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II.
THE
KADAMBARI OF BANA,
AND ACCOMPANIED BY A FULL ABSTRACT OF THE CONTINUATION OF TH«
ROMANCE BY THE AUTHOR'S SOrN BHU8HANABHATTA.
I BV ,
C. M. RIDDING,
Formerly Scholar of Oirion College, Camhrulye,
fBINTMD AND
FUBLI8HED UNDER THE FATRONAOE OW THE
BOTAL ASIATIC SOCIETY,
Tkd bold at
22, ALBEMABLE STBEET, LONDON.
1896.
10306
< i
l^ool hhl
/u^p-i, //. 3'.
KADAMBARi.
I
i
MRS. COWELL,
WHO FIB8T TOLD MK
THE 8T0EY OF KADAMBABX
\ THI» TRANSLATION
IS AFPECTIONATKLY DKDICATKD.
Anenakaranavishkritavtttaalyeua caritena ka^ya ua
bandhutvani adhyaropayasi.'
*/ 1
introduction;
Thb story of Kadambarl is interesting for several reasons.
It is ^ standard example of. classical prose ; it has enjoyed
a long popularity as a romance ; and it is one of the com-
paratively few Sanskrit works which can be assigned to a
certain date, and so it can serve as a landmark in the
history of Indian literature and Indian thought.
Bfinabhatta, its author, lived in the reign of Harsha-
vardhana of Thrineyar, the great king men-
tioned in many inscriptions,-^ who extended
his rule over the whole of Northern India, and from whose
reign (a.d. 606) dates the Harsha era, used in Nepal.
Bana, as he tells us, both in the * Harsha-Carita ' and in
the introductory verses of * Kadambarl,' was a Vatsyayana
Brahman. His mother died while he was yet young, and
his father's tender care of him, recorded in the * Harsha-
Carita,'^ was doubtless in his memory as he recorded the
unselfish love of Vaic^ampayana's father in * Kadambarl *
* It is needless to give here more than the few facts essential for the
understanding of * Kadambarl,' for the life and times of Bana will
probably bo treated of in the translation of the * Harsha-Carita ' by
Professor Cowell and Mr. Thomas in this series ; and Professor Peter-
eon's Introduction to his edition of ' Kadambarl ' (Bombay Sanskrit
Series, 1H89) deals fully with Bana's place in literature. The facte
here given are, for tlie most part, taken from the latter work.
'^ E.fj., the Madhuban grant of Saiji 25, E. I. i., 67 fif. For this
and other chronological references I am indebted to Miss C. M. Duff,
who has let mo use the MS. of her 'Chronology of India.'
3 For Bana's early life, V. * Harsha-Carita,' chs. i., ii. I have to
thank Mr. F. W. Thomas for allowing mo to see the proof-sheets of
his translation.
VUl
(p. 22). In his youth he travelled much, and for a time
' came into reproach,' by reason of his unsettled life ; but
the experience gained in foreign lands turned his thoughts
homewards, and he returned to his kin, and lived a life of
quiet study in their midst. From this he was summoned'
to the court of King Harsha, who at first received him
coldly, but afterwards attached him to his service; and
Bana in the * Harsha-Carita ' relates his own life as a
prelude to that of his master.
The other works attributed to him are the ' Candikfi-
Vataka,'^ or verses in honour of Candika; a drama, * The
Parvatlparinaya'; and another, called * Mukutataditaka,'
the existence of which is inferred from Gunavinayagani's
commentary on the * Nalacampu.* Professor Peterson also
mentions that a verse of Bana's (* Subhashitavali,' 1087)
is quoted by Kshemendra in his * Aucityavicaracarca,' with
a statement that it is part of a description of Kadambari's
sorrow in the absence of Candraplda, whence, he adds, * it
would seem that Bana wrote the story of Kadambarl in
verse as well as in prose,* and he gives some verses which
may have come from such a work.
Baiia himself died, leaving * Kadambari ' unfinished, and
his son Bhushanabhatta took it up in the midst of a speech
in which Kadambari's sorrows are told, and continued the
speech without a break, save for a few introductory verses
in honour of his father, and in apology for his having
undertaken the task, * as its unfinished state was a grief to
the. good.' He continued the story on the same plan, and
with careful, and, indeed, exaggerated, imitation of hia
father's style.
The story of * Kadambari' is a very complefx one, dealing
The Plot of as it does with the lives of two heroes, each
Kadamiuri. of whom is reborn twice on earth.
(1-47) A learned parrot, named Vaivampayana, was
brought by a Camjala maiden to King (^udraka, and told
him how it was carried from its birthplace in the Vindhya
1 Peterson, • Kadaiuban,* pp. 96-98 ; and * The SubhaBbUnvaU,*
edited by Peterson (Bombay Sanskrit Series, 1886), pp. 62-66.
IX
Forest to the hermitage of the sage Jabali, from whom it
learnt the story of its former life.
(47-95) Jabali's story was as follows : Tiirapida, King of
UjjayinI, won by penance a son, Candraplila, who was
brought up with Vai9arapriyana, son of his minister,
^'ukanfisa. In due time Candraplda was anointed as Crown
Prince, and started on an expedition of world-conquest.
At the end of it he reached Kailusa, and, while resting
there, was led one day in a vain chase of a pair of kinnaras
to the shores of the Acchoda Lake. (95-141) There he
beheld a young ascetic maiden, Mahfu/vetri, who told him
how she, being a Gandharva princess, had seen and loved
a young Brahman Pun(jarlka ; how he, returning her
feeling, had died from the torments of a love at variance
with his vow ; how a divine being had carried his body to
the sky, and bidden her not to die, for she should be
reunited with him ; and how she awaited that time in a
life of penance. (141-188) But her friend Kadambarl,
another Gandharva princess, had vowed not to marry
while Mahfu/veta was in sorrow, and Maha(;veta invited
the prince to come to help her in dissuading Kadambarl
from the rash vow. Love sprang up between the prince
and Kadambarl at lirst sight ; but a sudden summons from
his father took him to UjjayinI without farewell, while
Kadambarl, thinking herself deserted, almost died of grief.
(188 - 195) Meanwhile news came the^ his friend
Vaic^ampayana, whom he had left in command of the
army, had been strangely affected by the sight of the
Acchoda Lake, and refused to leave it. The prince set
out to find him, but in vain; and proceeding to the
hermitage of Mahayveta, he found her in despair, because,
in invoking on a young Brahman, who had rashly ap-
proached her, a curse to the effect that he should become a
parrot, she learnt that she had slain Vai^ampayana. At
her words the prince fell dead from grief, and at that
moment Kadambarl came to the hermitage.
(195-202) Her resolve to follow him in death was broken
by the promise of a voice from the sky that she and
Maha9veta should both be reunited with their lovers, and
she stayed to tend the prince's body, from which a divine
radiance proceeded; while King Tfiraplda gave up his
kingdom, and lived as a hermit near his son.
(202 to end) Buch was Jfibfili's tale ; and the parrot went
on to say how, hearing it, the memory of its former love
for Mahru/voia was reawakened, and, though bidden to stay
in the hermitage, it flew away, only to be caught and taken
to the Cau/•///.'" According to his rendering, the Katha is in its
essence a story claiming to be based on previous works in
verse, whether iif this case the original were Bana's own
1 V, Totorson, ♦ Kridaiiiban,' pp. 82-00.
^ Transhvjtod by Uallantyno and rraniadri-DuBa-Mitra (Calcutta,
1875), § 507. Tlio italics represent words supplied by the translators.
3 ♦ KAdaaibarl/ p. 09.
xiu
metrical version of ' Kadambari/^ or the work which was
also the original of the Katha-Sarit-Sagara story.
The story of Pundarika and Mahayveta receives mention,
firstly, for the introduction of death, contrary to the canon ;
secondly, for the determination of the nature of their
sorrow, and its poetic quality, and consequent appeal to the
feelings of the reader. Firstly : (§ 216) * Death, which is a
condition to which one vmi/ he brouyht hy love, is not described
in poetry and the drama^ where the other conditions^ such as
anxiety^ etCy are constantly d escribed j because it, instead of
enhancinf/f causes the destruction of ** Flavour. "^ But it
may be spoken of (1) as having nearly taken place, or (2)
as being mentally wished for ; and it is with ^jro/^nV///
described (8) if there is to be, at no distant date, a restora-
tion to life.' The commentary takes the story of Pundarlka
as an example of the third condition, and describes it as a
* case of pathetic separation.* Secondly : (§ 224) ' Either of
two young lovers being dead, and being yet to be regained
through some supernatural interposition , when the one left
behind is sorrowful, then let it be called the separation of
tender sadness ' (haruaaripraUnnbha). The commentary
gives Mahri(;vetri as the instance, and continues : * But if
the lost one be not regainable, or regainable only after trans-
mi (/ration in another body, the flavour is called the
** Pathetic " simply, there beiny in this case no room for any
admixture of the '* Erotic ",- but in the case just mentioned —
of Pundarlka and Mahayveta—immediately on Sarasvati's
declaration from the sky that the lorers should be reunited^
there is the *' Erotic in its form of tender sadness," for
desire arises on the expectation of reunion, but previously
to Sarasrat'Vs jironiise there was the ** Pathetic *' ; such is
tlio opinion of the competent authorities. And as for what
some say in regard to the case of Pundarlha and Mahac^vetaf
that ** moreover aftkii the expectation of reunion, excited
by SarasvatVs promise to that ejfectf there is merely your
* Professor Peterson does not, however, make this deduction in
favour of Buna's own version.
'^ I.e., raaa^ poetic charm.
XIV
honour's variety of " love in absence,'* (§ 222) the one which
you call " beingabroad " (§ 221)— others hold it to be distinct,
because of the presence of that distinction, death, which i$
something else than merely being abroad,' These are the
l)assages in which direct mention is made of ' Kadarabarl,*
and in § 735, which defines special mention (parisamlchyd)
as taking place ' when something is affirmed for the denial,
expressed or understood, of something else similar to it,'
the commentary adds : * When founded upon a Parono-
masia, it is peculiarly striking, e,g,, *' When that king,
the conqueror of the world, was protecting the earth, the
mixture of colours (or castes) was in painting, etc," — a
passage from the description of Cyiidraka in " Kfidambari "
(p. 5).'
References to Bfiiia in other works are given by Pro-
fessor Peterson, so that three only need be mentioned here.
The first I owe to the kindness of Professor C. Bendall.
In a collection of manuscripts at the British Museum
(Or., 445-447) ' consisting chiefly of law-books transcribed
(perhaps for some European) on European paper in the
Telugu-Canarese character,' one. Or., 44G c, the Kaman-
daklya-Nlti-Castra, contains on folios 128-131 a passage
from * Kfidambari ' (pp. 7G-84, infra)^ on the consecration of
a crown-prince, and the duties and dangers of a king. It
forms part of an introduction to the Kamandakiya-Niti-
Castra, and occurs without any hint of its being a quotation
from another work. The author of the Nalacampu not only
writes a verse in honour of Bana,^ but models his whole
style upon him. A curious instance of the long popularity
of * Kfidambari' is that in the 'Durge^anandini' by Chattaji,
an historical novel, published in 1871, and treating of the
time of Akbar, the heroine is represented as reading in her
boudoir the romance of * Kfidambari.'^
1 * Kfidambari,' Nknaya Sagara Press, Bombay, pp. 205-221. » Evaiu
samatikrrimatsii — fijagama.'
^ Bombay edition, p. 6.. ,.„..., xt i i »r
s Profes^r CoweU's review of ' A Bengali Historical Novel. Mac-
miUan, April, 1872.
XV
It may be asked What is the value of * Eadambari ' for
The Interest European readers? and to different persons
or*KADAMBABr/ the answer will doubtless be different.
Historical interest, so far as that depends on the narration
of historical facts, appears to be entirely lacking, though it
may be that at some future time our knowledge from other
sources may be so increased that we may recognise portraits
and allusions in what seems now purely a work of romance.
But in the wider sense in which history claims to deal with
the social ideas that belong to any epoch, * Kfidambarl ' will
always have value as representing the ways of thinking
and feeling which were either customary or welcome at its
own time, and which have continued to chaim Indian
readers. It is indeed true that it probably in many ways
does not give a picture of contemporary manners, just as a
media)val illuminated manuscript often represents the dress
and surroundings prior to the time of the illuminator, so
as to gain the .grace of remoteness bestowed by reverence
for the past. In India, where change works but slowly,
the description of the court and city life, where all the
subjects show by outward tokens their sympathy with the
joys and sorrows of their ruler, as in a Greek choius, is
vivid in its fidelity.^ The quiet yet busy life of the hermits
in the forest, where the day is spent in worship and in
peaceful toils, where at eve the sunbeams * linger like birds
on the crest of hill and tree,' and where night * darkens all
save the hearts of the hermits,* is full of charm.*^
* V. Peterson, ' Kridainbarl,' p. 42.
^ Indeed, this description is so like in spirit to that of Clairvaux,
that I cannot forbear quoting a few lines of the latter. The writer
describes the workshops where the brethren labour, and the orchard
used for rest and quiet thought, and goes on to say hnw the Aube
is raised by the toils of the ' brethren to the level of the Abbey ; it
throws half its water into the Abbey, 'as if to salute the brethren,
and seems to excuse itself for not coming in its whole force.' Then
' it returns with rapid current to the stream, and renders to it, in
the name of Clairvaux, thanks for all the services which it has per-
formed.' The writer then goes on to tell of the fountain which, pro-
tected by a grassy pavilion, rises from the mountain, and is quickly
engulfed in the valley, ' offering itself to charm the sight and supply
the wants of the brethren, as if it were not willing to have connnuni-
tion with any others than saints.' This last is surely a touch worthy
XVI
The coronation of the crown prince, the penances per-
formed by the queen to win a eon, the reverence paid to
Mahakilla, also belong to our picture of the time. The
description of Ujjayini, surrounded by the Siprfi, is too
general in its terms to give a vivid notion of what it then
was. The site of the temple of Mahakula is still shown
outside the ruins of the old town. A point of special
interest is the argument against the custom of suicide on
the death of a friend. Candrai^ida consoles Mahri9vetri that
she has not followed her lover in death by saying that one
who kills himself at his friend's death makes that friend a
sharer in the guilt, and can do no more for him in another
world, whereas by living he can give help by sacrifices and
offerings. Those, too, who die may not be reunited for
thousands of births. In the * Katha-Kova * ^ a prince is
dissuaded from following his wife to death because * Even
the idea of union with your beloved will be impossible when
you are dead '; but the occurrence of the idea in a romance
is more noteworthy than in a work which illustrates Jain
doctrines. The question of food as affected by caste is
touched on also (p. 205), when the Cancjfila maiden tells
the parrot that a Brahman may, in case of need, receive
food of any kind, and that water poured on the ground, and
fruit, are pure even when brought by the lowest. Another
point to be remarked is the mention of followers of many
sects as being present at court, (^iva, especially under the
name of Mahakala at Ujjayini, receives special worship, and
Agni and the Matrikas (p. 14) also receive reverence. The
zenanas include aged ascetic women (p. 217) ; followers of
the Arhat, Krishna, Vi9ravasa, Avalokite^vara, and Virifica
(p. 162) ; and the courtyard of Cukanasa has (^'aivas and
followers of (^akyamuni (p. 217), also Kshapanakas (ex-
plained by tl^ Commentary as Digambaras). The king,*
of B/lna. V. Dr. Eale's'translation of ' St. Bernard's Works.' London,
1889, Vol. ii., pp. 462-467.
1 Translated by Mr. C. Tawney. Oriental Translation Fund Series,
p. 113.
2 V. ' Kadambarl,' Nirnaya Sagara, p. 19, 1. 2. »
xvu
however, is described as having an unid (the hair meeting
between the brows), which is one of fiuddha*s marks; but
the Commentary describes the urnd as eakrarartiprahhri'
tindm eva ndnyasya, so probably it only belongs to
Buddha as cakravarti, or universal ruler. This shows
that the reign of Harsha was one of religious tolerance.
Hiouen Thsang, indeed, claims him as a Buddhist at heart,
and mentions his building Buddhist stupas,^ but he describes
himself as a Caiva in the Madhuban grant,^ and the pre-
eminence yielded in * Kfidambarl * to (Jiva certainly shows
that his was then the popular worship.
Another source of interest in * KadambarT ' lies in its
contribution to folklore. It may perhaps contain nothing
not found elsewhere, but the fact of its having a date gives it
a value. The love of snakes for the breeze and for sandal-
trees, the truth of dreams at the end of night, the magic
circles, bathing in snake-ponds to gain a son, the mustard-
seed and ghl- put in a baby*s mouth, may all be familiar
ideas, but we have a date at which they were known and
not despised. Does the appeal to the truth of her heart by
Mahru/vetfi in invoking the curse (p. 11)8) rest on the idea
that fidelity to a husband confers supernatural i)Ower,^ or
is it like the * act of truth ' by which Buddha often performs
miracles in the * Jataka * ?
The unsettled chronology of Indian literature makes it
impossible to work out at present Buna's
' KadambauI.' relations with other Sanskrit writers. Pro-
fessor Peterson,'* indeed, makes some in-
teresting conjectures as to his connection with other
authors of his own country, and also suggests, from simi-
larity of phrase, that he mny have fallen indirectly under
the influence of Alexandrian literature. Be that as it may,
* * Kiouen Thsang.,' translated by St. Jiilien, * Memoires sur lea
Contr^CB Occidentales,* I., pp. 247-265. Cf. also ' Harsha-Carita,' ch. viii.
(p. 236 of the translation), where he pays great honour to a Buddhist
sa^e.
'' E. I. i. 67.
^ V. ' Katha-Sarit-Sagara,* i. 505.
* V. ♦ KadambarT,' pp. 97-104.
h
XVUl
he has been for many oenturies a model of style, and it is
therefore worth while to consider briefly the characteristios
of his style compared with European standards. The first
thing that strikes the reader is that the sense of proportion,
the very foundation of style as we know it, is entirely
absent. No topic is let go till the author can squeeze no
more from it. In descriptions every possible minor detail
is given in all its fulness ; then follows a series of similes,
and then a firework of puns. In speeches, be they lamenta-
tions or exhortations, grief is not assuaged, nor advice
ended, till the same thing has been uttered with every
existing variety of synonym. This defect, though it springs
from the author's richness of resource and readiness of
wit, makes the task of rendering in English the merit of
the Sanskrit style an impossible one. It gives also a false
impression ; for to us a long description, if good, gives the
effect of * sweetness long drawn out,* and, if bad, brings
drowsiness ; whereas in Sanskrit the unending compounds
suggest the impetuous rush of a torrent, and the similes
and puns are like the play of light and shade on its waters.
Bfuia, according to Professor Weber,^ * passes for the special
representative of the Princfili style, '^ which Bhoja, quoted
in the commentary of the * Sahitya-Darpana,' defines as
*a sweet and soft style characterized by force (ojas) and
elegance (kunti), containing compounds of five or six
words.* But style, which is to poetic charm as the body
to the soul, varies with the sense to be expressed, and
Bana in many of his speeches is perfectly simple and
direct. Owing to the peacefulness of * Kadambari,' there is
little opportunity for observing the rule that in the ' Katha*
letters * ought not to be too rough, even when the flavour
is furious.'^ (tf the alliteration of initial consonants, the
only long passage is in the description of Cukanasa (p. 50),
but in its subtler forms it constantly occurs. Of shorter
passages there are several examples — e,g,, Candra Candala
^ V. * History of Indian Literature,' translation, London, 1878,
p. 282.
« V, ♦ Sahitya-Darpana/ § 626-628.
3 Ibid., § 630. ^
XIX
{ir{fra, p. 127) ; Candrapida Candalo (Sanskrit text, p. 416) ;
Utkantham sotkantham kanthe jagraha (Ibid,, p. 867) ;
Kamam Bakamam kuryam (IhiiL, p. 350) ; Candraplcla
pidanaya (^Ibid,, p. 870). The ornament of <;le8ha, or paro-
nomasia, which seems to arise from the untrained philo-
logical instinct of mankind seeking the fundamental
identity of like sounds with apparently unlike meaning,
and which lends dramatic intensity when, as sometimes in
Shakespeare,^ a flash of passionate feeling reveals to the
speaker an original sameness of meaning in words seemingly
far apart, is by Bfiiia used purely as an adornment. He
speaks of pleasant stories interwoven with puns * as jasmine
garlands with campak buds,' and they abound in his
descriptions. The rasanojiamd^'^ or girdle of similes, is
exemplified (p. 115), * As youth to beauty, love to youth,
spring to love ' so was Kapifijala to Pundarika. Vishamam
(incongruity) is the figure used in * the brightness of his
glory, free from heat, consumed his foes ; constant, ever
roamed ' (p. 48). It can scarcely be separated from
virodha (contradiction)— often used, as in * I will allay on
the funeral pyre the fever which the moon, sandal, and all
cool things have increased ' (p. 195)— or from vicitram^
(Btrangeness), where an act is contrary to its apparent
purpose : * There lives not the man whom the virtues of
the most courteous lady Kfidambari do not discourteously
enslave* (p. 159). Arthdpatti^ (a fortiori conclusion) is
exemplified in * Even the senseless trees, robed in bark,
seem like fellow-ascetics of this holy man. How much
more, then, living beings endowed with sense !' (p. 43).
Time and space would alike fail for analysis of Bana's
similes according to the rules of the * Sahitya-Darpana.'^
* * Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew,
Thou makest thy knife keen.'
* Merchant of Venice,* IV. 1, 128 (Globe edition).
* Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough,
When there is in it but one only man.'
♦ Julius Ceesar,' I. 2, 166.
'^ V. ♦ Bahitya-Darpana,' § 664.
^ Ibid., § 718-722. . * Ibid., § 788.
* V. Peterson, ' Kadambari,' p. 86.
i XX
I
The auihor of the * Raghavapaudaviya ' considers Subandhu
and £ana as his only equals in vakrokti, or crooked speech,
and the fault of a * meaning to be guessed out * (* Sahitya-
Darpana,* § 674) is not rare. The * Kavya-Prakri9a,' in
addition to the references given by Professor Peterson,
quotes a stanza describing a horse in the * Harsha-Carita *
(chap, iii.) as an example of svahhdvulcti.
The hero belongs to the division described as the high-
spirited, but temperate and firm (* Sahitya-Darpana,* § 64),
f.f., he who is *not given to boasting, placable, very
profound, with great self-command, resolute, whose self-
esteem is concealed, and faithful to his engagements,' and
who has the * eight manly qualities ' of * brilliancy, vivacity,
sweetness of temper, depth of character, steadfastness, keen
sense of honour, gallantry, and magnanimity * {Ihid,^ § 89).
Kadambarl is the type of the youthful heroine who feels
love for the first time, is shy, and gentle even in indigna-
tion (Ihi(Ly § 98). The companions of each are also those
declared in the books of rhetoric to be appropriate.
The work which most invites comparison with * Kadam-
barl * is one far removed from it in place and
Parallels, time— Spenser's * Faerie Queene.' Both have
in great measure the same faults and the
same virtues. The lack of proportion, — due partly to too
large a plan, partly to an imagination wandering at will—
the absence of visualization — which in Spenser produces
sometimes a line like
* A lovely Ladie rode him faire beside
Upon a lowly Asse more white then snow,
Yet ahc much whiter t*
and in Bana many a description like that of Maha^veta'B
fairness (pp. 95-97)— the undiscriminating praise bestowed
on those whom they would fain honour, the shadowy nature
of many of their personages, and the intricacies in which
the story loses itself, are faults common to both. Both,
too, by a, strange coincidence, died with their work un-
finished. But if they have the same faults, they have
also many of the same virtues. The lo¥e of what is
XXI
beautiful and pure both in character and the world around,
tendernesR of heart, a gentle spirit troubled by the disquiet
of life,^ grace and sweetness of style, and idyllic simplicity,
are common to both. Though, however, Candraplda may
have the chivalry and reverence of the Red Cross Knight,
and Una share with Kadambari or Rohiiii * nobility, tender-
ness, loftiness of soul, devotion and charm,'- the English
hero and heroine are more real and more strenuous. We
are, indeed, told in one hurried sentence of the heroic
deeds of Candrapicja in his world-conquest, and his self-
control and firmness are often insisted on; but as he
appears throughout the book, his self-control is constantly
broken down by affection or grief, and his firmness
destroyed by a timid balancing of conflicting duties, while
his real virtue is his unfailing gentleness and courtesy. .
Nor could Kadambari, like Una, bid him, in any conflict,
* Add faith unto your force, and be not faint.' She is,
perhaps, in youth and entire self -surrender, more like
Shakespeare's Juliet, but she lacks her courage and
resolve.
The likeness of spirit between these two leads to the ques-
tion, Had Bana, like Spenser, any purpose,
OF 'KadamuauI/ ethical or political, underlying his story?
On the surface it is pure romance, and it is
hard to believe that he had any motive but the simple
delight of self-expression and love for the children of his
own imagination. He only claims to tell a story * tender
with the charm of gracious speech, that comes of itself,
like a bride, to the possession of its lord 'f but it may be
that he gladly gathered up in old age the fruits of his life's
experience, and that his own memory of his father's tender-
ness to his childhood, of the temptations of youth, and of
the dangers of jn'osperity and flattery that assail the heart
of kings, was not used only to adorn a tale, but to be a
guide to others on the perilous path of life. Be that as it
may, the interest of * Kadambari,' like that, of the * Faerie
' Cf. Spenaer's stanzas on Mutability.
" V. infra, p. 20S. , » F.Vn/ra, p. 2.
xxu
Queene,' does not depend for us now on any underlying
purpose, but on the picture it presents in itself of the life
and thought of a world removed in time, but not in
sympathy, from our own; on the fresh understanding it
gives of those who are in the widest sense our fellow-
countrymen; and on the charm, to quote the beautiful
words of Professor Peterson, * of a story of human sorrow
and divine consolation, of death and the passionate longing
for a union after death, that goes straight from the heart
of one who had himself felt the pang, and nursed the hope,
to us who are of like frame with him . . . the story which
from the beginning of time mortal ears have yearned to
hear, but which mortal lips have never spoken.*
The translation of Bana presents much difficulty from the
elaboration of his style, and it has been a
The Plan of the - ^^ ^ •, , ^ i i-
Translation. specially hard task, and sometmies an im-
possible one, to give any rendering of the
constant play on words in which he delights. I have some-
times endeavoured to give what might be an English equiva-
lent, and in such cases I have added in a note the literal
meaning of both alternatives ; perhaps too much freedom
may have been used, and sometimes also the best alterna-
tive may not have been chosen to place in the text ; but
those who have most experience will know how hard it is to
do otherwise than fail. Some long descriptions have been
omitted, such, f.//., as a passage of several pages describ-
ing how the dust rose under the feet of Candrripl(la*s
army, and others whore there seemed no special interest
or variety to redeem their tediousness. A list of these
omissions^ is given at the end, together with an appendix,
in which a few passages, chiefly interesting as mentioning
religious sects, are added. I have acted on Professor
Cowell's advice •as to the principle on which omissions
are made, as also in giving only a full abstract, and not
a translation, of the continuation of ^Kadambari' by
* The list looks long, but the pages in the • Nirnaya-Sagara ' edition
contain frequently but few lines, and many of the omi^ions are a lino
or two of oft-repeated similes.
XXIU
Bhushana. It is so entirely an imitation of his father's
work in style, with all his faults, and without the originality
that redeems them, that it would not reward translation.
In my abstract I have kept the direct narration as more
simple, but even when passages are given rather fully, it
does not profess in any case to be more than a very free
rendering ; sometimes only the sense of a whole passage is
summed up. I regret that the system of transliteration
approved by the Royal Asiatic Society came too late for
adoption here.
The edition of * Kadambarl ' to which the references in the
text are given is that of the Niniaya-Sfigara Press (Bombay,
181)0), which the full commentary makes indispensable, but
I have also throughout made use of Professor Peterson's
edition (Bombay Sanskrit Series, No. xxiv.). For the last
half of the Second Part^ I have referred to an anonymous
literal translation, published by the New Britannia Press
Depository, 78, Amherst Street, Calcutta.
I have now to offer my grateful thanks to the Secretary
of State for India, without whose kind help the volume
could not have been published. I have also to thank Miss
G. M. Duff for allowing me to use the MS. of her ' Indian
Chronology ' ; Miss E. Dale, of Girton College, for botanical
notes, which I regret that want of space prevented my
printing in full ; Mr. C. Tawney, librarian of the Indian
Office, for information as to the sources of Indian fiction ;
Mr. F. F. Arbuthnot and Professor lihys-Davids, for valu-
able advice; Professor C. Bendall, for his description of
the Kaniandaklya-Niti-Castra, and his constant kindness
about my work ; Mr. F. W. Thomas, of Trinity College,
for letting me see the proof- sheets of the translation of the
* Harslia Carita ' ; and others for suggested renderings of
difficult phrases, and for help of various kinds.
But especially my thanks are due to Professor Cowell'^
* Beginning at p. 686 of the ' Nirnaya-Sagara ' edition.
* I here take the opportunity to acknowledge what by an oversight
was omitted in its proper place, my indebtedness to Professor Cowell
for the rendering into English verso of two couplets given on pp. 11
and 113.
XXIV
for a generosity and unwearied helpfulness which all his
pupils know, and which perhaps few but they could
imagine. I read through with him the whole of the First
Part before translating it myself, so that mistakes in the
translation, many as they may be, can arise only from mis-
understanding on my part, from too great freedom of
rendering, or from failing to have recourbe to the know-
ledge he so freely gives.
* Vrihatsahriyali karyuntjuii kHhodtyunapi gacchati ;
Sainbhuyrunbodhiin abhyeti luahanadya nagapajj^a.'
^ i
KADAMBARI.
(1) Hail to the Birthless, the cause of creation, continaanee,
and destruction, triple^ in form and quality, who shows
activity in the birth of things, goodness in their continu*
ance, and darkness in their destruction.
(2) Glory to the dust of Tryambaka's feet, caressed by the
diadem of the demon Bfina ^ ; even that dust that kisses the
circle of Eavana's ten crest-gems, that rests on the crests
of the lords of gods and demons, and that destroys our
transitory life.
(3) Glory to Vishnu, who, resolving to strike from afar,
with but a moment's glance from his wrath-inflamed eye
stained the breast of his enemy, as if it had burst of itself
in terror.
I salute the lotus feet of Bhatsu,^ honoured by crowned
Maukharis : the feet which have their tawny toes rubbed on
a footstool made by the united crowns of neighbouring kings.
Who is there that fears not the wicked, pitiless in cause-
less enmity ; in whose mouth calumny hard to bear is
always ready as the poison of a serpent ?
The wicked, like fetters, echo harshly, wound deeply, and
leave a scar; while the good, like jewelled anklets, ever
charm the mind with sweet sounds.
(4) In a bad man gentle words sink no- deeper than the
throat, like nectar swallowed by Eahu. The good man
bears them constantly on his heart, as Hari his pure gem.
* As the three Vedas, or the triad. * Vishnu, Purana, Bk. v., ch. 88.
^ His guru.
1
2
A Btory tender with the charm of gracious speech, creates
in the heart joy full of fresh interest^ ; and it comes of itself,
with native feeling, to its lord's possession, like a fresh
bride.* ♦
Who is not carried captive by tales fashioned in freshness
of speech, all alight with similes, and the lamps of glowing
words* : pleasant tales interwoven with many a contrast of
words,* as jasmine garlands with campak buds ?
There was once a Brahman, Kuvera by name, sprung
from the race of Vatsyayana, sung throughout the world
for his virtue, a leader of the good : his lotus feet were
worshipped by many a Gupta, and he seemed a very
portion of Brahma.
(5) On his month SarasvatI ever dwelt : for in it all evil
was stilled by the Veda ; it had lips purified by sacrificial
cake, and a palate bitter with soma, and it was pleasant
with smriti and ^astra.
In his house frightened boys, as they repeated verses of
the Yajur and Sama Veda, were chidden at every word by
caged parrots and mainas, who were thoroughly versed in
everything belonging to words.
From him was born Arthapati, a lord of the twice-born,
as Hiranyagarbha from the world-egg, the moon from the
Milky Ocean, or Garuda from Vinata.
As he unfolded his spreading discourse day by day at
dawn, new troops of pupils, intent on listening,* gave him a
new glory, like fresh sandal-shoots fixed on the ear.
(G) With countless sacrifices adorned with gifts duly
offered,^ having glowing Mahavlra fires in their midst,^ and
raising the sacrificial posts as their hands,^ he woii easily, .
as if with a troop of elephants, the abode of the gods. \
> Raaa={a) tho eight raaaa ; (6) love.
* f«2/y^^=(^) coj^position ; (6) couch.
^ {a) Which sparkle with emphatic words and similes ; (6) like
flashing lamps.
* (a) Pun ; (b) proximity. * Hanging on his ear (as an ornament).
* In the case of elephants, * having their ichor rogulatqd by a proper
regimen.' - .U
' With renowned warriors on their backs. : '
* Having trunks as thick as sacrificial posts. ^
.8
He in due course obtained a son, Citrabhanu, who amongst
his other noble and glorious sons, all versed in 9ruti and
9astra, shone as crystal, like Kailasa among mountains.
The virtues of that noble man, reaching far and gleam-
ing bright as a digit of the moon, yet without its spot,
pierced deep even into the hearts of his foes, like the
budding claws of Nrisimha (Vishnu).
The dark smoke of many a sacrifice rose like curls on
the brow of the goddesses of the sky; or like shoots of
tamala on the oar of the bride, the Threefold Veda, and
only made his own glory shine more bright.
From him was born a son, Bilna, when the drops that
rose from the fatigue of the soma sacrifice were wiped from
his brow by the folded lotus hands of SarasvatI, and when
the seven worlds had been illuminated by the rays of his
glory.
(7) By that Brahman, albeit with a mind keeping even in
his unspoken words its original dulness blinded by the
darkness of its own utter folly, and simple from having
never gained the charm of ready wit, this tale, surpassing
the other two,^ was fashioned, even Kadambarl.
There was once upon a time a king named Cudraka.
Like a second . Indra, he had his commands honoured by
the bent heads of all kings ; he was lord of the earth girt in
by the four oceans ; he had an army of neighbouring chiefs
bowed down in loyalty to his majesty ; he had the signs of
a universal emperor; (8) like Vishnu, his lotus-hand bore
the sign of the conch and the quoit ; like Civa, he had
overcome Love ; like Kartikeya, he was unconquerable in
might'^; like Brahma, he had the circle of great kings
humbled'* ; like the ocean, he was the source of Lakshml ;
like the stream of Ganges, he followed in the course of
the pious king Bhaglratha ; like the sun, he rose daily in
fresh splendour ; like Meru, the brightness of his foot was
* I.e., Vasavadatta and the Brihatkatha ; or, r., adinifi/d, unrivaUed.
* (a) Unconquerable in might ; (b) having unconquerable shafts.
* In the case of Brahma, *he made his chariot of flamingoes."
V:
honoured by aU the world ; like the elephant of the quarters,*
he constantly poured forth a stream of generosity. He
was a worker of wonders, an offerer of sacrifices, a mirror
of moral law, a source of the arts, a native home of virtue ;
a spring of the ambrosial sweetness of poetry, a mountain
of sunrise to all his friends,^ and a direful comet to all his
foes. (9) He was, moreover, a founder of literary societies,
a refuge for men of taste, a rejecter of haughty bowholders,
a leader among the bold, a chief among the wise. He was
a cause of gladness to the humble, as Yainateya^ was to
Vinata. He rooted up with the point of his bow the
boundary-mountains of his foes as Prithuraja did the
noble mountains. He mocked Krishna, also, for while the
latter made his boast of his man-lion form, he himself
smote down the hearts of his foes by his very name, and
while Krishna wearied the universe with his three steps,
he subdued the whole world by one heroic effort. Glory
long dwelt on the watered edge of his sword, as if to wash
off the stain of contact with a thousand base chieftains,
which had clung to her too long.
By the indwelling of Dharma in his mind, Yama in his
wrath, Kuvera in his kindness, Agni in his splendour,
Earth in his arm, Lakshml in his glance, SarasvatI in his
eloquence, (10) the Moon in his face, the Wind in his might,
Brihaspati in his knowledge. Love in his beauty, the Sun
in his glory, he resembled holy Narayana, whose nature
manifests every form, and who is the very essence of deity.
Boyal glory came to him once for all, like a woman coming
to meet her lover, on the nights of battle stormy with the
showers of ichor from the elephants* temples, and stood by
him in the midst of the darkness of thousands of coats of
mail, loosened from the doors of the breasts of warriors.
She seemed to be drawn irresistibly by his sword, which
was uneven in its edge, by reason of the drops of water
forced out by the pressure of his strong hand, and which
* (a) His hand was wot with a stream of constant giving ; (b) the
trunk was wot with ichor.
' Or, to tho sun's orb. ^ Vinata = (a) mother of Garuda ; (bX humble.
was decked with large pearls clinging to it when he clove
the frontal bones of wild elephants. The flame of his
majesty burnt day and night, as if it were a fire within his
foes* fair wives, albeit reft of their lords, as if he would
destroy the husbands now only enshrined in their hearts.
