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

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

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you, for your looks and dignified demeanour won my affec- tion. Being now old and -infirm, and without an heir to succeed me, I feel great pleasure and gratification in offering you the crown. I have now only one daughter left to be the solace of my declining years: her beauty and accom- plishments are like those of her departed sister, and worthy of a prince or of a person of your exalted qualifications and worth. Instead of leaving me, then, stay and receive her hand and the crown which I now offer to you. It is time for me to rest from the labour of ruling these dominions. I have borne it long enough; and nothing could give me greater satisfaction, under the circumstances, than to entrust the well-being of my people to your hands, and to see you ruling in my stead, for I am satisfied that you are worthy in every respect of so responsible a trust. If you refuse, dear Charoo, to comply with my request, it will grieve me nearly as much as did the loss of my beloved daughter Chitrangee, and I cannot but sink under the double stroke, if I may so call it. Decide at once,— whether you will doom me to death, or, by your aid and solace, in some degree assuage the violence of my grief.' Charoo felt much afflicted at the sad situation of the aged monarch, but he had at the same time fully made up his mind to visit the hermit, and, by unbosoming his sorrows to him, seek consolation from his learned counsel. He felt as though nothing short of the advice of such a man could tranquillise his mind; he patiently listened, however, to all the king had to say, and then addressed him in these words:—'Sire, in the first place I am under a deep debt of gratitude to you for all you have done—for the immense favors and honors you have conferred on me. I thank you most sincerely and from the depth of my heart, and will not fail to implore heaven to return to you a thousand-fold the wealth and honor you have lavished on me,—that every species of blessing may attend you throughout life,—that your enemies may be confounded,—and that a long and prosperous life may be allotted to you. I am too deeply

208 wounded in this heart of mine by the death of my adored wife, to find any relief by entering into the government of these vast dominions,—in fact, just at present I feel myself quite incapable of undertaking so great and responsible a task. You will therefore, I trust, excuse me. It pains me much, after what you have said, to add to your griefs by my refusal of the proffered crown, but I do not feel myself justified in accepting it while aware of the impossibility of my being able to acquit myself in a manner worthy of your- self, the enlightened people of the land, and of my own personal dignity. I beg your majesty will not importune me any further on this subject, as I have now assigned my reasons for setting my heart against it. My resolution has been taken,—I must set out; and your permission to do so is all I now seek.’ The king at last, though much against his will, agreed to let Charoo have his own way. Their parting was very affecting, and tasked the firmness of both. At length, with mutual expressions of consolation, and with many fond embraces, they parted, Charoo directing his steps towards the hermit’s lonely dwelling.

CHAPTER XIV. Continuation of the tale—Being interrupted by the Princess Pudma- vutty, Veytal relates the story of the Angel of the Sea and the Two Birds. “IT would be difficult to conceive the extent of the grief which weighed down Charoo at being compelled to refuse the generous and disinterested offer his father-in-law had made him—that of the crown and the hand of his youngest daughter Soondra.* As he wended his lonely way in pro- secution of his journey, he scarcely noticed external objects, so fully absorbed was he in contemplation of past events, and of the bereavement under which he was then suffering. His days were spent in tears and lamentations, and his nights in restless inquietude. The image of his wife was ever before his eyes; and he travelled along for a time without any settled purpose, and without knowing whither he went. At length he collected his scattered thoughts, and directed his steps towards the city of Badrikadar. Having arrived there, he hastened to the hermit’s cell, there to unburden himself of his load of grief, in the hope of finding relief. He prostrated himself, as was customary, at the hermit’s feet, and then at once entered into a relation of his distressing case, at the conclusion of which he besought the venerable man’s advice. The hermit, after a long silence, during which he carefully weighed in his mind the circumstances related, directed Charoo to visit once more the friendly geese, and by their aid make another journey to the Chitrakoot mountain, where he would doubtlessly discover a solution of the mystery in which the sudden death of the princess his wife was shrouded, and

• Signifying, Handsome. BB

210 perhaps gain some information which would enable him to find her. Charoo sincerely thanked the hermit, and after- receiving his blessing, set out again towards Himonchul. When he arrived at the summit of the hill, he did not pause until he had reached the Vur tree occupied by the royal birds. He was again received by them as before, with welcome and kind regard ; they addressed him as an old friend and acquaintance. The disconsolate Charoo, after the usual salutations and a due acknowledgment of their invaluable aid and kind solicitude, informed them of all that had occurred to him since he had been last with them, and dwelt long on the painful loss of his beautiful and much-loved wife. The birds deeply sympathised with him, and desired him to moderate his grief, offering at the same time every assistance in their power to lessen the weight of his affliction. They voluntarily offered to transport him to the Chitrakoot mountain, and said that they would wait his convenience and pleasure in bringing him back. Charoo was highly pleased, and in some degree restored to composure by so much civility and kindness, and he unfeignedly thanked them, in suitable terms. “ The following day, one of the birds went as usual for their food, taking with him the widowed Charoo, whom he conveyed safely to Chitrakoot, and before leaving him asked him whether he wished to return that day, or to remain on the mountain, so that he might call for him on his way home if necessary. Charoo replied that he did not know when he would be ready to return. ‘I fear, however,’ said he, ‘that when I wish to do so I shall be unable to find you.’ The bird told him not to be apprehensive on that account, for that they called there about noon every day, on their way to and from the celestial regions, and that when he felt inclined to return he need only come and wait there, and he would surely meet with one or other of them. Charoo thanked the friendly bird, and after having taken leave of him, proceeded to the town. He went into the same street in which he had exchanged the merchants'

