CHAPTER XLIII.

The next morning, Naravahanadatta rose up from the bank of that lake, [612] and setting out on his journey, said to his minister Gomukha; "My friend, I remember, a certain princess of heavenly beauty, dressed in white garments, came to me towards the end of last night in a dream, and said this to me--'Lay aside your anxiety, dear one, for you will quickly reach a large and wonderful town situated in a forest, on the sh.o.r.e of the sea. And after resting there, you shall with ease find that town Karpurasambhava, and then win that princess Karpurika.' Having said this, she disappeared, and I immediately woke up." When he said that, Gomukha was delighted and said to him--"King, you are favoured by the G.o.ds; what is difficult to you? So your enterprise will certainly succeed without difficulty." When Gomukha had said this, Naravahanadatta hastened along the path with him. And in course of time he reached a city of vast extent on the sh.o.r.e of the sea, furnished with lofty mansions resembling the peaks of mountains, with streets, and arches, adorned with a palace all golden like mount Meru, looking like a second Earth. He entered that city by the market-street, and beheld that all the population, merchants, women, and citizens were wooden automata, that moved as if they were alive, but were recognised as lifeless by their want of speech. This aroused astonishment in his mind. And in due course he arrived with Gomukha near the king's palace, and saw that all the horses and elephants there were of the same material; and with his minister he entered, full of wonder, that palace, which was resplendent with seven ranges of golden buildings. There he saw a majestic man sitting on a jewelled throne, surrounded by warders and women, who were also wooden automata, the only living being there, who produced motion in those dull material things, like the soul presiding over the senses. He, for his part, seeing that that hero Naravahanadatta was of n.o.ble form, rose up and welcomed him, and made him sit down on his own seat, and sitting in front of him, he thus questioned him, "Who are you; how and why have you come to this uninhabited land with one companion?" Then Naravahanadatta told his own story from the beginning, and asked that hero, who was prostrating himself before him,--"Who are you, my good sir, and what is this wonderful city of yours? Tell me." That man, when he heard that, began to tell his own story.

Story of the two brothers Pranadhara and Rajyadhara.

There is a city named Kanchi possessed of great excellences, [613]

which, like a girdle, well adorns the earth-bride. In it there was a famous king of the name of Bahubala, who won fortune by the might of his arm, and imprisoned her in his treasury, though she is a gadding dame. We were two brothers in his kingdom, carpenters by trade, skilful in making ingenious automata of wood and other materials, such as Maya [614] first invented. My elder brother was by name Pranadhara, and he was infatuated with love for a fickle dame, and I, my lord, am named Rajyadhara, and I was ever devoted to him. That brother of mine consumed all my father's property and his own, and some portion of what I had acquired, which melted by affection I made over to him. Then he, being much infatuated about the lady, out of desire to steal wealth for her sake, made a couple of swans of wood with mechanism and strings attached to them. That pair of swans was sent out at night by pulling the strings, and entering by means of the mechanical contrivance into the king's treasury through a window, they took from it with their beaks jewels placed in a basket, and returned to the house of my brother. And my elder brother sold the jewels and spent the money so acquired with his paramour, and in that way he robbed the king's treasury every night, and though I tried to prevent him, he would not give up that improper proceeding, for who, when blinded by pa.s.sion, distinguishes between right and wrong? And then the keeper of the treasury, as the king's treasure-house was plundered night after night without the bolt being moved, though there were no mice in it, for several days in succession enquired into the matter, without saying anything, out of fear, and then being exceedingly vexed, went and told the whole matter plainly to the king. Then the king posted him and some other guards in the treasure-house at night, with orders to keep awake in order to find out the truth of it. Those guards went into the treasure-house at midnight, and while there, saw my brother's two swans entering there by the window, impelled by strings. The swans moved round by means of their mechanism and took the jewels, then the guards cut the strings, and took the swans to shew the king in the morning. And then my elder brother said in a state of bewilderment--"Brother, my two swans have been seized by the guards of the treasury, for the strings have become slack, and the pin of the mechanism has dropped. So we must both of us leave this place immediately, for the king, when he hears of it in the morning, will punish us as thieves. For we are both known to be skilled in mechanical contrivances. And I have here a chariot with a pneumatic contrivance, which quickly goes eight hundred yojanas, if you press a spring. Let us go by means of it to-day to a distant foreign land, though exile may be disagreeable; for how can an evil deed, that is done in despite of good advice, bring pleasure to any one? This is the mature fruit of my wickedness in not obeying your advice, which has extended to innocent you, as well as to me." After saying this, my brother Pranadhara immediately mounted with his family that chariot, that flew through the air. But though he urged me, I would not mount it, as it was laden with many people, so he flew up in it to the sky and went off to some distant place.