(11) While he, having subdued the earth, was guardian of
the world, the only mixing of colour^ was in painting ; the
only pulling of hair in caresses ; the only strict fetters in the
laws of poetry ; the only care was concerning moral law ;
the only deception was in dreams ; the only golden rods^
were in umbrellas. Banners alone trembled ; songs alone
showed variations'^ ; elephants alone were rampant ;* bows
alone had severed cords f lattice windows alone had
ensnaring network ; lovers' disputes alone caused sending
of messengers ; dice and chessmen alone left empty squares ;
and his subjects had no deserted homes. Under him, too,
there was only fear of the next world, only twisting in the
curls of the zenana women, only loquacity in anklets, only
taking the hand^ in marriage, only shedding of tears from
the smoke of ceaseless sacrificial fires ; the only sound of
the lash was for horses, while the only twang of the bow
was Love's.
(15) WJian the thousand-rayed sun, bursting open the
young lotus-buds, had not long risen, though it had lost
somewhat of the pinkness of dawn, a portress approached
the king in his hall of audience, and humbly addressed
him. Her form was lovely, yet awe-inspiring, and with
the scimitar (a weapon rarely worn by women) hanging at
her left side, was like a sandal-tree girt by a snake. Her
bosom glistened with rich sandal ointment like the
heavenly Ganges when the frontal-bone of Airavata rises
from its waters. (16) The chiefs bent before her seemed,
by her reflection on their crests, to bear her on their fore-
heads as a royal command in human form. Like autumn,^
she was robed in the whiteness of hamsas ; like the blade
^ Or, caste. « Qr, fines of gold. ^ Qr, fickle affections.
* Had, viada^{a) pride ; (6) ichor.
* Or, breaking away from virtue. * Or, tribute.
^ In autumn, the haitisaa^ or wild geese, return.
6 "
of Para9urama she held the circle of kings in submission ;
like the forest land of the Vindhyas, she bore her wand,^
and she seemed the very guardian-goddess of the realm.
Placing on the ground her lotus hand and knee, she thus
spake : * Sire, there stands at the gate a Gandala maiden
from the South, a royal glory of the race of that Tri9ai?iku^
who climbed the sky, but fell from it at the murmur of
wrathful Indra. She bears a parrot in a cage, and bids
me thus hail your majesty : ** Sire, thou, like the ocean,
art alone worthy to receive the treasures of the whole earth.
In the thought that this bird is a marvel, and the treasure
of the whole earth, I bring it to lay at thy feet, and desire
to behold thee." (17) Thou, king, hast heard her mes-
sage, and must decide !* So saying, she ended her speech.
The king, whose curiosity was aroused, looked at the chiefs
around him, and with the words * Why not? Bid her
enter ?* gave his permission.
Then the portress, immediately on the king's order,
ushered in the Candala maiden. And she entered and
beheld the king in the midst of a thousand chiefs, like !
golden-peaked Meru in the midst of the noble moun-
tains crouching together in fear of Indra's thunderbolt ; or,
in that the brightness of the jewels scattered on his dress
almost concealed his form, like a day of storm, whereon
the eight quarters of the globe are covered by Indra*s
thousand bows. He was sitting on a couch studded with
moon-stones, beneath a small silken canopy, white as the
foam of the rivers of heaven, with its four jewel-encrusted
pillars joined by golden chains, and enwroathed with a
rope of large pearls. Many cowries with golden handles
waved around him ; (18) his left foot rested on a footstool
of crystal that was like the moon bent in humiliation before
the flashing beauty of his countenance, and was adorned by
the brightness of his feet, which yet were tinged with blue
from the light rays of the sapphire pavement, as though
darkened by the sighs of his conquered foes. His breast,
crimsoned by the rubies which shone on his throne, recalled
» Or, bamboos. « Ram. I. 60.
Erish^^, red with blood from the fresh slaughter of Madha-
kaitabha; his two silken garments, white as the foam of
ambrosia, with pairs of hamsas painted in yellow on their
hem, waved in the wind raised by the cowries ; the fragrant
sandal unguent with which his chest was whitened, be-
sprinkled with saffron ointment, was like snowy Kailasa
with the early sunshine upon it ; his face was encircled by
pearls like stars mistaking it for the moon ; the sapphire
bracelets that clasped his arms were as a threat of chains
to bind fickle fortune, or as snakes attracted by the smell of
sandal-wood ; (19) the lotus in his ear hung down slightly ;
his nose was aquiline, his eyes were like lotuses in full
blossom, the hair grew in a circle between his brows, and
was purified by the waters that inaugurated his possession
of universal rule ; his forehead was like a piece of the
eighth-day moon made into a block of pure gold, garlanded
with sweet jasmine, like the Western Mountain in the dawn
with the stars growing pale on its brow. He was like the
God of Love when struck by (Jiva's fire, for his body was
tawny from the colour of his ornaments. His hand-
maidens surrounded him, as if they were the goddesses of
the quarters of the globe come to worship him ; the earth
bore him, as on her heart, through loyalty, in the reflection
of his image in her clear mosaic pavement ; fortune seemed
his alone, though by him she was given to all to enjoy.
(20) He was without a second, though his followers were
without number ; he trusted only to his own sword, though
he had countless elephants and horses in his retinue; he
filled the whole earth, though he stood in a small space of
ground ; he rested only on his bow, and yet was seated on
his throne ; ho shone with the flame of majesty, though all
the fuel of his enemies was uprooted ; he had large eyes,
and yet saw the smallest things ; he was the home of all
virtues, and yet was overreaching ;* he was beloved of his
wives, and yet was a despotic lord ; he was free from in-
toxication, though he had an unfailing stream of bounty ;
he was fair in nature, yet in conduct a Krishna -? he laid
* He had (a) groat faults ; (6) a long arm. * Dark.
8
no heavy hand* on his subjects, and yet the whole world
rested in his grasp.
Such was this king. And she yet afar beholding him,
with a hand soft as the petal of a red lotus, and sur-
rounded by a tinkling bracelet, and clasping the bamboo
with its end jagged, (21) struck once on the mosaic floor
to arouse the king ; and at the sound, in a moment the
whole assemblage of chiefs turned their eyes from the king
to her, like a herd of wild elephants at the falling of the
cocoanut. Then the king, with the words, * Look yonder,*
to his suite, gazed steadily upon the Cane Jala maiden, as
she was pointed out by the portress. Before her went a
man, whose hair was hoary with age, whose eyes were the
colour of the red lotus, whose joints, despite the loss of
youth, were firm from incessant labour, whose form,
though that of a Matanga, was not to be despised, and
who wore the white raiment meet for a court. Behind her
went a Cantjala boy, with locks falling on either shoulder,
bearing a cage, the bars of which, though of gold, shone
like emerald from the reflection of the parrot's plumage.
(22) She herself seemed by the darkness of her hue to
imitate Krishna when he guilefully assumed a woman's
attire to take away the amrita seized by the demons. She
was, as it were, a doll of sapphire walking alone ; and over
the blue garment, which reached to her ankle, there fell
a veil of red silk, like evening sunshine falling on blue
lotuses. The circle of her cheek was whitened by the ear-
ring that hung from one ear, like the face of night inlaid
with the rays of the rising moon ; she had a tawny tilaka
of gorocana, as if it were a third eye, like ParvatI in
mountaineer's attire, after the fashion of the garb of
^iva.
She was like Cri, darkened by the sapi3hire glory of
Narayana reflected on the robe on her breast ; or like Eati,
stained by smoke which rose as Madana was burnt by the
fire of wrathful Civa ; or like Yamuna, fleeing in fear of
being drawn along by the ploughshare of wild Balarama ;
* I.e., imposed no heavy tribute. ^
or, from the rich lac that turned her lotus feet into budding
shoots, like Durga, with her feet crimsoned by the blood of
the Asura Mahisha she had just trampled upon.
(23) Her nails were rosy from the pink glow of her
fingers ; the mosaic pavement seemed too hard for her
touch, and she came forward, placing her feet like tender
twigs upon the ground.
The rays of her anklets, rising in flame-colour, seemed to
encircle her as with the arms of Agni, as though, by his
love for her beauty, he would purify the stain of her birth,
and so set the Creator at naught.
Her girdle was like the stars wreaihed on the brow of
the elephant of Love : and her necklace was a rope of
largo bright pearls, like the stream of Ganga just tinged by
Yamuna.
Like autumn, she opened her lotus eyes ; like the rainy
season, she had cloudy tresses ; like the circle of the
Malaya Hills, she was wreathed with sandal ; (24) like the
zodiac, she was decked with starry gems ;^ like (yrl, she
had the fairness of a lotus in her hand ; like a swoon, she
entranced the heart ; like a forest, she was endowed with
living- beauty ; like the child of a goddess, she was claimed
by no tribe ;^ like sleep, she charmed the eyes ; as a
lotus-pool in a wood is troubled by elephants, so was she
dimmed by her Mfitanga'* birth ; like a spirit, she might
not be touched ; like a letter, she gladdened the eyes alone ;
like the blossoms of spring, she lacked the jati flower f her
slender waist, like the line of Love's bow, could be spanned
by the hands ; with her curly hair, she was like the
Lakshmi of the Yaksha king in Alaka.^ She had but
reached the flower of her youth, and was beautiful exceed-
ingly. And the king was amazed ; and the thought arose
in his mind, (25) * Ill-placed was the labour of the Creator
in producing this beauty ! For if she has been created as
^ Or, ' with citrCi and cjavana^' lunar mansions.
2 Or, living creatures.
3 {a) Of lowly birth ; (6) not dwelling on earth.
* {ii) Caiulala ; (6) elephant.
•'• Or, ajdti^ without caste.
^ Alaka = {a) curls ; (b) a city.
10
though in mockery of her Candala form, such that all the
world's wealth of loveliness is laughed to scorn by her
own, why was she born in a race with which none can
mate ? Surely by thought alone did Prajapati create her,
fearing the penalties of contact with the Matanga race,
else whence this unsullied radiance, a grace that belongs
not to limbs sullied by touch ? Moreover, though fair in
form, by the baseness of her birth, whereby she, like a
Lakshml of the lower world, is a perpetual reproach to the
gods,^ she, lovely as she is, causes fear in Brahma, the
maker of so strange a union.' While the king was thus
thinking the maiden, garlanded with flowers, that fell over
her ears, bowed herself before him with a confidence
beyond her years. And when she had made her reverence
and stepped on to the mosaic floor, her attendant, taking
the parrot, which had just entered the cage, advanced a
few steps, and, showing it to the king, said : * Sire, this
parrot, by name Vai^ampayana, knows the meaning of all
the 9astras, is expert in the practice of royal policy,
(26) skilled in tales, history, and Puranas, and acquainted
with songs and with musical intervals. He recites, and
himself composes graceful and incomparable modern
romances, love-stories, plays, and poems, and the like ; he
is versed in witticisms, and is an unrivalled disciple of the
Vina, flute, and drum. He is skilled in displaying the
different movements of dancing, dextrous in painting, very
bold in play, ready in resources to calm a maiden angered
in a lover's quarrel, and familiar with the characteristics
of elephants, horses, men, and women. He is the gem of
the whole earth ; and in the thought that treasures belong
to thee, as pearls to the ocean, the daughter of my lord has
brought him hither to thy feet, king! Let him be
accepted as thine.'
Having thus said, he laid the cage before the king and
retired. (27) 'And when he was gone, the king of birds,
standing before the king, and raising his right foot, having
uttered the words, * All hail!' recited to the king, in a song
1 Or, whose love would be a reproach.
11
perfect in the enunciation of each syllable and accent, a
verse* to this effect :
* The bosoms of your foemen'e queens now mourn,
Keeping a fast of widowed solitude,
Bathed in salt tears, of pearl-wreaths all forlorn,
Scorched by their sad hearts' too close neighbourhood.*
And the king, having heard it, was amazed, and joyfully
addressed his minister Kumarapalita, who sat close to him
on a costly golden throne, like Brihaspati in his mastery
of political philosophy, aged, of noble birth, first in the
circle of wise councillors : ' Thou hast heard the bird's
clear enunciation of consonants, and the sweetness of his
intonation. This, in the first place, is a great marvel, that
he should raise a song in which the syllables are clearly
separated ; and there is a combination of correctness with
clearness in the vowels and annndsikas, (28) Then, again,
we had something more than that : for in him, though a
lower creation, are found the accomplishments, as it were,
of a man, in a pleasurable art, and the course of his song is
inspired by knowledge. For it was he who, with the cry,
** All hail !" straightened his right foot and sang this song
concerning me, whereas, generally, birds and beasts are
only skilled in the science of fearing, eating, pairing, and
sleeping. This is most wonderful.' And when the king
had said this, Kumarapfilita, with a slight smile, replied :
* Where is the wonder ? For all kinds of birds, beginning
with the parrot and the maina, repeat a sound once heard,
as thou, king, knowest ; so it is no wonder that exceeding
skill is produced either by the efforts of men, or in con-
sequence of perfection gained in a former birth. Moreover,
they formerly possessed a voice like that of men, with clear
utterance. The indistinct speech of parrots, as well as the
change in elephants' tongues, arose from a curse of Agni.'
Hardly had he thus spoken when there arose the blast
of the mid-day conch, following the roar of the drum
distinctly struck at the completion of the hour, and
* A verse in the drya measure.
12
announcing that the sun had reached the zenith. (29) And,
hearing this, the king dismissed his band of chiefs, as the
hour for bathing was at hand, and arose from his hall of
audience.
Then, as he started, the great chiefs thronged together
as they rose, tearing their silk raiment with the leaf-work
of their bracelets, as it fell from its place in the hurried
movement. Their necklaces were swinging with the
shock ; the quarters of space were made tawny by showers
of fragrant sandal-powder and salYron scattered from their
limbs in their restlossnoss ; the boos arose in swarms from
their garlands of mfilatl flowers, all quivering ; their
cheeks were caressed by the lotuses in their ears, half
hanging down ; their strings of pearls were trembling on
their bosoms — each longed in his self-consciousness to pay
his respects to the king as he departed.
The hall of audience was astir on all sides with the sound
of the anklets of the cowrie bearers as they disappeared in
all directions, bearing the cowries on their shoulders, their
gems tinkling at every step, broken by the cry of the
kalahamsas, eager to drink the lotus honey ; (30) with the
pleasant music of the jewelled girdles and wreaths of the
dancing-girls coming to pay their respects as they struck
their breast and sides ; with the cries of the kalahamsas
of the palace lake, which, cliarmod by the sound of the
anklets, whitened the broad steps of the hall of audience ;
with the voices of the tame cranes, eager for the sound of
the girdles, screaming more and more with a prolonged
outcry, like the scratching of bell-metal ; with the heavy
tramp on the floor of the hall of audience struck by the feet
of a hundred neighbouring chiefs suddenly departing,
which seemed to shake the earth like a hurricane ; with
the cry of ' Look !' from the wand-bearing ushers, who were
driving the people in confusion before them, and shouting
loudly, yet good-naturedly, * Behold !' long and shrill,
resounding far by its echo in the bov;ers of the palace ;
(31) with the ringing of the pavement as it was scratched by
the points of diadems with their projecting aigrettes, as the
13
kings swiftly bent till their trembling crest-gems touched
the ground ; with the tinkling of the earrings as they rang
on the hard mosaic in their owners* obeisance ; with the
space-pervading din of the bards reciting auspicious verses,
and coming forward with the pleasant continuous cry,
* Long life and victory to our king !' ; with the hum of the
bees as tliey rose up leaving the flowers, by reason of the
turmoil of the hundreds of departing feet ; with the clash
of the jewelled pillars on which the gems were set jangling
from being struck by the points of the bracelets as the
chieftains fell hastily prostrate in their confusion. The king
then dismissed tlie assembled chiefs, saying, /liest awhile *;
and after saying to the Caiiijrda maiden, * Let Vai^ampayana
be taken into the inner apartments,' and giving the order
to his betel-nut bearer, he went, accompanied by a few
favourite princes, to his private apartments. There, laying
aside his adornments, like the sun divested of his ra3'8, or
the sky bare of moon and stars, he entered the hall of
exercise, where all was duly prepared. Having taken
pleasant exercise therein with the princes of his own age,
(82) he then entered the bathing-place, which was covered
with a white canopy, surrounded by tlie verses of many
a bard. It had a gold bath, filled with scented water in
its midst, with a crystal bathing-seat placed by it, and
was adorned with pitchers placed on one side, full of
most fragrant waters, having their mouths darkened by
bees attracted by the odour, as if they were covered with
blue cloths, from fear of the heat. (88) Then the hand-
maidens, some darkened by the reflection of their emerald
jars, like embodied lotuses with their leafy cups, some
holding silver pitchers, like night with a stream of light
shed by the full moon, duly besprinkled the king.
(84) Straightway there arose a blare of the trumpets
sounded for bathing, penetrating all the hollows of the
universe, accompanied by the din of song, lute, flute,
drum, cymbal, and tabor, resounding shrilly in diverse
tones, mingled with the uproar of a multitude of bards,
and cleaving the path of hearing. Then, in due order, the
1 14
king put upon him two white garments, light as a shed
snake-skin, and wearing a turban, with an edge of fine silk,
pure as a fleck of white cloud, like Himalaya with the stream
of the heavenly river falling upon it, he made his libation to
the Pitris with a handful of water, consecrated by a hymn,
and then, prostrating himself before the sun, proceeded to
the temple. When he had worshipped (yiva, and made an
offering to Agni, (35) his limbs were anointed in the
perfuming-room with sandal-wood, sweetened with the
fragrance of saffron, camphor, and musk, the scent of
which was followed by murmuring bees ; he put on a chaplet
of scented malati flowers, changed his garb, and, with no
adornment save his jewelled earrings, he, together with the
kings, for whom a fitting meal was prepared, broke his
fast, with the pleasure that arises from the enjoyment of
viands of sweet savour. Then, having drunk of a fragrant
drug, rinsed his mouth, and taken his betel, he arose from
his dais, with its bright mosaic pavement. The portress, who
was close by, hastened to him, and leaning on her arm, he
went to the hall of audience, followed by the attendants
worthy to enter the inner apartments, whose palms were
like boughs, very hard from their firm grasp of their
wands.
The hall showed as though walled with crystal by reason
of the white silk that draped its ends ; the jewelled floor
was watered to coolness with sandal-water, to which was
added very fragrant musk ; the pure mosaic was ceaselessly
strewn with masses of blossoms, as the sky with its bevy
of stars; (36) many a golden pillar shone forth, purified
with scented water, and decked with countless images, as
though with the household gods in their niches ; aloe
spread its fragrance richly ; the whole was dominated by an
alcove, which held a couch white as a cloud after storm,
with a flower-scented covering, a pillow of fine linen at the
head, castors encrusted with gems, and a jewelled footstool
by its side, like the peak of Himalaya to behold.
Reclining on this couch, while a maiden, seated on the
ground, having placed in her bosom the dagger she was
16
wont to bear, gently rubbed his feet with a palm soft as the
leaves of fresh lotuses, the king rested for a short time,
and held converse on many a theme with the kings,
ministers, and friends whose presence was meet for that
hour.
He then bade the portress, who was at hand, to fetch
Vai9ampayana from the women's apartments, for he had
become curious to learn his story. And she, bending hand
and knee to the ground, with the words * Thy will shall
be done!' taking the command on her head, fulfilled
his bidding. (37) Soon Vai9ampayana approached the
king, having his cage born by the portress, under the escort
of a herald, leaning on a gold staff, slightly bent, white
robed, wearing a top-knot silvered with age, slow in gait,
and tremulous in speech, like an aged flamingo in his love
for the race of birds, who, placing his palm on the ground,
thus delivered his message : * Sire, the queens send thee
word that by thy command this Vai^ampayana has been
bathed and fed, and is now brought by the portress to thy
feet.' Thus speaking, he retired, and the king asked
Vai9ampayana : * Hast thou in the interval eaten food
sufficient and to thy taste ?' * Sire,' replied he, * what have
I not eaten ? I have drunk my fill of the juice of the jambu
fruit, aromatically sweet, pink and blue as a cuckoo's eye
in the gladness of spring ; I have cracked the pomegranate
seeds, bright as pearls wet with blood, which lions' claws
have torn from he frontal bones of elephants. I have torn
at my will old myrobalans, green as lotus leaves, and sweet
as grapes. (38) But what need of further words ? For
everything brought by the queens with their own hands
turns to ambrosia.' And the king, rebuking his talk, said :
'Let all this cease for a while, and do thou remove our
curiosity. Tell us from the very beginning the whole
history of thy birth — in what country, and how wert thou
born, and by whom was thy name given ? Who were thy
father and mother ? How came thine attainment of the
Vedas, and thine acquaintance with the Castras, and thy
skill in the fine arts ? What caused thy remembrance of a
16
former birth ? Was it a special boon given thee ? Or dost
thou dwell in disguise, wearing the form only of a bird, and
where didst thou formerly dwell ? How old art thou, and
how came this bondage of a eago, and the falling into the
hands of a Candula maiden, and thy coming hither?'
Thus respectfully questioned by the king, whose curiosity
was kindled, Vaiyampayana thought a moment, and
reverently replied, * Sire, the tale is long ; but if it is thy
l^leasure, let it be heard.'
' There is a forest, by name Vindhya, that embraces the
shores of the eastern and western ocean, and decks the
central region as though it were the earth's zone. (39) It
is beauteous with trees watered with the ichor of wild
elephants, and bearing on their crests masses of white
blossom that rise to the sky and vie with the stars ; in it
the popper-trees, bitten by ospreys in their spring gladness,
spread their boughs ; tamala branches trampled by young
elephants lill it with fragrance ; shoots in hue like the
wine-flushed cheeks of Malabarls, as though roseate witli
lac from the feet of wandering wood-nymphs, overshadow
it. Bowers there are, too, wet with drippings from parrot-
pierced pomegranates ; jjowers in wliich the ground is
covered with torn fruit and leaves shaken down by restless
monkeys from the kakkola trees, or sprinkled with pollen
from ever-falling blossoms, or strewn with couches of clove-
branches by travellers, or hemmed in by fnie cocoanuts,
ketakis, karlras, and bakulas ; bowers so fair that with their
areca trees girt about with betel vines, they make a fitting
home for a woodland Lakshml. Thickly growing iJlas make
the wood dark and fragrant, as with the ichor of wild
elephants; (40) hundreds of lions, who meet their death
from barbaric leaders eager to seize the pearls of the
elephants' frontal-bones still clinging to their mouth and
claws, roam therein ; it is fearful as the haunt of death,
like the citadel of Yama, and filled with the buffaloes dear
to him ; like an army ready for battle, it has bees resting
on its arrow-trees, as the points on arrows, and the roar of
17
the lion is clear as the lion-cry of onset ; it has rhinoceros
tusks dreadful as the dagger of Durga, and like her is
adorned with red sandal-wood ; like the story of Karnlsuta,
it haH its Vipula, Acala and ('ac/a in the wide mountains
haunted by haros,^ that lie near it ; as the twilight of the
last eve of an aeon has the frantic dance of blue-necked
(^'iva, so has it the dances of blue-necked peacocks, and
bursts into crimson ; as the time of churning the ocean had
the glory of CrI and the tree which grants all desires, and
was surrounded by sweet draughts of Yaruna,- so is it
adorned by Cyri trees and Varuna- trees. It is densely dark,
as the rainy season with clouds, and decked with pools in
countless hundreds ;-^ like the moon, it is always the haunt
of the bears, and is the home of the deer.** (41) Like a
king's palace, it is adorned by the tails of cowrie deer,'' and
jH'otected by troops of fierce elephants. Like Durga, it is
strong of nature,^ and haunted by the lion. Like Sita, it
has its Ku^a, and is held by the wanderer of night." Like a
maiden in love, it wears the scent of sandal and musk, and
is adorned with a tilaha of bright aloes ;^ like a lady in her
lover's absence, it is fanned with the wind of many a
bough, and possessed of Madana f like a child's neck,
it is bright with rows of tiger 's-claws,''^ and adorned with a
rhinoceros ;^^ like a hall of revelry with its honeyed draughts,
it has hundreds of beehives^- visible, and is strewn with
tiowers. In parts it has a circle of earth torn up by the
tusks of large boars, like the end of the world when the
circle of the earth was lifted up by the tusks of Mahavaraba ;
* Vipula, Acala, and (^ara, characters in the Brihatkatlia. Or,
broad mountains and hares.
- V'(inii/a, tree ; vdrutia^ wine.
•■' Or, with h^'htniufjf.
^ ConstellationH. The moon was supposed to have a deer dwelHng
in it.
'' {a) The cowries held by the suite ; (6) different kinds of deer.
" {a) Rocky ; (6) having (,'iva.
" Ku(;a : (a) Sita's son ; {h) grass. Nujacara : (a) Havana ; (b) owls.
^ (a) Mark of aloes on the brow ; (b) tilaka trees and aloe trees aU
briglit.
» (a) Love ; (h) madana trees. • ^^ Ah an amulet.
•' Name of an ornament. ^'^ Wine-cups.
2
18
here, like the city of Ravana, it is filled with lofty q&i&B^
inhabited by restless monkeys ; (42) here it is, like the scene
of a recent wedding, bright with fresh ku(^a grass, fuel,
flowers, acacia, and palaya ; here, it seems to bristle in
terror at the lions* roar ; here, it is vocal with cuckoos
wild for joy ; here it in, as if in excitement, resonant with
the sound of palms^ in the strong wind ; hero, it drops its
palm-leaves like a widow giving up her earrings ; liere, like
a field of battle, it is filled with arrowy reeds ;^ here, like
Indra's body, it has a thousand iictras ;* here, like Vishnu's
form, it has the darkness of tamalas ;^ here, like the banner
of Arj Una's chariot, it is blazoned with monkeys; here,
like the court of an earthly king, it is hard of access,
through the bamboos ; here, like the city of King Virata,
it is guarded by a Kicaka ;'^ here, like the Lakshml of tlie
sky, it has the tremulous eyes of its deer pursued by the
hunter ;^ here, like an ascetic, it has bark, bushes, and
ragged strips and grass.** (IJJ) Though adorned with
Saptapariia,'' it yet possesses leaves innumerable ; though
honoured by ascetics, it is yet very savage ;'^ though in its
season of blossom, it is yet most pure.
* In that forest there is a hermitage, famed throughout
the world — a very birthplace of Dharma. It is adorned
with trees tended by Lopamudra as her own children, fed
with water sprinkled by her own hands, and trenched
round by herself. She was the wife of the great ascetic
Agastya ; he it was who at the prayer of Indra drank up
the waters of ocean, and who, when the Vindhya moun-
tains, by a thousand wide peaks stretching to the sky in
* (a) Halls ; (b) (.fil trees.
* (a) Clapping of hands ; (6) pahn-trees.
3 (a) Arrows ; (b) reeds. * (a) Trees ; (6) eyes.
* (a) As tamfila trees (very dark) ; (6) with taniala trees.
« Virata, a king who befriended the ruiulavas. Tlie chief of his
army was named Kicaka. V. Mbh., Bk. iv., 815. Kicaka also means
* bamboo.'
^ Or, the twinkling stars of the Deer constellation, pursued by the
Hunter (a constellation).
* Bark garments, matted locks, and rags of grass.
® (a) Seven leaves; (6) a tree.
^^ (a) Of fierce disposition ; (6) full of wild beasts.
19
rivalry of Mera, were striving to stop the course of the
sun's chariot, and were despising the prayers of all the
gods, yet had his commands obeyed by them ; who digested
the demon Vatapi by his inward fire ; who had the dust of
his feet kissed by the tips of the gold ornaments on the
crests of gods and demons ; who adorned the brow of the
Southern Region; and who manifested his majesty by
casting Nahusha down from heaven by the mere force of
his murmur.
(44) * The hermitage is also hallowed by Lopamudra's son
Driijhadasyu, an ascetic, bearing his staff of pala(;a,^ wearing
a sectarial mark made of purifying ashes, clothed in strips
of ku(;a grass, girt with mufija, holding a cup of green
leaves in his roaming from hut to hut to ask alms. From
the large supply of fuel he brought, he was surnamed by
his father Fuelbearer.
* The place is also darkened in many a spot by green
parrots and by plantain groves, and is girt by the river
Godaverl, which, like a dutiful wife, followed the path of
the ocean when drunk by Agastya.
* There, too, Efima, when he gave up his kingdom to keep
his father's promise, dwelt happily for some time at
Paiicavatl with Sltfi, following the great ascetic Agastya,
living in a pleasant hut made by Lakshmana, even Rama,
the vexer of the triumphs of Ravana's glory .^
* There, even now, the trees, though the hermitage has
long been empty, show, as it were, in the lines of white
doves softly nestling in the boughs, the hermits' pure
lines of sacrificial smoke clinging to them ; and there a
glow bursts forth on the shoots of creepers, as if it had
passed to them from Slta's hand as she offered flowers of
oblation ; (45) there the water of ocean drunk and sent
forth by the ascetic seems to have been wholly distributed
among the great lakes round the hermitage; there the
wood, with its fresh foliage, shines as if its roots had been
^ The si^ of a Vow.
* Or perhaps, ' not caring for the fascination of the beauty of Rivana,'
i.e. his sister. He was loved by Ravana's sister.
20
watered with the blood of countless hosts of demons struck
down by Rfima's many keen shafts, and as if now its
palfi^as were stained with their crimson hue ; there, even
yet, the old deer nurtured by Slta, when they hear the
deep roar of fresh clouds in the rainy seanon, think on the
twang of llfima's bow penetrating all the hollows of the
universe, and refuse their mouthfuls of fresh grass, while
their eyes are dimmed by ceaseless tears, as they see a
deserted world, and their own horns crumbling from age ;
there, too, the golden deer, as if it had been incited by the
rest of the forest deer slain in the ceaseless chase, deceived
Slta, and led the son of liaghu far astray ; there, too, in
their grief for the bitter loss of Sltfi, lifima and Lakslimana
seized by Kabandha, like an eclipse of sun and moon
heralding the death of liavaiia, filled the universe with a
mighty dread ; (4G) there, too, the arm of Yojanabahu,
struck off by Eama's arrow, caused fear in the saints as it
lay on the ground, lest it should be the serpent form of
Nahuslia, brought back by Agastya's curse ; there, even
now, foresters behold Slta painted inside the hut by her
husband to solace his bereavement, as if she were again
rising from the ground in her longing to see her husband's
home.
* Not far from that hermitage of Agastya, of which the
ancient history is yet clearly to be seen, is a lotus lake
called Pampa. It stands near that hermitage, as if it
were a second ocean made l)y the Creator in rivalry with
Agastya, at the prompting of Varuna, wrathful at the
drinking of ocean ; it is like the sky fallen on earth to bind
together the fragments of the eight quarters when severed
in the day of doom.^ (48) It is, indeed, a peerless home
of waters, and its depth and extent none can tell. There,
even now, the wanderer may see pairs of cakravakas, with
their wings turned to blue by the gleam of the blossoming
lotuses, as if they were swallowed up by the impersonate
curse of Rama.
* On the left bank of that lake, and near a clump of palms
» Does this refer to the reflection of tlio sky in its clear water ?
21
broken by Rama's arrows, was a large old 9almall tree.*
It shows as though it were enclosed in a large trench,
because its roots are always encircled by an old snake,
like the trunk of the elephants of the quarters; (M)) it
seems to bo mantled with the slough of serpents, which
hangs on its lofty trunk and waves in the wind ; it strives
to compasH tlie measuromont of the circle of space by its
many boughs spreading through the lirmament, and so to
imitate Civa, whose thousand arms are outstretched in his
wild dance at the day of doom, and who wears the moon on
his crest. Through its weight of years, it clings for support
even to the shoulder of the wind ; it is girt with creepers
that cover its whole trunk, and stand out like the thick
veins of old age. Thorns have gathered on its surface like
the moles of old age ; not even the thick clouds by which
its foliage is bedewed can behold its top, when, after
drinking the waters of ocean, they return from all sides to
the sky, and pause for a moment, weary with their load of
water, like birds amongst its boughs. From its great
height, it seems to be on tiptoe to look- at the glory of the
Nandana* Wood ; its topmost branches are whitened by
cotton, which men might mistake for foam dropped from
the corners of their mouths by the sun's steeds as, ])eset
with weariness of their path through the sky, they come
near it in their course overhead ; (50) it h&s a root that
will last for an aeon, for, with the garland of drunken bees
sticking to the ichor which cHngs to it where the cheeks of
woodland elephants are rubbed against it, it seems to be
held motionloss by iron chains ; it seems alive with swarms
of bees, Hasliing in and out of its hollow trunk. It beholds
the alighting of the wings of birds, as Duryodhana receives
proofs of (Jakuni's^ partizanship ; like Krishna, it is en-
circled by a woodland chaplet ;^ like a mass of fresh clouds
its rising is seen in the sky. It is a temple whence wood-
* (_^'dl null f=- Bilk cotton-tree.
- Lit., * Htrivin^ upwards to see,'
•* Iiulra's wood.
* rakuni = {a) bird ; (h) name of Duryodhana's supporter.
'• Or, ' by Vanamdhl,' Krishna'H chaplet.
22
land goddesses can look out upon the whole world. It is
the king of the Dandaka Wood, the leader of the] lordly
trees, the friend of the Vindhya Mountains, and it seems to
embrace with the arms of its boughs the whole Vindhya
Forest. There, on the edge of the boughs, in the centre of
the crevices, amongst the twigs, in the joints of the trunks,
in the holes of the rotten bark, flocks of parrots have taken
their abode. From its spaciousness, they have conlidently
built in it their thousand nests ; from its stoepnoss, they
have come to it feurloHsly from every quartor. Though its
leaves are thin with ago, this lord of the forest still looks
green with dense foliage, as they rest upon it day and
nigiit. (51) In it they spend the nights in their own nests,
and daily, as they rise, they form lines in the sky ; they
show in heaven like Yamuna with her wide streams
scattered by the tossing of Jiala's ploughshare in his
passion ; they suggest a lotus-bed of the heavenly Ganges
flowing away, uprooted by the elephant of heaven; they
show forth a sky streaked, as it were, with the brightness
of the steeds of the sun's chariot ; they wear the semblance
of a moving floor of emerald ; they stretch out in the lake
of heaven like long twines of Vallisneria ; they fan the
faces of the quarters wearied with the muss of the sun's
keen rays, with their wings spread against the sky like
plantain leaves ; they form a grassy path stretching through
the heaven, and as they roam they grace the firmament
with a rainbow. After their meal they return to the young
birds which stay in the nest, and give them, from beaks
pink as tiger's claws reddened with the blood of slain deer,
the juice of fruits and many a dainty morsel of rice-clusters,
for by their deep love to their children all their other
likings are subdued ; (52) then they spend the night in
this same tree with their young under their wings.
* Now my father, who by reason of his great age barely
dragged on his life, dwelt with my mother in a certain old
hollow, and to him I was, by the decree of Fate, born as
his only son. My mother, overcome by the pains of child-
birth when I was born, went to another world, and, in
28
spite of his grief for the death of his loved wife, my father,
from love to his child, checked the keen onrush of his
sorrow, and devoted himself in his loneliness wholly to my
nurture. From his great age, the wide wings he raised
had lost their power of flight, and hung loose from liis
shoulders, so that when he shook them he seemed to be
trying to shake off the painful old age that clung to his
body, while his few remaining tail feathers wore broken
liko a tatter of ku(;a grass ; and yet, though he was unable
to wander far, he gathorcd up bits of fruit torn down by
parrotH and fallen at the foot of the tree, and picked up
grains of rice from rico-stalkH that had fallen from other
nohtH, with a boak the point of which was broken and the
edge worn away and rubbed by breaking rice-clusters, and
pink as the stalk of the sophalikfi ilower when still hard,
and ho daily made his own meal on what I left.
(53) * But one day I hoard a sound of the tumult of the
chaso. The moon, reddened by the glow of dawn, was de-
scending to the shore of the Western Ocean, from the island
of the h(3avenly (langoH, like an old lianisa ^vith its wings
reddenfjd by the honey of the heavenly lotus-bed ; the circle
of space was widening, and was white as the hair of a ranku
deer; the throng of stars, like flowers strewn on the pavement
of heaven, were being cast away by the sun's long rays, as if
they were bioonis of rubies, for they were red as a lion's
mane dyed in elephant's blood, or pink as sticks of burning
lac ; the cluster of the Seven Sages was, as it were, de-
scending the l)ank of the Mfmasa Lake, and rested on the
northern quarter to worship the dawn ; the Western Ocean
was lifting a mass of pearls, scattered from open shells on
its shore, as though the stars, melted by the sun's rays,
had fallen on it, whitening the surface of its alluvial
islands. The wood was dropping dew ; its peacocks were
awake ; its lions were yawning ; (54) its wild elephants
were wakened by herds of she-elephants, and it, with its
boughs raised like reverential hands, sent up towards the
sun, as he rested on the peak of the Eastern Mountain, a
mass of flowers, the filaments of which were heavy with
24
the night dews. The lines of sacrificial smoke from the
hermitages, gray as the hair of an ass, were gleaming like
banners of holiness, and rested like doves on the tree-tops
whereon the wood-nymphs dwelt. The morning breeze
was blowing, and roamed softly, for it was weary at the
end of night ; it gladdened swarms of bees by the Howers'
perfume ; it rained showers of honey dew from the opened
lotuses; it was eager to teach the dancing creepers with
their waving boughs ; it carried drops of foam from the
rumination of woodland buffaloes ; it removed the perspira-
tion of the weary mountaineers ; it shook the lotuses, and
bore with it the dewdrops. The bees, who ought to be the
drums on the elephant's frontal-bones to recite auspicious
songs for the wakening of the day lotus-groves, now sent
up their hum from the hearts of the night-lotuses, as their
wings were clogged in the closing petals ; (55) the deer
of the wood had the markings on their breast, gray with
resting on the salt ground, and slowly opened eyes, the
pupils of which were still squinting with the remains of
sleep, and were caught by the cool morning breeze as if
their eyelashes were held together by heated lac ; foresters
were hastening hither and thither; the din of the kala-
hamsas on the Pampa Lake, sweet to the ear, was now
beginning ; the pleasant flapping of the wild elephant's
ea^s breaking forth caused the peacocks to dance ; in time
the sun himself slowly arose, and wandered among the
tree-tops round the Pampu Lake, and haunted the mountain
peaks, with rays of madder, like a mass of cowries bending
downwards from the sun's elephant as he plunges into the
sky; the fresh light sprung from the sun banished the
stars, falling on the wood like the monkey king who had
again lost Tara ;' the morning twilight became visible
quickly, occupying the eighth part of the day, and the
Bun's liglit became clear.
