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

261 any conference with me. He has, I know, been counting the days as they passed, and awaiting with much anxiety the expiration of the time I fixed upon." "Very well," said the parrot, "do not be alarmed, but take courage; I will endeavour to extricate you from your perilous position. I have discovered myself only to you, and you must be very careful not to divulge the secret of my being here in my present form to any one, for the least intimation on the sub- ject to Koobjuck will involve me in some other misfortune, and perhaps even cause my death." "Your majesty must know," replied the queen, "that the moment I suspected Koobjuck I prohibited him from entering my apartments. Besides, I have expressly told him that unless he practises before me the mysterious art of transmigration at the expira- tion of six months, I will never even look him in the face." The parrot then desired Bhutty to retire to his own home, telling him that on the morrow they would set about devis- ing means to effect their purpose. He said he trusted, by the aid of Providence, to return speedily to his natural form and condition, and to enter once again upon the duties of his office. Bhutty made his obeisance, and departed accordingly. The queen held the parrot in her hand with much respect and veneration; she tenderly embraced him, with tears flowing fast down her cheeks, and said, "I have been deceived indeed, but I have at last found him whom my soul holds most dear on earth. My past sufferings and heart-burnings are now more than recompensed: heaven has favored me on this occasion in a most liberal manner, for which I now offer up the outpourings of a soul full of grateful emotions and sentiments far too profound for utter- ance." She then placed the parrot in his cage, and the whole of that night was spent in conjecturing the events that the morrow would bring forth. The next morning, by sunrise, the wicked Koobjuck sent for Bhutty the minister, in whom he had great confidence, and informed him that the period of six months assigned by

262 the queen would expire on that day, and that he was pre- pared to impart to her the knowledge which she was so anxious to become possessed of. He told him to go and enquire of the queen if she was prepared to receive him. The minister, in obedience to the order he had received, went to the queen and made her acquainted with Koobjuck's request. She replied that she was as anxious as ever to be initiated into the mystery, and that after the king should have satisfied her in that respect she would place herself entirely at his disposal. The minister returned and com- municated this to Koobjuck, who heard it with much plea- sure, and ordered his attendants to procure for him the dead body of some animal, no matter of what kind, or of any species of bird. They accordingly went out in search of one. The wicked Koobjuck, in the mean while, went into the queen's apartment, accompanied by the minister, and after the usual interchange of civilities they sat down. Koobjuck was priding himself on the wit and discernment he displayed in a flow of flattering encomiums he was bestowing on the queen, when the attendants whom he had sent out returned with a dead hare. Having taken the hare and placed it beside him, he addressed the queen and said, "My chaste wife! the idol of my heart!—I beg you will be pleased to cast your eyes upon me, and I will show you in a few minutes the most wonderful miracle ever witnessed." The parrot was a silent listener to all that was being said, and an observer likewise of all that was going forward,—he was concealed under the folds of the queen's garment. Koob- juck, having secured the attention of the queen, commenced to work the charm, and in a short time he left the human body, which was that of Vickramadetea, and entered the body of the hare, which began to show signs of life, and at last skipped about with all the sprightliness of life and health. The parrot, observing this, instantly cast off his body and entered that of Vickramadetea, and thus regained his own form, which had been so long forcibly kept from him by the wicked and ungrateful Koobjuck.

