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

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.

224

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

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

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

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

228

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

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

229

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

• One of the three principal Hindu gods.

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

231

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

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

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

234 " Charoo first went to his residence, and most sumptu- ously entertained the brahmins and devotees assembled there, presenting each of them with new clothes and abundance of money, after which he sent them away completely satisfied. "‘No sooner was the rock dissolved by the rays of the sun, than Chitrangee awoke as from a sleep, simultaneously with the whole city and its population. She anxiously awaited the arrival of Charoo, for she was aware that to him alone was she indebted for her speedy restoration to life and consciousness. " Charoo, on his part, was equally impatient to join his wife, and he thought how valuable the jewels presented by the chief of the fishes were at that moment. He held the proper one in his hand, and after having reverenced it, wished to be conveyed to the residence of the hermit, at Badrikadar. He was immediately transported there, in the twinkling of an eye, and he entered the hermit’s cell and prostrated himself before him. He told him all that had occurred since they last parted, and of the three jewels which had been presented to him by the chief of the fishes, one of which enabled him to reach his hermitage in so brief a space of time. He also described the holy city of Shree Ramashwer, and its shrines. The hermit was highly pleased with the account given by Charoo, and with his success : he heaped blessings upon his head, and told him that he should be always successful in his undertakings. Charoo thanked the hermit for this mark of his love, and acknowledged the many benefits he had received at his hands. The hermit desired Charoo to proceed at once to Chitrakoot, as Chitrangee would no doubt be eagerly expecting him, whereupon he took his leave, with many expressions of gratitude and obedience. Charoo did not now require the aid of the friendly geese to transport him to Chitrakoot. He reverenced the jewel which the chief of the fishes had presented to him, and, holding it in his hand, desired to be taken to the palace of his wife.

235 He had scarcely done so when he found himself trans- ported thither. “Chitrangee anxiously counted the hours that would be required for Charoo to travel from Ramashwer to Badrika- dar, and from thence to Himonchul. She was contem- plating the dreadful hardships and privations he would have to encounter on the way, when he was suddenly seen to advance towards her dwelling. She rose with much joy, and advanced to meet him: they embraced each other with much affection, and then retired to the privacy of their room, where, in the mutual exchange of those kind offices which true love dictates, they spent many hours. Chitrangee asked Charoo how he had contrived to return so soon, and how he had managed to release her. Charoo satisfied her on these points by recounting his adventures, and he then produced the jewels presented tohim by the chief of the fishes. “They lived again happily together for three months, without anything occurring to disturb their tranquillity. About this time Charoo felt himself impelled by some invisible agency to play on the bherry again. He went up to that part of the palace where it was placed, in company with his wife, and spent some time in admiring the wealth and grandeur with which they were surrounded. He fully appreciated his happy condition, and considered himself the most fortunate of created beings, for he was in the full enjoy- ment of every celestial blessing. ‘How kindly has God allotted to us this wonderful residence!’ said he; ‘men in the world in vain strive by strict morality and untainted virtue to attain to anything like this: it is denied to the best of them. It is only to be attained at the end of their earthly career!’ He was so pleased with himself and with everything in and around the place, that in the exuberance of his delight he approached the bherry and signed to Chitrangee that he would like to play upon it. She smiled, but did not oppose him, in consideration of the obligations she was under to him. Charoo therefore took the sticks and began to play loudly.

236

“Indra was amazed to hear the unusual violence with which the bherry was being sounded, and he at once directed one of his attendants to invite Chitrangee to the court. The messenger immediately carried the order to her, and she desired him to wait awhile, that she might prepare for the visit. She adorned herself, but in a dejected mood, for she dreaded the result, not knowing how to escape Indra's wrath in case she should incur it. She desired Charoo to permit her to go alone, but he said, ‘No, I will not allow you to go unless I accompany you in my present shape, as I am resolved to assist you in your music and singing on this occasion. I shall disguise myself as your Moordoongy.* I know how to play; in fact I excel in it.’ So earnest was Charoo in his request, that Chitrangee could not refuse him, so she repaired to Indra’s subha with Charoo. She prostrated herself as usual before Indra, and then took up her position as on the former occasions. Shortly after she was called upon to commence her singing and dancing. She prepared to obey, by putting all her instruments in order; she then began to sing the victories of Indra and of his divine angels and demi-gods, in such a manner that their souls were enraptured, recalling as it did their triumphs over the Dyetas.† They applauded her very much, and seemed altogether under the influence of her magical performance. Chitrangee then changed her mode of singing. She took the vena, an instrument in which she excelled, and played upon it with such exquisite sweetness, as an accompaniment to her singing, that she completely astounded her audience. The melody of the music and the almost imperceptible modulations of her voice—by turns rising to the highest pitch and then sinking into the most delightful softness—were truly astonishing. To this was added the sparkle of her brilliant eyes, which spoke in language more expressive than either her voice or the instrument on which she executed the entrancing love song.