* The troops of parrots had all started to the places they
desired ; that tree seemed empty by reason of the grent
' Tt}rtl=^{a) wife of Sugrlva, the monkey king; (b) star.
26
stillness, though it had all the young parrots resting
quietly in their nests. (56) My father was still in his own
nest, and I, as from my youth my wings were hardly
fledged and had no strength, was close to him in the
hollow, when I suddenly heard in that forest the sound of
the tumult of the chase. It terrified every woodland
creature ; it was drawn out by a sound of birds* wings
flying hastily up ; it was mingled with cries from the
frightened young elephants ; it was increased by the hum
of drunken bees, disturbed on the shaken creepers ; it was
loud with the noise of wild boars roaming with raised
snouts ; it was swollen by the roar of lions wakened from
tlieir sleep in mountain caves ; it seemed to shake the
trees, and was great as the noise of the torrents of Ganges,
when brought down by Bhaglratha ; and the woodland
nymphs listened to it in terror.
* When I heard this strange sound I began to tremble in
my childishness ; the cavity of my ear was almost l)roken ;
I shook for fear, and thinking that my father, who was
close by, could help me, I crept within his wings, loosened
as they were by age.
* Straightway I heard an outcry of ** Hence comes the
scent of the lotus beds the leaders of the elephants have
trampled ! Hence the perfume of rushes the boars have
chewed ! Hence the keen fragrance of gum-olibanum the
young elephants have divided ! Hence the rustling of dry
leaves shaken down ! (57) Hence the dust of antheaps that
the horns of wild buftaloes have cleft like thunderbolts!
Hence came a herd of deer ! Hence a troop of wild elephants !
Hence a band of wild boars ! Hence a multitude of wild
buffaloes! Hence the shriek of a circle of peacocks!
Hence the murmur of partridges ! Hence the cry of
ospreys ! Hence the groan of elephants with their frontal
bones torn by lion's claws ! This is. a boar's path stained
with fresh mud! This a nuiss of foam from the rumina-
tion of deer, darkened by the juice of mouthfuls of grass
just eaten ! This the hum of bees garrulous as they cling
to the scent left by the rubbing of elephants' foreheads with
26
ichor flowing ! That the path of the ruru deer pink with
withered leaves bedewed with blood that has been shed.
That is a mass of shoots on the trees crushed by the feet of
elephants ! Those are the gambols of rhinoceroses ; that is
the lion's track jagged with pieces of the elephant's pearls,
pink with blood, and engraved with a monstrous device by
their claws ; that is the earth crimsoned with the blood of
the newly born olVspring of the does ; that is the path, like
a widow's braid, darkened with the ichor of the lord of the
herd wandering at his will ! Follow this row of yaks
straight before us ! (Quickly occupy this part of the wood
where the dung of the doer is dried ! (58) Climb the tree-
top ! Look out in this direction ! Listen to this sound !
Take the bow ! Stand in your places ! Let slip the hounds !"
The wood trembled at the tumult of the hosts of men intent
on the chase shouting to each other and concealed in the
hollows of the trees.
* Then tliat wood was soon shaken on all sides by the roar
of lions struck by the (^abaras' arrows, deepened by its echo
rebounding from the hollows of the mountains, and strong
as the sound of a drum newly oiled ; by the roar from the
throats of the elephants that led the herd, like the growl of
thunder, and mixed with the ceaseless lashing of their
trunks, as they came on alone, separated from the fright-
ened herd ; by the piteous cry of the deer, with their
tremulous, terrified eyes, when the hounds suddenly tore
their limbs ; by the yell of she-elephants lengthening in
grief for the death of their lord and leader, as they wandered
every way with ears raised, ever pausing to listen to the
din, bereft of their slain leaders and followed by their
young ; (51)) by the bellowing of she-rhinoceroses seeking
with outstretched necks their young, only born a few days
before, and now lost in the panic ; by the outcry of birds
flying from the tree-tops, and wandering in confusion ; by
the tramp of herds of deer with all the haste of limbs made
for speed, seeming to make the earth quake as it was struck
simultaneously by their hurrying feet ; by the twang of
bows drawn to the ear, mingled, as they rained their arrows,
27
with the cry from the throats of the loving she-OBpreye ; by
the clash of swords with their blades whizzing against the
wind and falling on the strong shoulders of buffaloes ; and
by the baying of the hounds which, as it was suddenly sent
forth, penetrated all the reccHses of the wood.
* When soon aftorwardw the noise of the chase was stilled
and the wood had become quiet, like the ocean when its
water was stilled by the censing of the churning, or like a
masH of cloudH nilent iifter the rainy Bcason, I felt loss of
fear and became curious, and so, moving a little from my
fathor's embrace, ((50) 1 stood in the hollow, stretched out
my neck, and with eyes that, from my childishness, were
yet tremulous with fear, in my eagerness to see what this
thing was, I cast my glance in that direction.
* Before me I saw the (^'abara^ army come out from the
wood like the stream of Narmada tossed by Arjuna's*''
thousand arms; like a wood of tamalas stirred by the wind;
like all the nights of the dark fortnight rolled into one ; like
a solid pillar of antimony shaken by an earthquake ; like a
grove of darkness disturbed by sunbeams ; like the followers
of death roaming ; like the demon world that had burst open
hell and risen up ; like a crowd of evil deeds come together ;
like a caravan of curses of the many hermits dwelling in
the ])an(jaka Forest ; like all the hosts of Dfishana** and
Kliara struck by llama as he rained his ceaseless shafts,
and they turned into demons for their hatred to him ; like
the whole confraternity of the Iron Age come together;
like a band of bullaloes prepared for a plunge into the
water ; like a mass of black clouds broken by a blow from
a lion's paw as he stands on the mountain peak;^ like
a throng of meteors risen for the destruction of all form ;
it darkened the wood ; it numbered many thousands ; it
Mountainoor.
Arjumi, or KarttavTrya, was captured by IMvai.ia wlien sporting in
NerlnuUlha, and was killed by Paravurnma. V. Vishnu Punlna,
^ Mountainoor.
2
the
Bk. iv., ch. 11.
3 Dushana was one of Havana's generals; Khara was Havana's
brother, and was slain by Kama.
* Cf. Uttararamacarita, Act V.
28
inspired great dread ; it was like a multitude of demons
portending disasters.
(01) * And in the midst of that great host of (Jabaras I
beheld the Cabara leader, MiTtanga by name. He was yet in
early youth ; from his great hardness he seemed made of
iron ; ho was Hko Ekalavya^ in another birth ; from his
growing beard, ho was like a young royal elephant with its
temples encircled by its first Hne of ichor ; he filled the wood
with bcjuuty that Htreunicd from him sombre as dark lotuses,
like the waters of Yamuna ; he had thick locks curled at
the ends and hanging on his shoulders, like a lion with its
mane stained by elephant's ichor ; his brow was l)road ;
his nose was stern and aquiline ; his left side shone red-
dened by the faint pink rays of a jewelled snake's hood
that was made the ornament for one of his ears, like the
glow of shoots that had clung to him from his resting on a
leafy couch ; he was perfumed with fragrant ichor, bearing
the scent of saptacchada blossoms torn from the cheeks of
an elephant freshly slain, like a stain of black aloes ; ((52)
he had the heat warded off by a swarm of bees, liko a
l)eacock-feather parasol, flying about blinded by the sccnit,
as if they were a la'anch of tamfda ; he was marked with
lines of perspiration on his cheek rubbed by his hand, as
if Vindhya Forest, being conquered by his strong arm, were
timidly offering homage under the guise of its slender waving
twigs, and he seemed to tinge space by his eye somewhat
pink, as if it were bloodshot, and shedding a twilight of the
night of doom for the deer ; he had mighty arms reaching
to his knees, as if the measure of an elephant's trunk had
been taken in making them, and his shoulders were rough
with scars from keen weapons often used to make an
offering of blood to Kfill ; the space round his eyes was
bright and broad (is the Vindhya ^Mountain, and with the
drops of dried deer's blood clinging on it, and the marking
of drops of perspiration, as if they were adorned by large
pearls from an elephant's frontal bone mixed with gunja
fruit; his chest was scarred by constant and ceaseless
* Ekalavya, king of the Nishfidas, killed by Krishna. Mbh., I., 132.
/
29
fatigue ; he was clad in a silk dress red with cochineal,
and with his strong legs he mocked a pair of elephants'
posts stained with elephants' ichor; he seemed from his
causeless fierceness to have been marked on his dread brow
by Vi frown that formed three banners, as if iJurga, pro-
pitiated by his great devotion, had marked him with a
trident to denote that he was her servant. (OH) He was
accompanied by houndn of every colour, wliicli were his
familiar friends; tlioy showed their weariness by tongues
that, dry as they were, seoniod l)y their natural pinkness to
drip deer's blood, and which hung down far from tiredness ;
as their mouths were open they raised the corners of their
lips and showed their flashing teeth clearly, like a lion's
mane caught between the teeth ; their throats were covered
with strings of cowries, and they were hacked by blows
from the large boars' tuf-ks ; though but small, from their
great strength they were like lions' cubs with their manes
ungrown ; they were skilled in initiating the does in widow-
hood ; with them came their wives, very large, like lionesses
coming to beg an amnesty for the lions. He was surrounded
by troops of (aburasof all kinds: some had sei/ed elephants'
tusks and the long hair of yaks ; some had vessels for hoiu^y
made of leaves closely bound ; some, like lions, had hands
filled with many a pearl from the frontal bones of elephants;
some, like demons, had pieces of raw flesh ; some, like
goblins, were carrying the skins of lions ; some, like Jain
ascetics, held peacocks' tails; some, like children, wore
crows' feathers;^ some represented Krishna's''^ exploits by
bearing the elephants' tusks they had torn out ; (G4) some,
like the days of the rainy season, had garments dark as
clouds.-^ He had his sword-sheath, as a wood its rhino-
ceroses ;* like a fresh cloud, he held a bow^ bright as
peacocks' tails; like the demon Yaka," he possessed a
peerless army; like Garu) mountain slope.
' Or, the moon. " Or, with.
*" in) A'/w7;(( = comi)a8Hion ; (b) Kripa was tlio teacher of AvvatthJlma,.
or Drauni.
'• Or, Virgo, CervuH, the Pleiads and Draco.
^'^ (a) Having twihglit drunk up; {b) liaving many faults eradicated^
" li(ijaH^{a) dust; (6) passion.
87
waters ;^ like Krishna, he had banished the fear of hell ;'
like the beginning of twilight, he had eyes tawny as the
glow of dawn ;^ like early morn, he was gilded with fresh
sunlight ; like the chariot of the sun, he was controlled in
his course ;* like a good king, he brought to nought the
secret guiles of the foe i'^ (77) like the ocean, his temples were
cavernous with meditation ;" like Bhaglratha, he had often
beheld the descent of Ganges f like a bee, he had often
tasted life in a wator-ongirt wood f though a woodsman,
ho yet entered a great home;" though unrestrained, he
longed for release ;^^ though intent on works of peace, he
bore the rod ;^^ though asleep, he was yet awake ;^'^ thougli
with two well-placed eyes, he had his sinister eye abolished.^*
Sucli was ho who approached the lotus-lake to bathe.
' Now the mind of the good is ever wont to be com-
pasttioiiate and kind instinctively. Wherefore he, seeing
my plight, was lillod with pity, and said to another young
ascetic standing near : (78) ** This little half-fledged parrot
has somehow fallen from the top of that tree, or perhaps
from a hawk's mouth. For, owing to his long fall, he has
hardly any life left ; his eyes are closed, and he ever falls
on his face and pants violently, and opens his beak, nor
can he hold up his neck. Come, then, take him before his
breath deserts him. Carry him to the water." Ho saying,
* In porfonunnco of a vow. V. Maiui, vi. 2Ji.
'^ Or, * of tho dc'iiion Nanika,' Hlain by KriHlii.ia. Harivaiiiva, 122.
^ Or, liad HtarH tawny at tho junction of niglit and day.
* Lit., (a) lloldin/,' all hiH passionH in firm roHtraint ; (6) having the
axlo of itH wIiooIb firm.
^ Lit., {(i) Ho liad a body waHt(3d by Hccret porfonnance of ponanco ;
(h) ho brougiit to nought the ononiioH' plana of battlo by secret counnol
and by Iuh army.
" Or, having cavca with wlilrlpoola and tho circles of sholls oblique.
' Or, (juayH.
" (a) PurhapH Pushkara, tho place of pilgrimage in Ajmere ; (b) lotui-
grovo.
(a) Having entrance into great halls ; {h) being absorbed in Brahma.
*•* Or, salvation.
" Or, inllicted punishment; or, though intent on the Sama veda, he
was yet a (hitidl ; t.t'., an ascetic wlio despises ritual.
'^ llaving beautiful matted locks.
" {a) Having no left eye ; (6) having no crooked glances.
88
he had me taken to the edge of the lake; and, coming
there, he laid down his staff and pitcher near the water,
and, taking me himself, just when I had given up all effort,
he lifted up my head, and with his finger made me drink a
few drops of water ; and when I had been sprinkled with
water and had gained fresh breath, he placed me in the
cool wet shade of a fresh lotus-leaf growing on the bank,
and went through the wonted rites of bathing. After that,
ho purified himself by often holding his breath, and
murmuring the cleansing ag]minarHlnina\ and tlion he
arose and, with upraised face, made an ollering to the sun
with freshly-plucked red lotuses in a cup of lotus-leaves.
Having taken a pure white robe, so that he was like the
glow of evening sunlight accompanied by the moon's
radiance, he rubbed liis hair with his hands till it shone,
and, (71)) followed by the band of ascetic youths, with their
hair yet wet from recent bathing, he took me and went
slowly towards the penance grove.
* And after going but a short way, I beheld the penance
grove, hidden in thick woods rich in flowers and fruit.
(80) * Its precincts were filled by munis entering on all
sides, followed ))y pupils murmuring the Vedas, and bearing
fuel, ku(;a grass, flowers, and earth. There the sound of
the filling of the pitchers was eagerly heard by the pea-
cocks ; there appeared, as it were, a bridge to heaven under
the guise of smoke waving to exalt to the gods the muni
race while yet in the body by fires satisfied with the cease-
less offering of ghee ; all round were tanks with their waves
traversed by lines of sunbeams stainless as though from
contact with the hermits they rested upon, plunged into
by the circle of the Seven Kishis who had come to see
their i)enance, and lifting by night an open moon-lotus-bed,
like a cluster of constellations descending to honour the
rishis; the hermitage received homage from woodland
creepers with their tops bent by the wind, and from trees
with their ever-falling blossoms, and was worshipped by
trees with the afijali of interlaced boughs ; parched grain
1 11. v., X. 190.
89
was scattered in the yards round the huts, and the fruit of
the myrobalan, lavall, jujubo, banana, bread-tree, mango,
panasa,^ and palm pressed on each other ; (81) the young
Brahmans were eloquent in reciting the Vedas ; the parrot-
race was garrulous with the prayer of oblation that; they
learnt by hearing it incessantly; the subrahmanyu- was
recited by many a maina ; the balls of rice offered to the
deities wore devoured by tlia cocks of the forest, and the
offering,' of wild rice was eaten by the youn^' kalabamHas of
tlio tanks close by. The eating-places of the sages were
protected from pollution by aslies cast round tliem. (82) Tlie
lire for ilio munis' honia sacrifice was fanned by the tails of
their friends the peacocks ; the sweet scent of the oblation
prepared witli nectar, the fragrance of the half- cooked
sacrifieiiil cake was spread around ; the crackling of flames
in the ofTering of a stream of unbroken libations made
the place resonant ; a host of guests was waited upon ; the
ritris were honoured ; Vishnu, Tiva, and Brahma were
worshipped. The performance of (/raddha rites was taught ;
the science of sacrifice explained ; the (/astras of right
conduct examined ; good books of every kind recited ; and
the meaning of the (/astras pondered. Leafy huts were
being begun ; courts smeared with paste, and the inside of
the huts scrubbed. Meditation was being firmly grasped,
mantras duly carried out, yoga practiscjd, and offerings made
to woodland deities. Brahmanical girdles of munja grass
wore being made, bark garments washed, fuel brought, deer-
skins decked, grass gathered, lotus-seed dried, rosaries strung,
and bamboos laid in order for future need.'* "Wandering
ascetics received hospitality, and pitchers were filled.
(84) * There defilement is found in the smoke of the obla-
tions, not in evil conduct ; redness of face in parrots, not
in angry men ; sharpntjss in blades of grass, not in disposi-
tions ; wavering in i)lantain-leave8, not in minds ; red eyes*
in cuckoos alone ; clasping of necks with pitchers only ;
* Aiiotlior kind of broad-treo.
^ Tlu* (lomiiR'Htary expliiiim it as 'Veda.'
•' Tlu) tridandaUa or three Htaven of the mendicant 13ralinmn who
lja» reHi^'iied tlie world. * Or, hupaHnioned ghmceH.
40
bliMlin^of ^inllo(ly ; )oMt< of Uh'Mh hy thd naintn in tho jiractico of
>ta(tril)raMily provokcul, lik(t lir(»
hwiflly falliofi, on dry roodn, kMra f^ranH, or llow(»rH. (ilO) How
nno li ni, tloMi. thai of litdy nion liko IIioho, whomt fo(«t
* (lO Muiillliifi ; (/)) piu OMMnrililp,
** /',l/.i-(.i) l»nii , ^/0 tliililrni. ^ /I'.OnJ, wttmiui,
* r.t/.iMM — (•!) li lilnl ; {!>) hurNoilliitMa'n un«'lo.
^ ( .i//(i (ill wliitii (/•) ^r«Milli. " ^ii^ 'IVolli ; {tt) \\i'i\\\uu\\\H,
" (l|, titlllionn, " Ol , »MM>KlllK lUOMjMMilV.
♦• Ol, dmpK rii)«iviiii Uioliit)>iii,Nti, haKnhlvM. iOlil AllHMilM.Mt l\ri) slau<,'hter of the demon Tfiraka
by Kfirtikeya.
' ^ A star in the Scorpion's tail. ^ Seizing of tribute.
60
ment, unshaken in resolve by the greatest difficulties, he
was the castle of constancy, the station of steadfastness, the
bridge of bright truth, the guide to all goodness, the con-
ductor in conduct, the ordainer of all ordered life. Like the
serpent Cesha, enduring the weight of the world ; like the
ocean, full of life ; like Jarasandha, shaping war and peace ;^
(118) like Civa, at home with Durgfr; like Yuddhishthira,
a daysin-ing of Dharma, he knew all the Yedaa and
Yedangas, and was the essence of the kingdom's prosperity.
He was like Brihaspatr^ to Sunfisira ; like Cukra to Vrisha-
parvan ; like Yavislitha to Da(;aratha ; like Yi^vfimitra to
Enma; like Dhaumya to Ajfita^atru ; like Damanaka to
Nala. He, by the force of his knowledge, thought that
Lakshml was not hard to win, resting though she were on
the breast of Nurfiyana, terrible with the scars of the
weapons of the demons of hell, and a strong shoulder
hardened by the pitiless pressure of Mount Mandara as it
moved to and fro. Near him knowledge spread wide, thick
with many a tendril, and showed the fruits gained from
conquered realms like a creeper near a tree. (119) To him
throughout the earth's surface, measured by the circum-
ference of the four oceans, and filled with the goings to and
fro of many thousands of spies, every whisper of the kings
was known as though uttered in his own palace.
* ** Now, Tarfipiila while yet a child had conquered the
whole earth ringed by the seven Dvlpas by the might of his
arm, thick as the trunk of Indra's elephant, and he devolved
the weight of the empire on that councillor named (^'uka-
nfisa, and having made his subjects perfectly contented, he
searched for anything else that reniained to be done.
***Andas he had crushed his enemies and had lost all
cause for fear, and as the strain of the world's affairs had
become a little relaxed, for the most part he began to
pursue the ordinary pleasures of youth.
(124) * ** And some time i^assed while the king pursued
' Or, haviii^^ his body united. V. Dowsoii, ' Cljissical Dictionary.'
2 Having fortresses subdued.
These are teachers of tlie gods and lieroes.
61
the pleasures of youth, and entrusted the afifairs of state to
his minister ; and after a time he came to the end of all
the other pleasures of life, and the only one he did not get
was the sight of a son born to him ; so that his zenana was
like reeds showing only flowers without fruit ; and as youth
went by there arose in him a regret produced by childless-
ness, and his mind was turned away from the desire of the
pleasures of sense, and ho felt himself alone, though
surrounded by a thousand princes ; blind, though possessed
of sight ; without support, though supporting the world.
(125) ***But the fairest ornament of this king was his
queen YilrisavatI ; as the moon's digit to the braided hair
of (^'iva, as the splendour of the Kaustubha gem to the breast
of the foe^ of Kaitabha, as the woodland garland to Bala-
rama, as the shore to the ocean, as the creeper to the tree,
as the outburst of tiowers to the spring, as the moonlight
to the moon, as the lotus-bed to the lake, as the array of
stars to the sky, as the circling of hamsas to Lake Manasa,
as the line of sandal- woods to Mount Malaya, as the jewelled
crest to C,'esha, so was she to her lord ; she reigned i)eerles8
in the zenana, and created wonder in the three worlds, as
though she were the very source of all womanly grace.
* ** And it chanced once that, going to her dwelling, he
beheld her seated on a stately- couch, weeping bitterly,
surrounded by her household mute in grief, their glances
fixed in meditation, and attended by her chamberlains, who
waited afar with eyes motionless in anxious thought, while
the old women of the zenana were trying to console her.
Her silken robes were wet with ceaseless tears; her orna-
ments were laid aside ; her lotus-face rested on her left
hand ; and her tresses were unbound and in disorder. As
she arose to welcome him, the king placed her on the couch
again, and sitting there himself, ignorant of the cause of
her weeping, and in great alarm, wiped away witli his hand
the tears from her cheeks, saying: (120) * My queen, what
means this weeping, voiceless and low with the weight of
the heavy sorrow concealed in thy heart ? For these eye-
1 Vishnu. - Lit., * tiriii.'
62
lashes of thine are stringing, as it were, a network of pearls
of dropping tears. Why, slender one, art thou unadorned ?
and why has not the stream of lac fallen on thy feet like
early sunlight on rosy lotus -buds? And why are thy
jewelled anklets, with their murmur like teals on the lake
of love, not graced with the touch of thy lotus-feet? And'
why is this waist of thine bereft of the music of the girdle
thou hast laid aside ? And why is thore no device painted
on thy breast like the deer on the moon ? and why is that
slender nock of thine, fair-limbed quoon, not adorned with
a rope of pearls as the crescent on (^iva's brow by the
heavenly stream ? and why dost thou, erst so gay, wear
in vain a face whose adornment is washed away with
flowing tears? And why is this hand, with its petal-like
cluster of soft fingers, exalted into an ear-jewel, as though
it were a rosy lotus? (127) And why, froward lady, dost
thou raise thy straight brow undecked with the mark of
yellow pigment, and surrounded by the mass of thine
un))ound tresses ? For these flowing locks of thine, bereft
of flowers, grieve my eyes, like the loss of the moon in
the dark fortnight, clouded in masses of thickest gloom.
Be kind, and tell me, my queen, the cause of thy grief.
For this storm of sighs with which the robe on thy breast
is quivering bows my loving heart like a ruddy tendril.
]fas any wrong been done by me, or by any in thy service?
Closely as I examine myself, I can truly see no failure of
mine towards thee. For my life and my kingdom are
wholly thine. Let the cause of thy woe, fair queen, be
told.' But Vilasavatl, thus addressed, made no reply, and
turning to her attendants, he asked the cause of her ex-
ceeding grief. Then her betel-nut bearer, Makarikfi, who
was always near her, said to the king : ' My lord, how could
any fault, however slight, be committed by thee ? (128) and
how in thy presence could any of thy followers, or anyone
else, offend ? The sorrow of the queen is that her union
with the king is fruitless, as though she were seized by
lifihu, and for a long time she has been suffering. For at
first our lady was like one in heavy grief, was only occupied
68
with difficulty by the persuasion of her attendants in the
ordinary duties of the day, however fitting they might be,
such as sleeping, bathing, eating, putting on of ornaments,
and the like, and, like a Lakshml of the lower world,
ceaselessly upbraided divine love.^ But in her longing to
take away the grief of my lord's heart, she did not show
her sad change. Now, however, as it was the fourteenth
day of the month, she went to worship holy Mahfikfda, and
hoard in a rocitation of the Malifiblifirata, *' No bright
abodoH await tlie childless, for a son is he who delivers
from the sunloss sliadoH"; and when she heard this, she
returned to her palace, and now, though reverently
entreated thereto by her attendants, she takes no pleasure
in food, nor does she busy herself in putting on her jewels,
nor does she vouchsafe to answer us ; (12eerless in prowess, fatal to his foes. Dayaratha,
too, when very old, received by the favour of Rishyayringa,
1 (rt) The gods; (b) love.
64
son of the great saint Yibhanclaka, four sons, unconquerable
as the arms of Narayana, and unshaken as the depths of the
oceans.! And many other royal sages, having conciliated
ascetics, have enjoyed the happiness of tasting the ambrosia
of the sight of a son. For the honour paid to saints is
never without its reward.
* *' * And for me, when shall I behold my queen ready to
bear a child, pale as the fourteenth night when the rising
of the full moon is at hand ; and when will her attendants,
hardly able to bear the joy of the great festival of the birth
of my son, carry the full basket of gifts ? When will my
queen gladden me wearing yellow robes, and holding a son
in her arms, like the sky with the newly-risen sun and the
early sunlight ; and when will a son give me joy of heart,
with his curly hair yellow with many a plant, a few ashes
mixed with mustard-seed on his palate, which has a drop
of ghi on it as a talisman, (llJl) and a thread bright with
yellow dye round his neck, as he lies on his back and smiles
with a little toothless mouth ; when will this baby destroy
all the darkness of sorrow in my eyes like an auspicious
lamp welcomed by all the people, handed from one to
another by the zenana attendants, shining tawny with
yellow dye ; and when will he adorn the courtyard, as he
toddles round it, followed by my heart and my eyes, and
gray with the dust of the court ; and when will he walk
from one place to another and the power of motion be
formed in his knees, so that, like a young lion, he may try
to catch the young tame deer screened behind the crystal
walls ? and when, running about at will in the courtyard,
will he run after the tame geese, accompanied by the
tinkling of the anklets of the zenana, and weary his nurse,
who will hasten after him, following the sound of the bells
of his golden girdle ; (182) and when will he imitate the
antics of a wild elephant, and have his cheeks adorned
with a line of ichor painted in black aloe, full of joy at the
sound of the bell held" in his mouth, gray with the dust of
sandal-wood scattered by his uplifted hand, shaking his
• Four was the number of the oceans and of the arms of Naruyana.
66
head at the beckoning of the hooked finger; and when
will he disguise the faces of the old chamberlains with the
juice of handfuls of lac left after being used to colour his
mother's feet; and when, with eyes restless in curiosity,
will he bend his glance on the inlaid floors, and with
tottering steps pursue his own shadow ; and when will
he creep about during the audience in front of me as I
stand in my audience-hall, with his eyes wandering be-
wildered by the rays of the gems, and have his coming
welcomed by the outstretched arms of a thousand kings ?
Thinking on a hundred such desires, I pass my nights in
Buflering. Me, too, the grief arising from our want of
children burns like a fire day and night. The world seems
empty ; I look on my kingdom as witliout fruit. But what
can I do towards 13rahmri, from whom there is no appeal ?
Therefore, my quoen, cease thy continual grief. Let thy
heart be devoted to endurance and to duty. For increase
of blessings is ever nigh at hand for those who set their
thoughts on duty.' (IBIJ) Thus saying, with a hand like a
fresh tendril, he took water and wiped her tear-stained face,
which showed as an 02)ening lotus ; and having comforted
her again and again with many a speech sweet with a
hundred endearments, skilled to drive away grief, and full
of instruction about duty, he at last left her. And when
he was gone, Yilfisavatl's sorrow was a little soothed, and
she went about her usual daily duties, such as putting on
of her adornments. And from that time forth she was
more and more devoted to propitiating the gods, honouring
^ Brahmans, and paying reverence to all holy persons;
whatever recommendation she heard from any source she
practised in her longing for a child, nor did she count the
fatigue, however great; she slept within the temples of
Duv^'d, dark with smoke of bdellium ceaselessly burnt, on a
bed of clubs covered with green grass, fasting, her pure
form clothed in white raiment; (134) she bathed under
cows endued with auspicious marks, adorned for the
occasion by the wives of the old cowherds in the herd-
stations, with golden pitchers laden with all sorts of jewels,
56
decorated with branches of the pipal, decked with divers
fruits and flowers and filled with holy water; every day
she would rise and give to Brahmans golden mustard-leaves
adorned with every gem ; she stood in the midst of a circle
drawn by the king himself, in a place where four roads
meet, on the fonrteonth night of the dark fortnight, and
performed auspicious rites of bathing, in which the gods
of the quarters were gladdened by the various oblations
offered ; she honoured the shrines of the siddhas and
sought the houses of neighbouring Mutrikas,^ in which
faith was displayed by the pooi)lo ; she bathed in all the
celebrated snake-ponds ; with a sun-wine turn, she wor-
shipped the pipal and othi>r trees to which honour was
wont to be shown ; after bathing, with hands circled by
swaying bracelets, she herself gave to the birds an oH'oringof
curds and boiled rice placed in a silver cup ; she ofYered daily
to the goddess ])urgrt a sacrifice consisting of parched grain
of oblation, boiled rice, scKaniuni sweetmeats, cakes, unguents,
incense, and flowers, in abundance ; (15^5) she besought,
with a mind prostrate in adoration, the naked wandering
ascetics, bearing the name of siddhas, and carrying their
begging -bowls filled by her; she greatly honoured the
directions of fortune-tellers ; she frequented all the sooth-
sayers learned in signs ; she showed all respect to those who
understood the omens of birds ; she accepted all the secrets
handed down in the tradition of a succession of venerable
sages ; in her longing for the sight of a son, she made the
Brahmans who came into her presence chant the Veda;
she heard sacred stories incessantly repeated ; she carried
about little caskets of mantras filled with l)irch- leaves
written over in yellow letters ; she tied strings of medicinal
plants as anuilets ; even her attendants went out to hear
passing sounds and grasped the omens arising from them ;
she daily threw out lumps of flesh in the evening for the
jackals ; she told the pandits the wonders of her dreams,
and at the cross-roads she ofTered oblation to C^'iva.
***And as time went on, it chanced once tliat near the
* The (livlno inothorM, or poiHoniflt'd ciiiTgioH of tlio chief iloitioH.
67
end of night, when the sky was gray as an old pigeon's
wing, and but few stars were left, the king saw in a dream
the full moon entering the mouth of Vilasavatl, as she
rested on the roof of her white palace, like a ball of lotus-
fibres into the mouth of an elephant. (1B6) Thereupon he
woke, and arising, shedding brightness through his dwelling
by tlio joyous dilation of his eyes, he straightway called
(/ukanfiHa and told him tlie dream ; whereto the latter,
filled with sudden joy, replied : * Sire, our wishes and those
of thy subjects are at length fulfilled. After a few days
my lord will doubtloHs oxporionco the happinosH of beholding
the lotuH-faco of a son ; for I, too, this night in a d:eam saw
a whito-robod linihman, of godlike bearing and calm aspect,
place in Munorama's^ lap a lotus that rained drops of honey,
with a hundred outspread white petals, like the moon's
digits, and a thousand (juivering stamens forming its
matted locks. Now, all auspicious omens which come to
us forotell the near approach of joy ; and what other cause
of joy can there be than this? for dreams seen at the close
of night are wont to l)car fruit in truth. (VM) Certainly
ere long the queen shall bear a son that, like Mandhatri,
shall bo a leader among all royal sages, and a cause of joy
to all the world ; and he shall gladden thy heart, king,
as the lotus-pool in autumn with its burst of fresh lotuses
gladdens the royal elephant ; by him thy kingly line shall
become strong to bear the weight of the world, and shall
be unbroken in its succession as the stream of a wild
elephant's ichor.' As ho thus spoke, the king, taking him
by the hand, entered the inner apartments and gladdened
the queen with both their dreams. And after some days,
])y the grace of the gods, the hope of a child came to
Vilasavatl, like the moon's image on a lake, and she
became thereby yet more glorious, like the line of the
Nandana wood with the tree of Paradise, or the breast of
Vishnu with the Kaustubha gem.
(1.S8) '"On one memorable day the king had gone at
evening to an inner pavilion, where, encircled by a
' Wifo of (JuUiuiAhii.
58
thousand lamps, burning bright with abundance of scented
oil, he was like the full moon in the midst of stars, or like
Narayana seated among the thousand jewelled hoods of the
king of snakes; he was surrounded only by a few great
kings who had received the sprinkling of coronation ; his
own attendants stood at some distance; close by Qukanasa
was sitting on a hi^'h stool, clad in white silk, with little
adornment, a statesman profound as the depths of ocean ;
and with him the king was holding a conversation on many
topics, full of the confidence that had grown with their
growth, when he was approached by the handmaiden
Kulavardliana, the queen's chief attendant, always skilled
in the ways of a court, well trained by nearness to royalty,
and versed in all auspicious ceremonies, who whispered in
his ear the news about Vilasavatl. (181)) At her words, so
fresh to his ears, the king's limbs were bedewed as if with
ambrosia, a thrill passed through his whole body, and he
was bewildered with the draught of joy ; his cheeks burst
into a smile ; under the guise of the bright flash of his
teeth he scattered abroad the liappinoss that overflowed his
heart, and his eye, with its pupil quivering, and its lashes
wet with tears of gladness, fell on the face of (^'ukanasa.
And when ('ukanfisa saw the king's exceeding joy, such as
he had never seen before, and beheld the approach of
Kulavardhanri with a radiant smile on her face, though he
had not heard the tidings, yet, from constantly revolving
the matter in his mind, he saw no other cause befitting the
time of this excess of gladness ; (110) he saw all, and
bringing his sen,,t closer to the king, said in a low voice :
* ^fy lord, there is some truth in that dream ; for Kulavar-
dliana has her eyes radiant, and thy twin eyes announce a
cause of great joy, for they are dilated, their pupils are
tremulous, and they are bathed in tears of joy, and as they
seem to creep to the lobes of thy ears in their eagerness to
hear the good tidings, they produce, as it were, the beauty
of an ear-pendant of blue lotuses. My longing heart yearns
to hear the festival that has sprung up for it. Therefore
let my lord tell me what is this news.' When he had thus
59
said, the king replied with a smile : ' If it is true as she
saysi then all our dream is true ; hut I cannot helieve it.
How should so great a happiness fall to our lot? For we
are no fitting vessel for the hearing of such good tidings.
Kulavardhanfi is always truthful, and yet when I consider
how unworthy I am of such joy, I look upon her as having
changed her nature, liise, therefore ; I myself will go and
ask the queen if it is true, and then I shall know.* (141) So
saying, he dismissed all the kings, and taking off his orna-
ments, gave them to Kulavardhana, and when, on his
gracious dismissal of her with gifts, he received her homage
paid with a deep reverence as she touched the earth with
her straight brow, he rose with Tukanasa and wont to the
inner apartments, hurried on by a mind iilled with exceed-
ing happiness, and gladdened by the throbbing of his right
eye, which seemed to mimic the play of a blue lotus-petal
stirred by the wind. He was followed by a scanty retinue,
as befitted so late a visit, and had the thick darkness of the
courtyard dispelled by the brightness of the lamps of the
women who went before him, though their steady flame
ilickered in the wind." '
(Brina then describes the birth of Tfiraplija's son, who is
named Candrupliia, from the king's dream about the moon,
and also that of Cukanasa's son Vaivampayana.^]
(155) * ** And as Candrapuja underwent in due course all
the circle of ceremonies, beginning with the tying of his
top-knot, his childhood i)asKed away; and to prevent
distraction, Taraplcja had built for him a palace of learnhig
outside the city, stretching half a league along the Sipra
river, surrounded by a wail of white bricks like the circle
of peaks of a snow-mountain, girt with a great moat run-
ning along the walls, guarded by very strong gates, having
one door kept open for ingress, with stables for horses and
palanquins close l>y, and a gymnasium constructed beneath
— a fit palace for the immortals. He took infinite pains in
gathering there teachers of every science, and having placed
^ Sinnniiuy of pp. Hl-ir^O.
