
gratify his desire of supplying food to the poor. Vishnoo
approved highly of this desire on the part of Kerna, and

231

told him that he would obtain another life in the person of
Shreeyal, after which Vishnoo disappeared.’ The Rishee,
having ended this recital, added that the fame of Kerna
had not become extinct even to that day. He again
recommended Charoo to start immediately for the city of
Shree Ramashwer, where he said he would obtain what he
desired. Charoo accordingly set out, after partaking of a
slight repast, and thanking the hermit most sincerely for
his friendly advice.
“ Charoo travelled along for many days until he arrived
at the holy city, and a long and very tedious journey it
proved to be. The first thing he did on his arrival was to
perform his ablutions in the sea, and he afterwards visited
the temple dedicated to Shree Ramashwer, where he
worshipped the idol with much reverence and sincerity.
He then formed an establishment in the most eligible
locality, engaged men to prepare rich food and confec-
tionaries, and invited daily a number of holy and devout
brahmins to partake of them ; he likewise distributed a
sufficient quantity anong the poor and indigent, and a
further quantity was also daily thrown into the sea, in the
name of God, for the fishes ; in short, he did all he had
been instructed to do by the hermit. He continued this
for a whole month, and at length the fishes who were fed
daily assembled together in the sea, and resolved to recom-
pense their benefactor to the utmost of their power.* They
decided that their chief should assume the human form,
and present himself before their friend and benefactor.
Accordingly, when Charoo came one day, as usual, to the
beach to throw the food into the sea, the chief of the fishes
came up and asked him how he could serve him, in return
for his daily and profuse liberality to them. Charoo, not
knowing his interrogator, passed him unnoticed, and after
throwing in the food, bent his steps back to his dwelling.
The chief, observing this, approached Charoo a second time,
and made himself known, adding that if he refused them
the satisfaction of showing their gratitude in some way,

232
they would no longer partake of the food. Charoo was
alike astonished and delighted to see the chief of the fishes
before him in the guise of a man; so he paid him some
high compliments and then began to relate the whole of
Chitrangee's misfortunes, which he acknowledged had been
brought on by his own obstinacy, adding that he fed the
fishes with the view of securing their aid to release his wife
from her miserable bondage. 'Will you,' said Charoo,
'be good enough to tell me whether you or any of your
tribe have found in your rambles a new rock? If so, you
will confer a very great favor on me by bringing the rock to
the shore, so that its surface may be exposed to the rays of
the sun.' The chief of the fishes desired Charoo to wait
for a few minutes, telling him that he would hasten back to
him after making the necessary enquiries.
"The chief, having left Charoo on the sea-shore,
proceeded to his friends in the deep, and enquired whether
any of them had discovered a new rock in the sea. They
having replied in the affirmative, he ordered them all to set
about removing the rock to the beach or as near the shore
as possible. Having given his orders he returned to Charoo,
and acquainted him with the joyful intelligence that his
comrades were even then engaged in removing the rock to
the shore, and that by to-morrow he might expect to have
his wishes realised. Charoo thanked him heartily for his
trouble and civility, and added that he fully relied on the
promise and assurance given by the chief, who shortly
afterwards disappeared.
"Before it was quite day, Charoo made his appearance
on the beach, bringing an additional quantity of the best
description of food for the fishes. He looked towards the
sea, but could see nothing of the rock, as it was very foggy;
but in a little time he was agreeably surprised to find that
'the fishes had really removed the rock to the shore. In an
extacy of delight he raised his hands to heaven, and thanked
God for his mercy and the infinitude of his power. As he
turned he beheld near him the chief of the fishes, whom he

233
also thanked, as it was to him personally that he was
indebted for effecting this great and joyful surprise. He
then thought of the hermit, .whose advice he had followed,
and in his heart thanked him with truth and sincerity. In
a little time the sun rose in all his splendour in the east,
and no sooner did his rays fall upon the rock than it
gradually began to melt away, till nothing was left. Charoo
now threw into the sea the food he had brought with him, on
which the chief of the fishes approached him, to whom he
expressed in glowing terms his sense of the service which had
been rendered him by the fishes. 'I know,' said he, 'that
but for the aid I have received I should not have succeeded
in this enterprise, and I am therefore under no small
obligation to you all.'
"The chief of the fishes now produced three rich and
invaluable jewels, which he had brought with him from the
deep, and presented them to Charoo, but the latter could
not be persuaded to accept of them. He said that by
God's grace he had many such at his command; and being
greatly indebted to him already for the removal of the
rock, it would, to say the least, be ungenerous in him to
accept presents from one to whom it would be far more
becoming in him to make them. The chief smiled, and
said, 'What is your idea, then, of the jewels I now offer
you? They are very rare, and greatly excel in their quality
.any you can by any possibility be possessed of. This
jewel,' said he, holding out one of them, 'if worshipped and
worthily reverenced, will supply you with several kinds of
dainties, and the best descriptions of food, in any quantity.
The second will produce in the same manner immense
treasure, and the third will, by merely holding it in your
hand, transport you to any place to which you may wish to
proceed, and that in a very short time.' Charoo, seeing
the use of these extraordinary jewels, received them thank-
fully and with much pleasure; after which he embraced
the chief of the fishes, affectionately took leave of him, and
parted from him to return to his released wife.
EE