• A player upon the oblong drum. † The Titans, or giants of Hindu mythology.

237 “ Indra was so captivated by her performance that he seemed to devour her with his eyes. ‘Never before,’ he exclaimed, ‘have I been so completely overcome by the charms of a woman, nor have I ever heard such heart-thril- ling sounds or eloquent language. With what feeling does she pourtray the soft sentiment of love!’ Chitrangee was assisted in her performance by Charoo, and it was no doubt the presence of her husband and lover which enabled her to display such an unusual flow of feeling and eloquence. Whatever may have been the cause, certain it is that she acquitted herself in a manner beyond all precedent, and, as has been already said, elicited the encomiums of all the celestial beings there assembled. Each and all of them paid her much attention, and extolled her skill and ability, as well as her personal beauty and attractions. Indra was so much delighted that he took a necklace of pearls from his own neck, and presented it to her before she had fairly concluded her captivating song. Chitrangee received it with much respect, and immediately placed it round Charoo’s neck. Indra, observing this, asked her who he was, when she modestly replied, ‘Most gracious sovereign! he is the husband who was destined for me in the world below, and I married him when I was a princess, according to your majesty’s first sentence on me. He came in search of me to Chitrakoot, after I had re-assumed my celestial frame; and he it was, to my great good fortune, who rescued me on the three different occasions I incurred your majesty’s displeasure and fell under your curse. He had to suffer great toil and fatigue on my account. Indeed, my lord,’ added she, ‘he was the sole happy instrument of my protection.’ ‘Oh, celestial beauty! I am exceedingly delighted to hear this account of your beloved,’ replied Indra; ‘as he has so completely devoted himself to you, he is worthy of my warmest regard and esteem. Let him ask of me whatever he pleases, I will bestow it upon him with great pleasure and satisfaction.’ Charoo, hearing all this, came forward and prostrated himself before Indra,

238

saying, ‘Most gracious and generous Suraishwer!—as you have expressed yourself pleased with my conduct, your majesty will please place your hand on my head, and I will ask you for a token of your royal favour.’ Indra accordingly placed his hand on Charoo’s head, when the latter spoke as follows :—‘My lord! you will be graciously pleased to dispense in future with the attendance of my wife Chitrangee at your royal subha, when the bherry may happen to be sounded at her mansion; and should your majesty desire her to sing and dance before you, you will graciously be pleased to overlook any slight imperfection or omission.’ ‘I willingly grant you this favour,’ said Indra; ‘but this is only a poor return for all you have done and suffered for her: ask for something more worthy of you.’ ‘My bountiful lord! there is nothing that I can at this moment wish for. I have more than I can well enjoy, your gene- rosity to my wife having placed at my disposal the means of living in continued bliss.’ Indra then bestowed his blessing on Charoo, and the subha adjourned. Shortly after, Charoo and Chitrangee entreated permission to leave, which being granted, they returned to Chitrakoot in great joy, where they lived in uninterrupted happiness. “One day, being seated together, conversing on different topics, Chitrangee addressed Charoo thus:—‘My dear love, I entreat you to let me know what relatives you have, what your profession was, where your birth-place is, and whether you are royally descended.’ Charoo informed her of his birth, parentage, and profession, and the reason why he had left his brothers. When he approached the conclud- ing part of his narrative, and thought of his wife and her trinkets, he felt a qualm of conscience, and was for a time silent. He was much affected by the reminiscences that had been called up by his speaking of the past. He had not once thought of his former wife since the eventful day on which he parted from her, so wholly engrossed had his mind been with the lovely Chitrangee and the incidents attendant upon his marriage with her. ‘My dear Charoo!