60
the boy there, like a young lion in a cage, forbidding all
egress, surrounding him with a suite composed mainly of
the sons of liis teachers, removing every allurement to the
sports of boyhood, and keeping his mind free from dis-
traction, on an auspicious day (15C) he entrusted him,
together with Vaic/ampfiyana, to masters, that they might
acquire all knowledge. Every day when ho rose, the king,
with Vilasavatl and a small retinue, went to watch him,
and Candrfiplija, undisturbed in mind and kept to his
work by the king, quickly grasped all the sciences taught
him by teachers, whose efforts were quickened by his great
powers, as they brought to light his natural abilities ; the
whole range of arts aKsoniblod in his mind as in a pure
jewelled mirror. lie gained tlie higliost skill in word,
sentence, proof, law, and royal policy ; in gymnastics ; in
all kinds of weapons, sucli as the bow, quoit, shield,
scimitar, dart, mace, battle-axe, and club; in driving and
elephant-riding ; in musical instruments, sucl? as the lute,
life, drum, cymbal, and pipe ; in the laws of dancing laid
down by Jiharata and others, and the science of music,
such as that of NTirada ; in the management of elephants,
the knowledge of a horse's age, and the marks of men ; in
painting, leaf-cutting, the use of books, and writing ; in all
the arts of gambling, knowledge of the cries of birds, and
astronomy ; in testing of jewels, (157) carpentry, the work-
ing of ivory ; in architecture, physic, mechanics, antidotes,
mining, crossing of rivers, leaping and jumping, and sleight
of hand ; in stories, dramas, romances, poems ; in the
Mahabharata, the Puraiias, the Itihasas, and the
Bfanayana ; in all kinds of writing, all foreign languages,
all technicalities, all mechanical arts ; in metre, and in
every other art. And while he ceaselessly studied, even in
his childhood an inborn vigour like that of ]3hTma shone
forth in him and stirred the world to wonder. For when
he was but in play the young elephants, who had attacked
him as if he were a lion's whelp, had their lim])s bowed
down by his grasp on their ears, and could not move ;
with one stroke of his scimitar he cut down palm-trees as
61
if they were lotus-stalks ; his shafts, like those of Para^u-
rama when he blazed to consume the forest of earth's royal
stems, cleft only the loftiest peaks; ^e exercised himself
with an iron club which ten men were needed to lift ; and,
except in bodily strength, he was followed close in all hig
accomplishments by Vaivampayana, (1''38) who, by reason
of the honour Candrripula felt for his deep learning, and of
hiH reverence due to (/ukanfiHa, and because they had played
in the dust and f^rown up together, was the prince's chief
friend, and, as it were, his second heart, and the home of
all his confidences. He would not bo without Vaic/ampfiyana
for a moment, while Vaivampayana never for an instant
ceased to follow him, any more tlian the day would cease
to follow the sun.
* ** And while Candraplda was thus pursuing his acquaint-
ance witli all knowledge, the spring of youth, loved of the
three worlds as theamiita draught of the ocean, gladdening
the hearts of men as moonrise gladdens the gloaming;
transient in change of iridescent glow, like the full arch of
Indra's bow to the rainy season ; weapon of love, like the
outburst of flowers to the tree of desire ; beautiful in ever
freshly revealed glow, like sunrise to the lotus-grove ; ready
for all play of graceful motion, like the plumes of the
peacock, became manifest and brought to flower in him,
fair as he was, a double beauty; love, lord of the hour,
stood ever nigh, as if to do his bidding ; his chf^st expanded
like his beauty ; his limbs won fulness, like the wishes of
his friends ; his waist became slender, like the host of his
foes ; (ir>i)) his form broadened, like his liberality ; his
majesty grew, like his hair; his arms hung down more
and more, like the plaits of his enemies' wives ; his eyes
became brighter, like his conduct; his shoulders broad,
like his knowledge ; and his heart deep, like his voice.
*** And so in due course the king, learning that Candra-
pl(ja had grown to youth, and had completed his knowledge
of all the arts, studied all the sciences, and won great praise
from his teachers, sunnnoned Jklfdiaka, a mighty warrior,
and, with a large escort of cavalry and infantry, sent him
j 62
on a very auspicious day to fetch the prince. And Balahaka,
going to the palace of learning, entered, announced by the
porters, and bending his head till its crest-jewels rested on
the ground, sat down, by the prince's permission, on a seat
befitting his office, as reverently as though in the king's
presence; after a short pause he approached Candraplda
and respectfully gave the king's message : * Prince, the king
bids me say : ** Our desires are fulfilled ; the ^astras have
been studied ; all the arts have been learnt ; thou hast
gained the highest skill in all the martial sciences.
(160) All thy teachers give tliee permission to leave the
house of learning. Let the people see that thou hast
received thy training, like a young royal elephant come
out from the enclosure, having in thy mind the whole
orb of the arts, like the full moon newly risen. Let the
eyes of the world, long eager to behold thee, fulfil their
true function ; for all the zenanas are yearning for thy
sight. This is now the tenth year of thine abode in the
school, and thou didst enter it having reached the ex-
perience of thy sixth year. This year, then, so reckoned,
is the sixteenth of thy life. Now, therefore, when thou
hast come forth and shown thyself to all the mothers
longing to see thee, and hast saluted those who deserve
thy honour, do thou lay aside thy early discipline, and
experience at thy will the pleasures of the court and the
delights of fresh youth. Pay thy respects to the chiefs;
honour the Brahmans ; protect thy peojile ; gladden thy
kinsfolk. There stands at the door, sent by the king, this
horse, named Lidrayudha, swift as Garuda or as the wind,
the chief jewel of the three worlds; (161) for in truth the
monarch of Persia, who esteemed him the wonder of the
universe, sent him with this message : ' This noble steed,
sprung straight from the waters of ocean, was found by me,
and is worthy for thee, king, to mount;' and when he
was shown to those skilled in a horse's points, they said :
* He has all the marks of which men tell us as belonging to
Uccaiheravas ; there never has ])een nor will be a steed like
him.' Therefore let him ])e honoured by tliy mounting
68
him. These thousand princes, all sons of anointed kings,
highly-trained, heroic, wise, and accomplished, and of long
descent, sent for thine escort, wait on horseback, all eager
to salute thee." * Having thus said, Balahaka paused, and
Candraplda, laying his father's command on his head, in a
voice deep as a new cloud gave the order, * Let Indrayudha
be brought,' for he desired to mount him.
* ** Immediately on his command Indrayudha was brought,
and he beheld that wondrous steed, led by two men on each
side grasping the circle of the bit, and using all their efforts
to curb him. He was very large, his back being just
within reach of a man's ui)lifted hand ; he seemed to drink
the sky, which was on a level with his mouth ; with a neigh
which shook the cavity of his belly, and filled the hollows
of the three worlds, he, as it were, ui)l)raicled Garuda for
his vain trust in his fabled speed ; (102) with a nostril
snorting in wrath at any hindrance to his course, he, in his
pride, examined the three worlds, that he might leap over
them ; his body was variegated with streaks of black,
yellow, green, and pink, like Indra's bow ; he was like a
young elephant, with a many-hued rug spread over him ;
like Civa's bull, pink with metallic dust from butting at
Kailasa's peaks; like PrirvatT's lion, with his mane
crimsoned with the red streak of the demon's clotted
blood ; and like the very incarnation of all energy, with a
sound emitted from his ever-quivering nostrils, he seemed
to pour forth the wind inhaled in his swift course ; he
scattered the foam-fiakes that frothed from his lips from
the champing of the points of the bit which rattled as he
rolled it in his mouth, as if they were mouthf uls of ambrosia
drunk in his ocean home. (164) And, beholding this steed,
whose like was never before seen, in form fit for the gods,
meet for the khigdom of the whole universe, (105) possessed
of all the favourable marks, the perfection of a horse's
shape, the heart of Candraplcja, though of a nature not
easily moved, was touched with amazement, and the
thought arose in his mind : * What jewel, if not this
wondrous horse, was brought up by the Suras and Asuras
( 64
! - •• ■
when they churned the waters of ocean and whirled round
Mount Mandara with the serpent Vasuki revolving in cease-
less gyration ? And what has Indra gained by his lordship
of the three worlds if he did not mount this back, broad as
Mount Meru? Surely Indra was cheated by the ocean
when his heart was gladdened by Uccaihyravas ! And I
think that so far he has not crossed the sight of holy
Narayaiia, who even now does not give up his infatuation
for riding Garucla. My father's royal glory surpasses the
riches of the kingdom of heaven, in that treasures such as
this, which can hardly be gained in the whole universe,
come here into servitude. From its magnificence and
energy, this form of his seems the shrine of a god, and
the truth of this makes me fear to mount him. For forms
like this, lit for the gods and the wonder of the universe,
l)elong to no common horse. Even deities, subject to a
muni's curse, have been known to leave their own bodies
and inhabit other bodies brought to them by the terms
of the curse. (lOG) For there is a story of old how
Sthula(;iras, a muni of great austerity, cursed an Apsaras
named Eambha, the ornament of the three worlds ; and
she. leaving heaven, entered the heart of a horse, and thus,
as the story goes, dwelt for a long time on earth as a mare,
in the service of King (Jatadhanvan, at MrittikavatI ; and
many other great-souled beings, having had their glory
destroyed by the curse of munis, have roamed the
world in various forms. Surely this must be some noble
being subject to a curse ! My heart declares his divinity.'
Thus thinking, he rose, wishing to mount ; and in mind only
approaching the steed, he prayed thus : * Noble charger,
thou art that thou art ! All hail to thee ! Yet let my
audacity in mounting thee be forgiven ! for even deities
whose presence is unknown taste of a contumely all unmeet
for them.'
* ** As if knowing his thought, Indrayudha looked at him
with eye askance, the pupil turned and partly closed by the
lashing of his tossing mane, (167) and repeatedly struck
the ground with his right hoof, till the hair on his chest
65
was gray with the dust it cast up, as though summoning
the prince to mount, with a pleasant whinnying long drawn
out into a gentle soft murmur blent with the snorting
of his quivering nostrils. Whereupon Candraplda mounted
IndnTyudha, as though invited thereunto by his pleasant
neighing; and, having mounted, he passed out, thinking
the whole universe but a span long, and beheld a cavalcade
of which the furthest limits could not be seen ; it deafened
the hollows of the three worlds with the clatter of hoofs
breaking up the earth, fierce as a shower of stones let fall
from the clouds, and with a neighing sounding the fiercer
from nostrils choked with dust ; it decked the sky with a
forest of lances all horrent, whose shafts gleamed bright
when touclied by the sun, like a lake half hidden in a
grove of blue lotus-buds upborne on their stalks ; from its
darkening the eight quarters with its thousand umbrellas
all raised, it was like a mass of clouds iridescent with
the full arch of Indra's bow shining on them; (1()8) while
from the horses' mouths being white with foam -flakes cast
abroad, and from the undulating line of their ceaseless
curvetting, it rose to sight like a mass of ocean billows
in the flood of final destruction ; all the horses were in
motion at Candraplda's approach, as the waves of ocean
at the moon's rising ; and the princes, each wishing to be
first in their eagerness to pay their homage, having their
heads unprotected by the hasty removal of their umbrellas,
and weary with trying to curb their horses, which were wild
with trampling on each other, drew around the prince. As
Iklahaka presented each by name, they bowed, bending
low their heads, which showed the glow of loyalty under
the guise of the rays uprising from the rubies in their
waving crests, and which, from their having buds held
up in adoration, were like lotuses resting on the water in
the pitchers of coronation. Having saluted them, Can-
drapida, accompanied by Yaicampayana, also mounted,
straightway set out for the city. (1G9) He was shaded by
a very large umbrella with a gold stick, borne above him,
formed like the lotus on which royal glory might dwell,
5
66
like the moon's orb to the moon-lotus grove of royal races,
like an island being formed by the flow of the cavalcade, in
hue like the circle of Vasuki's hood whitened by the sea of
milk, garlanded with many a rope of pearls, bearing the
devico of a lion designed above. The flowers in his ears
were set dancing by the wind of the cowries waved on
either side, and his praises were sung by many thousands
of retainers running before him, young, for the most part,
and brave, and by the bards, who ceaselessly recited aloud
auspicious verses, with a soft cry of *Long life and
victory.'
* '* And as he passed on his way to the city, like a mani-
festation of the god of love no longer bodiless,^ all the
people, like a lotus-grove awakened by the moon's rising,
left their work and gathered to behold him.
* *' * Kartikeya scorns the name of Kumara,^ since his own
form is looked on with scorn by the throng of lotus-faces
when this prince is by. Surely we reap the reward of great
virtue in that we behold that godlike form with eyes wide
with the overllow of love sprung up within us, and upraised
in eager curiosity. (170) Our birth in this world has now
brought forth its fruit. Nevertheless, all hail to blessed
Krishna, who in the guise of Candraplda has assumed a
new form!' With such words the city folk folded their
hands in adoration and bowed before him. And from the
thousand windows which were unclosed from curiosity to
behold Candrfiplda, the city itself became as it were a mass
of open eyes ; for straightway on hearing that he had left
the palace of learning filled with all knowledge, women
eager to see him mounted the roofs hastily throughout the
city, leaving their half-done work ; some with mirrors in
their left hand were like the nights of the full moon, when
the moon's whole orb is gleaming , some, with feet roseate
with fresh lac, were like lotus -buds whose flowers had
drunk the early su4ilight; some, with their tender feet
* Or, Ananga, naino of Kama.
" Since ho can only give it the name, not the substance or meaning.
Kuindra = {a) nauio of Kartikeya ; (6) prince.
67
enmeshed in the bells of their girdle, fallen to the ground in
their haste, were like elephants moving very slowly, checked
by their chain ; some were robed in- rainbow hues, like the
beauty of a day in the rainy season ; some raised feet that
bloHHomed into the white rays of their nails, like tame
kalaliamsas drawn by the sound of the anklets ; (171) some
held strings of large pearls in their hands, as if in imitation of
R;iti with her crystal rosary gras2)ed in grief for the death
of Love ; some, with wreaths of pearls falling between their
breasts, were like the glory of evening when the pairs of
cakravakas are separated by a pure slender stream ; some,
with rainbow flashes rising from the gems of their anklets,
shone as if lovingly accompanied by tame peacocks ; some,
with their jewelled cups half drunk, distilled, as it were,
from their rosy Hower-like lips a sweet nectar. Others,
too, with their orbed faces appearing at the interstices of
the emerald lattices, presented to the eyes a lotus-grove
with its opening buds traversing the sky, as they gazed on
the prince. On a sudden there arose a tinkling of orna-
ments born of hasty motion, with many a sound of lutes
struck sweetly on their chords, blended with the cry of
cranes summoned by the clanging of the girdles, accom-
panied by the noise of peacocks shut up in the zenana and
rejoicing in the thunder caused by the stairs being struck
by stumbling feet, (172) soft with the murmur of kala-
liamsas fluttering in fear of the clash of fresh clouds,
imitating the triumphant cry of Love, taking captive the
ears of lovely women with their ropes of jewels resounding
shrilly as they touched one another, and re-echoing through
all the corners of the houses. In a moment the dense
throng of maidens made the palaces seem walled with
women ; the ground seemed to blossom by the laying on it
of their lac-strewn lotus-feet ; the city seemed girt with
grace by the stream of fair forms ; the sky seemed all
moon by the throng of orbed faces; the circle of space
seemed a lotus-grove by reason of the hands all raised to
ward off the heat ; the sunshine seemed robed in rainbows
by the mass of rays from the jewels, and the day seemed
68
formed of blue lotus -petals by the long line oi bright
glances. As the women gazed on him with eyes fixed
and widened in curiosity, the form of Candrapida entered
into their hearts as though they were mirrors or water or
crystal ; and as the glow of love manifested itself there,
their graceful speech became straightway mirthful, con-
fidential, confused, envious, scornful, derisive, coquettish,
loving, or full of longing. (17Ji) As, for instance : * Hasty
one, wait for me ! Drunk with gazing, hold thy mantle !
Simpleton, lift up the long tresses that hang about thy
face ! Remove thy moon-digit ornament ! IMinded with
love, thy feet are caught in the flowers of thine offering,
and tliou wilt fall! Love -distraught, tie up thy hair!
Intent on the sight of Candrripl) tho lioroii.
. 98
white Dhartarashtras, as the Mahabharata by the rivalry
of Pandavas and Dhartarashtras; and the drinking of
poison by (viva was represented by the drinking of its water
by peacocks, as if it were the time of the churning of ocean.
It was fair, like a god, with a gaze that never wavers.
(218) Like a futile argument, it seemed to have no end ;
and was a lake most fair and gladdening to the eyes.
' ** The very sight of it scorned to remove Candrupi Scilicet, ill the day. 2 Turbid with (a) dust ; (b) passion.
120
else in the world is a friend like thee ? What ails me that
I cannot restrain myself ? Thou sawest in a moment my
wretched plight. The time, then, for advice is now past.
(309) While I breathe, I long for some cure for the fever of
love, violent as the rays of twelve suns^ at the end of the
world. My limbs are baked, my heart is seething, my
eyes are burning, and my body on fire. Do, therefore,
what the time demands.' He then became silent, and
after this speech I tried again and again to rouse him ; but
as he did not listen even when tenderly and afifectionately
exhorted in the words of the pure teaching of the yiistras
full of cases like his own, together with the legendary
histories, I thought, * He is gone too far ; he cannot be
turned back. Advice is now useless, so I will make an
effort just to preserve his life.' With this resolve I rose
and went, and tore up some juicy lotus-fibres from the lake ;
then, taking some lotus-petals marked by water, I plucked
lotuses of all kinds, sweet with the fragrance of the
aromatic pollen within, and prepared a couch on that same
rock in the bower. And as he rested there at ease (310), I
crushed soft twigs of the sandal-trees hard by, and with its
juice, naturally sweet and cold as ice, made a mark on his
brow, and anointed him from head to foot. I allayed the
perspiration by camphor-dust powdered in my hand, broken
from the interstices of the split bark of the trees near, and
fanned him with a plantain-leaf dripping with pure water,
while the bark robe he wore was moist with the sandal
placed on his breast ; and as I again and again strewed
fresh lotus couches, and anointed him with sandal, and
removed the perspiration, and constantly fanned him, the
thought arose in my mind, * Surely nothing is too hard for
Love ! For how far apart would seem Pundarlka, hy nature
simple and content with his woodland home, like a fawn,
and Mahri9veta, the Gandharva princess, a galaxy of graces:
surely there is nothing for Love in the world hard, or
difficult, or unsubdued, or impossible. He scornfully
attempts the hardest tasks, nor can any resist him. For
* Tlie Vishnu Puruna, Bk. vi., ch. iii., mentions seven suns.
/ 121
why speak of beings endowed with sense when, if it so
please him, he can bring together even things without
sense ? For the night lotus-bed falls in love with the sun's
ray, and the day-lotus leaves her hatred of the moon, and
night is joined to day, (311) and moonlight waits on dark-
ness, and shade stands in the face of light, and lightning
stays firm in the cloud, and old age accompanies youth ;
and what more difficult thing can there be than that one
like PuiKJarlka, who is an ocean of unfathomable depth,
should thus be brought to the lightness of grass ? Where
is his former penance, and where his present state ? Truly
it is a cureless ill that has befallen him ! What must I
now do or attempt, or whither go, or what refuge or
resource, or help or remedy, or plan, or recourse, is there
by which his life may be sustained ? Or by what skill, or
device, or means, or support, or thought, or solace, may he
yet live ?' These and other such thoughts arose in my
downcast heart. But again I thought, ' What avails dwell-
ing on this useless thouglit ? His life must be preserved
by any means, good or bad, (312) and there is no other way
to save it but by her union with him ; and as he is timid
by reason of his youth, and moreover thinks the affairs of
love contrary to his vow, unseemly, and a mockery in him-
self, he certainly, even at his last breath, will not gratify
his longing by himself approaching her. This his disease
of love admits no delay. Good men always hold that a
friend's life must be saved even by a blamieworthy deed ;
so that though this is a shameful and wrong action, it has
yet become imperative for me. What else can be done ?
What other course is there ? I will certainly go to her.
I will tell her his state.' Thus thinking, I left the place
on some pretext, and came hither without telling him, lest
perchance he should feel that I was engaged in an un-
seemly employment, and should in shame hold me back.
This being the state of affairs, thou, lady, art the judge of
what action is needful for the time, worthy of so great a
love, fitting for my coming, and right for thyself." With
these words he became silent, fixing his eyes on my face to
122
see what I should say. But I, having heard hhn, was
plunged, as it were, into a lake of ambrosial joy, or
immersed in an ocean of the sweets of love, floating above
all joys, mounting to the pinnacle of all desires, resting at
the utmost bound of gladness. I showed my happiness by
joyful tears pouring clear, large, and heavy, because my
eyelashes were not closed, strung like a garland by their
unceasing succession, and not touching my cheek, because
my face was somewhat bent in sudden shame ; (813) and I
thought at once : '* joy, that Love entangles him as well
as me, so that even while tormenting me, he has in part
showed me kindness ; and if Pun(jarlka is indeed in such a
plight, what help has not Love given me, or what has he
not done for me, or what friend is like him, or how could a
false tale, even in sleep, pass the lips of the calm-souled
Kapifijala? And if this be so, what must I do, and what
must I say in his presence?" While I was thus de-
liberating, a portress hastily entered, and said to mo :
** Princess, the Queen has learnt from her attendants that
thou art ill, and is now coming." On hearing this,
Kapinjala, fearing the contact of a great throng, quickly
rose, saying: ** Princess, a cause of great delay has arisen.
The sun, the crest-jewel of the three worlds, is now sinking,
so I will depart. But I raise my hands in salutation as a
slight offering for the saving of my dear friend's life ; that
is my greatest treasure." (814) Then, without awaiting my
reply, he with difficulty departed, for the door was blocked
by the entrance of the attendants that heralded my Lady
brother. There were the portresses bearing golden staves ;
the chamberlains with unguents, cosmetics, flowers, and
betel, holding waving cowries ; and in their train were
humpbacks, barbarians, deaf men, eunuchs, dwarfs, and
deaf mutes.
'*' * Then the Queen came to me, and after a long visit,
went home ; but I observed nothing of what she did, said,
, or attempted while with me, for my heart was far away.
; When she went the sun, with his steeds bright as haritala
pigeons, lord of life to the lotuses, and friend of the
(
/ X28
cakravakas, had sunk to rest, and the face of the West was
growing crimson, and the lotus-beds were turning green,
and the East was darkening to blue, and the world of
mortals was overcome by a blackness like a wave of the
ocean of final destruction turbid with the mud of hell. I
knew not what to do, and asked Taralika, " Seest thou not,
Taralika, how confused is my mind? My senses are
bewildered with uncertainty, and I am unable myself to
see in the least what I should do. (315) Do thou tell me
what is right to do, for Kapifijala is now gone, and he told
his tale in thy presence. What if, like a base-born maiden,
I cast away shame, relinquish self-control, desert modesty,
contemn the reproach of men, transgress good behaviour,
trample on conduct, despise noble birth, accept the dis-
grace of a course blinded by love, and without my father's
leave, or my mother's approval, I were to go to him myself
and offer him my hand ? This transgression against my
parents would be a great wrong. But if, taking the other
alternative, I follow duty, I shall in the first place accept
death, and even so I shall break the heart of his reverence
Kapifijala, who loved him first, and who came hither of his
own accord. And again, if perchance that man's death
is brought about by my deed in destroying his hopes, then
causing the death of an ascetic would be a grave sin.'*
While I thus considered, the East became gray with the
glimmering light of moonrise, like a line of woods in
spring with the pollen of flowers. And in the moonlight
the eastern quarter showed white as if with the powdered
pearls from the frontal bone of the elephant of darkness torn
open by the lion-moon, (316) or pale with sandal-dust falling
from the breast of the n^^mphs of the eastern mountain,
or light with the rising of sand in an island left by the
tide, stirred by the wind on the waves of the ever-moving
ocean. Slowly the moonlight glided down, and made
bright the face of night, as if it were the flash of her
teeth as she softly smiled at the sight of the moon ; then
evening shone with the moon's orb, as if it were the circle
of Cesha's hoods . breaking through the earth as it rose
124
from hell ; after that, night became fair with the moon,
the gladdener of the world of mortals, the delight of
lovers, now leaving its childhood behind and becoming the
ally of Love, with a youthful glow arising within it, the
only fitting light for the enjoyment of Love's pleasures,
ambrosial, climbing the sky like youth impersonate. Then
I beheld the risen moon as if flushed with the coral of the
ocean it had just left, crimsoned with the blood of its deer
struck by the paw of the lion of the Eastern Mountain,
marked with the lac of llohinl's^ feet, as she spurned her
lord in a love quarrel, (JU7) and ruddy with his newly-
kindled glow. And I, though the lire of Love burnt within
me, had my heart darkened ; though my body rested on
the lap of Taralikil, I was a captive in the hands of Love ;
though my eyes were iixed on the moon, I was looking on
death, and 1 straightway thought, ** There are the honey-
month, the Malaya winds, and all other such things
brought together, and in the same place to have this evil
miscreant moon cannot be endured. My heart cannot boar
it. Its rising now is like a shower of coals to one consumed
by fever, or a fall of snow to one ill from cold, or the bite
of a black siiako to oiio faint with the swelling of poison."
And as I thus thought, a swoon closed my eyes, like the
sleep brought by moonlight that withers the lotuses of the
day. Soon, however, I regained consciousness by moans of
the fanning and sandal unguents of the bewildered Tara-
lika, and I saw her weeping, her face dimmed with cease-
less tears, pressing the point of a moist moonstone to my
brow, and seeming possessed by despair impersonate. As
I opened my eyes, she fell at my feet, and said, raising hands
yet wet with the thick sandal ointment: ** Princess, why
think of shame or disrespect to parents? Be kind ; send
me, and I will fetch the beloved of thy heart ; (JU8) rise,
or go thither thyself. Henceforth thou canst not bear this
Love that is an ocean whose manifold passionate waves^
are swelling at the rirfo of a strong moon." To this speech
' Tho HHti^riHin lloliinl.
'■' IJ tkalik(l = {a) y/iwo', (6) longing.
125
I replied : ** Mad girl, what is love to me ? The moon it is,
even the lord of the night lotuses, who removes all scruples,
undermines all search for means of escape, conceals all
difficulties, takes away all doubts, contemns all fears, roots
out all shame, veils the sinful levity of going myself to
my lover, avoids all delay, and has come merely to lead me
either to Pundarika or to death. Rise, therefore ; for
while I have life I will follow him and honour him who,
dear as he is, tortures my heart." Thus saying, I rose,
leaning on her, for my limbs were yet unsteady with the
weakness of the swoon caused by Love, and as I rose my
right eye throbbed, presaging ill, and in sudden terror I
thouglit : **What new thing is this threatened by Destiny ?"
(JUD) * ** * The firmament was now flooded with moonlight,
as if the moon's orb, which had not yet risen far, was, like
the waterpipe of the temple of the universe, discharging a
thousand streams of the heavenly Ganges, pouring forth
the waves of an ambrosial ocean, shedding many a cascade
of sandal-juice, and bearing floods of nectar; the world
seemed to learn what life was in the White Continent, and
the pleasures of seeing the land of Soma ; the round earth
was being poured out from the deptbs of a Milky Ocean by
the moon, which was like the rounded tusk of the Great
jioar; the moonrise olYerings were being presented in every
house by the women with sandal-water fragrant with open
lotuses ; the highways were crowded with thousands of
women-messengers sent by fair ladies ; girls going to meet
their lovers ran hither and thither, veiled in blue silk and
fluttered by the dread of the bright moonlight as if they
were the nymphs of the white day lotus groves concealed
in the splendours of the blue lotuses ; the sky became an
alluvial island in the river of night, with its centre
whitened by tlie thick pollen of the groves of open night
lotuses ; while the night lotus-beds in the house-tanks
were waking, encircled by bees which clung to every
blossom ; (:V20) the world of mortals was, like the ocean,
unable to contain the joy of moonriso, and seemed made of
love, of festivity, of mirth, and of tenderness : evening was
126
pleasant with the murmur of peacocks garrulous in gladness
at the cascade that fell from the waterpipes of moonstone.
* " * Taralikii accompanied me, holding powders, perfumes,
unguents, betel, and various flowers, and I had also that
napkin, wet with the sandal ointment which had been
applied in my swoon, and which had its nap slightly dis-
ordered and gray with the partly-dried mark of. sandal-
wood clinging to it ; the rosary was on my neck ; the
parijilta spray was kissing the tip of my ear ; veiled in
red silk that seemed fashioned from rays of rubies, I went
down from the top of tliat palace, unseen by any of my
devoted attendants. On my way I was pursued by a swarm
'of bees, which hastened, leaving lotus-beds and deserting
gardens, drawn by the scent of the pfiriji'ita spray, sportively
forming a blue veil round me. I departed through the
door of the pleasure-grove and set out to meet Puiidarlka.
(821) As I went, I thought, seeing myself attended by
Tjiralikil only : ** What needs pomp of retinue when we
seek our dearest ! Surely our servants then but play a
mockery of attendance, for Love follows me with shaft
fitted to the strung bow ; the moon, stretching out a long
ray,^ draws me on like a hand ; passion supi^orts me at
every step from fear of a fall ; my heart rushes on with the
senses, leaving shame behind; longing has gained cer-
tainty, and leads me on." Aloud I said : ** Oh, Taralika,
would that this miscreant moon would with its beams seize
him by the hair and draw him forward like myself !" As I
thus spoko, she smilingly replied : ** Thou art foolish, my
princess ! What does the moon want with Pundarlka '?
Nay, rather, he himself, as though wounded by Love, does
all these things for thee ; for under the guise of his image
he kisses thy cheeks marked with drops of perspiration ;
with trembling ray he falls on thy fair breast ; he touches
the gems of thy girdle ; entangled in thy bright nails, he
falls at thy feet ; moreover, the form of this lovesick
moon wears the pallor of a sandal unguent dried by fever ;
(322) he stretches out his ray s*-^ white as lotus-fibres ; under
' Or, hand. 2 Hands.
/ 127
the guise of his reflection he falls on crystal pavements ;
with rays^ gray as the dust from the filaments inside the
ketaki, he plunges into lotus-pools; he touches with his
beams^ the moonstones wet with spray ; he hates the day
lotus-groves with their pairs of cakravakas once severed."
With such discourse fitting for the time I approached that
spot in her company. I then bathed my feet, gray with
pollen from the creeper flowers on our path, in a spot near
Kapinjala's abode which had a stream of moonstone, lique-
fied by moonriso, flowing from Kailfisa's slope ; and there,
on the left bank of the lake, I heard the sound of a man's
weeping, softened by distance. Some fear had arisen
within me at first, from the quivering of my right eye,
and now that my heart was yet more torn by this cry, as
if my downcast mind were telling some dreadful tidings
within, I cried in terror: ** Taralika, what means this?"
And with trembling limbs I breathlessly hastened on.
* " * Then I heard afar a bitter cry, clear in the calm of
night: '*Alas, I am undone! I am consumed! I am
deceived ! What is this that has befallen me ? What has
happened ? I am uprooted ! (.S23) Cruel demon Love, evil
and pitiless, what shameful deed hast thou brought to
pass ? Ah, wicked, evil, wanton MalifK^vetri, how had he
harmed thee? Ah, evil, wanton, monstrous^ moon, thou
hast gained thy desire. Cruel soft breeze of the South,
thy softness is gone, and thy will is fulfilled. That which
was to be done is done. Go now as thou wilt ! Ah,
venerable (^vetaketu, tender to thy son, thou knowest not
that thy life is stolen from thee ! Dharma, thou art dis-
possessed ! Penance, thou art protectorless ! Eloquence,
thou art widowed ! Truth, thou art lordless ! Heaven,
thou art void ! Friend, protect me ! Yet I will follow
thee ! I cannot remain even a moment without thee, alone!
How canst thou now suddenly leave me, and go thy way
like a stranger on whom my eyes had never rested?
1 Feet. 2 Hands.
3 Candracamldla (lit., 'base-born moon') is intended as an asson-
ance.
128
Whence comes this thy great hardness? Say, whither,
without thee, shall I go ? Whom shall I implore ? What
refuge shall I seek ? I am blinded ! For me space is
empty ! Life is aimless, penance vain, the world void of
joy! With whom shall I wander, to whom speak, with
whom hold converse ? Do thou arise ! Grant me an
answer. Friend, where is thine old love to me? Where
that smiling welcome that never foiled me ?"
(324) ' ** * Such were the words I heard Kapinjala utter;
and as I heard them I uttered a loud cry, while yet far off,
as if my life had fallen ; and with my silk cloak torn as it
clung to the creepers by the lake's bank, and my feet
' placed on the ground regardless of its being rough or even,
and as hastily as I could, I went on to that place, stumbling
at every step, and yet as if led on by one who lifted me up
again.
n( i There I beheld Pundarlka lying on a couch made on
a slab of moonstone wet with showers of cool spray, close to
the lake ; it was made of lotus-fibres like a garland of tender
flowers from all lilies, and seemed to be formed wholly of
the points of Love's arrows. Pundarlka seemed from his
great stillness to l)e listening for the sound of my step.
He seemed to have gained a moment's happiness in sleep,
as if Love's pain had been quenched by inward wrath ; he
seemed engaged in a yoga penance of holding his breath,
as an atonement for his breach of ascetic duty ; he seemed
to murmur, with bright yet trembling lip : '* By thy deed
am I come to this pass." He seemed pierced by the moon-
beams which, under the guise of his bright finger-nails
placed on a heart throbbing with Love's fire, fell on his
back as he lay averted in hatred of the moon. (325) He
bore a mark on his brow of a line of sandal, which, by its
being pale from dryness, was like a digit of Love's waning
moon portending his own destruction. Life seemed to leave
him in anger, saying j ** Fool, another is dearer to thee than
I !" His eyes were not wholly closed ; their pupils were
slightly turned to look ; they were red with ceaseless weep-
ing ; they seemed to drop blood, since by failure of breath
^ 129
his tears were exhausted ; and they were partly curved in
pain at Love's darts. He now experienced the pain of
unconsciousness, as if together with the torment of love he
were also yielding life itself ; he seemed to meditate a new
version of Love's mystery, and to practise an unwonted re-
tention of breath. His life seemed to be carried off as a
prize^ by Love, who had in kindness arranged my coming.
On his brow was a sandal tripuiKJraka mark ; he wore a
sacrificial thread of juicy lotus-fibre ; his dress clung to
his shoulder beautiful as the leaf that ensheathes a plantain ;
his rosary had only the thickness of a single row f- the
ashes on his brow were of abundant white camphor-powder ;
he was fair with the string of lotus-fibre, bound on his arm
as an amulet ; he seemed to wear the garb of Love's vow,
as if completing a charm for my coming. With his eye he
tenderly uttered the reproach: ''Hard-hearted! I was but
followed by one glance, and never again received thy
favour." (326) His lips were slightly open, so that his
form gleamed white in the rays of his teeth, which came
forth as if they were moonbeams that had entered him to
take away his life ; with his left hand placed on a heart
breaking with the pain of love, he seemed to say: *'Be
kind, depart not with my life, thou that art dear as life!"
and so to hold me firmly in his heart ; his right hand,
which from the uneven rays of his nails jutting forth
seemed to drop sandal, was raised as if to ward off the
moonlight ; near him stood his pitcher, the friend of his
penance, with neck upright, as if it gazed at the path by
which his life was just rising ; the garland of lotus-fibres
which adorned his neck bound him as if with a rope of
moonbeams to lead him to another world ; and when, at
the sight of me, Kapinjala, with a cry of "Help, help!"
raised his hands, and crying aloud with redoubled tears,
fell on his neck, at that very moment I, wicked and ill-
fated as I was, beheld that noble youth yield up his life.
The darkness of a swoon came upon miB, and I descended
* Fiirtjapdtra, a basket of gifts to be scrambled for at a wedding.
'^ I.e., the row of pearls given by Mahacvetii.