263 No sooner did Vickramadetea assume his natural body, than he ordered the attendants to catch the hare. This command, so terrible to the hare, resounded throughout the palace, and was echoed from mouth to mouth,—in fact they had all been in some degree prepared for it. The hare instantly skipped off, and hid himself in the kitchen, but his pursuers followed him there, with shouts and cries, and so belaboured him with the sticks with which they had provided themselves as speedily to put an end to his existence. They then brought the body to Vickramadetea, who ordered it to be thrown to the dogs and birds of prey. This was nothing more than the inhuman Koobjuck richly deserved. Such are the inscrutable but invariable decrees of Provi- dence! Though the wicked and the profane may for a time seem to triumph in their evil courses,-the punishment from on high sooner or later overtakes them in the midst of their career. There is a great moral to be learned from this, and to those of a contemplative turn of mind it will afford sufficient food for consideration during their leisure hours. King Vickramadetea was much pleased at the successful manner in which he had executed his plans, and thanked God for his mercy towards him. He embraced the queen in the first transport of his joy, and he was also profuse in his thanks to the minister for all he had done. He also sent for Somedut the brahmin, and extolled him in very high and flattering terms for the trouble he had been at in wandering through wilds and forest glens in search of him, regardless of his own comfort. The next day Vickra- madetea appeared in public, and ascended his throne amid the acclamations and joyful greetings of his courtiers and the whole assembled populace. The inhabitants of Oojein had been getting gradually reconciled to the hardness of the lot they experienced under the iron sway of Koobjuck; consequently any change for the better in their condition was as far removed from their minds as any event could well be. Since the time Koob-

264 juck usurped the throne, it was “as a roaring lion and a raging bear” that this wicked ruler lorded it over the poor people. Nothing but complaints of injustice and the most iniquitous proceedings were to be heard on all sides; and the distress of the people was heavy, increased as it was in a great measure by the recollection of what they had been accustomed to under the mild and just rule of the generous Vickramadetea. But there was now to be an end of all this: the tyrant had gone to his account, and the rightful owner of the throne was once more amongst them! One of the first acts of Vickramadetea, after he had assumed the reins of government, was to reinstate all those who had been unjustly ousted from their places, and to restore the properties of all who had been deprived of them. Vickramadetea was aware how his subjects had suffered during his absence, and he hastened to do them the most ample justice. He rewarded his tried friends and trusty vassals in the most profuse manner, and his friend Somedut came in for a handsome pension—handsomer far than his most sanguine expectation could have pictured—after which he retired, with the most profound feeling of gratitude, love, and regard for the generous donor.

265 CHAPTER XVIII. The inhabitants of Oojein once more enjoy the blessings of good govern- ment under King Vickramadetea—The king's mind continuing dis- turbed by reflections on the prediction that he should be killed by the son of a virgin aged seven years, he sends emissaries into various countries to make enquiries if any such were known—Soometra, the youthful daughter of a brahmin, becomes pregnant by the king of the serpents, and bears a son whom they name Shalivahan—He early displays great martial talents, as well as extraordinary wisdom as a councellor—In repelling an attack by Vickramadetea, Shalivahan, provided with an army by his father, puts the enemy to rout and slays the king—From this date the Shalivahan era begins to be computed. THE city of Oojein was now entirely relieved from the yoke of oppression under which it but a short time before had groaned, and the inhabitants were gradually regaining their wonted cheerfulness and serenity. Some who had fled from the place under the tyrant's repeated oppressions and injustice on their persons and property, retraced their steps, and were again located within their peaceful dwellings, with their properties restored to them. Under Vickrama- detea's blissful reign there was not the slightest inclination in the people toward a profligate life or the indulgence of any other wicked or improper desires. Their love for their monarch, who was proverbially just and virtuous, regulated their actions: they imitated his example, and were conse- quently devout and sincere in their religious duties, taking great delight in tending and succouring their poor and distressed fellow-citizens. Such was the condition of the country shortly after Vickramadetea resumed the throne. During his reign there was but one drawback to his complete earthly happiness: it had been predicted, as has been before mentioned, that he would die by the hand of the son of a virgin. To pre- vent such a catastrophe, he sent his emissaries into many II

