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

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

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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

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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 stranger, and feel grateful for the kindness you have shown

200 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 AA

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

203 last grand entertainment, which hospitality Charoo could not well refuse, so he consented. Next day the birds regaled him on the choicest and most delicate fruits, and in the evening he took his leave and set out on his return. The birds accompanied him a great distance, and expressed much sorrow and many good wishes at parting. “Charoo travelled with all haste to the city of Badrika- dar: on approaching the cottage of the hermit he went in, and communicated to him his success, at the same time returning him sincere and heartfelt thanks for the valuable information he had given him; and on the following day, having received the hermit’s blessing, he renewed his jour- ney. In a few days he arrived safely at the court of the king of Kanchunpoory, who instantly recognised him, and received him with every demonstration of pleasure and a right hearty welcome. He led him to the apartment of the princess, who expressed as much joy at his return as if he were already her lawful husband. ‘Dear Charoo,’ said she, ‘I do not know how I shall be able to prove to you my gratitude for so great a regard as you have shown for me in the hazardous task you have performed. I see from your face that you have succeeded. Please, then, disclose to me all you know. I am so impatient to hear it that I have not known a moment's rest since you left us, and I have been continually watching for your return. Let me now have the pleasure of listening to your adventures, in which there must be a great deal of the wonderful.’ Charoo, being thus pressed, after acknowledging her love and sympathy, began his narrative. He had related about two- thirds, when the princess desired him to stop, saying she was perfectly satisfied, and declaring to the king her inten- tion of receiving Charoo for her husband forthwith. Preparations were accordingly made, in a style befitting the occasion, for the celebration of the marriage. “Had the Princess Chitrangee heard the whole relation of Charoo’s adventures, she could not have fulfilled her promise of marrying him, as she would on the instant have

204 been removed from this world to the heavens, according to the words of Indra, who had said that so soon as she could gain a perfect account of the mountain of Chitrakoot, she would be restored to her former position. But this would have caused her to be faithless to her love; and she there- fore cut him short when he had proceeded with but two- thirds of the narrative, intending to reserve the conclusion until she should feel disposed to put an end to her earthly career. "The king caused great preparations to be made, and the whole city was soon in a tumult of joy at the news of the approaching nuptials. The day fixed for the union having at length arrived, it was solemnised with much pomp and splendour, and to the perfect satisfaction of all parties. The king presented his son-in-law on the occasion with half of his dominions, as a marriage portion, so great was his joy at the happy termination of his daughter's settle- ment in life. Charoo remained at the court of his father- in-law, and gained the affection and regard of the whole community by his complacency and affability. "The newly-married couple lived comfortably together for some time. One day, however, Chitrangee's reflections turned on her former happy condition—the felicity she had enjoyed at Chitrakoot—and how she had always had the honor of being summoned to Indra's palace, where, in the society of angels and celestial beings, she had no wish left unaccomplished. Compared to that, her present life was a mere blank. She therefore resolved on returning thither and resuming her former state, and with that view she requested Charoo, who happened to be in the room with her, to relate to her the whole of his adventures at the Chitrakoot moun- tain, as she had a great desire to hear them. Poor Charoo, unsuspicious of the consequences, proceeded at once to satisfy her; he loved her so fondly, so passionately, that even had he divined the effect of his recital, it is more than doubtful whether he could have withstood her entreaties: He had barely finished the narrative of his adventures

205 when his wife fell as it were into a swoon, and immediately expired in his arms. Charoo thought she had merely fainted, so he endeavoured by every means in his power to restore her to animation, but to no purpose—she was past all remedy. He cried loudly for help, and the attendants poured in forthwith from every side, some of them hastening to acquaint the king with the sad disaster. The king and queen soon burst into the room together, wild with frenzy and grief. Charoo communicated the circumstances attending the demise, or swoon as he all along took it to be, of the princess. A physician was instantly sent for, who arrived in all haste, but in vain was everything done that art and experience, combined with great professional skill, could suggest. The whole place, as may be supposed, was plunged into inconsolable grief by this sad occurrence. The cries of Charoo rent the air, and the king and queen were loud in their lamentations. As soon as the news got abroad, the king's relatives, courtiers, and officials all flocked round the corpse of the beautiful princess, and not a dry eye was visible amongst the vast number of men and women there assembled. After their grief had a little subsided, preparations were made for the funeral, at which Charoo himself performed the ceremony of applying fire to the pile. The other obsequies, as usual on such an occasion, were continued for twelve days, accord- ing to the prescribed form. "When Chitrangee's soul had re-entered her celestial frame on the Chitrakoot mountain, she awoke as though from a sound sleep, so sudden was the transition; and she began at once to enjoy, as she had done before, more perfect happiness than is ever known in the world, save in imagination. The people of the place were also freed from the temporary trance in which Charoo had found them when he visited the city; and they resumed their business exactly at the point at which it was discontinued when their anima- tion had been suspended. Charoo's disarrangement of the shopkeepers' goods caused now a disagreement between the

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respective owners, and they complained to Chitrangee. They had seen who did the mischief, though powerless to prevent it; they accordingly told Chitrangee that a certain young man had been there who had confused and mixed their goods, and had even wantonly destroyed some property, and they appealed to her for justice. She smiled, and advised them to divide their goods equally, instead of disputing or quarrelling about them, and thus she brought the matter to an amicable settlement. Chitrangee knew very well that it was Charoo who had done it, as he was the only one who had visited her dominions during her absence. “When the funeral obsequies of Chitrangee were over, Charoo gave himself up to uncontrollable grief. Every object in his apartment reminded him of her whom he adored. He sighed as often as he beheld them, and amid a flood of tears gave vent to his feelings in the following and similar words, uttered in a thrilling and heartrending tone:—‘Oh my beloved princess! my charming angel! my ever dear and chaste wife!—why leave me thus lonely and desolate in the midst of wealth and splendour? How unaccountable to me is your sudden transition! I am left to deplore your loss, without a single source of consolation —without one ray of hope!’ He frequently fell into long swoons, and on recovering from one of these, for about the twentieth time, he thought within himself how useless and even painful it would be for him to remain there any longer, now that he was bereft of his greatest stay in life—his beloved and unequalled consort. He showed daily the most unequivocal signs of a broken and bleeding heart, and at last he determined to visit the friendly hermit, and to acquaint him with the affliction with which he had been visited. He accordingly applied to the king his father-in- law for permission to depart, who was struck with the worn- out and dismal aspect he presented. ‘Alas, dear Charoo!’ said the afflicted monarch, ‘I am sorry to learn your deter- mination to leave me in my affliction. From the moment I first beheld you I was disposed to esteem and respect