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

207

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

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,