266 different countries, as well as to the remotest corners of his own dominions, to gain precise information, if possible, as to the birth of such a person. On the south of the river Godavery was situated the city of Prathestan, where reigned a king named Somekaunt, who to a handsome exterior added every virtue which can adorn the human mind. He devoted as much of his time as he could spare from the duties of his state to acts of charity towards his poorer subjects. He was liberal and kind, and studied all the varied wants of his people with the object of relieving them; by which means he not only helped to improve the condition of his people, and with it to increase the prosperity of his country, but he also planted in the hearts of his subjects a lasting sentiment of love and gratitude towards himself, which was manifested by their constant invocations and prayers that blessings might be showered upon his head. There was a poor brahmin, named Soolochun, in this city, who had an only daughter, a most lovely child, called Soometra. She had been deprived of her mother, by the cruel hand of death, at the age of four years. The brah- min felt this stroke of affliction to his heart's inmost core; and having no other near relative who could undertake the management of his unhappy child, and give her the nourish- ment needed at her years, he was thrown into a most uncontrollable fit of grief, from which he rose at times only to fall into a more distressing one, by recalling to his mind with renewed force the forlorn condition of his infant daughter. He carried her in his arms whilst following the usual avocations of his calling, and it was most pitiable to behold the care-worn and haggard looks of the father, and to hear the piercing cries of the infant for its usual sustenance. Thus the father went on from day to day, feeding his child as best he could, until it began to speak. When she could express herself in an intelligible manner, he was agreeably surprised to hear with what good sense her observations were characterised.

267 The river Godda not being far from his house, the brahmin made it a daily practice to perform his ablutions in its stream, and to worship the titular image of Shashe,* one of which he kept in his house. One day Soolochun went as usual, accompanied by his daughter, to bathe. The father left the child on the bank, and had no sooner descended into the river than a most wonderful occurrence took place. Soometra had scarcely seated herself, when a young and handsome brahmin appeared before her. He gazed on her silently at first, and then drew near and addressed her in a respectful tone. "O charming and celestial beauty!" said he, "permit me to fold your slender and lovely form in my arms!" These were strange and unintelligible words to her, and she seemed at a loss what to reply, so she looked anxiously in the direction of her father, and shrieked for help, as she thought the young brahmin before her would ill-treat her. Her cries did not reach her father, who had gone far into the water, so the youth, perceiving her loneliness, approached nearer to her, and placed his hand on her head, when she immediately felt creeping over her the sensations of ripening love and affection. He then desired her not to be afraid of him, although he did not belong to this world, but to the lower one. "Listen to me," continued he; "as you are igno- rant of the reason why I assumed this form, I will tell you. You will bear a son who will become a mighty and renowned monarch: by his prowess and gallantry he will subdue a mighty nation; his fame and merit will be spread far and wide, and will endure as long as the sun and moon exist. If at any time you should happen to fall into difficulties, recal this my shape and appearance in your mind, and mention aloud my name, when I will instantly appear to you, and relieve you from any dangers with which you may

• The king of the serpents, a large snake with a thousand heads, who is at once the couch and canopy of Vishnoo, as well as the up- holder of the world, on which rests one of his heads.

268

be encompassed. But come, hasten to grant my request. Do you fully comprehend the nature of my speech?" Soometra, touched with his appearance and friendly disposi- tion, smiled at the conclusion of his address, and did not hesitate to allow him a chaste embrace, after which the youth disappeared. The father, after bathing and perform- ing his ablutions, returned to where he had left his daughter, and was surprised at not finding her there, but perceived her at a distance coming towards him. She appeared to him, though retaining the same line of features, to have suddenly advanced to womanhood; but on coming nearer, he found that she was in her former condition of infancy. The father asked her why she had left her place, and to his horror and indignation she told him all that had occur- red, without concealing a single circumstance. He became very much dejected when he thought of the disgrace that would probably fall on him; though he doubted whether any injury had been inflicted upon his child, as she was still an infant. Then again he recalled the circumstance which he beheld as his daughter advanced to him from the distance: she then appeared to have all at once grown into a woman, and on nearing him had as suddenly resumed her natural shape of a child. He was greatly puzzled at all this. "God alone knows," said he, "what this illusion means: my eyes could not have deceived me, and yet how can I account for the strange phenomenon?" As he was unable to solve the mystery he led his daughter home. Four months after the occurrence above narrated, the brahmin's daughter, suddenly and against all precedent in the order of nature, shot up into a young woman, and at the same time showed every sign of being with child. When the neighbours came to know of her situation, it created a deal of scandal, which was productive of great pain to her father, for much stress was laid on her supposed infamy and gross violation of virtue. The unpleasant intelligence soon reached the ears of king Somekaunt,---that a brahmin's daughter had become