211 goods, and was agreeably surprised to find the inhabitants once more in motion and engaged in their respective callings. Some of them, who recognised Charoo as the former offender, seized him, and a few even ill-treated him. At length they took him before their sovereign, who was no other than the beautiful Chitrangee, and addressed her in the following words :—‘ Good sovereign, we have this day seized the mischievous fellow who destroyed and commingled our property on a former occasion, and who is doubtless come again with the same evil intention. We appeal to you for justice, and trust you will punish him as he deserves.’ Chitrangee looked at their prisoner, and at once recognised in him her husband Charoo. She was so over- joyed that she could hardly contain herself, so she desired the people to leave him there, promising them that she would see justice done. The prisoner was thereupon taken charge of by her attendants, and by her orders conducted to her private apartment. Charoo could not repress his surprise at the wonderful change he beheld in everything from what he saw on his former visit, and while he was revolving this in his mind, and trying to assign some cause for it, he was led away, not to prison, but to a richly-furnished apartment. He imagined that the sovereign who now treated him so kindly and the lady he saw on his last visit lying in the alcove asleep, and whose beauty made such a deep impres- sion on him, were one and the same person. He was, how- ever, soon after visited by the queen, attended by two slaves. Chitrangee could not help smiling when she saw Charoo gazing on her in evident confusion, as though he had been struck at first sight by her beauty. She on her part felt the deepest emotion, and, approaching her husband with tearful eyes, prostrated herself before him, saying, ‘ Dear Charoo!—I am agitated to tears with the unspeakable joy I experience at seeing you! Your presence in this place is more acceptable to me than heaps of wealth or any amount of splendour. You have dispelled the darkness of my soul,— all is now light and blithesome within me! You prove, by

212 thus coming to my place of residence, the force of your affection for me, and believe me, mine is not less !' ' I believe you,' replied Charoo, ' else why those tears—those tears of joy, and this eagerness and fond solicitude ? I cannot doubt that you are my own Chitrangee, in a far more perfect form. But yet how cruelly have you not behaved to me, in pretending to expire ! I have not had a moment's peace since our separation. Still, great as have been my sufferings, I have borne all with fortitude, for something within me whispered that we should some day meet again, though I never once expected it would be so soon. My tears hinder my saying more !' Charoo here wept copiously, and he felt refreshed thereby. Chitrangee asked pardon for the deception she had been guilty of, and informed Charoo of all the particulars regarding herself—how she had been condemned by Indra to live in the world, and by what means she had regained her former position. She was delighted indeed to see Charoo there, though she grieved to see the havoc which her separation from him had caused : he was but the shadow of his former self, owing to the uneasiness of mind he had suffered and the fatigues of his journey. Chitrangee lost no time, after full explanations had been given and received, in ordering a splendid bath to be prepared, where Charoo indulged in a luxury to which he had been for some time a stranger, after which she perfumed his person, and, having arrayed him in a complete suit of the richest materials, ornamented with the finest pearls and diamonds, conveyed him to a large hall, where they sat down together on a sandal-wood zopala,* Charoo feeling greatly improved, both in person and spirits, and the pleasure he experienced beaming from his sparkling eyes. The slaves were left standing at a distance from the happy couple, in order that they might converse more freely. When dinner was ready, they adjourned to another room, and there partook of it together, after which they sat

• A swinging cot.

213 conversing until a late hour in the evening, when they retired to rest. “Four months soon slipped by, and still Charoo remained at Chitrakoot, in the enjoyment of every pleasure in its highest perfection. One day, while seated with his beloved Chitrangee, he observed that the palace in which they lived had seven stories. He had not noticed this before; he therefore desired Chitrangee to show them to him. She accordingly took him to the first of the upper stories, which was decorated with costly materials and splendid furniture of the greatest rarity. She then led him into another, and so on to the last. In each he found much to admire and a great deal to enquire about. When they came to the seventh story, Charoo saw a large bherry* lying in a corner, and he asked Chitrangee to allow him to play on it. She, however, begged of him not to do so, saying that if the sound reached Indra's court, his majesty would instantly send for her. Charoo, regardless of this advice, took the sticks and began to play. Immediately after the sound had died away, a messenger arrived from the Amravutty,† intimating to Chitrangee that his majesty remembered her, and commanded her to attend forthwith at his royal mansion. She had no alternative but to obey; so she at once ordered her trumpeters and attendants to get ready. She then proceeded to her own apartment, and, having arrayed herself in her finest apparel, informed Charoo that she was going to Indra's palace, he having sent for her, owing to the sounding of the drum. ‘I know,’ said she, ‘that he has sent for me to sing and dance before him, so I must go without demur. You will remain here until I return. I shall soon be back.’ Charoo disliked being left alone, and expressed a desire to accompany her, but Chitrangee advised him not to present himself at the court of Indra, as she feared something might happen to cause * A kettle-drum. † The paradise of Indra.

214 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