180
into hell ; nor knew I anything of whither I then went, or
what I did or said. Neither knew I why my life did not at
that moment leave me ; (327) whether from the utter hard-
nesH of my stupefied heart, or from the callousness to bear
thousands of troubles of my wretched body, or from being
fated to endure a long grief, or from b(3ing a vessel of evil
earned in another birth, or from the skill of my cruel
dosiiny in bestowing sorrow, or from the singular perversity
of malign accursed love. Only this I know: that when at
length in my misery I regained consciousness, I found
myself writhing on the ground, tortured, as if I had fallen
on. a iire, by a grief too hard to bear. I could not believe
aught so impossible as that he should die and I yet live,
and rising with a bitter cry of ** Alas, what is this — mother,
father, friends ?" I exclaimed: "Ah, my Lord, thou who
uplioldest my life, speak to me! Whither goest thou,
pitilessly leaving me alone and protectorless ? Ask Tara-
lika what I have suifored for thy sake. Hardly have I
been able to pass the day, drawn out into a thousand ages.
lie gracious ! Utter but one word ! Show tenderness to
her that loves thee ! Look but a little on me ! ruUil my
longing ! I am wretched ! I am loyal ! I am thine in
heart ! I am lordless ! I am young ! I am lieli)loss ! I
am unhappy ! I am bereft of other refuge ! 1 am van-
quished by Love ! Why showest thou no pity? Say what
I have done or left undone, what command I have neglected,
or in what thing pleasing to thee I have not shown aliection,
that thou art wroth. (328) Fearest thou not the reproach
of men in that thou goest, deserting me, thy handmaid,
without cause? Yet why think of me, perverse and wicked,
and skilled to deceive by false shows of love ! Alas, I yet
live ! Alas, I am accursed and undone ! For why ? I
have neither thee, nor honour, nor kinsfolk, nor heaven.
Shame on me, a worker of evil deeds, for whose sake this
fate hath befallen thae. There is none of so murderous a
heart as I who went home, leaving.pne so peerless as thou.
What to me were home, mother, father, kinsfolk, followers?
Alas, to what refuge shall I flee? Fate, show pity to me!
/
181
I entreat thee. Lady of destiny, give me a boon of mercy !
Show compassion I Protect a lordless lady ! Ye wood-
land goddesses, be kind ! Give back his life I Help,
Earth, that bringest favours to all ! Night, showest thou
no mercy? Father Kailasa, thy protection I implore.
Show thy wonted pity !" Such were my laments, so far as
I romombor, and I murmured incoherently art one held by
a domon, or posHOHHod or mad, or struck down by an evil
spirit. In the tears that fell in torrents upon me I was
turned to water, I melted away, I took upon me a shape
of water ; my laments, followed by the sharp rays of my
teeth, fell as if with showers of tears ; (82D) my hair, with
its flowers ever falling, seemed to shed teardrops, and my
very ornuments by the tears of pure gemlight that sprang
from tliom seemed to raise their lament. I longed for my
own death as for his life ; I yearned to enter his heart with
my whole soul, dead though he were ; with my hand I
touched his cheeks, and his brow with the roots of his hair,
white with dry sandal, and his shoulders with the lotus-
libres on them, and his heart covered with lotus-leaves
and flecks of sandal-juice. With the tender reproach,
** Thou art cruel, Pun(jarjka ! Thou carest nought that I
am thus wretched !" I again sought to win him back. I
again embraced him, I again clasped his neck, and wept
aloud. Then I rebuked that string of pearls, saying : " Ah,
wicked one, couldst not even thou have preserved his life
till my coming?" Then again I fell at Kapinjala's feet
with the prayer, ** Be kind, my lord ; restore him to life !"
and again, clinging to Taralika's neck, I wept. Even now,
when I think of it, I know not how these piteous, tender
words came forth from my ill-fated heart — words all un-
thought, unlearnt, untaught, unseen before; nor whence
these utterances arose ; nor whence these heart-rending
cries of despair. My whole being was changed. (330) For
there rose a deluge wave of inward tears, the springs of
weeping were set loose, the buds of wailing came forth, the
peaks of sorrow grew lofty and a long line of madness was
begun.' And so, as she thus told her own tale, she seemed
182
again to taste the bitterness of that former plight, so cruel,
and so hardly endured, and a swoon bereft her of sense.
In the force of her swoon she fell on the rock, and
Candruplda hastily stretched out his hand, like her servant,
and supported her, full of sorrow. At length he brought
her back to consciousness by fanning her with the edge of
her own bark garment, wot with tears. Filled with pity,
and with his cheeks bathed in tears, he said to her, as she
came to life : * Lady, it is by my fault that thy grief has
been brought back to its first freshness, and that thou hast
come' to this i)ass. Tlierefore no more of this tale. Let it
be ended. Even I cannot bear to hear it. For the story
even of past sorrow endured by a friend pains us as if we
ourselves were living through it.^ Tliou wilt not there-
fore surely place on the lire of grief that life so precious
and so hardly preserved *?' (3;U) Thus addressed, with a
long, hot sigh and eyes dissolved in tears, she despairingly
replied : ' Prince, even in that dreadful night my liated life
did not desert me ;^ it is not likely that it will leave me
now. Even blessed Death turns away his eyes from one
so ill-fated and wicked. Whence could one so hard-hearted
feel grief ? all this can bo but feigned in a nature so vile.
But bo that as it may, that shameless heart has made me
chief among the shameless. For to one so adamantine as
to have seen love in all his power, and yet to have lived
through this, what can mere speaking of it matter?
* *' * Or what could there bo harder to tell than this very
thing, which is supposed to bo impossible to hear or say ?
I will at least briefly tell the marvel that followed on that
thunder])olt, and 1 will tell, too, what came as a tiny dim
cause of my prolonging my life, which by its mirage so
deludes mo that I bear about a hated body, almost dead,
alien to me, burdensome, unfitted to my needs, and thank-
less for my care. That shall suftice. Afterwards, hi a
sudden change** of feeling, with resolve firmly sot on death,
lamenting bitterly, I cried to Taralika : " llise, cruel-
* Owiiiy l)riyajanavi(;V(}8avacanani. '^ Jindidi^ 2)aritijahtd.
^ Head, ant a re.
188
hearted girl ; how long wilt thou weep? Bring together
wood and make a pile. I will follow the lord of my
life."
(332) * ** * Straightway a being swiftly left the moon's orb
and descended from the sky. Behind him he trailed a silken
voHture hanging from his crest, white as the foam of nectar,
and waving in the wind ; his cheeks were reddened with the
brif^'ht gems that swayed in his ears ; on his breast he bore
a radiant n(3cklace, from the size of its pearls like a cluster
of Htars ; his turban was tied with strips of white silk ; his
head was thick with curling locks, and dark as bees ; his
earring was an open moon lotus ; on his shoulder was the
inij)ress of the safYron lines that adorned his wives ; he
was while as a moon lotus, lofty in stature, endowed with
all the marks of greatiK^ss, and godlike in form ; he seemed
to purify space by the liglit slied round him cUiar as pure
water, and to anoint it as by a thick frost with a dewy
anibroHJal shower that created a chill as he slied it from
his limbs, cool and fragrant, and to .besprinkle it with a
rich store of gor/Irsha^ sandal -juice.
* " * With arms sturdy as the trunk of Airavata, and fingers
white as lotus-fibres and cool to the touch, he lifted my
dead lord, (333) and, in a voice deep as a drum, he said to
me: *' Mahfu/veta, my child, thou must not die; for thou
shalt again be unittul with him !" And with these words,
tt'iulor as a father's, he Hew into the sky with Puiujarlka.
* ** ' But this sudden event tilled me with fear, dismay,
and eager anxiety, and with upraised face I asked Kapinjala
what it might mean. lie, however, started up hastily with-
out replying, and with the cry, ''Monster, whither goest
thou with my friend?" with uplifted eyes and sudden wrath
he hastily girt up his loins, and following him in his flight,
in hot pursuit he rose into the sky ; and while I yet gazed
they all entered amongst the stars. But the departure of
Kapinjala was to me like a second death of my beloved, and
it redoubled my grief, so that my heart was rent asunder.
Bewildered what to do, I cried to Taralika : ** Knowest thou
* Qoijrahay a kind of fragrant sandal.
184
not? Tell me what this means!*' But she, with all a
woman's timidity at the sight, was at that very moment
trembling in all her limbs, overcome by a fear stronger
than her grief, and was frightened, moreover, by the dread
of my death ; and so with downcast heart she piteoiisly
replied : *' Princess, wretch that I am, I know not ! Yet
this is a great miracle. The man is of no mortal mould,
and thou wert pityingly comforted by him in his flight as
by a father. Such godlike beings are not wont to deceive
UF^, even in sleep, much less face to face ; and when I think
it over I cannot see the least cause for his speaking falsely.
(3IU) It is meet, therefore, that thou shouldst weigh it, and
restrain thy longing for death. In thy present state it is
in truth a great ground for comfort. Moreover, Kapinjala
has gone in pursuit of Pun(larlka. From him thou canst
learn whence and who this ])eing is, and why PuiKJarlka on
his death was by him raised and carried off, and whither
he is carried, and wherefore thou wert consoled by him
with the boon of a hojie of reunion that exceeds thought ;
then thou canst devote thyself either to life or death. For
when death is resolved upon, it is easy to compass. But
this can wait ; for Kapinjala, if he lives, will certainly not
rest without seeing thee ; therefore let thy life l)e pre-
served till ids return." Thus saying, she fell at my feet.
And I, from the thirst for life that mortals Ihid so hard to
overcome, aiul from the wcMiknesH of woman's nature^ aiul
from the illusion his words had created, and from my
anxiety for Kapinjala's return, thought that that plan was
best for the time, and did not die. For what will not hope
achieve ?
* ** * That night I spent in Taralika's company on the bank
of the lake. To my wretchedness it was like a night of
doom,^ drawn out to a thousand years, all torment, all
grief, all hell, all fire. (88.5) Sleep was rooted out; and I
tossed on the ground ; my face was hidden by the loosened
; and dishevelled tresses that clung to my cheeks, wet with
i * V. Vislinu Purana, lik. i., ch. iii. (For tho do8cription of liralimA's
' night.)
185
tears and gray with duat, and my throat was weak, for my
voice failed, broken with piteous weeping.
* *' * At dawn I arose and bathed in the lake, and having
formed my resolve, I took, for love of Pundarlka, his pitcher
and his bark garments and his rosary ; for 1 clearly knew
the wortlileHHness of the world. I perceived my own lack of
merit ; I pictured to myself the remediless cruelty of the
blows of fate; I pondered the inevitableness of grief; I
beheld tlie harshness of destiny; I meditated the course
of love, rich in sorrow ; I learnt the inconstancy of earthly
things ; I considered the frailness of all joys. Father and
mother were disregarded ; kinsfolk and followers abandoned;
the joys of earth were banished from my mind ; the' senses
held in firm restraint.
* *' ' I took the ascetic vow, and sought the protection of
(|iva, lord of the three worlds and helper of the helpless.
Next day my father came, having somehow learnt my story,
bringing witli him my mother and kinsfolk. Long he
wept, and strove with all his might and by every means —
prayers, admonitions, and tender words of every kind — to
lead me home. (880) And when he understood my firm
resolve, and knew that I could not be turned from that in-
fatuation, he could not, even though without hope, part
witli his love for his child ; and though I often bade him
go, be stayed for some days, and went home at length full
of gri(^f, and with bis heart hot within him.
* ** * After his going, it was only by empty tears that I
could show my gratitude to my lord ; by many a penance 1
wasted my hated body, worn away by love of him, rich in
ill, devoid of shame, ill-omened, and the home of a thousand
tortures of grief ; I lived but on water and the roots and
fruits of the wood ; under the guise of telling my beads
I counted his virtues ; thrice a day I bathed in the lake ; I
daily worshipped (Jiva, and in this cell I dwelt with Taralika,
tasting the bitterness of a long grief. Such am I, evil, ill-
omened, shameless, cruel, cold, murderous, contemptible,
useless, fruitless, helpless, and joyless. (337) Why should
one so noble as thou deign to look on or speak with me,
136
the doer of that monstrous crime, the slaughter of a Brah-
man ?' Thus saying, she covered her face with the white
edge of her bark garment, as if veiling the moon with a
fleck of autumn cloud, and, unable to quell the irresistible
torrent of her tears, she gave way to her sobs, and began
to weep loud and long.
' *' From the very first Candrapula had been filled with
reverence by her beauty, modesty, and courtesy ; by the
charm of her speech, her unseliishness and her austerity ;
and by her serenity, humility, dignity, and purity. But now
he was carried away both by the story of her life, which
showed her noble character, and by her devoted spirit, and
a fresh tenderness arose in him. With softened heart he
gently said : *Lady, those may weep who fear pain, and are
devoid of gratitude, and love pleasure, for they are unable
to do anytliing worthy of love, and sliow their affection
merely by vain tears. But thou who hast done all rightly,
what duty of love hast thou left undone, tliat thou weepest?
For PuiKJarlka's sake, thy kinsfolk who from thy birth
have been around thee, dear as they were, have ))een for-
saken as if tliey were strangers. (iVdH) Earthly pleasures,
though at thy feet, have been despised and reckoned light
as grass. The joys of power, though their riches excelled
the empire of Indra, have been resigned. Thy form has
been emaciated by dread penances, even though by nature
it was slender as a lotus-stalk. Thou hast taken the ascetic
vow. Th}^ soul has been devoted to great penance. Thou
hast dwelt in the woods, hard though it be for a woman.
Moreover, life is easily resigned b}^ those whom sorrow has
overwhelmed, but it needs a greater effort not to throw
away life in heavy grief. This following another to death
is most vain ! It is a path followed by the ignorant ! It
is a mere freak of madness, a path of ignorance, an enter-
prise of recklessness, a view of baseness, a sign of utter
thoughtlessness, and a blunder of folly, that one should
resign life on the death of father, brother, friend, or
husband. If life leaves us not of itself, we must not resign
.it. For this leaving of life, if we examine it, is merely for
137
our own interest, because we cannot bear our own cureless
pain. To the dead man it brings no good whatever. For
it is no means of bringing him back to life, or heaping up
merit, or gaining heaven for him, or saving him from hell,
or seeing him again, or being reunited with him. (389) For
he is led helplessly, irresistibly to another state meet for
the fruits of his own deeds. And yet he shares in the guilt
of the friend who has killed himself. 13ut a man who lives
on can help greatly, by offerings of water and the like, both
the dead man and himself ; but by dying he helps neither.
Bemember how liati, the solo and beloved wife of Love,
when her noble husband, who won the hearts of all women,
was burnt up by the lire of (Jiva, yet did not yield her life ;
and remember also KuntI, of the race of Yrishiii, daughter
of Surasena, for her lord was rruulu the wise ; his seat was
perfumed by the llowers in the crests of all the kings whom
he had conquered without an effort, and he received the
tribute of the whole earth, and yet when he was con-
sumed by Kindauia's curse she still remained alive. Uttara,
too, the young daughter of Virrita, on the death of Abhi-
manyu, gentle and heroic, and joyful to the eyes as the
young moon, yet lived on. And IJuhcalya, too, daughter of
Dhritarashtra, tenderly cared for by her hundred brothers;
when Jayadratha, king of Sindliu, was slain by Arjuna, fair
as he was and great as he had become by Civa's^ gift, yet
made no resignation of her life. (340) And others are told
of by thousands, daughters of Eakshasas, gods, demons,
ascetics, mortals, siddhas and Gandharvas, who when
bereft of their husbands yet preserved their lives. Still,
where reunion is doubtful, life might be yielded. But for
thee, thou hast heard from that great being a promise of
reunion. What doubt can there be in a matter of thine
own experience, and how could falsehood find a place in
the words of such noble truth-speaking saints, even when
there might be greater cause? And what union could
* Tatah Saindhavako raja kshudras, tata, Jayadrathah,
Varadanena Ihidrasya sarvan iiah samavarayat.
(' Then the vile Siiidh kinglet, Jayadratha, through the boon con-
ferred by liudra, my son, kept us jill back.') — Mahabharata, vii., 2574.
138
there be between the dead and the living ? Therefore of a
surety that wondrous being was filled with pity and carried
away Pundarika to heaven solely to bring him back to life.
For the i^ower of great men transcends thought. Life has
many aspects. Destiny is manifold. Those skilled in
penance are fitted for wondrous miracles. Many are the
forms of power gained by previous actions. Moreover,
however sul)tly we may consider the matter, what other
cause can we imagine for Punilarlka's being taken away,
but the gift of fresh life. And tliis, thou must know, is
not impossible. It is a path often trodden. (841) For
Pramadvara, daughter of Yiovrivasu, king of the Gand-
harvas and Menaka, lost her life through a poisonous
snake at the liei-niitage of Stliulake9a, and the young
ascetic lluru, son of Pramati and grandson of the JMirigu
Cyavana, provided her with half his own life. And when
Arjuna was following the A(;vamedha steed, he was pierced
in the van of the battle by an arrow from his own son
]3abhruvribana, and a Nfiga maiden, Ulfipri, brought him
back to life. When Parlkshit, Abhimanyu's son, was con-
sumed by Aevattbruna's fiery dart, though he had already
died at birth, Krishna, filled with pity by Uttara's lament,
restored his precious life. And at UjjayinI, he whose steps
are honoured by the three worlds, carried off from the city
of death the son of Sandlpani the Brahman, and brought
him baek.^ And in thy case, too, the same will somehow
come to pass. For by thy present grief, what is effected or
what won ? Fate is all-jDowerful. Destiny is strong. We
cannot even draw a breath at our own will. The freaks of
that accursed and most harsh destiny are exceeding cruel.
A love fair in its sincerity is not allowed long to endure ;
for joys are wont to be in their essence frail and unlasting,
while sorrows by their nature are long-lived. (342) For
how hardly are mortals united in one life, while in a
thousand lives they are separated. Thou canst not surely
then blame thyself, all undeserving of blame. For these
things often happen to those who enter the tangled path of
^ Harivaipia, 4900.
189
transmigration, and it is the brave who conquer misfortune.*
With such gentle and soothing words he consoled her, and
made her, albeit reluctantly, bathe her face with water
brought in his joined hands from the cascade.
* ** Straightway the sun began to sink, as if he were
leaving the day's duties from grief at hearing Maha9veta's
story. Then day faded away ; the sun hung shining red
as the pollen of a cluster of priyangu in full blossom ; the
quarters of space were losing the glow of sunset soft as
silk dyed in the juice of many lotuses ; (343) the sky was
tinged with red, glowing like the pupils of a partridge,^
while its blue was hidden ; twilight was reddening and
lighting up the earth, tawny as a pigeon's eye ; the clusters
of stars shone forth, vying with each other ; the darkness of
night was deepening into black, and stealing away the
broad path of the stars with its form dark as a forest
bufl'alo ; the woodland avenues seemed massed together as
their green was hidden by deep gloom ; the wind wandered
cooled by night-dew, with its path tracked by the perfume
of the , wild flowers as it stirred the tangle of trees and
creepers ; and when night had its birds all still in sleep
!Mahri(;veta slowly rose, and saying her evening prayers,
washed her feet with water from the pitcher and sat down
with a hot, sorrowful sigh on her bark couch. Candraplda,
too, rose and poured a libation of water strewn with flowers,
said his evening prayer, and made a couch on the other
rock with soft creeper boughs. As he rested upon it he
went over IMahfu/veta's story again in his mind. ' Tbis
evil Love,' thought he, * has a power hard alike to cure and
to endure. For even great men, when overcome by him,
regard not the course of time, but suddenly lose all courage
and surrender life. Yet all hail to Love, whose rule is
honoured throughout the three worlds !' (344) And again
he asked her : * She that was thy handmaiden, thy friend
in the resolve to dwell in the woods, and the sharer of the
ascetic vow taken in thy sorrow — Taralika, where is she ?'
1 The caJiora, or Greek partridge, was said to have its eyes turned
red in tlie presence of poison.
140
* Noble sir/ she replied, * from the race of Apsarases
sprung from am])rosia of which I told you, there was born
a fair-eyed daughter named Madira,^ who married King
Citraratha, the king whose footstool was formed of the
buds in the crests of all the Gandharvas. Charmed by her
countless virtues, he showed his favour by giving her the
title of Chief Queen, bearing with it cowrie, sceptre and
umbrella, marked by a golden throne, and placing all the
zenana below her — a woman's rarest glory ! And, as they
pursued together the joys of youth in their utter devotion
to each otlier, a priceless daughter was in due time born
to them, by name Kfidambarl, most wondrous, the very
life of her parents, and of the whole Gandharva race, and
even of all living beings. From her birth she was the
friend of my cliiklliood, and shared with me seat, couch,
meat and drink ; on her my deepest love was set, and she
was the home of all my coniidence, and like my other
heart. Together we learnt to dance and sing, and our
cbildbood passed away free from restraint in the sports
that belong to it. (:M5) From sorrow at my unhappy
story she made a resolve that she would in nowise accept
a husband while I was still in grief, and before her girl
friends she took an oath, saying : " If my father should in
anywise or at any time wish to marry me against my will
and by force, I will end my life by hunger, fire, cord, or
j)oison." Citraratha himself heard all the resolution of his
daughter, spoken of positively in the repeated gossip of her
attendants, and as time went on, seeing that she was
growing to full youth, he became prey to great vexation,
and for a time took pleasure in nothing, and yet, as she
was his only child and he dearly loved her, he could say
nothing to her, though he saw no other resource. But as
he deemed the time now ripe, he considered the matter with
Queen Madira, and sent the herald Kshlroda to me at early
dawn with the mess^ige : *' Dear Mahri(;vetri, our hearts
were already burnt up by thy sad fate, and now this new
* Madira, intoxicating, bewitching ; so called because her eyes were
madirdh.
141
thing has come upon us. To thee we look to win back
Kadambarl/* Thereupon, in reverence to the words of one
so respected, and in love to my friend, I sent Taralika with
Kshlroda to bid Kadambarl not add grief to one already
sad enough ; (346) for if she wished me to live she must
fulfil her father's words ; and ere Taralika had been long
gone, thou, noble sir, camest to this spot.* So saying she
was silent.
* *' Then the moon arose, simulating by his mark the
heart of Maha(;veta, burnt through by the fire of grief,
bearing the great crime of the young ascetic's death,
showing the long ingrained scar of the burning of Daksha's
curse,^ white with thick ashes, and half covered by black
anteloj^e skin, like the left breast of Durga, the crest-jewel
of (yiva's thick locks. (IU7) Then at length Candraplda
beheld Maljac/vetri asleep, and quietly lay down himself on
his leafy couch and fell asleep while thinking what Yai(;am-
payana and sorrowing Patralokha and his princely com-
peers would then bo imagining about him.
* " Then at dawn, when Mahficveta had honoured the
twilight and was murmuring the aghamarshana, and
Candrapliia had said his morning prayer, Taralika was seen
coming with a Gandharva boy named Keyuraka (348). As
she drew near, she looked long at Candraplda, wondering
who he might l)e, and approaching Maha(;veta, she bowed
low and sat respectfully by her. Then Keyfiraka, with head
low bent even from afar, took his place on a rock some way
off, assigned to him by a glance from Maha(;veta, and was
filled with wonder at the sight of Candraplda's marvellous
beauty, rare, mocking that of gods, demons, Gandharvas,
and Vidyadharas, and surpassing even the god of love.
(349) * '* When she had finished her prayers, Mahayveta
asked Taralika, * Didst thou see my dear Kadambarl well ?
and will she do as I said ?' * Princess,' said Taralika,
in a very sweet voice, with head respectfully inclined, * I
* Daksha cursed the moon with consumption at the appeal of his
forty-nine daughters, the moon's wives, who complained of his special
favour to the fiftieth sister.
142
saw Princess Kadambarl well in all respects, and told her
all thine advice; and what was her reply, when with a
continuous stream of thick tears she had heard it, that her
lute-player Keyuraka, whom she has sent, shall tell thee ;*
and as she ceased Keyuraka said, * Princess Mahayveta, my
lady Kadambarl, with a close embrace, sends this message,
" Is this, that Taralika has been sent to tell me, said to
please my parents or to test my feelings, or to subtly
reproach me for my crime in dwelling at home ; or is it a
desire to break our friendship, or a device to desert one
who loves her, or is it simply anger ? Thou knowest that
my heart overflows with a love that was inborn in
me. How wert thou not ashamed to send so cruel a
message? Thou, erst so soft of speech, from whom hast
thou learnt to speak unkindness and utter reproach '? Who
in his senses would, even if hai)py, make up his mind to
undertake even a slight matter that would end in pain ?
how much less one like me, whose heart is struck down by
deep grief ? For in a heart worn by a friend's sorrow,
what hope is there of joy, what contentment, what pleasures
or what mirtli ? (}]5()) How should 1 fuliil the desire of
Love, poisonous, pitiless, unkind, who has brought my
dear friend to so sad a plight? Even the hen cakravaka,
when the lotus-beds are widowed by the sun's setting,
renounces from the friendship that arises from dwelling
among them, the joys of union with her lord ; how much
more, then, should women ! While my friend dwells day
and night sorrowing for the loss of her lord and avoiding
the sight of mankind, how could anyone else enter my
heart ; and while my friend in her sorrow tortures herself
with penances and suffers great pain, how could I think so
lightly of that as to seek my own happiness and accept a
husband, or how could any happiness befall me? For
from love of thee I have in this matter accepted dis-
grace by embracing an independent life contrary to the
wont of maidens. I have despised noble breeding, trans-
gressed my parent's commands, set at nought the gossip of
mankind, thrown away modesty, a woman's inborn grace ;
148
how, tell me, should such a one go back? Therefore I
salute thee, I bow before thee, I embrace thy feet; be
gracious to me. As thou hast gone hence into the forest,
taking my life with thee, make not this request in thy mind,
even in a dream." * (351) Thus having said, he became
silent, and Maha(;veta thought long, and then dismissed
Keyuraka, saying, * Do thou depart ; 1 will go to her and,
do wliat is fitting.' On his departure she said to Candra-
pl(ja, * Prince, Hemakuta is pleasant and the royal city of
Citraratlia marvellous ; the Kinnara country is curious,
the Gandharva world beautiful, and Kadambarl is noble
and generous of heart. If thou deemest not the journey
too tedious, if no serious business is hindered, if thy mind
is curious to behold rare sights, if thou art encouraged by
my words, if the sight of wonders gives thee joy, if thou
wilt deign to grant my request, if thou thinkest me
worthy of not being denied, if any friendship has grown up
between us, or if I am deserving of thy favour, then thou
canst not disdain to fulfil this prayer. Thou canst go
hence with nie, and see not only Jleniakuta, that treasure
of beauty, but my second self, Kmlanibarl ; and liaving
removed this foolish freak of hers, thou canst rest for one
day, and return hither the next morn. For by the sight
of thy kindness so freely^ given, my grief has become
bearable, since I have told thee my story, breathed out as
it was from a heart long overwhelmed with the darkness of
grief. (852) For the presence of the good gives joy even
to those who are sad at heart, and a virtue springs from
such as thou art that wholly tends to make others happy.'
* *' ' Lady,' replied Candraplda, * from the first moment
of seeing thee I have been devoted to thy service. Let thy
will be imposed without hesitation ' ; so saying, he started
in her company.
' '' Li due time he reached Hemakuta, the royal city of
the Gandharvas, and passing through the seven inner courts
with their golden arches, the prince approached the door of
the maidens' dwelling. Escorted by i)orters, who ran
^ Lit., ' without cause.'
144
forward at the sight of Maha9veta, bowing while yet far off,
and holding their golden staves, he entered and beheld the
inside of the maidens' palace. It seemed a new woman's
world, consisting wholly of women in countless numbers,
as if the womankind of the three worlds had been gathered
together to make such a total ; or it might be a fresh
manless creation, a yet unborn continent of girls, a fifth
women's era, a fresh race created by Prajapati out of
hatred for men, or a treasury of women prepared for the
making of many yugas. The wave of girlish beauty which
surrounded it on all sides, which flooded space, sprinkled
nectar on the day, rained splendour on the interstices of
the world, and shone lustrous as an emerald, made the
place all aglow as if with thousands of moons ; (1358) it
seemed modelled in moonlight ; jewels made another sky ;
service was done by bright glances ; every part was made
for youthful pleasures ; here was an assem))lage for liati's
sports, a material for Love's practice ; here the entrance
of all was made smooth by Love ; here all was alTection,
beauty, the supreme deity of passion, the arrows of Love,
here all was wonder, marvel, and tenderness of youth.
(85()) When he had gone a little way in he heard the
pleasant talk of the maidens round Kudambarl as they
wandered hither and thither. Such as * Lavalika, deck the
lavali trenches with ketaki pollen. Sfigarika, sprinkle
jewelled dust in the tanks of scented water. Mrinalika,
inlay with saffron dust the pairs of toy^ cakravakas in
the artificial lotus-beds. Makarika, scent the pot-pourri
with camphor- juice. Rajanika, place jewelled lamps in
the dark tamfda avenues. Kumudika, cover the pome-
granates with pearly nets to keep off the birds. Nipunika,
draw saffron lines on the breasts of the jewelled dolls.
Utpalika, sweep with golden brooms the emerald arbour in
the plaintain house. Kesarikfi, sprinkle with wine the
houses of bakul flowers. Malatika, redden with red lead
the ivory roof of Kama's shrine. Nalinika, give the tame
kalahamsas lotus-honey to drink. Kadalika, take the
^ Lit., ' going by machinery.'
146
tame peacocks to the shower-bath. Kamalinika, give some
sap from the lotus-fibres to the young cakravakas. Cuta-
latika, ^ive the caged pigeons their meal of mango-buds.
Pallavika, diHtribute to the tame haritfila pigeons some
topmost leaves of the pepper-tree. Lavangika, throw some
pieces of pippall leaves into the partridges' cages. Mad-
hukarikfi, make some flowery ornaments. Mayilrika,
dismiss the pairs of* khmaras in the singing-room. Kan-
dalika, bring up the pairs of partridges to the top of the
playing hill. IlarinikA, give tlie caged parrots and mainas
tlieir lesson.'
(85H) * '* Then he beheld Kadambarl lierself in the midst
of her pavilion encircled by a bevy of maidens sitting by
her, whose glittering gems made them like a cluster of
kalpa trees. ^ (:)5I)) She was resting on her bent arms,
which lay on a white pillow placed on a small couch
covered with blue silk ; she was fanned by cowrie-bearers,
that in the motion of tlieir waving arms were like swimmers
in the wide-llowing stream of her beauty, as if it covered
the earth, which was only held up by the tusks of Maha-
vaniha.
**' And as her reflection fell, she seemed on the jewelled
pavement below to be borne away by serpents ; on the
walls hard by to be led by the guardians of si)ace ; on the
I'oof above to be cast upwards by the gods ; to be received
by the pillars into their inmost heart ; to be drunk in by
the palace mirrors, to be lifted to the sky by the Vidyad-
liaras scattered in the pavilion, looking down from the
roof ; to be surrounded by the universe concealed in the
guise of pictures, all thronging together to see her; to be
gazed at by the palace itself, which had gained a thousand
eyes to behold her, in that the eyes of its peacocks* tails
were outspread as they danced to the clashing of her gems ;
and to be steadily looked on by her own attendants, who
seemed in their eagerness to behold her to have gained a
divine insight.
* " Her beauty bore the impress of awakening love,
* Trees of paradise,
10
146
though but yet in promise, and she seemed to be casting
childhood aside like a thing of no worth.
(365) * '* Such was Kadambarl as the prince beheld her.
Before her was seated Keyiiraka, loud in praise of Candrii-
plcla's beauty, as Kildambari questioned him, saying,
*Who is he, and what are his parentage, name, appear-
ance, and age? What did he say, and what didst thou
reply ? How long didst thou see him ? how has he become
so close a friend to Maliri(;veta? and why is he coming
hither?'
' " Now, on beholding the moonlike beauty of Kadambarl's
face, the prince's heart was stirred like the tide of ocean.
*Why,' thought ho, 'did not tlio Creator make all my
senses into sight, or what noble deed has my oyo done that
it mny look on her unchecked ? Huroly it is a wonder !
The Creator has here made a home for every charm !
Whence have the parts of this exceeding beauty been
gathered? Surely from the tears that fell from the
Creator's eyes in the labour of thought, as he gently
moulded her with his hands, all the lotuses in the world
have their birth.'
(866) ' "And as he thus thought his eye met hers, and
she, thinking, * This is he of whom Key uraka spoke,' let
her glance, widened by wonder at his exceeding beauty,
dwell long and quietly on him. Confused by the sight of
Kadambarl, yet illumined by the brightness of her gaze, he
stood for a moment like a rock, while at the sight of him a
thrill rose in Kadambarl, her jewels clashed, and she half
rose. Then love caused a glow, but the excuse was the
effort of hastily rising ; trembling hindered her steps — the
hamsas around, drawn by the sound of the anklets, got the
blame; the heaving of a sigh stirred her robe — it was
thought due to the wind of the cowries ; her hand fell on
her heart, as if to touch Candraplda's image that had
entered in — it pretended to cover her bosom ; she let fall
tears of joy — the excuse was the pollen falling from the
flowers in her ear. Shame choked her voice — the swarm
of bees hastening to the lotus sweetness of her mouth was
147
the cause ; (867) the pain of the first touch of Love's arrow
caused a sigh — the pain of the ketaki thorns amidst the
flowers shared the guilt ; a tremor shook her hand — keeping
off the portress who had come with a message was her pre-
tence ; and while love was thus entering into Kadambarl, a
second love, as it were, arose, who with her entered the
heart of Candrapida. For he thought the flash of her
jewels but a veil, her entrance into his heart a favour, the
tinkling of her gems a conversation, her capture of all his
senses a grace, and contact with her bright beauty the
fulfilment of all his wishes. Meanwhile Kadambarl,
advancing with difficulty a few steps, affectionately and
with yearning embraced her friend, who also yearned for
tho sight of hor so long doluyod ; and ^rahavvotu returned
hor embrace yet more closely, and said, * J>ear Kadambarl,
in the land of Bliarata there is a king named TarapJda, who
wards oft' all griefs from his subjects, and who has im-
pressed his seal on the Four Oceans by the edge of the
hoofs of his noble steeds ; and this his son, named Candra-
pida, decked- with the orb of earth resting on the support of
his own rock-like arms, has, in pursuit of world conquest,
approached this land ; and he, from the moment I first
beheld him, has instinctively become my friend, though
there was nought to make him so ; and, though my heart
was cold from its resignation of all ties, yet he has attracted
it by the rare and innate nobility of his character. (3(>H)
For it is rare to find a man of keen mind who is at once
true of heart, unselfish in friendship, and wholly swayed by
courtesy. Wherefore, having beheld him, I brought him
hither by force. For I thought thou sliouldst behold as I
have done a wonder of Brahma's workmanship, a peerless
owner of beauty, a supplanter of Lakshml, earth's joy in a
noble lord, the surpassing of gods by mortals, the full
fruition of woman's eyes, the only meeting-place of all
graces, the empire of nobility, and the mirror of courtesy
for men. And my dear friend has often been spoken of
to him by me. Therefore dismiss shame on the ground
^ A pun on ^^/Wa, grief. ^ \ p^,,! on phlri, a chaplet.
I 148
of his being unseen before, lay aside diffidence as to hib
being a stranger, cast away suspicion rising from his
character being unknown, and behave to him as to me.
He is thy friend, thy kinsman, and thy servant.* At these
words of hers Candrfipnja bowed low before Kadambarl, and
as she glanced sideways at him afHoctionately there fell
from her eyes, with their l)eautiful pupils turned towards
the corner of their long orbs, a flood of joyous tears, as
though from weariness. The moonlight of a smile, white
as nectar, darted forth, as if it were the dust raised by the
heart as it hastily set out ; one eyebrow was raised as if to
bid the head honour with an answering reverence the guest
so dear to the heart ; (8()9) her hand crept to her softly
parting lips, and might seem, as the light of an emerald
ring flashed between the fingers, to have taken some betel.
She bowed diflidently, and then sat down on the couch with
Mahri(;vetri, and the attendants quickly brought a stool with
gold feet and a covering of white silk, and placed it near
the couch, and Candrapula took his seat thereon. To please
Mahaeveta, the portresses, knowing Kadambarl's wishes,
and having by a hand placed on closed lips received an
order to stop all sounds, checked on every side the sound
of pipe, lute and song, and the ^fagadlia women's cry of
' All hail !' (370) When the sc^rvants had quickly brought
water, Kadambarl herself washed Malnu'veta's feet, and,
drying them with her robe, sat on the couch again ; and
MadalokhA, a friend woithy of ivadambari, dear as her own
life and the home of all her conlidence, insisted on washing
Candraplda's feet, unwilling though he were, Mahaeveta
meanwhile asked Kadambarl how she was, and lovingly
touched with her hand the corner of her friend's eyes,
which shone with the rcdbicted light of her earrings; she
lifted the flowers in Kadambari's ear, all covered with bees,
and softly stroked the coils of her hair, roughened by the
wind of the cowries. . And Kadambarl, ashamed, from love
to her friend, of her own well-being, as though feeling that
in still dwelling at home she had committed a crin)e, said
with an efTort that all was well with her. Then, though
149
lillod with griof and iniont on gazing at Maha9veta'8 face,
yet her eye, with its pupil dark and quivering as it looked
out sideways, was, under tlie influence of love, with bow
fully bent, irresistibly drawn by Candn'ijMda's face, and she
could not turn it away. At that same moment she felt
jealousy^ of his being pictured on the cheek of her friend
standing near — the pain of u))seuce as his reflection faded
away on her own breast, pierced by a thrill — the anger
of a rival wife as the image of the statues fell on him — the
sorrow of desi)airas he closed his eyes, and blindness as his
imago was veiled by tears of joy.