269 pregnant without the knowledge of a husband. This so exasperated the king that he summoned her father to his court, and in a threatening manner bade him declare the truth regarding his daughter's vile conduct, as he must be fully aware of the strictness of the laws enacted against such offenders. The brahmin was thrown into much agita- tion, and finding it would be of no avail to conceal the truth, represented to the king what he had learned from his daughter, and that he himself had witnessed the transforma- tion in her shape on returning from the river. He begged his majesty to extend his royal clemency to him, as he was innocent, and knew nothing more of the affair than what he had already mentioned. King Somekaunt and his officers would not believe a word of what the brahmin said, but told him that they suspected him of being privy to the whole affair, and sentenced him to be banished from the city without loss of time. The poor brahmin, his heart torn with grief and anguish on account of the disgrace brought on him by his daughter's misconduct, which was now aggravated by insult and unmerited punishment, returned to his dwelling, and having packed up his goods and house- hold materials, departed with his daughter from the city. He took up his residence outside the fort walls, with some potters, and spent his time in his usual occupation. At the completion of nine months, Soometra was safely delivered of a handsome male child, to the great joy of herself and likewise of her father. On the twelfth day they gave him the name of Shalivahan. As the child grew up, he had no one of his own class to associate with, so was compelled to choose his companions from among the potters in the neighbourhood. His sole amusement during his leisure hours was to form images and puppets of the clay procured from his companions, and to place them in a row like an army, with a sword in the hand of each and shields on their backs. The officers were represented on the backs of horses, and they carried an additional weapon of defence in the shape of a long spear. Besides the foot soldiers and

270 their mounted officers, he formed a regiment of cavalry, who carried more weapons than the former, among which were bows and quivers full of arrows. The introduction of elephants added to the wonder of this extraordinary speci- men of infantile ingenuity. This was the work of several weeks, each day witnessing the formation of a certain number of brigades, and as each brigade was completed a sufficient number of officers was apportioned to it. Thus did this future hero, even in his tender years, accustom himself to all the paraphernalia of war, and the missiles of destruction then in use. Having completed the army, Shalivahan repaired with his companions to the top of a high mound of earth, and issued orders in a loud voice, as if for a grand and imposing parade. The army, however, as may well be imagined, remained stationary ; nevertheless, numbers of people flocked round to witness the amusing proceedings of the youngsters. Some were led to the spot from mere idle curiosity ; others there were who stopped to admire the precocious judgment and masterly manœuvres of the little commander. Shalivahan was rather tall in stature, and of a slender make, with a long neck and arms; his limbs appeared nevertheless to be well proportioned. He was very engag- ing in his manners, of a brave disposition, and displayed a vigour of body far surpassing all his companions of the same age, and even those of the adjoining states, the young princes included. He sometimes amused himself by gather- ing together his companions in a certain spot, taking an elevated seat among them, and calling himself their king. He would then appoint his prime minister and the other officials of a court, and set about dispensing justice to his subjects. At this play he settled many knotty points and important debates, to the admiration of many men of years and discretion. One day, while Shalivahan held his general council with his companions, the ministers and other officials being present, a Josey happened to pass by, whom Shalivahan