—my beloved husband !' said Chitrangee, ' I pray you not to dissemble or hide the least circumstance from me. What is it that grieves you so much?—tell me, I beseech you ! I cannot divine your thoughts, but should you have a wife, I shall be glad to receive her here, and let her reside with us and partake of our glorious state ! Be assured of this— I will treat her as if she were my own sister !' She pressed him very much to let her know the cause of his apparent concern, and at length he revealed to her all the particulars regarding his wife, who, he said, received no support from his family, but relied entirely on him, and whom he had so cruelly neglected. This, he said, was the cause of his feel- ing so great a concern. ' When I was cast off by my brothers, who would not pay my debt,' continued Charoo, ' my wife preserved my character by giving me her jewels, which enabled me to discharge it. On parting from her I pledged my word never to forget her. Alas! how have I requited her self-denying love for me! Not one single thought have I bestowed on her since I left home, so completely have I been occupied in devising means for your restoration from the several perilous positions into which you have successively, and at very short intervals, fallen.' Chitrangee was affected at the relation, and replied, ' I hope, my dear husband, that you will not hesitate, after what I have said, to bring your wife here without further delay. Let me assure you once more that I will treat her as my own sister. I will even consent to live here subject to her !' Charoo was much touched with the very affectionate and disinterested manner in which Chitrangee spoke on the subject, and he promised that he would go and fetch his wife on the morrow. " Next morning, Chitrangee again entreated Charoo to set off for his wife, and presented him with a pair of curious padooka* which she possessed. Charoo put them on his feet, took the three jewels which had been presented to him

• Clogs.

240

by the chief of the fishes, and, after tenderly embracing Chitrangee, departed. Some time elapsed ere he could recollect the exact spot where his former wife resided ; but at length, having uttered some mysterious words, he was instantly transported thither. When he entered the town, the people of his acquaintance instantly recognised him, and before he reached his dwelling some of them had conveyed the intelligence to his brothers, who hastened thither to receive him. As soon as he appeared they advanced, and met him with kind embraces, enquiring the cause of his long absence. Charoo immediately detailed the whole of his adventures, and the magnificence in which he lived at Chitrakoot, concluding by saying that if they wished it he would convey them all to that place. But Charoo's tale only elicited a smile of incredulity ; for they thought he was affected in his mind, and therefore did not believe a word of what he said. ' You have not yet, we see,' said they, ' got rid of your old habits and exaggerating propensities. We feel no inclination, we can assure you, to taste of the enjoyments you speak of. We are quite content to remain here in the same station as our fore- fathers, where we can enjoy the society of sages and men of learning.' On this, Charoo again addressed them, saying, ' You despise me, or affect to do so, because in your arro- gant envy you will not concede to me what is denied to you. I am nevertheless desirous of being just to you. What I say is the truth, and though you may now seem indifferent to my proposal, a time will come when you will wish that you had not slighted my advice,—when age and infirmities overtake you, and when your existence in this world draws to a close. I lost my fortune in gaming, it is true, and you abused and reviled me, and even turned me out of doors, instead of trying to remedy the evil ; but I will deal more handsomely by you, and will let my acts prove to you that I can never harbour a covetous or niggardly spirit, —still less a revengeful feeling for the injury I received at your hands.' Saying this, he went into a private chamber,

241 and, after revering the jewel, produced immense treasure in gold, jewels, and precious stones of various descrip- tions. These he brought out and presented to his brothers, saying, ‘I pray you, take these riches, and do not any longer give way to avarice.’ He then left them in their amazement, and entered his wife’s apartment. When she saw who it was that was approaching, she hastened up to him, falling at his feet, and afterwards embraced him with tears of joy. It would be impossible to pourtray the excess of their pleasure at this meeting; suffice it to say that a long period was spent in the mutual expression of all that two fond hearts could give utterance to; after which Charoo recounted the whole of his adventures to his wife, and acquainted her with the felicity he had been enjoying at Chitrakoot. He asked her if she would accompany him, or whether she felt disposed to ridicule him by disbelieving his tale, as his brothers had done. She replied, ‘I pray you, do with me as may seem best to you. By your arrival this day I have been especially favored by the kind Provi- dence who watches over us all. It has been my constant practice, since you left me, to supplicate heaven to bestow its kind aid in restoring you to me, and my prayer has at last been heard! Though I have grieved much for your ab- sence, still I am amply repaid for all I have endured on your account, by once more seeing you in health and prosperity.’ Many such expressions of affection did she lavish on Charoo; and at length, the sun having sunk beneath the horizon, they partook of their evening meal together, after which they retired for the night. “Next morning Charoo paid a visit to his brothers, and having told them they might rely upon what he had said the previous day, he again invited them to share with him the enjoyments of a celestial existence at Chitrakoot. They told him in reply that they felt no inclination or desire for such grandeur, and that they would rather remain where they were than run the risk of losing what they already possessed. After this interview with his brothers, Charoo FF