{'Ml) * ** At the end of a moment Afahavveta said to
Kadambarl as she was intent on giving betel : * Dear
KfulambarJ, the moment has approached for us to show
honour to our newly arrived guest, Candraplda. There-
fore give him some.' But averting her bent face, Kadam-
bari replied slowly and indistinctly, * Dear friend, I am
ashamed to do so, for I do not know him. Do thou take
it, for iliou canst without the forwardness there would be
in me, and give it him '; and it was only after many per-
suasions, that with difliculiy, and like a village maiden,
she resolved to give it. Iler eyes were never drawn from
Mahru/veta's face, her limbs trembled, her glance wavered,
she sighed deeply, she was stunned by Jjove with his
shaft, and she seemed a prey to trn*ror as slie btretched
forth hor hand, liolding tlio iHjtcl as if trying to cling to
something under the idea she was falling. The hand
Candra[)T(ja stretched out, by nature pink, as if red lead
had fallen upon it from the Happing of his triumphal
elephant, was darkened by the scars of the bowstring, and
seemed to have drops of collyrium clinging to it from
touching the eyes of his enemies' Lakshml, weeping as he
drew her by the hair ; (}}72) its fingers by the forth-
Hashing rays of his nails seemed to run up hastily, to
grow long and to laugh, and the hand seemed to raise
five other fingers in the iive senses that, in desire to touch
her, had just made their entry full of love. Then contend-
' Iload ffHliyii//!, vyath(\iji^ und iohIuuji, uh tho Cttlcutta edition.
150
ing feelings^ took possession of Kadambarl as if they had
gathered together in curiosity to see the grace at that
moment so easy of access. Her hand, as she did not look
whither it was going, was stretched vainly forth, and the
rays of its nails seemed to hasten forward to seek Candrfi-
pl(Ja*s hand ; and with the murmur of the line of bracelets
stirred by her trembling, it seemed to say, as drops of
moisture arose on it, * Let this slave offered by Love be
accepted, '2 as if she were offering herself, and ' Hence-
forth it is in thy hand,' as if she were making it into a
living being, and so she gave the betel. And in drawing
back her hand she did not notice the fall of her bracelet,
which had slipped down her arm in eagerness to touch
him, like her heart jiierced by Love's shaft; and taking
another piece of betel, she gave it to Mahac/vetfi.
(373) ' ** Then there came up with hasty steps a maina,
a very flower, in that her feet were yellow as lotus filaments,
her beak was like a campak bud, and her wings blue as a
lotus petal. Close beliind her came a parrot, slow in gait,
emerald-winged, with a beak like coral and neck bearing a
curved, three-rayed rainbow. Angrily the maina began :
* Princess Kadambarl, why dost thou not restrain this
wretched, ill-mannered, conceited bird from following me ?
If thou overlookest my being oppressed by him, I will
certainly destroy myself. I swear it truly by thy lotus
feet.' At these words Kadambarl smiled ; but Maha(;veta,
not knowing the story, asked Madalekha what she was
saying, and she told the following tale : * This maina,
Kalindl, is a friend of Princess Kadambari, and was given
by her solemnly in marriage to Parihasa, the parrot. And
to-day, ever since she saw him reciting something at early
dawn to Kadambari's betel-bearer, Tamalika, alone, she
has been filled with jealousy, and in frowardness of wrath
will not go near him, or speak, or touch, or look at him ;
and though we have aril tried to soothe her, she will not be
^ 'All the rasa*,' the ton emotions of love, fear, etc., enumerated by
writers on rhetoric.
^ Because water was poured out to ratify a gift.
151
isoothed.* (874) Thereat a smile spread over Candra-
pula's face, and he softly laughed and said, * This is the
course of gossip. It is heard in the court ; by a succession
of ears the attendants pass it on ; the outside world repeats
it ; the tale wanders to the ends of the earth, and we too
hear how this parrot Parihfisa has fallen in love with
Princess Kridambarl's hetel-bearer, and, enslaved by love,
knows nothing of the past. Away with tliis ill-behaved,
shameless deserter of his wife, and away with her too !
J3ut is it fitting in the Princess not to restrain her giddy
slave ? Perhaps her cruelty, however, was shown at the
ih'st in giving poor Kalindi to this ill- conducted bird.'
What can she do now ? For women feel that a shared
wifehood is the bitterest matter for indignation, the chief
cause for estrangement, and the greatest possible insult.
Kalindi has bee)i only too patient that in the aversion
caused by this weight of grief she has not slain herself by
poison, lire, or famine. For nothing makes a woman
more despised ; and if, after such a crime, she is willing to
bo reconciled and to live with him again, shame on her !
enough of her ! let her be banished and cast out in scorn !
AVho will speak to her or look at her again, and who will
mention her name ?' A laugh arose among Kadambarl's
women as they heard ^ his mirthful words. (375) But
Parihasa, hearing his jesting speech, said : * Cunning
Prince, she is clever. Unsteady as she is, she is not to be
taken in by thee or anyone else. She knows all these
crooked sjieeches. She understands a jest. Her mind is
sharpened by contact with a court. Cease thy jests. She
is no subject for the talk of bold men. For, soft of speech
as she is, she knows well the time, cause, measure, object,
and topic for wrath and for peace.' Meanwhile, a herald
came up and said to Mahacveta : * Princess, King Citra-
ratha and Queen Madira send to see thee,' and she, eager
to go, asked Kadambari, * Friend, where should Candrapida
stay ?' The latter, inwardly smiling at the thought that
^ BluUhita, literally, ' addrcHsed by'; or read, bhavittl, * entering into
the Bpirit of.*
I 152
he had aheady found a place in the heart of thousands of
women, said aloud, * Dear Maha^veta, why speak thus *?
Since I beheld him I have not been niistresB of myself, far
less than of my palace and my servants. Let him stay
wherever it pleases him and my dear friend's heart.'
Thereon Mahacveta replied, '* Let him stay in the jewelled
house on the playing hill of the royal garden near thy
palace,' and went to see the king.
(87G) ' ** CandrapJda went away at her departure, followed
by maidens, sent for his amusement by the portress at
Kadambarl's l)idding, players on lute and pipe, singers,
skilful dice and draught players, practised painters and
reciters of graceful verses ; he was led by his old acquaint-
ance Keyuraka to the jewelled hall on the playing hill.
* ** When he was gone the Gandharva princess dismissed
her girl-friends and attendants, and followed only by a few,
went into the palace. There she fell on her couch, while
her maidens stayed some way off, full of i*espect, and
tried to comfort her. At length she came to herself, and
remaining alone, she was filled with shame. For Modesty
censured her : * Light one, what hast thou begun ?' Self-
respect reproached her : ' Gandharva Princess, how is this
fitting for thee?' Simplicity mocked her: * Where has
thy childhood gone before its day was over ?' Youth
warned her : * Wilful girl, do not carry out alone any
wild plan of thine own !' Dignity rebuked her : * Timid
child, this is not the course of a high-born maiden.'
Conduct blamed her : * liockless girl, avoid this unseemly
behaviour !* Iligli Birth admonished her : * Foolish one,
love hath led thee into lightness.' Steadfastness cried
shame on her : * Whence comes thhie unsteadiness of
nature ?' Nobility rebuked her : * Self-willed, my autho-
rity is set at nought by thee.'
(377) ' ** And she thought within herself, ' Wliat shame-
ful conduct is this of mine, in that I cast away all fear,
and show my unsteadiness and am blinded by folly. In
my audacity I never thought he was a stranger; in my
shamelessness I did not consider that he would think me
163
light of^ nature ; I never examined his character ; I never
thought in my folly if I were worthy of his regard ; I had
no dread of an unexpected rebuff; I had no fear of my
parents, no anxiety about gossip. Nay, more, I did not in
uiy unkindnesB^ remember thai ^faha^veta was in sorrow ;
in my stupidity I did not notice that my friends stood by
and beheld me ; in my utter dulness I did not see that my
servants behind were observing me. Even grave minds
would mark such utter forgetfulness of seemliness ; how
nuicli more Mahfu/veta, who knows the course of love;
and my friends skilled in all its ways, and my attendants
who know all its symptoms, and whose wits are sharpened
l)y life at court. The slaves of a zenana have keen eyes in
such matters. My evil fate has undone me ! Better were
it for me now to die than live a shameful life. What will
my fatlh^r and mother and the Gandharvas say when they
hear this tale ? AVhat can 1 do ? What remedy is there ?
IIow can 1 cover this error ? To whom can I tell this folly
of my undisciplined senses, (378) and where shall I go,
consumed by Krima, the five-arrowed god ? I had made
a promise in Mahru/vetri's sorrow, I had announced it
before my friends, I had sent a message of it by the hands
of Keyiiraka, and how it has now come about that that
beguiling Candraplda has been brought hither, I know not,
ill-fated that I am ; whether it be by cruel fate or proud
love, or nemesis of my former deeds, or accursed death, or
anything else. But some power unseen, unknown, un-
heard of, unthought of and unimagined before, has come
to delude me. At the mere sight of him I am a captive in
bonds ; I am cast into a cage and handed over by my senses ;
1 am enslaved and led to him by Love ; I am sent away by
affection ; I am sold at a price by my feelings ; I am made
as a household chattel by my heart. I will have nothing
to do with this worthless one !' Thus for a moment she
resolved. But having made this resolve, she was mocked
by Candraplda's image stirred by the trembling of her
heart, * If thou, in thy false reserve, will have nought to
' Read iiirddkahitiyayd.
I 154
do with me, I will go.* She was asked by her life, which
clung to her in a farewell embrace before starting at the
moment of her determination to give up Candrapida;
(379) she was addressed by a tear that rose at that
moment, * Let him be seen once more with clearer eyes,
whether he be worthy of rejection or no * ; she was
chidden by Love, saying, * I will take away thy pride
together with thy life ;' and so her heart was again turned
to Candrapida. Overwhelmed, when the force of her
meditation had collapsed, by the access of love, she rose,
under its sway, and stood looking through the window at
the playing hill. And there, as if bewildered ))y a veil of
joyful tears, she saw with her memory, not her eyes ; as if
fearing to soil with a hot hand her picture, she painted
with her fancy, not with her brush ; dreading the inter-
vention of a thrill, she offered an embrace with her heart,
not her breast ; unable to bear his delay in coming, she
sent her mind, not her servants, to meet him.
* '* Meanwhile, Candrapida willingly entered the jewelled
house, as if it were a second heart of Kadambari. On the
rock was strewn a blanket, with pillows piled on it at
either end, and thereon he lay down, with his feet in
Keyuraka's lap, while the maidens sat round him in the
places appointed for them. With a heart in turmoil he
betook himself to jeflection : ' Are these graces of Princess
Kadambari, that steal all men's hearts, innate in her, or
has Love, with kindness won by no service of mine,
ordained them for me ? (380) For she gave me a sidelong
glance with loving, reddened eyes half curved as if they
were covered with the pollen of Love's flowery darts as
they fell on her heart. She modestly veiled herself with a
bright smile fair as silk as I looked at her. She offered
the mirror of her cheek to receive my image, as in shame
at my gaze she averted her face. She sketched on the
couch with her nail the first trace of wilfulness of a heart
that was giving me entrance. Her hand, moist with the
fatigue of bringing me the betel, seemed in its trembling
to fan her hot face, as if it were a tamala branch she had
166
taken, for a swarm of bees hovered round it, mistaking it
for a ro6y lotus. Perhaps,* he went on to reflect, * the
light readiness to hope so common among mortals is now
deceiving me with a throng of vain desires ; and the glow
of youth, devoid of judgment, or Love himself, makes my
brain reel ; whence the eyes of the young, as though struck
by cataract, magnify even a small spot ; and a tiny speck
of affection is spread far by youthful ardour as by water.
An excited heart like a poet's imagination is bewildered by
the throng of fancies that it calls up of itself, and draws
likenesses from everything ; youthful feelings in the hand
of cunning love are as a brush, and shrink from painting
nothing; and imagination, proud of her suddenly gained
beauty, turns in every direction. (381) Longing shows as
in a dream what I have felt. Hope, like a conjuror's
wand,^ sets before us what can never be. Why, then,'
thought he again, * should I thus weary my mind in vain *?
If this bright-eyed maiden is indeed thus inclined towards
me, Love, who is so kind without my asking, will ere long
make it plain to me. He will be the decider of this
doubt.' Having at length come to this decision, he rose,
then sat down, and merrily joined the damsels in gentle
talk and graceful amusements — with dice, song, lute, tabor,
concerts of mingled sound, and murmur of tender verse.
After resting a short time he went out to see the park, and
climbed to the top of the pleasure hill.
* '* Kadambari saw him, and bade that the window should
be opened to watch for Maha^vetfi's return, saying, * She
tarries long,' and, with a heart tossed by Love, mounted
to the roof of the palace. There she stayed with a few
attendants, protected from the heat by a gold-handled
umbrella, white as the full moon, and fanned by the
waving of four yaks' tails pure as foam. She seemed to
be practising an adornment fit for going to meet^ Candra-
plda, by means of the bees which hovered round her head,
* A bundle of peacock feathers waved by the conjuror to bewilder
the audience.
* The dark blue of the bees was like the blue veil worn by women
going to meet their lovers.
! 156
eager for the scent of the flowers, which veiled her even by
(lay in darkness. Now she leaned on the point of the
cowrie, now on the stick of the umbrella; now she laid
her hands on Tamalikfi's shoulder, (382), now she clung to
Madalekha ; now she hid herself amidst her maidens,
looking with sidelong glance ; now she turned herself
round ; now she laid her cheek on the tip of the portress's
staff; now with a steady hand she placed betel on her
fresh lips ; now she laughingl}^ ran a tew steps in pursuit
of her maidens scattered by the blows of the lotuses she
threw at them. And in looking at the prince, and l^eing
gazed at by him, she knew not how long a time had passed.
At last a portress announced Mahricvetfi's return, and she
went down, and albeit unwilling, yet to please ^falia(;veta
she bathed and performed the wonted duties of the day.
, * "But Candrajada went down, and dismissing Kadambarl's
followers, performed the rites of bathing, and worshipped
the deity honoured throughout the mountain, and did all
the duties of the day, including bis meal, on the pleasure
hill. There he sat on an emerald seat which commanded
the front of tbe pleasure liill, pleasant, green as a pigeon,
bede\\ed with foam from tbe chewing of fawns, shining like
Yamuna's waters standing still in fear of Balarama's
plough, glowing crimson with lac-juice from the girls' feet,
sanded with flower-dust, hidden in a bower, a concert-
house of peacocks. He suddenly beheld day eclipsed by a
stream of white radiance, rich in glory, (883) light drunk
upas by a garland of lotus-filires, earth flooded as by, a
Milky Ocean, space bedewed as by a storm of sandal-juice,
and the sky painted as with white cliunam.
* " 'What!' thought he, * is our lord, the Moon, king of
plants, suddenly risen, or are a thousand shower-baths set
going with their white streams let loose by a spring, or is
it the heavenly Ganges, whitening the earth with her
• wind-tossed spray, that has come down to earth in
curiosity ?'
^ * ** Then, turning his eyes in the direction of the light, he
^ This passage is condensed.
1
157
beheld ^vadambarl, and with her Madalekhii and Taralika
hearing a pearl necklace on a tray covered with white silk.
(384) Thereupon Candruplda decided that it was this neck-
lace that eclipsed^ moonlight, and was the cause of the
brightness, and by rising while she was yet far off, and by
all wonted courtesies, he greeted the approach of Mada-
lekhfi. For a moment she rested on that emerald seat,
and tlien, rising, anointed him with sandal perfume, put
on him two white robes, (385) crowned him with malati
llowers, and then gave him the necklace, saying, * This
thy gentleness, my Prince, so devoid of pride, must needs
subjugate every heart. Thy kindness gives an opening
eviui to one like me ; by thy I'onu thou art lord of life to
all ; by that tenderness shown even where there is no claim
on thee, thou thro west on all a bond of love; the innate
sweetness of thy bearing makes every man th}^ friend ;
these thy virtues, manifested with such natural gentleness,
give confidence to all. Thy form must take the blame, for
it inspires trust even at first sight ; elf-e words addressed
to one of such dignity as tliou would seem all unmeet.
For to speak with thee would be an insult ; our very
respect would bring on us the charge of forwardness ; our
very praise would display our boldness ; our subservience
would manifest lightness, pur love self-deception, our
speech to thee audacity, our service impertinence, our gift
an insult. Nay, more, thou hast conquered our hearts ;
what is left for us to give thee ? Thou art lord of our life ;
what can we offer thee? Thou hast already bestowed the
great favour of thy presence ; what return could we make?
Thou by thy sight hast made our life worth having ; how
can we reward thy coming? (386) Therefore Kadambari
with this excuse shows her affection rather than her dignity.
Noble hearts admit no question of mine and thine. Away
with the thought of dignity. Even if she accepted slavery
to one like thee, she would do no unworthy act ; even if she
gave herself to thee, she would not be deceived ; if she gave
her life, she would not repent. The generosity of a noble
^ Read muaho. •
I 158
heart is always bent on kindness, and does not willingly
reject affection, and askers are less shamefaced than
givers. But it is true that Kadambarl knows she has
offended thee in this matter. Now, this necklace, called
(/esha,* because it was the only jewel left of all that rose
at the churning of nectar, was for that reason greatly
valued by the Lord of Ocean, and was given by him to
Yaruna on his return home. By the latter it was given to
the Gandharva king, and by him to Kadambarl. And she,
thinking thy form worthy of this ornament, in that not
the earth, but the sky, is the home of the moon, hath sent
it to thee. And though men like thee, who bear no orna-
ment but a noble spirit, find it irksome to wear the gems
honoured by meaner men, yet here Kfidambarl's affection
is a reason for thee to do so. (887) Did not Vishnu show
his reverence by wearing on his breast the kaustubha gem,
because it rose with Lakshinl ; and yet he was not greater
than thee, nor did the kaustul)ha gem in the least surpass
the (^esha in worth ; nor, indeed, does Lakshml approach
in the slightest degree to imitating Kridambari's beauty.
And in truth, if her love is crushed by thee, she will grieve
Mahri(;vetiV with a thousand reproaches, and will slay her-
self. Mahri(,'vetri therefore sends Taralikfi with the necklace
to thee, and bids me say thus : ** Let not Kadambarl's first
impulse of iove be crushed by thee, even in thought, most
noble prince." * Thus having said, she fastened on his
breast the necklace that rested like a bevy of stars on the
slope of the golden mountain. Filled with amazement,
CandnTplda replied : * What means this, Madalekha ?
Thou art clever, and knowest how to win acceptance for
thy gifts. By leaving me no chance of a reply, thou hast
shown skill in oratory. Nay, foolish maiden, what are we
in respect of thee, or of acceptance and refusal; truly this
talk is nought. Having received kindness from ladies ho
rich in courtesy, let* me be employed in any matter,
whether pleasing or displeasing to me. But truly there
lives not the man whom the virtues of the most
* I.e.. 'relic,' or 'remaining.' '^ Head Mahagvctdt/i.
159
courteous lady Kadambarl do not discourteously^ enslave/
(888) ThiTs saying, after some talk about Eadambari, he
dismissed Madalekha, and ere she had long gone the
daughter of Citraratha dismissed her attendants, rejected
the insignia of wand, umbrella, and cowrie, and accom-
panied only by Tamfilika, again mounted to the roof of
her palace to behold Candrfiplda, bright with pearls,
silk raiment and sandal, go to the pleasure hill, like
the moon to the mount of rising. There, with passionate
glances imbued witli every grace, she stole his heart.
(390) And when it became too dark to see, she descended
from the roof, and CandrfipTiJa, from the slope of the
hill.
* ** Then the moon, source of nectar, gladdener of all
eyes, arose with his rays gathered in; he seemed to be
worshipped by the night-lotuses, to calm the quarters
whose faces were dark as if with anger, and to avoid the
day-lotuses as if from fear of waking them ; under the
guise of his mark he wore night on his heart ; he bore in
the glow of rising the lac that had clung to him from the
spurning of Rohini's foot ; he pursued the sky, in its dark
blue veil, like a mistress; and by reason of his great good-
will, spread beauty everywhere.
' ** And when the moon, the umbrella of the supreme rule
of Kama, the lord of the lotuses, the ivory earring that
decks the night, had risen, and when the world was turned
to whiteness, as though overlaid with ivory, Candraplda
lay down on a cool moonlit slab, pearl white, pointed out
by Kadambari's servants. It was washed with fresh
sandal, garlanded with pure sinduvara flowers, and carved
round with a leafy tracery of lotus petals. It lay on the
shore of a palace lotus tank, that seemed from the full
moonlight to be made of night-lotuses,^ with steps white
with bricks washed by the waves, as it wafted a breeze
fanned hy the ripples ; (391) pairs of hamsas lay there
» Cf. ♦Harfiha Carita* (J3onibay edition, p. 272), • Parainovvarotta.
inan^Mip.ltadurlalitringam.
2 llead KiwiudajnayyH,
I 160
asleep, and pairs of cakravakas kept up their dirge of
separation thereon. And while the Prince yet rested there
Keyfiraka approached him, and told him that Princess
Kadambarl had come to see him. Then Candrfiplda rose
hastily, and beheld Kadambarl drawing near. Few of her
friends were with her ; all her royal insignia were removed ;
she was as it were a new self, in the single necklace she wore ;
her slender form was white with the purest sandal-juico ;
an earring hung from one ear; she wore a lotus-petal in
the ear, soft as a budding digit of the moon ; she was clad
in robes of the kalpa-trce,^ clear as moonlight ; and in the
garb that consorted with that hour she stood revealed like
the very goddess of moonrise, as slie rested on the hand
offered by ^Madalekha. ])rawing near, she showed a grace
prompted by love, and took her scat on the ground, where
servants are wont to sit, like a maiden of low degree ; and
Candi'jipaja, too, though often entreated by Madalekha to
, sit on tlie rocky seat, took his i)lace on the ground by
Madalekha ; and when all the women were seated he made
an effort to speak, saying, * 1^-incess, to one who is thy
slave, and whom even a ghuice ghiddens, there needs not
the favour of speech with thee, far less so great a grace as
this. (JJi)2) For, deeply as I think, I cannot see in myself
any worth that this height of favour may befit, !^^ost
noble and sweet in its laying aside of pride is this thy
courtesy, in that such grace is shown to one but newly thy
servant. Perchance thou thinkest me a churl that nmst
be won by gifts. IHessed, truly, is the servant over whom
is thy sway ! How great honour is bestowed on tlui
servants deemed worthy of the bestowal of thy commands.
But the body is a gift at the service of any man, and life is
light as grass, so that I am ashamed in my devotion to
greet thy coming with such a gift. Here am I, here my
body, my life, my senses ! J)o thou, by accepting one of
them, raise it to honour.'
* ** Madalekha snn'lingly replied to this speech of his :
' Enough, Prince. My friend Kadambari is pained by thy
' A tree of panulise.
161
too great ceremony. Why speakest thou thus? She
accepts thy words without further talk. And why, to'!, is
she brought to suspense by these too iiattering speeches ?*
and then, waiting a short time, she began afresh : ' How
is King TrirapTcla, how Queen Vih'isavatl, how the noble
rukunfisa '? What is IjjayinJ like, and how far oflf is it?
Wiiat is the land of liharata '? And is the world of mortals
pleasant ?' So she queHtioned him. (81)8) After spending
Honio time in such talk, Kadambari rose, and summoning
Keyuraka, who was lying near Candraplcia, and her at-
tendants, she went up to her sleeping-chamber. There
she adorned a couch strewn with a coverlet of white
silk. Candruphja, however, on his rock passed the night
like a moment in thinking, while his feet were rubbed by
Keyuraka, of the humility, beauty, and depth of Kadam-
bari's character, the causeless kindness of JMahuyveta, the
courtesy of Madalekha, the dignity of the attendants, the
great splendour of the Gandliarva world, and the charm of
the Kimpurusha land.
***Then the moon, lord of stars, weary of being kept
awake by the sight of Kadambari, descended, as if to sleep,
to the forest on the shore, with its palms and tamfdas,
talis, banyans, and kandalas,^ cool with the breeze from
the hardly stirred- ripples. As though with the feverish
sighs of a woman grieving for her lover's approaching
absence, the moonlight faded away. Lakshml, having
passed the night on the moon lotuses, lay on the sun
lotuses, as though love had sprung up in her at the sight
of Candrapida. At the close of night, when the palace
lamps grew pale, as if dwindling in longing as they remem-
bered the blows of the. lotuses in maidens' ears, the
breezes of dawn, fragrant with creeper-tlowers, were wafted,
sportive with the sighs of Love weary from ceaselessly
discharging his shafts ; the stars were eclipsed by the rising
dawn, and took their abode, as through fear, in the thick
* Tall, a kind of palm ; KandaJa, a plantain.
^ Or, reading avirala^ thick coming.
11
162
creeper bowers of Mount Mandara.^ (394) Then when the
sun arose, with its orb crimson as if a glow remained from
dwelling in the hearts of the cakravakas, Candrapiila, rising
from the rock, bathed his lotus face, said his morning
prayer, took his betel, and then bade Keyiiraka see
whether Princess Kridambarl was awake or no, and where
slie was ; and when it was announced to him by the latter
on his return that she was with Mahru/vetri in the bower of
the courtyard below the ^landara palace, he started to see
the daughter of tlie Gandharva king. There he beheld
Mahfi^vetri surrounded by wandering ascetic women like
visible goddesses of prayer, with marks of white ash on
their brow, and hands quickly moving as they turned their
rosaries ; bearing the vow of (;iva's followers, clad in robes
tawny with mineral dyes, bound to wear red cloth, robed in
the ruddy bark of ripe cocoanuts, or girdled with thick
white cloth ; with fans of white cloth ; with staves, matted
locks, deer-skins, and bark dresses; with the marks of male
ascetics ; reciting the pure praises of Tiva, Durga, Kartikeya,
Virravasa,- Krishna, Avalokite^vara, the Arhat, Virinca.^
MahrK/vetri herself was showing honour to the elder kins-
women of the king, the foremost of the zenana, by salutes,
courteous speeches, by rising to meet them and placing reed
seats for them.
(395) * *'He beheld Kadambarl also giving her attention
to the recitation of the MahAbharata, that transcends all
good omens, by Narada's sweet-voiced daughter, with an
accompaniment of flutes soft as the murmur of bees,
played by a pair of Kinnaras sitting behind her. She was
looking in a mirror fixed before her at her lip, i)ale as
beeswax when the honey is gone, bathed in the moonlight
of her teeth, though within it was darkened by betel. She
was being honoured by a sunwise turn in departing by a
tame goose wandering like the moon in a fixed circle, with
wide eyes raised io her sirlsha earrings in its longing for
^ The Vishnu PuiTii.m, lik. ii., ch. ii., calls ^randura tlio Mountain of
the Kast ; (Jandhainrulana, of the South; Vipula, of the West; and
Supan/va, of the North.
- Father of Kuvera. ^ Brahma.
168
vallisneria. Here the prince approached, and, saluting
her, sat down on a seat placed on the dais. After a short
stay he looked at Maha^veta's face with a gentle smile that
dimpled his cheek, and she, at once knowing his wish, said
to Kadambarl': * Dear friend, Candraplda is softened by thy
virtues as the moonstone by the moon, and cannot speak
for himself. He wishes to depart ; for the court he has
left behind is thrown into distress, not knowing what has
happened. Moreover, however far apart you may be from
each other, this your love, like that of the sun and the day
lotus, or the moon and tlic niglit lotus, will last till the day
of doom. Therefore let him go.'
(3!)()) * ** ' Dear Mulmrvetjl,' replied Kadambarl, * I and
my nitinue belong as wholly to the prince as his own soul.
Why, then, this ceremony?' So saying, and summoning
the Gandharva princes, she bade them escort the prince
to liis own place, and he, rising, bowed before Mahacveta
first, and then Kadambarl, and was greeted by her with
eyes and heart softened by affection ; and with the words,
'Lady, what shall I say? For men distrust the multitude
of words. Let me be remembered in the talk of thy retinue,*
he went out of the zenana; and all the maidens but Kadam-
barl, drawn by reverence for Candraplda's virtues, followed
him on his way like his subjects to the outer gate.
* ** On their return, he mounted the steed brought by
Keyuraka, and, escorted by the Gandharva princes, turned
to leave Hemakuta. His whole thoughts on the way were
about Kadambarl in all things both within and without.
With a mind wholly imbued with her, he beheld her behind
him, dwelling within him in his bitter grief for the cruel
separation; or before him, stopping hhn in his path; or
cast on the sky, as if by the force of longing in his heart
troubled by parting, so that he could perfectly see her
face; he beheld her very self resting on his heart, as if
her mind were wounded with his loss. When he reached
Mahfu/veta's hermitage, he there ])eheld his own camp,
which had followed the tracks of Indrayudha.
(897) * ** Dismissing the Gandharva princes, he entered
164
his own abode amidst the salutations of his troops full of
joy, curiosity, and wonder ; and after greeting the rest of
the court, he spent the day mostly in talk with Vai^am-
payana and Putralekha, saying, ' Thus said Mahri(;veta,
thus KadambavT, thus Madalekha, thus Tamalika, thus
Keyuraka.' No longer did royal Glory, envious at the
sight of Kadamban's beauty, find in him her joy ; for him
night passed in wakefulness as he thought, witli a mind
in ceaseless longing, of that bright-eyed maiden. Next
morning, at sunrise, he went to his pavilion with his mind
still fixed on her, and suddenly saw Keyuraka entering with
a doorkeeper ; and as the latter, while yet far off, cast
himself on the ground, so that his crest swept the floor,
Candrapida cried, * Come, ccme,' greeting him Ih'st with a
hidelong glance, then with his heart, then with a thrill.
Then at last he hastened forward to give him a hearty and
frank embrace, and made him sit down by himself. Then,
in words brightened by the nectar of a smile, and trans-
fused with overfiowing love, he reverently asked : * Say,
Keyuraka, is the lady Kfidambari well, and her friends,
and her retinue, and the lady Mahac/vetri ?' "With a low
bow, Keyuraka, as though he had been bathed, anointed,
and refreshed by the smile tluit the prince's deep aft'ection
had prompted, replied respectfully :
* ** * She is now well, in that my lord asks for her.' And
then he showed a folded lotus-leaf, wrapped in wet cloth,
with its opening closed ])y lotus filaments, and a seal of
tender lotus filaments set in a paste of wet sandal. (8J)H)
This he opened, and showed thc^ tokens sent by Kfidambari,
such as milky ])etel-nuts of emerald hue, with their shells
removed and surrounded with fresh sprays, betel-leaves
pale as the cheek of a lien-parrot, camphor like a solid
piece of ( 'iva's moon, and sandal ointment pleasant with
rich musk scent. * The lady Kfidambari,* said he, * salutes
thee with folded hands that kiss her crest, and that are
rosy with the rays of her tender fingers ; Maha^veta with a
greeting and embrace ; Madalekhfi with a reverence and a
brow bathed in the moonlight of the crest-gem she has let
166
fall; the maidens with the points of the fish -ornaments
and the parting of their hair resting on the ground ; and
Taralikfi, with a prostration to touch the dust of thy feet.
Mahavveta sends thee this message : ** Happy truly are
tliey from wl>ose eyes thou art never absent. For in truth
thy virtues, snowy, cold as the moon when thou art by, in
thine absence burn like sunlight. Truly all yearn for the
past day as though it were tliat day whereon fate with such
toil brought forth amrita. Without thee the royal Gand-
harva city is languid as at the end of a feast. (B99) Thou
kiiowest that I have surrendered all things ; yet my heart,
in my despite, desires to see thee who art so undeservedly
kind. Kridambari, moreover, is far from well. She recalls
thee with thy smiling face like Love himself. Thou, by
the honour of thy return, canst make her proud of having
some virtues of her own. For respect shown ])y the noble
must needs confer honour. And thou must forgive the
trou])le of knowing such as we. For thine own nobility
gives this boldness to our address. And here is this Tesha
necklace, which was left by tliee on thy couch." ' So saying,
he loosed it from his band, where it was visible by reason
of the long rays that shot through the interstices of the tine
thread, and placed it in the fan-bearer's hand.
* '^ ' This, indeed, is the reward of doing homage at
^rahricveta's feet, that the lady Kadambarl should lay so
great a weight of honour on her slave as to remember him,**
said CandrripTda, as he placed all on his liead^ and accepted
it. The necklace he put round his neck, after anointing it
with an ointment cool, pleasant, and fragrant, as it were
with the beauty of Kridambai'I's cheeks distilled, or the
light of her smile liquelied, or her heart melted, or her
virtues throbbing forth. (400) Taking some betel, he
rose and stood, with his left arm on Keyuraka's shoulder,
and then dismissed the courtiers, who were gladly paying
their wonted homage, and at length went to see his elephant
Gandhamudana. There he stayed a short time, and after
he had himself given to the elephant a handful of grass,
' A plirase denoting reudinoas to obey. V. supra^ p. 15.
166
that, being jagged with the rays of his nails, was like lotus-
fibre, he went to the stable of his favourite steed. On the
way he turned his face now on this side, now on that, to
glance at his retinue, and the porters, understanding his
wish, forbade all to follow him, and dismissed the retinue,
so that he entered the stable with Keyuraka alone. The
grooms bowed and departed, with eyes bewildered by terror
at their dismissal, and the prince set straight Indrfiyudlia's
cloth, which had fallen a little on one side, pushed back his
mane, tawny as a lion's, which was falling on his eyes and
half closing them, and then, negligently resting his foot on
the peg of the tetheiing-rope, and leaning against the stable
Mall, he eagerly asked :
* " ' Tell me, Keyuraka, what has happened in the Gand-
harva court since my departure ? In what occupation has
the Gandharva princess spent the time ? "What were
Mahayvetri and ^fadalekha doing? AVliat talk was there?
IIow were you and the retinue employed ? And was there
any talk about me ?' Then Keyuraka told him all :
* Listen, prince. On thy departure, the lady Kfidambari,
with her retinue, climbed to th(» palace roof, making in the
maidens' palace with the sound of anklets the beat of fare-
well drums that rose from a thousand hearts ; (401) and
slie gazed on thy path, gray with the dust of the cavalcade.
When thou wert out of sight, she laid her face on ^[ahuc-
veta's shoulder, and, in her love, sprinkled the region of
til}' journey with glances fair as the ^lilky Ocean, and,
warding off the sun's touch, as it were, with the moon
assuming in jealousy the guise of a white umbrella, she
long remained there. Thence she reluctantly tore herself
away and came down, and after but a short rest in the
pavilion, she arose and went to the pleasaunce where thou
hadst been. She was guided by bees murmuring in the
flowers of oblation; startled by the cry of the house
l)eacocks, she checked their note as they looked up at the
shower-like rays of her nails, by the circlets which lay
loose round her throat ; at every step she let her hand
rest on creeper- twigs white with flowers, and her mind on
167
thy virtues. When she reached the pleasaunce, her retinue
needlessly told her : *' Here the prince stayed oh the spray-
washed rock, with its creeper-bower bedewed by the stream
from a pipe that ends in an emerald lish-head ; here he
bathed in a place covered by bees absorbed in the fragrance
of the scented water ; here he worshipped Tiva on the bank
of the mountain stream, sandy with iiower-dust ; here he
ate on a crystal stone which eclipsed moonlight ; and here
he slept on a pearly slab with a mark of sandal juice
imprinted on it." (402) And so she passed the day,
gazing on the signs of thy presence ; and at close of day
Mahriyveta prepared for her, though against her will, a
meal in that crystal dwelling. And when the sun set and
the moon rose, soon, as though she were a moonstone that
moonlight would molt, and therefore dreaded the entrance
of the moon's reflection, she laid her hands on her cheeks,
and, as if in thought, remained for a few minutes with
closed eyes; and then rising, went to her sleeping-chamber,
scarcely raising her feet as they moved with graceful,
languid gait, seemingly heavy with bearing the moon's
relleclion on their bright nails. Throwing herself on her
couch, she was racked by a severe headache, and overcome
by a burning fever, and, in company with the j)alace-lamps,
the moon-lotuses, and the cakravakas, she passed the night
open-eyed in bitter grief. And at dawn she sunmioned me,
and reproachfully bade me seek for tidings of thee.*
'''At these words, CandrapTila, all eager to depart,
shouted : ' A horse ! a horse !' and left the palace. Indra-
yudha was hastily saddled, and brought round by the
grooms, and Candraplda mounted, placing Patralekha
behind him, leaving Vaivampayana in charge of the camp,
dismissing all his retinue, and followed by Keyuraka on
another steed, he went to Hemakuta. (403) On his
arrival, he dismounted at the gate of Kadambarl's palace,
giving his horse to the doorkeeper, and, followed by Patra-
lekha, eager for the first sight of Kadambarl, he entered,
and asked a eunuch who came forward where the lady
Kadambari was. Bending low, the latter informed him.