271 boldly and fearlessly addressed. “Well, Josey-bawa,” said he, “be so kind as to inform me whether there is any good conquest in store for our court for the present year.” The Josey could not help smiling at the youth’s mode of expression, and the subject of his address. He replied, “I can tell you what you desire to know, but you must first let me have some duxina.”* “You may depend on me,” replied the child; “I will give it to you, and, what is more, from this day forward you must not go from door to door.” At this speech the Josey laughed heartily, and said, “O prince of boys!—an opportunity of achieving a great and splendid victory lies before you, and one which only you are destined to obtain.” No sooner did these words fall from the Josey’s lips than Shalivahan, much pleased with it, presented him with an earthen pot. The poor Josey accepted the proffered gift without any demur, and took it to his lodgings, where, having placed the pot on the ground, he was agreeably surprised to find it converted into pure gold! This miraculous occurrence convinced him that there was some unusual and important faculty attach- ing to the boy who had presented him with it,—in short, the Josey believed him to belong to a superior or divine order of beings. Shalivahan was not over fond of study, nor eager for learning, but he was possessed of so excellent a memory that anything he had once read he could repeat by heart. He could also successfully perform what he had but once before seen done. His grasp of memory and the quickness of his apprehension were among his most remarkable characteristics, and they secured for him the well-merited praise of all who knew him. In a distant country lived a wealthy merchant called Dhunnanjye, who had three sons, all well educated and great proficients in their business. This merchant was also a man of great tact and experience, but he was so old and

• Money or presents.

272 infirm that he began to lay aside all thoughts of further gain, and thought it advisable to settle his worldly affairs by apportioning his property to his sons. Being wise and discreet, he made his arrangements in a very judicious manner: he buried, under one of the corner-posts of the cot whereon he slept, a quantity of rice-husks, under the second some clay, under the third a sheet of paper, and under the fourth a quantity of coals. Some time after, as he found his illness was fast gaining upon him, and that he had but a short time to live, he called his three sons to his bed-side, and said to them, "My dear children, I have bequeathed my property to you in equal shares. I have buried all that I die possessed of under the cot which now supports me. The eldest is to receive what I have buried under the two posts at the head of the cot, the next that which is under the right-hand post at the foot, and the youngest that which is under the left-hand post; but I hope you will not, until after my decease, separate yourselves from me, nor have any interest apart from mine. I trust you will always endeavour to acquire a good reputation, and take delight in assisting others. Those who derive their enjoyments from such noble sources, deserve admira- tion and applause, and will most assuredly secure them." Soon after instructing them in this wise, the old man expired. The three brothers, having with all due reverence and respect performed the last sad rites for their father, lived together in the greatest harmony and love. Some time after, a slight altercation took place between them, and they each and all determined to share their father's legacy, which was buried under the corner-posts of the cot. With this view they entered the chamber, and dug up the ground, but what was their surprise when, instead of gold, as they had all along expected, they found nothing but what has been already mentioned! "Alas!" said they, "how sanguine were we that our father had in store for us some valuable treasure, such as gold, silver, and precious stones, of which we knew him to be possessed, and here we have

273 nothing but mere dirt and paper!—for they are but little better." They could not understand the meaning or inten- tion of this act on the part of the aged merchant. "But," said they after awhile, "these articles are certainly com- mon and without value to the eye; we must not, however, treat them as such. Our father, depend upon it, meant something which is at present beyond our comprehension, or he would not have taken such pains to hide these things." They thought and reflected very seriously on the subject, but could arrive at no satisfactory solution of the apparent mystery. They next referred the matter to their friends and relations, but these only laughed at the strange and pitiful legacy which had been left by the merchant to his sons. Nevertheless, all three of them were so fully impressed with the wisdom of their father, and the belief that he could never have been guilty of such a foolish act or tricksy conduct as their remaining relatives imputed to him in no very pleasing terms, that they represented their case to the Pateel* of the district, for his decision. He was equally unable as the rest of them to pass a judgment on the unusual proceeding of the deceased merchant, but he advised the brothers to proceed to the king, and lay their case at the foot of the throne. The brothers accordingly set out, and having heard of the fame of Vickramadetea, proceeded to his court. On their arrival they represented to the king the object of their journey, and after producing for his inspection the articles which they had dug up, prayed that he would be pleased to solve the mystery for them. The king was much perplexed and astonished at what he heard, and although he gave the case the most mature and deliberate considera- tion, he could not by any means solve it. He took great pains and evinced much zeal in behalf of the three brothers, as well as for his own satisfaction; he also brought to bear

• The chief officer of the village, applied as a title of courtesy to Marathas or Shoodrus in general. JJ

274 upon it the united abilities of his councillors, but all to no purpose. At last he informed them, with the utmost concern, that he could not at all explain to them their father's meaning, and advised them to seek elsewhere for the expla- nation they sought. The brothers had entertained great hopes that King Vickramadetea, whose fame for wisdom and capacity was spread throughout the land, would have set before them a clear exposition of their case, but they were now compelled to go elsewhere, with, as they feared, far less chance of success. Being, however, very desirous to obtain an explanation, they left Oojein, and travelled to another court, where they met with no better success. They next visited the city of Prathestan, and represented their case to King Somekaunt, who patiently heard their representations, but with no less amazement than their other hearers. He also exerted his utmost talent and judgment, combined with that of his councillors, to arrive at a decision, but they also signally failed. Meanwhile, one of the coun- cillors desired the brothers to attend on the morrow, when they would be informed of the result of their application. A certain potter, who lived in the same neighbourhood with Shalivahan, was in the daily practice of going into the town to sell his wares, after which he usually amused him- self by going into court to hear the cases tried before the king. He happened to be present on this occasion, and heard the case of the three brothers. When he returned home he communicated the matter to Shalivahan, and added that the king had not been able to come to a decision, but was much perplexed. Shalivahan laughed heartily when he heard it, and said to the potter, "My good neighbour, I am surprised, not so much at the case as at the want of perception on the part of the king and his officials. It is not a case of such great difficulty as to cause the king to be at a loss to decide it. But perhaps you are only jesting with me: has not the king been always famed for his learning, and deservedly too? Does he not retain in his court the ablest of councillors? All this is against what

275 you are now pleased to assert." The potter replied, ’“If, as you say, there is no difficulty in settling the case of the three brothers, and you can do it, I will mention it to the king, who, I am sure, will be glad to hear it.” “I do not wish you to mention my name,” replied Shalivahan, “but you may, if you please, mention that there is a person who has expressed himself as I have done.” So saying, Shali- vahan repaired to his usual sport. Next day the potter went again into the town, but a little earlier than usual, and called at the court to see how the case then pending would terminate. He heard the minister acquainting the brothers that no decision could by any possibility be arrived at, it being one of much difficulty, and shrouded in great mystery. The potter upon this advanced, and thus addressed the king:—“O excellent king!—I beg to state in all humility that there is a youth who has expressed himself ready and able to decide this case; I therefore pray your majesty will send for him. He is wise, and endowed with many good qualities, although he lives outside the town amongst the poor potters. I mentioned to him yesterday the difficulty experienced by the court in deciding this case, and he was very much surprised there should be any difficulty found in it. He is a youth possessing the judgment of riper years, and his excellent carriage and demeanour mark him as an extra- ordinary and rare being. Though born of humble parents he shows great tact and learning, and will doubtless one day rise to the eminence he is in every way fitted to adorn.” The king, hearing this, was greatly pleased, though not a little surprised, as was also his whole court even to a still greater degree. He directed one of his attendants to set off immediately in the direction pointed out by the potter, and to summon to the palace the youth described by him. This was done, but Shalivahan said to the king’s attendant, “Go and inform your master that he has no control over me; if, however, he is desirous of seeing me, he is at liberty to come to my dwelling.” The attendant returned to the