166
that she was in the ice- bower on the bank of the lotuR-
tank below the Mattaniayura pleaBaunco; and then the
prince, guided by Keyuraka, went some distance through
the women's garden, and beheld day grow green, and the
sunbeams turn into grass by the reflection of the i)lantain-
groves with their emerald glow, and there he beheld
Kfidambarl. (410) Then she looked with tremulous glance
at her retinue, as, coming in one after another, they
announced Candrapnla's approach, and asked each by
name : ' Tell me, has ho really come, and hast thou seen
him ? How far off is he ?' She gazed with eyes gradually
brightening as she saw him yet afar off, and rose from her
couch of flowers, standing like a newly-caught elephant
bound to her post, and trembling in every limb. She wns
veiled in bees drawn as vassals by the fragrance of her
flowery couch, all murmuring ; her upper garment was in
confusion, and she sought to place on her bosom the
shining necklace; (111) she seemed to beg the support of
a hand from her own shadow as she laid her loft hand on
the jewelled pavement ; she seemed to receive herstilf as a
gift by sprinkling^ with her right hand moist with the toil
of binding together her falling locks ; slie poured forth tears
of joy cool as though the sandal-juico of lier sectarial mark
had entered in and been united with them ; she washed
with a line of glad tears lu^r smooth cheeks, that the pollen
from her garland had tinged with gray, as if in eagerness
that the image of her beloved might fall thereon ; slie
seemed to be drawn forward by her long eyes fastened on
Candrapida's face, with its pupil fixed in a sidelong glance,
and her head somewhat bent, as if from the weight of the
sandal-mark on her brow.
* ** And CandrfipHJa, approaching, bowed first before
Maha^veta, then courteously saluted Kadambarl, and when
she had returned his obeisance, and seated herself again
on the couch, and the portress had brought him a gold
stool with legs gleaniing with gems, he pushed it away
* Pourinfi; water into the hand was the confirmation of a gift. T.
aupra, p. 160.
169
with hi8 foot, and sat down on the ground. Then Keyuraka
presented Patralekhfi, saying : * This is Prince Candruplda's
betel-box bearer and most favoured friend.* And Kudani-
barl, looking on her, thought : * How great partiaHty does
Prajapati bestow on mortal women !* And as Patralekha
bowed respectfully, she bade her approach, and placed her
close behind herself, amidst the curious glances of all her
retinue. (ITi) Filled even at first sight with great love for
her, Kadambarl often touched her caressingly with her
slender hand.
* ** Now, Candraplda, having quickly performed all tho
courtesies of arrival, beheld the state of Citraratha*8
dauglitor, and thought : ' Surely my heart is dull, in that
it cannot even now believe. ]^e it so. I will, nevertheless,
ask her with a skilfully-devised speech.'^ Then he said
aloud : * Princess, 1 know that this pain, with its un-
ceasing torment, has come on thee from love. Yet, slender
maiden, it torments thee not as us. I would gladly, by the
offering of myself, restore thee to health. For I pity thee
as thou tremblcst ; and as I see thee fallen under the pain
of love, my heart, too, falls prostrate. For thine arms are
slender and unadorned, and thou bearest in thine eye a red
lotus like a hybiscus- from the deep wasting of fever. And
all thy retinue weep ceaselessly for thy pain. Accept thine
ornaments. Take of thine own accord thy richest adorn-
ments ; for as the creeper shines hidden in l)ee8 and
flowers, so shouldst thou.'
* *' Then Kadambarl, though naturally simple by reason
of her youth, yet, from a knowledge taught by love, under-
stood all the meaning of this darkly-expressed speech.
(41JJ) Yet, not realizing that she had come to such a point in
her desires, supi)orted by her modesty, she remained silent.
She sent forth, however, the radiance of a smile at that
moment on some pretext, as though to see his face darkened
by the bees which were gathered round its sweetness.
Madalekha therefore replied : * Prince, what shall I say ?
This pain is cruel beyond words. Moreover, in one of so
* Transpose iti.
'^ Hybiscus mil tab His changos colour thrice a day.
170
(lelicato a nature what does not tend to pain ? Even cool
lotus-fibres turn to fire and moonlight burns. Seest thou
not the i^ain produced in her mind by the breezes of the
fans ? Only her strength of mind keeps her alive.' But
in heart alone did Kridambarl admit Madalekha*8 words as
an answer to the prince. His mind, however, was in
susi^ense from the doubtfulness of her meaning, and after
spending some time in affectionate talk with Mahfiyveta, at
lengtli witli a great effort ho withdrew himself, and left
K!ldaml)ai*rs palace to go to the camp.
* '* As ho was about to mount his horse, Keyuvaka came
up beliind him, and said : ' Prince, Madalekhu bids me say
tliat Prhiccss Kfidamburi, ever since she beheld Tatralekhfi,
has been charmed by her, and wishes to keep her. She shall
return later. (11 1) Having heard her message, thou must
decide.' * Happy,' replied the prince, * and enviable is
I'atralekliA, in thai she is honoured by so rare a favour by
the princess. Let her be taken in.' So saying, he went to
the camp.
. * ** At the moment of his arrival he beheld a letter-carrier
well known to him, that had come from his father's presence,
and, stopping his horse, he asked from afar, with eyes
widened by aifection : * Is my father well, and all his
retinue? and my mother and all the zenana?' Then the
man, ai)proaching with a reverence, saying, * As thou
sayest, prince,' gave him two letters. Then the prince,
placing them on his head, and himself opening them in
order, read as follows : * Hail from Ujjayinl. King Tara-
piiia, king of kings, whose lotus-feet are made the crest on
the head of all kings, greets CandrjTpula, the home of all
good fortune, kissing him on his head, which kisses the
circle of the Hashing rays of his crest jewels. Our subjects
are well. Why has so long a time passed since we have
seen thee ? Our heart longs eagerly for thee. The queen
and the zenana pine ior thee. Therefore, let the cutting
short of this letter be a cause of thy setting out.' And in
the second letter, sent by Tukanasa, he read words of like
import. Vaivampfiyana, too, at that moment came up, and
171
showed another pair of letterB of his own to the same effect.
(416) Bo with the words, * As my father commands/ he at
once mounted his horse, and caused the drum of departure
to be Boun/^ed. He instructed Moghanfida, son of Bala-
haka, the commander-in-chief, who stood near him sur-
rounded by a large tioop : ' Thou must come with Patra-
lekhfi. Keyiiraka will surely bring her as far as here, and
by his lips a message must be sent with a salutation to
Princess Kfidambarl. Truly the nature of mortals deserves
the blame of the three worlds, for it is discourteous, un-
friendly, and hard to ftrasp, in that, when the loves of men
suddenly clash, they do not sot its full value on spontaneous
tenderness. Thus, by my going, my love has become a
cheating counterfeit ; my faith has gained skill in false
tones ; my self-devotion has sunk into base deceit, having
only a pretended sweetness; and the variance of voice and
thought has been laid bare. ]5ut enough of myself. The
princess, though a mate for the gods, has, by showing her
favour to an unworthy object,' incurred reproach. For the
ambrosially kind glances of the great, when they fall in
vain on unfitting objects, cause shame afterwards. And
yet my heart is not so nmch weighed down by shame for
her as for Mahn(;vetu. For the princess will doubtless
often blame her for her ill-placed i)artiality in having
painted my virtues with a false hnputation of qualities I
did not possess. What, then, shall I do? My parents'
connnand is the weightier. Yet it controls my body alone.
(416) But my heart, in its yearning to dwell at Hemakuta,
has written a bond of slavery for a thousand births to
Princess Kadambari,- and her favour holds it fast^ as the
dense thicket holds a forester. Nevertheless, I go at my
father's command. Truly from this cause the infamous
Candrapida will be a byword to the people. Yet, think not
that Candrapida, if he lives, will rest without again tasting
the joy of worshipping the lotus-feet of the princess.
' Or, at a wrong time.
^ Keinove tlie stop after aayCih and CajidrCqudah, and place one
after gaiitmn.
^ ' It is not allowed by her favour to move.*
172
Salute with bent head and sunwise turn the feet of Mahac?-
vetfi. Tell Madalekhu that a hearty embrace, preceded by
an obeisance, is offered her ; salute Tamalika, and inquire
on ray behalf after all Kadambari's retinue. Let blessed
Hemakuta be honoured by me with upraised hands.' After
giving this message, he set Yaiyampayana over the camp,
instructing his friend to march^ slowly, without overtasking
the army. Then he mounted, accompanied by his cavalry,
mostly mounted on young horses, wearing the grace of a
forest of spears, breaking up the earth with their hoofs,
and shaking Kailfisa with their joyful neighing as they
set out ; and though his heart was empty, in the fresh
separation from Kadambarl, he asked the letter-carrier who
clung to his saddle concerning the way to Ujjayini.
(417-42G condensed) * '* And on the way he beheld in the
forest a red flag, near which was a shrine of Durgfi, guarded
by an old Dravidian hermit, who made his abode thereby.
(426) * '* Dismounting, he entered, and bent reverently
before the goddess, and, bowing again after a sunwise turn,
he wandered about, interested in the calm of the place,
and beheld on one side the wrathful hermit, howling and
shouting at him ; and at tlie sight, tossed as he was by
passionate longing in his absence from Kadambarl, he
could not forbear smiling a moment ; but he checked his
soldiers, who were laughing and beginning a quarrel with
the hermit ; and at length, with great difliculty, he calmed
him with many a soothing and courteous speech, and
asked him about his birthplace, caste, knowledge, wife and
children, wealth, age, and the cause of his ascetic vow. On
being asked, the latter described himself, and the prince
was greatly interested by him as he garrulously described
his past heroism, beauty, and wealth, and thus diverted
his mind in its soreness of bereavement ; and, having
become friendly with him, he caused betel to be offered to
him. (427) AVhen the sun set, the princes encamped
under the trees that chanced- to be near; the golden
^ Kcad 8uhri(lrq)i gmitavj/aw, ' his friend must ro.'
* Or, sampanna^ ' full-grown, having fruit and Howers,' according to
the commentary.
173
saddles of the steeds were hung on boughs ; the steeds
showed the exertions they had gone through, from the
tossing of their manes dusty with rolling on the earth, and
after they had taken some handfuls of grass and been
watered, and were refreshed, they were tethered, with the
spears dug into the ground before them ; the soldiery,
wearied^ with the day's march, appointed a watch, and
gladly went to sleep on heaps of leaves near the horses ;
the encampment was bright as day, for the darkness was
drunk up by the light of many a bivouac fire, and Candra-
l)I(la went to a couch prepared fur him by his retinue, and
imiiited out to him by his porters, in front of the place
where Indrayudha was tethered. JUit the very moment he
lay down restlessness seized bis heart, and, overcome by
pain, he dismissed the princes, and said nothing even to
the special favourites who stood behind him. With closed
eyes he again and again went in heart to the Kimpurusha
land. With fixed thought he recalled Hemakuta. He
thought on the spontaneous kindness of Mahacveta's
favours.- lie constantly longed for the sight of Kadambari
as his life's highest fruit. He continually desired the
converse of Madalekha, so cliarmhig in its absence of pride.
He wished to see Tamalika. He looked forward to Keyu-
raka's coming. He beheld in fancy the winter palace. He
often sighed a long, feverish sigh. He bestowed on the
(Jesha necklace a kindness beyond that for his kin. (428)
He thought he saw fortunate Patraleklia standing behind
him. Thus he passed the night without sleep ; and, rising
at dawn, he fulfilled the hermit's wish by wealth poured
out at his desire, and, sojourning at pleasant spots on the
way, in a few days he reached l-jjayinl. A thousand
hands, like lotuses of offering to a guest raised in reverent
salutation, were raised by the citizens in their confusion
and joy at his sudden coming, as be then unexpectedly
entered the city. Tlie king heard from the retinue*^ hastening
to be first to tell him that Candraplda was at the gate, and
^ lieskd khinne. - llctid prasdddndm.
^ Kead "jnndt, etc.
I 174
bewildered by sudden gladness, with steps slow from the
weight of joy, he went to meet his son. Like Mandara, he
drew to himself as a Milky Ocean his spotless silk mantle
that was slipping down ; like the kalpa-tree, with its
shower of choice pearls, he rained tears of gladness ; he
was followed by a thousand chiefs that were round him —
chiefs with topknots white with age, anointed with sandal,
wearing untorn^ linen robes, bracelets, turbans, crests and
wreaths, l)earing swords, staves, umbrellas and cowries,
making the earth appear rich in KailAsas and Milky
Oceans. 1'he prince, seehig his father from afar, dis-
mounted, and touched tlio ground with a head garlanded
by the rays of his crest-jewels. Then his father stretched
out liis arms, bidding him approach, and embraced him
closely ; and when he had paid his respects to all the
honourable persons who were there, he was led by the king
to Vihisavatrs palace. (421)) His coming was greeted by
her and her retinue, and wluni he had performed all the
auspicious ceremonies of arrival, he stayed some time in
talk about his expedition of concjuest, and then went to see
Cukanasa. Having duly stayed there some time, lie told
him that ^'ai(;amp^lyana was at the camp and well, and saw
"Manorauijl ; and then returning, he mechanically''^ per-
formed the ceremonies of bathing, and so forth, in Vilasa-
vati's palace. On the morrow ho went to his own palace,
and there, with a mind tossed by anxiety, he deemed that
not only himself, but his palace and the city, and, indeed,
the whole world, was but a void without Kridambari, and
so, in his longing to hear news of her, he awaited the
return of Patralekha, as though it were a festival, or the
winning of a boon, or the time of the rising of amrita.
* ** A few days later Meghanada came with Patralekha,
and led her in ; and as she made obeisance from afar,
Candrfipiila smiled affectionately, and, rising reverently,
embraced her ; for though she was naturally dear to him,
she was now yet dearer as having won a fresh splendour
^ T'. supra, p. 12, wliere the robes of the cliiefs are torn by their
ornaineiits in their liasty movements.
2 Paravara iva, or, * with mind enslaved to other thoughts.'
175
from Kadambari's presence. He laid his slender hand on
Meghanada's back as he bent before him, and then, sitting
down, he said : * Tell me, Patralekhfi, is all well with
Maha^veta and Madalekha, and the lady Kiidambari?
(430) And are all her retinue well, with Tamfdika and
Keyiiraka ?* * Prince,' she replied, * all is well, as thou
sayest. The lady Kadambari, with her friends and retinue,
do tliee homage by making their raised hands into a wreath
for their brows.' At these words the prince dismissed his
royal retinue, and went with Patralekhfi into the palace.
Then, with a tortured heart, no longer able from its intense
love to overcome his eagerness to hear, he sent his retinue
far away and entered tlie house. With his lotus-feet
he pushed away the pair of haiusas that were sleeping
happily on tlie slope beneath a leafy ])Ower that made an
emerald banner ; and, resting in the midst of a fresli l)ed of
hybiscus, that made a sunshade with its broad, long-stalked
leaves, he sat down, and asked : ' Tell me, Patralekha, how
thou hast fared. How many days wert thou there ? What
favour did the princess show thee ? What talk was there,
and what conversation arose? Wiio most remembers us,
and whose affection is greatest ?*^ Thus questioned, she told
him : * Give thy mind and hear all. When thou wert gone,
I returned with Keyuraka, and sat down near the couch of
Howers ; and there 1 gbidly remained, receiving ever fresh
nuirksof kindness from the princess. What need of words '?
(431) The whole of that day her eye, her form, her hand,
were on mine ; her speech dwelt on my name and her heart
on my love. On the morrow, leaning on me, she left the
winter palace, and, wandering at will, bade her retinue
remain behind, and entered the maidens' garden. ]iy a
flight of emerald steps, that might have been formed from
Jamuna's- waves, she ascended to a white summer-house,
and in it she stayed some time, leaning against a jewelled
pillar, deliberating with her heart, wishing to say some-
thing, and gazing on my face with fixed pupil and motion-
^ Read garlgaa'i.
2 The Jamuiia is a common comparison for blue or greon.
I 176
less eyelashes. As she looked she formed her resolve, and,
as if longing to enter love's fire, she was bathed in per-
spiration ; whereat a trembling came upon her, so that,
sliaking in every limb as though fearing to fall, she was
seized by despair.
* " * But when I, who knew her thoughts, fixed my mind
on her, and, fastening my eyes on her face, bade her speak,
she seemed to be restrained by her own trembling lim])S ;
with a toe that marked the floor as if for retreat, she
seemed to rub out her own image in shame that it should
hear her secret ; (4iJ2) with her lotus foot — its anklets all
set jingling by the scratching of the floor — she pushed
aside tlie tame geese ; with a strip of silk made into a fan
for her hot face, she drove away the bees on her ear-
lotuses ; to the peacock she gave, like a bribe, a piece of
betel broken by her teeth ; and gazing often on every side
lest a wood-goddess should listen, much as she longed to
speak, she was checked in her utterance by shame, and
could not speak a word.* Her voice, in spite of her greatest
efi'orts, was wholly burnt up by love's fire, borne away hy
a ceaseless flow of tears, overwhehn(id l)y onrushing griefs,
])roken by love's faUing shafts, banisluid by invading sighs,
restrained by the hundred cares that dwelt in her heart,
and drunk by the bees that tasted her breath, so that it
could not come forth. In brief, she made a pearl rosary to
count her nuiny griefs with the bright tears that fell with-
out touching her cheeks, as with bent head she nuide the
very image of a storm. Then from her shame learnt its
full grace ; modesty, a transcendant modesty ; simplicity,
simplicity ; courtesy, courtesy ; (VM) fear, timidity ;
coquetry, its (piintcKsence ; despair, its own nature ; and
charm, a further charm. And so, when 1 asked her,
'* i'rincess, what means thisV" she wiped her reddened
eyes, and, holding a garland woven by the ilowers of the
bower with arms which, soft as lotus-fibres, seemed meant
to hold her ih'mly in the excess of her grief, she raised one
eyebrow, as if gazing on the path of death, and sighed a
* riaciiig a stop after 2 1) I boHouglit him to free me, for I
was on the way to my beloved, but he said he had captured
me for the young Canijala princcHB, who had heard of my
gifts. With horror I heard that I, the son of Lakshmi and
of a great saint, nmst dwell with a tribe shunned even by
barbarians ; (()25) but when I urged that he could set me
free without danger, for none would see him, he laughed, and
replied : ' He, for whom there exist not the live guardians
of the world, ^ witnesses of right and wrong, dwelling within
his own body to l)eh()ld his actions, will not do his duty for
fear of any other being.' (020) So he carried me off, and
as I looked out in hope of getting free from him, I beheld
the barbarian settlement, a very market-place of evil deeds.
It was surrounded on all sides by boys engaged in the chase,
unleashing their hounds, teaching their falcons, mending
snares, carrying weapons, and lishing, horrible in their
attire, like demoniacs. Here and there the entrance to their
dwellings, hidden by thick bamboo forests, was to be inferred,
from the rising of smoke of orpimont. On all sides the en-
' closures were made with skulls ; (027) the dustheaps in the
roads were tilled with bones; the yards of the huts were miry
with blood, fat, and meat chopped up. The life there con-
sisted of hunting ; the food, of llesh ; the ointment, of fat ;
the garments, of coarse silk ; the couches, of dried skins ;
the household attendants, of dogs ; the animals for riding,
of cows ; the men's employment, of wine and women ; the
' Tliu couuiKfiitary oxpUiiim thoHu aw Indra, Yaina, V^aruna, Soma
and Kuvcra. The Calcutta traiiHlation apparently translates a reading
iiKthdhhutdni,
206
oblation to the gods, of blood ; the sacriiice, of cattle.
The place was the image of all hells. (628) Then the
man brought me to the Candfila maiden, who received
me gladly, and placed me in a cage, saying : * I will take
from thee all thy wilfulness.' What was I to do? Were
I to pray her to release me, it was my power of speech that
hud made her desire me ; were I silent, anger might make
lu^r cruel ; (729) Ktill, it was my want of self-restraint that
liad cuuHful all my misery, and so I rosolvod to restrain all
my Honsos, and I tluu'oforo kept (entire silonce and rofusod
all food.
N(^.\t day, however, the maiden brought fruits and water,
and when I did not touch them she 8aid tenderly : * It is
unnatural for birds and beasts to refuse food when hungry.
If thou, mindful of a former birth, makest distinction of
what may or nuiy not be eaten, yet thou art now born as
an animal, and canst keep no such distinction. (G80) There
is no sin in acting in accordunce with the state to which
thy past deeds liav(3 brought thee. Nay, even for those who
have a law concerning food, it is lawful, in a time of
distress, to eat food not meet for them, in order to preserve
life. Much more, then, for tljce. Nor needst thou fear
this food as coming from our caste ; for fruit may be
accepted even from us ; and water, even from our vessels,
is pure, so men say, when it falls on the ground.' I,
wondering at her wisdom, partook of food, but still kept
silence.
* After some time, when I liad grown up, I woke one day
to Inul myself in this golden cage, and beheld the CaiKjula
maiden as thou, king, hast seen her. (fiSl) The whole
barbarian settlement shewed like a city of the gods, and
before I could ask what it all meant, the maiden brought
me to thy feet. But who she is and why she has
become a Cainjrda, and why I am bound or brought hither,
I am as eager as thou, king, to learn.'
Thereupon the king, in great amazement, sent for the
maiden, and she, entering, overawed the king with her
majesty, and said with dignity : ' Thou gem of earth, lord
206
of llohini, joy of Kadambari'a eyes — thou, moon, hast
heard the story of thy past birth, and that of this foolish being.
Thou knowest from him how even in this birth he disregarded
his father's command, and sot oil to seek his bride. Now 1
am LakHlimJ, liis mother, and his father, seeing by divine
insiglit that he had started, bade me keep him in safety till
the religious rile for liim was completed, and lead him to
repentance. (iiJVi) The rite is now over. The end of the
curse is at hand. I brought him to thee that thou mightest
rejoice with him thereat. 1 became a Caiulala to avoid
contact with mankind. J)o ye both therefore, straightway
leave bodies beset with the ills of birth, old age, pain, and
death, and win the joy of union with your beloved.' So
saying, she suddenly rose to the sky, followed by the gaze
of all the people, while the firmament rang with her
tinkling anklets. The king, at her words, remembc^red his
former birth and said : * Dear rundarlka, now called
Vaicampuyana, happy is it that the curHe comes to an end
at the same moment for us both ' ; but while he spoke. Love
drew bin bow, taking Kadambari as his best weapon, aiul
entered into the king's heart to destroy his life. (()lJr>) The
Ibime of love wholly consumed him, and from longing for
^lahavvetri, Yaivampuyana, who was in truth Puuijarlka,
endured the same sullerings as the king.
Now at this time there set in the fragrant season of
spring.as if to burn him utterly,(():M)) and while it intoxicated
all living beings, it was used by Love as his strongest shaft
to bewilder the heart of Kadambari. On ivama's festival
she passed the day with great dilliculty, and at twilight,
when the (puirters were growing dark, she bathed,
worshipped Knma, and placcul before him the body of
Candriij)ida, wiisluul, anointed with nuisk-scented sandal,
and deckcnl with flowers. (OUT) l^'illed with a deep longing,
she drew nigh, as if unconsciouwly and suddenly, bereft by
love of a wonum's native timidity, she could no longer
restrain herself, and clasped Candrapl(ja's neck as though
he were yet alive. At her ambrosial embrace the prince's
life came back to him, and, clasping her closely, like o)ie
207
awakened from Bleep (688), he gladdened her by sajmg:
* Timid one, away with fear ! Thine embrace hath brought
me to life ; for thou art born of the ApsaraH race sprung
from noctar, and it was but the curse that prevented thy
touch from reviving mo before. I have now left the mortal
shiipo of (^^udraka, that caused the pain of separation from
tlioo; but tills body I k jpt, 1 ecause it won thy love. Now
both til is world and the moon are bound to thy feet.
Vai(;ampuyana, too, the beloved of thy friend MahrK/veta,
has been freed from the curse with me.* While the moon,
hidden in the Hluipe of C'andrujmja, thus spoke, Puiujarika
descended from the sky, pale, wearing still the row of
pearls given by ^labavvetfi, and holding the hand of
Kapinjala. (Olit)) (lladly Kfidambaii hastened to tell
Maliavveia of her lover's return, while Caiulruplda said :
' Dear Tuntjarika, though in an earlier birth thou wast my
Hon-in-law,^ thou must now be my friend, as in our last
birth.' Meanwhile, Keyuraka set oil' to llemakula to tell
llaiiiHa and Citniratlia, and Madalekha fell at the feet of
Tarapicla, who was absorbed in prayer to ^iva, Vaiujuisher
of Death, and N'ilasavatl, and told them the glad tidings.
(() 10) Then the aged king came, leaning on (/ukanasa, with
the (lueeii and ^lanonima, and great was the joy of all.
Kapinjala too brought a message to (Jukanasa from
(^\'etakatu, saying : ' Puntlarika was but brought up by me ;
but he is thy son, and loves thee ; do thou therefore keep
him from ill, and care for him as thine own. (Oil) I have
placed in him my own lite, and he will live as long as the
moon ; so that my desires are fuUilled. The divine spirit
of life in me now yearns to reach a region surpassing the
world of gods.' That night passed in talk of their
former birth ; and next day the two (jandliarva kings camo
with their (pieens, and the festivities were increased a
thousandfold. Oitraratha, however, said : ' Why, when we
have palaces of our own, do we feast in the forest ? More-
over, though marriage resting only on mutual love is lawful
* Ah tlio betrothed of Maharvetii, who was of the moon-raco of
ApHaraHOH. •
I 208
among uh,^ yet let ua follow the custom of the world.'
* Nay,' replied Tarapida. * Where a man hath known his
greatest happiness, there is his home, even if it be the
forest.^ ((i42) And where else have I known such joy as
here ?^ All my palaces, too, have been given over to thy
Bon-in-law ; take my son, therefore, with his bride, and taste
the joys of home.' Then Citraratha went with Candraplila
to Hemakuta, and offorod him his whole kingdom with the
hand of Kadambarl. Hanisa did the same to Pundarlka ;
but both refused to accept anything, for their longings were
satisfied with winning the brides dear to their hearts.
Now, one day Kfidambari, tliough her joy was complete,
asked lier husband with tears : ' How is it that when we all
have died and come to life, and have been united witli each
other, Patralekhfi alone is not here, nor do we know what
has become of her'?' *How could she be here, my beloved?'
replied the prince tenderly. * For she is my wife liohinl,
and, when slie heard I was cursed, grieving for my grief,
she refused to leave me alone in the world of mortals, and
though I sought to dissuade her, she accepted birth in that
world even before me, that she might wait upon me. (048)
When I entered on another birth, she again wished to
descend to earth ; but I sent her l)ack to the world of
the moon. There thou wilt again beliold her.' But
Kadambari, in wonder at Rohini's nobility, tenderness,
loftiness of soul, devotion, and charm, was abashed, and
could not utter a word.
The ten nights that Candrapida spent at Hemakuta
passed as swiftly as one day; and then, dismissed by
Citraratha and ^fadirfi, who were wholly content with him,
he approached the feet of his father. There he bestowed
on the chieftains who had shared his sufferings a condition
like his own, and laying on Pundarlka the burden of
government, followed the steps of his parents^ who had
given up all earthly* duties. Sometimes from love of his
^ For pandlijirva marringo, v. Manu., iii. 82.
2 Cf. M.Arnold:
* All, wliere the spirit its higliest life liatli led,
All Kpots. mutcird with that spot, are less divine.'
209
native land, he would dwell in Ujjayini, where the citizens
gazed at him with wide, wondering eyes ; sometimes, from
respect to the Gandharva king, at Hemakuta, beautiful
beyond compare ; sometimes, from reverence to Rohini, in
the world of the moon, where every place was charming
from the coolness and fragrance of nectar ; sometimes, from
love to Pun fear another world. ^ They are connois-
seurs in all arts, pleasant^ and intelligent. They talk
merrily, are charming in their humour, spotless in their
attire, (100) skilled in foreign languages, clever at subtleties
of speech,^ versed in stories of all kinds,^ accomplished in
letters, having a keen delight in the Maliabliarata, ruranas,
and liamayana, familiar with the Brihatkatha, masters
of the whole circle of arts, especially gambling, lovers of
the ^astras, devoted to light literature, calm as a fragrant
spring breeze, constantly going to the south f upright,^
like the wood of Himalaya ; skilled in the worship of
Eama,^ like Lakshmana ; open lovers of Bharata, like
Tatrughna f like the day, following the sun ;^^ like a
Buddhist, bold in saying ' Yes ' about all kinds of gifts ;^^ like
the doctrine of the Siunkhya philosophy, possessed of noble
men ;^^ like Jinadharma, pitiful to life.
The city seems possessed of rocks, with its palaces ; it
stretches like a suburb with its long houses ; it is like the
tree that grants desires with its good citizens ; it bears in
its painted halls the mirror of all forms. Like twilight, it
shines with the redness of rubies ;^^ (107) like the form of
the Lord of Heaven, it is purified with the smoke of a
hundred sacrilices ; like the wild dance of (^.'iva, it has the
smiles, which are its white markets ;^^ like an old woman,
it has its beauty worn ;^^ like the form of Garuda, it is
* Or, learned.
^ Or, though full of energy, they fear their enemies.
' Or, liberal. * V, Suhitya-Durpana, 641.
6 Ibid., 56b. Or, offering gifts.
^ Or, containing pine-trees. * Or, attentive to women.
• Brother of Kama and liharata. ^^ Or, their friends.
*^ Or, of the Sarvastivadin School (a subdivision of the Vaibhashika
Buddhists).
** Or, matter and spirit. ^^ Or, lotus-hued.
** In the case of (^'iva, ' loud laughter, bright as nectar.'
** It has treasure vaults.
218
pleasing in being the resting-place of Vishnu ;^ like the hour
of dawn, it has its people all alert ; like the home of a
mountaineer, it has palaces in which ivory cowries* are
hanging ; like the form of Oesha,^ it always bears the world ;
like the hour of churning the ocean, it fills the end of the
earth with its hubbub;* like the rite of inauguration, it
has a thousand gold pitchers^ at hand ; like Gaurl, it has
a form fit to sit on the lion-throne ; like Aditi, honoured in
a hundred houses of the gods ; like the sports of Maha-
varfiha, showing the casting down of Hiranyaksha f like
Kadrii, it is a joy to the race of reptiles ;^ like the Hari-
vain(;a, it is charming witb the games of many children.^
(108) Though its courts are open to all, its glory is unin-
jured ;'* though it glows with colour,^*^ it is white as nectar;
though it is hung with strings of pearls, yet when un-
adorned" it is adorned the most ; though composed of
many elements,^' it is yet stable, and it surpasses in splen-
dour the world of the immortals.
There the sun is daily seen paying homage to !Mahakala,
for his steeds vail their heads at the charm of the sweet
chant of the women singing in concert in the lofty white
palaces, and his pennon droops before him. There his rays
fall on the vermeil floors like the crimson of eve ; and on
the emerald seats, as though busy in creating lotus beds ;
on the lapis-lazuli, as though scattered on the sky ; on the
circling aloe smoke, as though eager to break its dense
gloom ; on the wreaths of pearl, as though disdaining the
clusters of stars ; (109) on the women's faces, as though
kissing unfolding lotuses; on the splendour of crystal
walls, as though falling amid the pale moonhght of morn-
* Or, keeping its covenants firm.
- Or, houses whitened with ivory and cowries.
•* Or, having splendid mountains always at hand.
* Or, false. ^ Or, gold pieces.
*^ (a) Demon ; (b) golden dice. ' Or, rogues.
^ Or, the sporting of King Bala.
9 Though the free intercourse with women is allowed, it is of
irreproaci\able conduct.
^^ Its cactes are loved.
" ViJulra {a) without necklaces ; (b) having temples.
** Having many citizens.
214
ing ; on the white silken banners, as though hanging on
the waves of the heavenly Ganges ; on the sun-gems, as
though blossoming from them ; on the sapphire lattices, as
though entering the jaws of Rahu. There darkness never
falls, and the nights bring no separation to the pairs of
cakravakas; nor need they any lamps, for they pasH golden
as with morning sunsliino, from the bright jewels of
women, as though the world were on fire with the flame
of love. There, though Civa is at hand, the cry of the
hamsas in the houses, arising sweet and ceaseless, at the
kindling of love, fills the city with music, like the mourn-
ing of Rati for the burning of the God of Love. There the
palaces stretch forth their flags, whose silken fringes gleam
and flutter at night in the wind, like arms to remove the
mark of the moon put to shame by the fair lotus-faced
Mfdavls. (110) There the moon, deer-marked, moves, in the
guise of his reflection, on the jewel pavement, cool with the
sprinkling of much sandal-water, as though he had fallen
captive to Love at the sight of the faces of the fair city
dames resting on the palace roofs. There the auspicious
songs of dawn raised by the company of caged parrots and
starlings, though they sing their shrillest, as they wake at
night's close, are drowned and rendered vain by the
tinkling of women's ornaments, reaching far, and outvying
the ambrosial voices of the tame cranes.^ (HI) There
dwells Civa, who has pierced the demon Andhaka with
his sharp trident, who has a piece of the moon on his
brow polished by the points of Gauri's anklets, whose
cosmetic is the dust of Tripura, and whoso feet are
honoured by many bracelets fallen from Rati's outstretched
arms as she pacifies him when bereft of Kama.
DE.S(UllPTION OF TAUAl'ipA.^
(112) Like hell, he was the refuge of the lords of earth,^
fearing when their soaring pride was shorn ;* like the stars,
he was followed by the wise men ;^ like Love, he destroyed
1 Then follows : ' There— demons ' p. 47, 1. 18.
2 Follows p. 48, 1. 17, ' gay.'
8 lletid °kulai/i ; (a)Kmgs; (6) mountains.
* Loss of dependencies ; or, loss of wings.
^ Or, by the star Budha. ' ^
216
strife;^ like Da9aratha, he had good friends;' (118) like
(yiva, he was followed by a mighty host ;' like ^esha, he
had the weight of the earth upon him;* like the stream
of Narmada, his descent was from a noble tree.* He was
the incarnation of Justice, the very representative of
Vishnu, the destroyer of all the sorrows of his people. He
re-established justice, which had been shaken to its foun-
dations by the Kali Age, set on iniquity, and mantled in
gloom by the spread of darkness, just as Civa re-established
Kailfisa when carried off by Ravana. He was honoured by
the world as a second Kama, created by (^iva when his
heart was softened by the lamentations of Rati.
(113-115) Before him bowed conquered kings with eyes
whose pupils were tremulous and quivering from fear, with
the bands of the wreaths on their crest ornaments caught by
the rays of his feet, and with the line of their heads broken
by the lotus-buds held up in adoration. They came from
the Mount of Sunrise," which has its girdle washed by the
ocean waves, where the flowers on the trees of its slopes are
doubled by stars wandering among the leaves, where the
sandal- wood is wet with the drops of ambrosia that fall
from the moon as it rises, where the clove-trees^ blossom
when pierced by the hoofs of the horses of the sun's
chariot, where the leaves and shoots of the olibanum-trees
are cut by the trunk of the elephant Airfivata ; (114) from
Setubandha, built with a thousand mountains seized by the
hand of Nala,^ where the fruit on the lavall-trees is carried
off by monkeys, where the feet 0£ Rama are worshipped by
the water-deities coming up from the sea, and where the
rock is starred with piecus of shell broken by the fall of
the mountain ; from Mandara, where the stars are washed
by the waters of pure waterfalls, where the stones are
polished by the rubbing of the edge of the fish ornament
^ Or, his body was destroyed.
'^ Or, Suuiitra, wife of l)a(;aratlia.
3 Or, by the ' Lord of Battles,' i.e., KArtikeya.
* Or, was honoured for his patience.
^ (a) A great family; (b) a great bamboo from which the river is
said to rise. ^ V. supra, p. 162.
' Bead lavanga. ^ A monkey chief.
I 21G
of Krishna rising at the churning of amhrosia, where the
Blopes are torn by the weight of the feet moving in the
effort of drawing hither and thither Vasuki coiled in the
struggles of Gods and demons, where the peaks are sprinkled
with ambrosial spray ; from Gandhamfidana, beautiful with
the hermitage of Badariku marked with the footi)rints of
Nara and Nfirayana, where the peaks are resonant with the
tinkling of the ornaments of the fair dames of Kuvera's
city, where the water of the streams is purified by the
evening worship of the Seven llishis, and where the land
around is perfumed by the fragments of lotuses torn up by
Bhima.
(188) Preceded by groups of chamberlains, hastening up
and bowing, he received the respectful homage of the kings,
who had already taken their position there, who came
forward on all sides, who had the ground kissed by the
rays of the crest-jewels loosened from their crests and
thrown afar, and who were introduced one by one by the
chamberlains ; at every step he had auspicious words for
his dismounting uttered by old women of the zenana,
who had come out from inside, and were skilled in old
customs ; having passed through the seven inner courts
crowded with thousands of different living beings, as if
they were different worlds, he beheld his father. The king
was stationed within, surrounded by a body-guard whose
hands were stained black by ceaseless grasping of weapons,
who had their bodies, with the exception of hands, feet, and
eyes, covered with dark iron coats of mail, (189) like
elephant -posts covered with swarms of bees ceaselessly
attracted by desire of the scent of ichor, hereditary in their
office, of noble birth, faithful; whose heroism might be
inferred from their character and gestures, and who in
their energy and fierceness were like demons. On either
side he had white cowries ceaselessly waved by his women ;
and he sat on a couch white as a wild goose, and bright as
a fair island, as if he were the heavenly elephant on the
water of Ganges.
217
vilAsavatI's attendants.