276 court and delivered this message to the king, who was greatly amazed at the youth's audacity, and so were all his courtiers. They consulted for awhile, and then despatched a palanquin and some officers, in order to show him some little attention, with an urgent request for his immediate attendance. On reaching Shalivahan's abode, the officers represented to him that the king was anxious to see him, and begged therefore that he would lose no time in preparing himself to accom- pany them. "I wonder," said Shalivahan, "why the king should be so desirous of seeing me!—I do not feel disposed to believe all you say. Be good enough, however, to tell him that I can have no business with him,—that is, if he has sent you to me, as you maintain. If there is anything on which he wishes to consult me, let him come here, and I shall be glad to be of service to him." Not being authorised to use compulsion, they returned to court and acquainted the king with what Shalivahan had said. The king could not but admire the daring boldness of the youth, and thought he must be possessed of rare qualifications. At length he directed some of his court furniture to be carried to Shalivahan's dwelling, that he might hold his court there, and then ordered his retinue to be got ready, after which he set out with his officials and the three brothers, accompanied by a large number of the most respectable citizens. Curiosity had no little share in this proceeding on the part of the king: he was naturally desirous of seeing and hearing the knotty point gone into and finally decided. It was therefore without any show of displeasure that the king adjourned his court to Shalivahan's dwelling. Arrived there, the king sent for the young arbitrator, and received him with one of his patronising smiles. Shalivahan drew near to the king, and, after respectfully saluting him, thus addressed him:—"My lord, you need not have put your- self to the trouble of assembling your court here, if, as I suppose, you have come to hear my decision in the case of the three brothers. Why did not your majesty send them to me?—I should have been able, I think, to decide the

277 case to your majesty's satisfaction, without any of these preparations, as it is a simple one, and does not call for any particular or lengthy discussion." The king smiled at this speech on the part of Shalivahan, who was dressed in the simplest of garbs, without anything even approaching to ornament; his countenance and bearing nevertheless were lofty, and his personal appearance very prepossessing. He was a singular being: in him were combined all the charms of personal beauty and the highest qualities of the mind, so that he was looked upon, notwithstanding his plain garb, by the vast concourse there assembled, with admiring eyes and the deference which is invariably paid to superior and powerful intellect. The king commanded Shalivahan to be seated, and beckoned to one of the brothers to come forward and lay his case before him. The eldest of the merchant's sons accordingly proceeded to relate his story, and produced the husks and clay which had fallen to his share. Shalivahan hereupon said, without hesitation, "The deceased, by leaving you the husks and the clay, meant that all the grain and other produce of the fields, meadows, . orchards, gardens, &c. were to fall to your share, as well as the ground and the implements and appliances pertaining to agriculture, which is clearly indicated by the clay. In this there is no mistake, and your brothers cannot lay the slightest claim to any of it." The second brother then presented himself, and, laying before Shalivahan the sheet of white paper, said that that was what had fallen to his share. "This paper," said Shalivahan, "represents the bonds, deeds of mortgage, receipts, books, recoveries, and the interest accruing therefrom, which are all assigned to you, and of which your brothers cannot dispute the posses- sion." The youngest and last son now came forward, and said that his share consisted of a quantity of coals, which he produced, at the same time giving vent to his feelings as follows:—"O thou critical judge and impartial investi- gator! I know not what fortune my late father intended to leave me, but I cannot help considering myself the unluckiest

278 of men, for the greater part of the property is already gone to my elder brothers, according to the judgment passed by you, and there is but little left for me.” Shalivahan said, “Be patient, and listen to my interpretation. The coals no doubt appear repugnant to the sight, but they will produce far more riches than have fallen to the lot of your brothers. Know, then, that all the ready cash, gold, silver, and jewels, except those ornaments in use in the families of your two brothers, are designed for you, and none can gainsay it.” This interpretation gave much satisfaction to the king and the whole court, as well as to the parties concerned. They admired the great penetration and discernment of Shalivahan, and every spectator present expressed his astonishment and joy at the successful issue of the case. Nor did they fail to heap encomiums on the happy Shaliva- han for the talent and ability displayed in his decision. Not one among those assembled there could have hit upon the right signification of the several articles produced by the brothers, nor did it once occur to them to interpret it in the manner Shalivahan had done. It is therefore not to be wondered at that he was looked upon as a youth of very superior ability, of exalted powers of mind, and rare acquire- ments. The brothers were profuse in their thanks and expressions of gratitude and obligation to him, after which they departed on their return home. King Somekaunt then asked Shalivahan who he was, to what tribe he belonged, and whether he had always been an inhabitant of that locality. Shalivahan replied by entering into an explanation of his circumstances and antecedents, as well as of the aspersions cast upon his mother and grandfather, touching also on the injustice they had received at his (the king’s) hands. All this he delivered in a most sarcastic manner, which touched the king to the quick, as he and all who beheld him were fully persuaded that Shalivahan was one day destined to become great, and that he would rise to eminence by his own unaided efforts.

279 When the king returned to his court, after the labours of the day, he found a messenger waiting there from King Vickramadetea, to enquire whether any virgin had been delivered of a male child in any part of Somekaunt's dominions. The king informed this messenger, who was an officer of Vickramadetea's household, of the story of the three brothers, and how he had been enabled to decide it by the aid of Shalivahan, together with the circumstances which had attended the birth of the latter, and directed him to lose no time in communicating the whole story to Vickramadetea. The officer returned in haste to his sovereign, and informed him of all these particulars, adding that Shalivahan was then thirteen years old. King Vickramadetea, on hearing this, was struck to the heart, being fully under the impression that, in accordance with the prediction, his life would shortly be sacrificed by this youth. It occurred to him that perhaps it was so willed by the Supreme Ruler of the universe, as the period of his earthly existence was now, in the usual course of nature, drawing to a close. He despatched a messenger, instantly with a letter to King Somekaunt, requesting that he would send Shalivahan to his court with as little delay as possible, being very desirous of seeing him. The messenger reached his destination in due time, and delivered his master's epistle to King Somekaunt, who stated in reply that he was extremely sorry he could not comply with Vickramadetea's request in this instance, as the youth Shalivahan was of so proud a temper, that when sent for to decide the case of the brothers he refused to come to the court, and that he had been obliged to go to Shalivahan's own dwelling to have the matter settled. He said, how- ever, that he would try, and with that view sent an officer to Shalivahan's house to make known to him King Vickra- madetea's wishes regarding him; but he refused to attend the call, notwithstanding the most earnest entreaties. "I see no occasion," said he, "to travel so far. I have nothing to do with King Vickramadetea. I therefore hope you will

280 carry my reply, and leave me in peace." The officer again tried to prevail on him to accompany the messenger who had been sent for him, but he said, "Why do you thus press me? Have I been guilty of anything against the laws of the country, that you should insist upon my appear- ance before the king? Go your way,—I refuse to attend." The officer returned to the king, and reported the issue of the meeting, on which Vickramadetea's messenger was despatched immediately to convey the intelligence to his master, who on hearing the tale, felt much grieved and somewhat terrified at the stubborn daring of the youth Shalivahan, which showed at once the nature and tempera- ment of his fated antagonist. He thought also of his intelligence and capacity, his surprising talents, and great personal beauty. "O God!" said Vickramadetea, after he had well weighed all these considerations, "O God! the prediction of the astrologer will most assuredly come to pass! I feel it—I dread it!" In considerable alarm Vickramadetea again despatched an officer, with instructions to, use every means he could think of, and, if necessary, to employ stratagem, to bring Shalivahan with him. The officer proceeded with all speed to the residence of Shaliva- han, whom he entreated in the most urgent manner to accompany him to the court of Vickramadetea. Shalivahan suspected some foul play from these repeated summonses, and did not hesitate to express his suspicions. "It appears to me," said he, "from your continued entreaties, that there is some deep design at the bottom of your king's apparent condescension and friendliness. He is a famous and wise monarch; and I can think of no other reason why he should bestow such great attention on an humble individual like me. Has he charged me with any crime? What are his reasons for wishing me to appear at his court? I demand this explanation before I set out with you, if I am to do so at all." "I cannot tell," replied the officer; "my instructions do not extend so far." "Return then to your king," said Shalivahan, "and tell him not to expose him-