(190) Approaching his mother, he saluted her. She was
surrounded by countless zenana attendants in white jackets,
like (Jrl with the waves of milk, and was having her time
wiled away by elderly ascetic women, very calm in aspect,
wearing tawny robes, like twilight in its clouds, worthy of
honour from all the world, with the lobes of their ears long,
knowing many stories, relating holy tales of old, reciting
legends, holding books, and giving instructions about
righteousnesB. (191) She was attended by eunuchs using
the speech and droBS of women, and wearing strange
decorations ; she had a mass of cowries constantly waved
around her, and was waited upon by a bevy of women
seated around her, bearing clothes, jewels, flowers, per-
fumes, betel, fans, unguents, and golden jars ; she had
strings of pearls resting on her bosom, as the earth has the
stream of Ganges flowing in the midst of mountains, and
the reflection of her face fell on a mirror close by, like the
sky when the moon's orb has entered ir.co the sun.
(;!Ukanasa's palace.
(192) He reached Cukanasa's gate, which was crowded
with a troop of elephants appointed for the watch, ob-
structed by thousands of horses, (198) confused with the
hustling of countless multitudes, visited day and night
by Brahmans, (^.'aivas, and red-robed men skilled in the
teaching of (^fikyamuni, clothed as it were in the garments
of righteousness, sitting on one side by thousands, form-
ing circles, coming for various purposes, eager to see
Oukanfisa, having their eyes opened by the ointment of
their several (/astras, and showing their respectful devotion
by an appearance of humility. The gateway was filled
with a hundred thousand she-elephants of the tributary
kings who had entered the palace with double blankets
drawn round the mahouts who sat on their shoulders,
having their mahouts asleep from weariness of their long
waiting, some saddled and some not, nodding their heads
218
from their long standing motionless. The prince dis-
mounted in the outer court, as though he were in a royal
palace, though not stopped by the guards standing in the
entrunce and running up in haste ; and having left his
horse at the entrance, leaning on Vaic/ampfiyana, and
having his way shown by circles of gatekeepers, who
hastened up, pushing away the bystanders, he received
the salutes of bands of chiefs who arose with waving crests
to do him homage, and beheld the inner courts with all the
attendants mute in fear of the scolding of cross porters,
and having the ground shaken by hundreds of feet of the
retinues of neighbouring kings frightened by the moving
wands, (194) and finally entered the palace of Tukanfisa,
bright inside with fresh plaster, as if it were a second royal
court.
DESCRIPTION OF NIGHT.
(lOG) The brightness of day approached the west, follow-
ing the path of the sun's chariot-wheels, like a stream of
water. Day wiped away all the glow of the lotuses with
the sun's orb hastening downwards like a hand roseate as
fresh shoots. The pairs of cakravakas, whose necks were
hidden in swarms of bees approaching from familiarity with
the scent of lotuses, were separated as if drawn by the
noose of destiny. The sun's orb poured forth, under the
guise of a rosy glow, the lotus honey-draught, as it were,
drunk in with its rays till the end of day, as if in weariness
of its path through the heavens. And when in turn the
blessed sun approached another world, and was a very red
lotufl-earring of the West, when twilight shone forth with
its lotus-beds opening into the lake of heaven, (1D7) when
in the quarters of space lines of darkness showed clear like
decorations of black aloes; when the glow of eve was
driven out by darkness like a band of red lotuses by blue
lotuses dark with bees ; when bees slowly entered the hearts
of red lotuses, as if they were shoots of darkness, to uproot
the sunshine drunk in by the lotus-beds ; when the evening
glow had melted away, like the garland round the face of
the Lady of night; when the oblations in honour of the
219
goddess of twilight were cast abroad in all quarters ; when
the peacock's poles seemed tenanted by peacocks, by reason
of the darkness gathered round their summits, though no
peacocks were there; when the doves, very ear-lotuses of
the Lakshml of palaces, were roosting in the holes of the
lattices; when the swings of the zenana had their bells
dumb, and their gold seats motionless and bearing no fair
dames ; when the bands of parrots and mainas ceased
chattering, and had their cages hung up on the branches of
the palace mango-trees ; when the lutes were banished, and
their sound at rest in the ceasing of the concert ; when the
tame geese were quiet as the sound of the maidens* anklets
was stilled ; (108) when the wild elephants had the clefts of
their cheeks free from bees, and their ornaments of pearls,
cowries, and shells taken away; when the lights were
kindled in the stables of the king's favourite steeds ; when
the troops of elephants for the first watch were entering ;
when the family priests, having given their blessing, were
departing ; when the jewelled pavements, emptied almost
of attendants on the dismissal of the king's suite, spread
out wide, kissed by the reliection of a thousand lights
skining in the inner apartments, like offerings of golden
campak - blossoms ; when the palace tanks, with the
splendours of the lamps falling on them, seemed as if the
fresh sunlight had approached to soothe the lotus-beds
grieved by sei)aration from the sun ; when the caged lions
were heavy with sleep ; and when Love had entered the
zenana like a watchman, with arrows in hand and bow
strung ; when the words of Love's messenger were uttered
in the ear, bright in tone as the blossoms in a garland ;
when the hearts of froward dames, widowed by grief, were
smouldering in the fire transmitted to them from the sun-
crystals ; and when evening had closed in, Candrupida . . .
went to the king's palace. . . .
THE REGION OF KAILASA.
(243) The red arsenic-dust scattered by the elephants*
tusks crimsoned the earth. The clefts of the rock were
I 220
festooned with shoots of creepers, now separating and
now uniting, hanging in twists, twining like leafage ; the
stones were wet with the ceaseless dripping of gum-trees ;
the boulders were slippery with the bitumen that oozed
from the rocks. The slope was dusty with fragments of
yellow orpiment broken by the mountain horses' hoofs ;
powdered with gold scattered from the holes dug out by the
claws of rats ; lined by the hoofs of musk-doer and yaks
sunk in tlie sand and covered with the liair of rallakas and
rankus fallen about ; lilled with pairs of partridges resting
on tno broken pieces of rock ; with the mouths of its caves
inhabited by pairs of orang-outangs ; with the sweet scent
of sulphur, and with bamboos that had grown to the length
of wands of oflice.
PASSAGES PRINTED IN THE APPENDIX.*
102, 1—110, 6 188, 4—189, 5 196, 4—199, 1
111, 1-4 190. 6-191, 5 248, 440 '
112, 6—116, 1 192, 11—194, 2
PASSAGES CONDENSED OR OMITTED.*
11,7—15,2 176,6-188,4 286,2-4
♦81, 10-84, 2 *199, 6-200, 9 *846, 7—848, 7
46, 7—48, 4 208, 2—204, 2 858, 6—866, 9
81, 8-10 ♦227, 4—284, 6 857, MO
88, 1-8 242, 6-10 859, 12—866, Q
86, 8—89, 4 *245, 4—248, 8 809, 2-8
119, 8—124, 8 250, 8-8 *im<, 6—884, 9
187, 7-188, 8 ^252, 7—256, 5 888, 5-890, 4
141, 6-155, 6 2(V2, 1- 206, 8 408, 6-410, 8
162, 8-164, 8 276, 9-277, 8 417, 1—426, 8
* Tho figures refer to the page and line of the Nirnaya-S&gara
edition of KfidaiubarT.
* PaMHagcH marked ♦ are condensed, and only occasional phrases are
translated.
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES AND SANSKRIT WORDS,
A.
AcALA, a man, 17
Acchoda, lake, ix, 92, 102, 108, 108,
112, 189,191,195,199
A<;oka, a troo (Joncsia A(;oka)t 40,
4a, 117, 178 note, 186, 194
Arvanicdha, Bacrilice, 188
A<;vattlianian, a warrior, 188
Abhinianyu, a warrior, 187, 188
Aditi, a goddess, 218
Agastya, a sage, xi, 18, 19, 20, 49,
210
Aghamarshana, hymn, 88, 141
Agni, xvi, 4, 9, 11, 14, 35, 41, 46,
72
AhavanTya, fire, 40
Airfivata, Indra's elephant, 6, 46,
85, 80, 90, 109, 188, 215
Ajataratru, a king, 50
Akbar, xiv
Alakfi, a city, 9
Alarka, a king, 88
Aiurita, nectar, 8, and pasaijn
Ananga, god of love, 06
Andhaka, a demon, 47, 214
Af/jali, the salutation of joined up-
raised liands, 88
Anuhatidha^ 180
Knundsika^ a nasal sound, 11
j^pavaktraka, metro, xii
psarases, tlic, nymphs, 64, 100,
101, 102, 112, 140,207
Arhat, xvi, 102
Arishta, an Apsaras, 102
Arjuna, a hero, 18, 137, 188 (Kar-
tavTrya, a king, 27)
Arthnpati, a ]^rahman, 2
Aithdjxitti^ xix
Arundhatl, 40 •
Arya, metre, xii, 11 note
Asliadha, 30, 40, 105
Asura, demon, 9, 68
Aube, river, xv
Aucityavioftra-carca, vlil
Avalokitevvora, xvi, 162
Avanti, a province, 199
B.
Babhruvahana, a warrior, 18B
Badarika, a hermitage, 216
]iakula, a tree, Mwiuaopa clengi^
10, 144, 178
Bala, i\ Jialarama, 22
Bala, a king, 218 note
Balaluika, a warrior, 61, 62, 68, 65,
09, 70, 171
Balarama, brother of Krishna, 8,
88, 51, 97, 150
Bana, or IJanabhatta, the author,
vii, viii, xii, xiv, xvii, xviii, xix,
XX, xxi, xxii,8
l^ana, a demon, 1
Bendall, Professor, xiv
Bhagiratha, a king, 8, 26, 87, 47,
72, 88
Bharata, a king, 47, 60, 72, 88, 102,
147, 101, 190, 212
Bliatsu, a guru, 1
Bliima, a warrior, 00, 78, 216
BliTslnna, a warrior, 80
Bhoja, xviii
Bln;igu, a sago, 188
Blulshana, or Bhushanabhatta* viii,
xxiii, 188
Ihahnia, 2, 8, 10, 35, 89, 41, 65, 94,
90, 101, 105, 134 note, 147
Brihadratlia, a king, 58
Brihaspati, a sage, 4, 11, 46 note,
50
Brihatkatha, xii, 8 note, 212
Birthless, the, 1
Budlia, a star, 214 note
Buddlia, xvii
Buddhacarita, 94 note
22B
C.
Cabara, a mountaineer, 26, 27, 28,
29, 81, 82, 88
Cava, a man, 17
Caitraratha, a wood, 102
C'aiva, follower of (;iva, xvi, xvii,
217
Cakora, a partridge, 189
Cakravaka, tho ruddy goose, 20, 47,
07, 92 note, 94, 114, 127, 142, 144,
Hf), 100, 102, 107, 214, 218
C'akuni, a man, 40 ; a bird, 21, 40
(,'rikyaumni, xvi, 217
(jTiltreo, Valeria liohuHta^ 92
(|'alniali, tho HJlk-cotton-troe, Bom-
hajr Jfcptap/iyllitnif 21
Ciinipak, a troo, Michclia Cham-
l>aka, 2, 117, 150, 219
Candakaiirika, a Hago, b\\
Caiiilala, a low cuhIc, viii, x, xvi, 0,
H,'J nolo. 10, la, 10, 204,205,200
Candikfirataka, viii
Cuiulrfiplda, tho hero, viii, ix, x, xi,
xvi, xxi, xxii,r)9, and^^dssim
Candraprabha, a place, 95
(jTintanu, a kin^s 182, 188
(,'aiabha, 73
I'astrns, wacrod law-books, xi, 2, 8^
' 10, 15, »9, 40, 42, 49, 02, 76, 79,
212, 217
(jitadlianvan, a king, 04
Cutaka, a bird, 94
(j'atakratu, Indra, 87
(,'atruglina, a prince, 212
Teslui, kiii<< of sorponts, 60, 61, 78,
' 85, 89, 95, 90, 123, 158, 105, 178,
21M, 215
Chattaji, xiv
(^'ikhaiuU, a warrior, 80
()irIsha,'or Sirlslia, a Hewer, 69, 181
Citrabliruui, a Hralnnan, 8
Citraratha, a (iandharva, 102, 140,
143, 151, 159, 109, 207, 208
(,'iva, vi, X, xi, xvii, 8, 7, 8, 14, 17,
21, ao, 30, 39, 41, 40, 47 note,
49, 50, 51, 52, 50, 03, 82 note, 85,
92, 93, 95, 90, 97, 98, 99, 102,
103, 104, 108, 109, 135, 137, 141,
102, 104, 107, 182, 189, 207, 210,
211,212,214,215
(Jlcslia, xix
Cowcll, Professor, vii, xiv, xxii
Oaddha, rites for the dead, 89
C'rl, or Lakshml, 8, 9, 17, 105, 217 ;
a tree, 17
(Jruti, Divine tradition, 8
(;Qdraka, a king, viii, x, xiv, 8, 207
( lukanasa, a Brahman, ix, xvi, xviii,
49, 60, 67, 68, 69, 61, 71, 72, 76,
84, 89, 161, 170, 174, 188, 189,
190, 197, 200, 201, 202, 207, 217,
218
(^ukra, a sage, 60
(Jutalatika, 146
(,^x'tadvlpa, the white continent, 97
Cvetaketu, a sage, 108, 109, 127,
197, 203, 207
Cyavaiia, a sage, 188
D.
Darapura, a city, 187, 188
Da.-aratlia, a king, 47, 60, 68, 88, 216
Dakslia, 102, 141
Dakshii.ia lire, 40
Daniaiiaka, 50
Dandaka, wood, 22, 27
Dai.idi, 37 note
Dharba, a grass, 40
Dharnia, god of Justice, 4, 18, 85,
41, 50, 127
Dhartaraslitras, 93
Dhaumya, a priest, 60
Dhritarashtra, a king, 187
Digaiiibaras, xvi
Dilipa, a king, 88
Disobedient, the, Duhsasana, 49
Divine niotliers, 199 note
Dramii, Acvatthfunan, 86
Dravidian, 172
])ridhadasvu, an ascetic, 19
l)uliralya,'l37
Dundlunnaia, a king, 47
Durga, wife of Civa, 9, 17, 29, 80,
31, 49, 50, 55, 50, 102 note, 141,
102, 172
Durgoranandini, xiv
l^firvu grass, 84, 94
Duryodliana, a king, 21, 40
Dus'hana, a warrior, 27
J)va7i(lca, a pair, 101 note
Dvq^a, a continent, 60
E.
Eastern Mountain, 23
Ekalavya, a king, 28
Ela, cardanions, 16
F.
Faerie Quccne (Spenser's), xxii
First-born, a star, 49
Fuel-bearer, Dndhadaayn, 19
224
O.
(langa, or Ganges, 8, and paaaim
Gandhamadana, an elephant, 86,
165 ; a mountain, 162 note, 216
GandharvaH, heavenly beings, ix, 8,
100, 10'^, 108, 112, 118, 120, 187,
138, 140, 141, 148, 152, 153, 168,
161, 162, 163, 165, l(i6, 184, 191,
196, 201, 207, 209, 210
Gaiidliarva, iniirriage, 208
(iarliiipatya, fire, 40
Gariida, king of birds 2, 29, 62, 68,
64/212
Gaurl or Durga, 96, 112, 132, 218,
214
(lliatotkaca, Bhinia'a son, 80
(fliee, or ghl, xvii, 38
(rorJrsJia, sandal- juice, 183
(lodaverl, a river, 19
(ioniaijn^ 40
(torocund, a yellow pigment, 8, 84,
104
(luhyakas, demigods, 100
(lUi.iavinayagani, viii
(iunja, a shrub, 28
(iuptas, a dynasty, 2
(rioK, religious teacher, and pa«fii?H
H.
Ilaijisa, a Gandharva, 102; a bird,
5, and passim
Hari, Vishnu, 1
Harinika, 145
llarita, an ascetic, 85, 46, 202, 208,
206, 207, 208, 209
llaritala pigeons, 122, 145
IIarivam»;a, 29 note, 87 note, 188,
213
I larsha Carita, Professor Cowell and
Mr. Tliomas, vii, viii, xvii note,
XX, 1, 159 note
llarsha, or 1 tarshavardhana of
Tljfinerar, vii, viii, xvii
Ifemaiakutas, a tribe, 90
Ifemakuta, a mountain and city,
102, li3, 143, 163, 167, 171, 172,
186, 207, 208, 209
Ilidamba, a demon, 78
Himalaya, mountain, 14, 92, 210,
212
Ifimavat v. Himalaya, ^2
Hiouon Tlisang, xvii note
lliranyagarbha, the golden egg, i.e.,
lU'ahma, 2
lliranyaka(;ipu, a demon, 80
Hiranyaksha, 218
Homa sacrifice, 89
Hybiscus Mutabilis, note, 169 note,
175
Indian Literature, History of, by
Weber, xviii
Indische Studien, Weber's, 97 note
Indra, a god, xii, 8, 6, 18, 48, 60,
61, 68, 64, 65, 87 note, 102, 186,
204 note
Indrayudha, a steed, 62, and paaaim
Itihasas, The, legendary liistories,
60
Jabali, an ascetic, ix, x, xi, 85, 40,
43, 202, 203, 204
Jain, xvi
Jillapada, an ascetic, 46
Jarasandha, a king, 50, 68
JatJika, xvi
Jati, a flower, Jaamimim Orandi-
Jhruni, 9
Ja\ adratha, a king, 187
Jinadliarma, 212
K.
Kabandha, a Rakshasa, 20
Ka(;a, a grass, 40, 97
Kadalika, 144
Kadamba, Hower, 112
Kadambarl, the heroine, i, viii, xxi,
140, 145, and passim; the book,
i-xxiii, 3
Kadru, (,'csha's motlier, 218
Kailasa, a mountain, ix, 8, 7, 47,
and passim ; a man, 74, 76
Kaitabha, a demon, 61
Kakkola, a plant, 16
Kalahaiiisa, a teal, 12, 24, 86, 89,
67, 79, 92, 104, 144
Kalakula, poison, 78 >
Kali, Din-gA, 28
Kali Ago. the Iron Age, 96, 216
Kfilindi, a bird, 150, 151, 194
Kalpa, tlio tree that grants desires,
80, 145, 160, 174
Kama, god of love, 66, 69 note, 81,
and passim
KanuiHnikn, 145
Kfimandaklya-Nitiyastra, xiv
Kandala, plantain, 161 note.
Kandaliku, 145
225
Kaustubha, Vishnu's gem, 61, 67,
78, 168
Kapiiijala, a Brahman, xix, 111,
115, 118, 122, 123, 127, 128, 129,
181, 133, 184, 196, 197, 207
Karira, a plant, 16
Karnfsuta, 17
Kartikoya, war-pod, 8, 49 note, 66,
92, 96, 162, 215 note
Katha, xii, xviii
Kathfi-Kora, xvi
Katlia-Siirit-Sagara, xi, xiii
Kavya-rrakri(;a, xx
Kesara, a tree {Mimuaops Elengi),
85 note, 104, 109
Kesarikfi, 144
Ketakl, a trco (Pandanua Odora-
tissimus), 16, 144, 147, 177, 210
Kuyuraka, Krulanibarl's page, 141,
and passim
KluTiulava AVood, 35
Kliara, a warrior, 27
Kieiika, a warrior, 18
Kindanui, a siidava8, The, 18 note, 98
Pandu, a king, 187
Para^urama, avatar of Vishyu, 6,
27,61
Parihasa, a parrot, 160, 161, 194
l^arlkshit, a king, 188
Parijata, coral tree, 109, 110, 112,
117, 126
Parvatl, wife of Civa, 8, 68, 108
Parvatiparinaya, viii
P/itralekha, the hero's confidante,
75, 86, 89, 141, 164, 167, 169, 170,
171, 178, 174, 175, 177, 179, 180,
188, 184, 185, 187, 188, 191, 198,
195-197, 208
Persia, 62
Peterson's Edition of Kadambarl,
vii, viii, xii, xvii, xix, xx, xxiii
Pipal, a tree {Ficua lidigioaa), 56
Pippall, long pepper, 145
Pitris, the Manes, 14, 89
Prajapati, the Creator, 10, 96, 144,
169
Praniadvara, an Apsaras, 188
Pramathas, demons, 47, 210
Pramati, an ascetic, 188
Prithuraja, a king, 4
Priyangu, panic seed, 189
Pulustya, xi
Puiidarika, a Brahman, ix, x, xi,
xiii, xix, 8, 4, 5, 8, 9, 109, 110,
115, 116, 118, 120, 121, 122, 126,
126, 128, 181, 188, 184, 185, 186,
188, 192, 198, 195, 196, 197
Puranas, sacred legendary histories,
10,'40, 60, 189, 200, 212
Purushottamn, Vishnu, 79 note
Puslikara, a place, 87 note
li.
Kaghuvaiiira, 94 note
llaghavapandavlya, xx
Pnghu, a king, 20
Pahu, the demon of eclipse, 1, 81,
86, 52, 80, 96, 214
Pnjanika, 144
Pakshasas, demons, 187
Rallakas, deer, 220
Pama, a king, son of Da(;aratha, 19,
20, 21, 27, 40, 50, 212,216
Pamayana, the epic of llama, 40,
60, 201, 212
Pinnbha, an Apsaras, 64
Panku deer, 28, 220
Kapin, 105 note
liasd^ poetic charm, xiii note
227
RatanopanUlf xix
Rati, wife of the god of love, 8, 67,
69, 96, 102, 104, 187, 144, 214,
216
Havana, the demon King of Ceylon,
1, 18, 19, 20, 27, 86, 96, 216
Hig-Veda, 38 note
Bishi, a wage, 18, 100 ; yiHliis, the
Seven (or Seven Sagow), Ursa
Major, 23, 38, 41, 45, 40, 84, 90,
216
RriHliyacringa, a hermit, 53
llohinl, wife of the Moon, xxi, 124,
159, 200, 208, 209
lliidra, (,'iva, 40
Hum, an ascetic, 138
SilgarikiT, 144
Sriiiitya-Durpana, \ii, xviii, xix, xx,
212 note
Sania Veda, 2, 37 note
Srmikliya philosophy, 212
Saudasa, a king, 201
Sandfpani, a Brahman, 188
Saptaccliada, or Saptaparna, a tree
[A/Htoniu), 18, 28, 81
Sarvfistivadin, 212 note
Banisvati, goddess of eloquence,
xiii, 2, 3, 4, 41, 104, 105 •
tiatl, a wife killing herself at her
husband's death, 09
Sena, a (Jandharva, 102
Sephalikfi, a tree {NijctantJiea Arbor
Trinlis), 7,23
Sctubandl.a, Mount, 215
Shakespeare's ' Merchant of Venice,'
' Julius Ciesar,' xix
Siddhas, the, semi-divine beings,
45, 50, 98, 108, 137, 210
Sinduvara, shrub {\'ilcx Negundo)^
46, 97, 159
Sindlui, Sindh, 137
Sipra, river, xvi, 59, 185, 211
Sirlsha, v. (,'irisha, 102
Sita, wife of llama, 17, 19, 20
Smriti, divine tradition, 2
Son'ia, juice of a plant used in sacri-
fice, 2, 3, 40 ; (the moon), 80, 126,
204 note
Somadeva, xi
Somaprabha, xi
Sthalat'iras, an ascetic, 64
Sthrdake(;a, an ascetic, 188
Subandlui, xx
Subhashitavah, viii note, 1
Subrahmanyft, Vedio veraes, 89
Sumanas, xi
SumitrH, wife of Da<;aratha, 216
note
Snnilsira, Indra, 60
Supar<;va, Mount, 162 note
Suras, the, the gods, 68
Sfirasena, a king, 187
Sushunmil, a ray of the sun, 106
Suvarnapura, a city, 90, 9^
Svabhavokti, description of natural
properties, xx
Svayainvara, the choice of a hus-
band by a princess, 180
T.
TrdI, a palm-tree, 161
Tamala,a tree {Xanthochijmua Pic-
toriua), 8, 10, 18, 27, 28, 84, 46.
99, 117, 144, 154, 161
TamrdikH, Kadambarl's betel-
bearer, 150, 156, 159, 164, 172,
173, 175
Tara, wife of the monkey king, 24;
wife of Brihaspati, 46
Taraka, a demon, 49
Taralaka, a fawn, 194
Taralika, Mahru/veta's betel-bearer,
112, 114, 115, 123, 124, 126, 127,
129, 131, 132, 133, 134, 185, 189,
141, 142, 157, 158, 165, 191, 192,
193
Taruplda, a king, ix, x, 47, 60, 69,
72, 84, 88, 147, 161, 170, 197,
198, 207, 208
Tawney, Mr. C, xi, xvi
Telugu-Canareso, xiv
Thomas, Mr. F. W., vii, xxiii
TUah'i, a sectarial mark on the
forehead, 8, 17, 105 ; (a tree), 17
Tri.amku, a king, 6, 90, 201
Trida'iidaka, the three staves of an
ascetic, 39
Tripuiidraha, a sectarial mark, 129
Tripnra*, a town, 214
Tryambaka, (,'iva, 1
Tvaritaka, a man, 199, 200
Twice-born, the, Brahmans, 2
U.
Uccaih(;ravas, Indra's steed, 62, 64,
78
Ujjayinl, a city, ix, xvi, 47, 188,
101, 170, 172, 178, 185, 189, 197,
199, 209, 210
Ulupa, a snake-maiden, 188
228
Uma, the goddess Durga, 80, 182
unidf hair meeting between the
brows, xvii
Ushmapas, The, spirits of ancestors,
44
Uttara, a princess, 137, 188
Uttara-llania-Caritra, 27 note
Utpalika, 144
V.
Vacaspatya by Vacaspati, Tftra-
natha, 180
Vu(;ishtha, a sage, 46 note, 50
Vaibhilshikas, a Buddhist school,
212 note
Vairanipavana, a parrot, vii, viii,
ix, X, xi;^ 10, 13, 15, 16, 200, 202,
206, 207, 218; (^^ikanfisa's son,
59, 60, 61, 65, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74,
87, 89, 141, 164, 167, 170, 172,
174, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191
Vainateya, Garuda, 4
Vaka, a demon, 29
Vakrokti, xx
Vaktra^ xii
Vallisncria, a water-plant, 22, 69,
163
Vanamila, 21 note
Varuna, god of ocean, 17, 20, 86,
90,* 92, 204 note; a tree (Cra-
taeva lioxhiirghii), 17, 158
Vdru)ja, wine, 17
VasavadattJi, 3 note
Vasudeva, a king, 201
Vasuki, a serpent, 64, 66, 216
Vasus, the, gods, 40, 201
Vatapi, a demon, 19
Viltsyaj'ana family, vii, 2
Veda, 1 note, 3, 15, 39, 41, 50, 56^
96, 101, 110, 200, 203
Vedangas, works explaining the
Vedas, 50
Vedanta Sara, 180 note
Vibhandaka, an ascetic, 54
Vicitram^ xix
Vivravasa, a god, father of Kuvera,
xvi, 217
Vii/vilmitra, a sago, 50
ViQvavasu, a Gandharva king, 188,
162
Vihyjldharas, inferior deities, xl,
xii, 141, 145
Vilasavatl, a queen, 61, 52, 56, 57,
58, 50, 69, 78, 74, 76, 84, 161,
174, 184, 188, 190, 199, 202, 207,
217
Vindhya, forest, viii, 6, 16, 28, 83 ;
mountain, 18, 22, 28, 80
Vnui^ lute, 10
Viiiata, mother of Garuda, 2, 4
Vipula, a man, 17
Virata, a king, 18, 137
Virifica, I^ralmia, xvi, 162
VirodJia, xix
Vishamam^ xix
Vishnu, 1, 3, 18, 33, 89, 45, 48, 68,
57,' 72, 79 note, 82 note, 158, 21a,
215
Vishnu-Purana, 1 note, 27 note, 41
note, 44 note, 106 note, 120 note,
134 note, 162 note, 201
Vrishaparvan, Civa, 50
Vrishni, a family, 137
Vyasii, a seer, 30
W.
Weber, Professor, xviii, 97 note
Y.
Yajur Veda, 2
Yakshas, demigods subject to
Kuvera, 9
Yama, god of death, 4, 16, 85, 204
note
Yamadagni,.a Brahman, 201
Yamuna, the river Jumna, 8, 9, 22,
28, 33, 88, 156, 175
Yayati, a king, 47, 201 *
Yoga, practice of religious concen-
tration, 39, 49, 128
Yojanabiihu, a demon, 20
Yojanagandha, Vyiisa's mother, 80
Yuddhishthira, a king, 50
Yiifja, era, 144
GENERAL INDEX.*
A.
AccomplishinentB, 10, 60
Ayoka-tree budding when touched
by a woman's foot, 178
Adornments, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 17, 18,
35, 88, 51, 52, 65, 74, 84, 97, 117,
159, 169, 174, 198, 217
Amulets, 10, 50, 129
Animals, 16, 20, 22, 26, 29, 36, 42,
73, 92, 145, 219, 220
Anointing a necklace, 165
Ascetic's spirit passing beyond the
world of gods, 207
Astrologers, 190
Atheistic philosophy, 114
Auspicious songs of dawn, 214 ;
words for dismounting, 216
13.
Brina, life, vii ; works, viii ; refer-
ences to, xii, xiv ; style of, xvii-
XX ; genealogy of, 2, 3
Bathing in cowsheds, 55 ; in snake-
ponds, 56
liees, forming an earring, 117 ; a
veil, 126, 155
Begging-bowl, 99
Bracelet as a good omen, 198
Buddhists, 212
C.
Changed relationships in another
birth, 207, 208
(Jiva's shrine and Ungay 95 ; his
four faces, 95
Conjuror's fan, a, 114
('reation by thought, 10
Curses, 64, 137, 141, 196, 197, 201,
207 ; cannot be recalled, 197 ;
founded on appeal to truth, 193,
208 ; Agni's cturse on parrots and
elephants, 11
D.
Dangers of youth and prosperity, 76
Dead restored to life, the, 188
Descriptions of ascetics, 19, 85,
104 ; ascetic's cave, 99 ; ascetic's
emplojTuents, 39, 135 ; ascetic
women, 162 ; Cabaras, 27 ; an
encampment, 173; Candala vil
lage, 204 ; chase, the, 24, 73 ;
childhood, 54; crown prince's
palace, 89 ; dawn, 23 ; divine
being, a, 133; evening, 44, 114,
139, 160; forest, 16; hall of
audience, 12, 14 ; hall of exercise,
13, 59; iiermitage, 18, 2'., 3H,
peace of, 42; king, 3, 47, 215;
king's body-guard, 216 ; lakes, 20,
31, 92; minister, 11, 49; his
levee, 217 ; night, 45, close of,
161 ; palace of learning, 59 ;
penances to win a son, 55 ; queen,
51 ; her retinue, 122 ; region of
Kailasa, 220; steed, 62; toilet,
13, 74 ; UjjayinI, 210 ; whiteness,
96; women, 5 ; zenana, 51, 144,
attendants, 217, employments of,
144
Different sects, 218
Difficulty of rismg to a higher birth,
203
Dravichan hermit, 172
Dreams at the end of night, 57
E.
Elements the witnesses of right and
wrong, 192
> Names given in the Sanskrit index are not gtn« rally repiated here.
280
Elophantt startled at fall of cocoa*
nut, 8
Eyes of the cakora redden in the
presence of poison, 189
F.
Former birth, results of, 11, 44, 58,
197, 199, 200, 202
Funeral pyre, inn, 195, 200
(i.
Games, 5, 10, 00, 152, 155
Gifts, 59, 72, 74, 129, 104 ; to Brah-
mans, 50, 195, 200, 201; at a
birth, 54 ; at a wedding, 129
Golden age, 41, 96
Gold mustard-leaves a gift, 56
Gods taking other bodies, 64, 201
Gods of wood and stone but images
of invisible gods, 198
H.
Hermitage of Badarika, 216
Jains and Jinadharma, 29, 212
Jealousy, a bird's, 151
* Kadambari,' interest of , xv ; purpose
of, xxi ; plot of ' Kadambari ' found
in the ' Kathfi-Sarit-Sagara,' xi ;
literary parallels, xx ; plan of
translation, xxii ; editions used,
xxiii ; Bana's praise o: it, 3
Kadambari's bequests, lr)4
King becoming a hermit, 200, 202
Killing an ascetic, 123
L.
Light proceeding from a corpse, 195
Literature, 10, 39, 40, 49, 50, 60,
152, 162, 189, 201, 212, 218,
217
Love of deer for music, 40, 95
Love of life, 34, 134
M.
Magic circle, 56
Magic rites, 83
Marriage, 188, 200; fire, 69;
Gandliarva, lawful, ^08 ; vow
against, 140, 142 ; of a tree to a
creeper, 194
Metre, Arya, 11
Midday conch, 11
Mountains, boundary, 162, 216 ;
noble, 6, 40
Musical instruments, 10, 18, 60, 81,
99, 152, 156, 162
Mustard-seed and ghl on a baby's
palate, 54
Mystic's spirit apart from his body,
195
Mytliology, Airilvata, vide Sanskrit
Index; Apsaras families, the, 102;
auspiciouH marks, 8, 7, 92 ; Brah-
ma's egg, 94, or world egg, 2;
caste laws about food, 205; (Jiva's
dance, 21; (Jvetadvlpa, 197;
daughters of the Siddlias, 45 ;
deer of the moon, 46, 52, 124,
215 ; deer, golden, 20 ; demons,
1, 27, 29, 50, 216 ; Doomsday, 17,
surrounded by suns, 40, 120 ;
Dvlpas, the seven, 50, 97 note ;
elephants of the quarters. 21 ;
guardians of the world, 204 ; Iron
Age, 27, 41, 96; kalpa-tree, 86,
160, 174 ; Kau8tui>ha gem, 51 ;
ocean of final destruction, 123 ;
oceans, the four, 3, 50, 147 ;
rivers, the wives of ocean, 19 ; sub-
marine fire, the, 77 ; sun's steeds,
the, 21, 47, 114, 122 ; sun drinking
the waning moon, the, 106
Ordeals, 49
0.
V:
Parrots, 22, 32, 43, 193
Penalty of childlessness, 53
Penance, 192 ; power of, 42, 53, 196,
197 ; its divine insight, 44, 203,
206
Picture of Kama, 194
Powers, the three, 48
Qualities of a story, 2
R.
Regaining memory of fonner births,
203
Regions, the ten, 48, 108
Remedies for fever, 120
Reunion after death, 188, 187, 178,
195, 203, 206
Repentance, 206
Resolving to die at a friend's death,
133 ; rebuked, 136
28]
Ritcf, for the dead (rrdddha), 89,
194; for entering a new house,
72 ; for anointing a crown prince,
76 ; for removal of a cur«o, 204,
206; of arrival, 174; Aghamar-
shana hymn, 88, 99, 141 ; offer-
ings, 44 ; a help to the dead, 187 ;
libations nuiHt bo offered by a
son, 194 ; morning oblation, 208 ;
twilight oblation, 219 ; subrah-
many/l, 89
RoHaries, 85, 89, 40, 45, 104, 107,
110, 111, 112, 115, 126, 185, 162,
176, 202
S.
Sacrifices, Honia, 89; human sacri-
fice, 81 ; Mahavna fires, 2 ;
Souia, 8, 40; three fires, the, 40
Sruiikhyfi philosophy, 212
Snakes, 210, 211, 213; haunt
sandal- trees, 5, 50; love the
breeze, 94
Standing at cross roads, 56
Sunwise turn, 40, 102, 172
Svayainvaray 180
T.
Throbbing of the right eye an evil
omen for women, 127
Trjidition a sufiicient ground for
belief, 200
Transmi^M-ation without loss of con-
sciousness, 197
Trees, '21, 89, 40, and j^aasim
Triad of guuaa, 1
Tying of the topknot, 59
U.
Unguents, 7, 40, 52
V.
Veda, threefold, 8
Vow, of aicctic, 186; for reunion,
46 ; taif, 69 ; silence, 112
Water poured to ratify a gift, 160,
168
Weapons, 6, 14, 16, 60
Western mountain, the, 7 ; ocean,
28, 45
White continent, the, 126
Widows remaining alive, 187
Wood goddesses or nymphs, 16, 22,
24, 85, 109, 176
World-conquest, 89
Worlds, the seven, 8
Worship of, Aditi, 218; Agni, 12,
45, 72; Arhat, the. 162; Avalo-
kitecvara, 162 ; lirahmS, 89 ;
Civa, 12, 89, 56, 95, 97, 185, 162,
167, 1H2, 189. 207, pictures of,
103 ; Durga, 31, 55, 56, 162, 172;
as Uma, 182; goddesses of space,
45 ; Kama, 211 ; Kama's festival,
206; Kartikeya, 162, 185;
Krishna, 162 ; Mahakala, 47; on
the fourteenth day, 53 ; Matrikas,
56 ; or the divine mothers of,
Avanti, 199; ritris, 12; Siddhas,
56 ; sun, tlie, 12 ; trees, 56 ; Vishnu,
89; as Narayana, 182, as Kama,
206; Vicravasa, 162; Virinca,
162
Weak nature of those born from a
mother only, 203
Writing on birch -leaves, 56
Y.
Yamuna, its blue colour, 33
Yo-a, 128
THE END.
BILLIXO AMD SOVS, rRINTUW, OUIU>rOBD.