When that Pranadhara, [615] who was rightly named, had gone off somewhere, I, expecting that in the morning I singly should he exposed to danger at the hands of the king, mounted another chariot with a pneumatic mechanism, which I had myself made, and quickly travelled two hundred yojanas from that place. Then I again started that air-travelling chariot, and went another two hundred yojanas. Then I left my chariot, terrified at finding that I was near the sea, and travelling on my feet, reached in course of time this city which was empty. And out of curiosity I entered this palace, which was filled with garments, ornaments, and couches and all the other conveniences fit for a king. And in the evening I bathed in the water of the garden-lake, and ate fruits, and going to the royal bed reflected alone at night--"What am I to do in this uninhabited spot? So to-morrow I will go hence to some place or other, for I no longer need fear danger from king Bahubala." When I had thus reflected, I went to sleep, and towards the end of night a hero of divine appearance, mounted on a peac.o.c.k, thus addressed me in a dream; "You must live here, good sir, you must not depart elsewhere, and at the time of meals you must go up to the middle court of the palace, and wait there." Thus he spoke, and disappeared, and I woke up and reflected--"Undoubtedly this heavenly place has been made by Kartikeya, and he has favoured me with this dream on account of my merits in a former life. I have turned up here because I am to be happy dwelling in this town." I conceived this hope and rose up, and said the prayer for the day, and at the time of eating I went up to the middle court, and while I was waiting there, golden dishes were placed in front of me, and there fell into them from heaven food consisting of ghee, milk, rice, boiled rice and other things; [616] and any other kinds of food that I thought of, came to me as fast as I thought of them. After eating all this, I felt comforted by the favour of the G.o.d. So, my lord, I took up my abode in this city, with kingly luxuries coming to me every day as fast as I wished for them. But I do not obtain wives and retinue by thinking of them, so I made all these people of wood. Though I am a carpenter, since I have come here I enjoy alone all the pleasures of a king by the power of Destiny, and my name is Rajyadhara. [617]

"So repose, now, a day in this G.o.d-built town, and I will attend upon you to the best of my ability." After saying this, Rajyadhara led off with him Naravahanadatta and Gomukha to the city garden, there the prince bathed in the water of the lake and offered lotuses to Siva, and was conducted to the feasting-place in the middle court, and there he and his minister enjoyed viands which were placed before them by Rajyadhara, who stood in front of them, to whom they came as soon as he thought of them. Then the eating-ground was swept by some unseen hand, and after they had taken betel, they drank wine and remained in great felicity. And after Rajyadhara had eaten, the prince retired to a gorgeous couch, astonished at the wonderful nature of the town, which resembled the philosopher's stone. And when he could not sleep, on account of his recently conceived longing for Karpurika, Rajyadhara, who was also in bed, asked her story, and then said to him--"Why do you not sleep, auspicious sir? You will obtain your desired love. For a fair woman, like Fortune, of her own accord chooses a man of high courage. I have had ocular proof of this, so hear the story; I will relate it to you."

Story of Arthalobha and his beautiful wife.

That king of Kanchi, Bahubala, whom I mentioned to you, had a rich door-keeper, rightly named Arthalobha. [618] He had a beautiful wife named Manapara. That Arthalobha, being by profession a merchant, and on account of his avarice distrusting his servants, appointed that wife of his to look after his business in preference to them. She, though she did not like it, being obedient to him, made bargains with merchants and captivated all men by her sweet form and speech. And Arthalobha, seeing that all the sales of elephants, horses, jewels, and garments that she made, brought in a profit, rejoiced exceedingly. And once on a time there came there from a distant foreign land a merchant, named Sukhadhana, having a large stock of horses and other commodities. The moment Arthalobha heard that he had come, he said to his wife--"My dear, a merchant named Sukhadhana has arrived from a foreign land, he has brought twenty thousand horses, and innumerable pairs of excellent garments made in China, so please, go and purchase from him five thousand horses and ten thousand pairs of garments, in order that with the thousands of horses I already possess and those other five, I may pay a visit to the king, and carry on my commerce. When commissioned in these words by that villain Arthalobha, Manapara went to Sukhadhana; whose eyes were captivated by her beauty, and who welcomed her gladly. And she demanded from him for a price those horses and garments. The merchant, overpowered with love, took her aside and said to her--"I will not give you one horse or garment for money, but if you will remain one night with me, I will give you five hundred horses and five thousand garments." After saying this, he solicited that fair one with even a larger amount; who does not fall in love with women, who are allowed to go about without restraint? Then she answered him--"I will ask my husband about this, for I know he will send me here out of excessive cupidity. [619]" After saying this, she went home, and told her husband what the merchant Sukhadhana had said to her secretly. And that wicked covetous husband Arthalobha said to her; "My dear, if you obtain five hundred horses and five thousand pairs of garments for one night, what is the harm in it. So go to him now; you shall return quickly in the morning." When Manapara heard this speech of her mean-spirited husband's, she began to debate in her heart, and thus reflected--"Out on this base spiritless husband of mine that sells his honour! By continually meditating on gain he has become all made up of the desire of gain. It is better that the generous man, who buys me for one night with hundreds of horses and thousands of pieces of China silk, should be my husband." Thus reflecting, she took leave of her base husband, saying; "It is not my fault," and went to the house of that Sukhadhana. And he, when he saw that she had come, after questioning her and hearing the whole story from her, was astonished, and considered himself fortunate in obtaining her. And he sent off immediately to her husband Arthalobha the horses and garments that were to purchase her, as agreed upon. And he remained that night with her, having all his wishes attained, for she seemed like the fortune which was the fruit of his own wealth, incarnate in bodily form, at last obtained by him. And in the morning the base Arthalobha sent, in his shamelessness, servants to summon her, whereupon Manapara said to them, "How can I again return to be the wife of that man who sold me to another? I am not as shameless as he is. Tell me yourselves if this would be becoming now. So depart, the man that bought me is my husband." When the servants were thus addressed by her, they went and repeated her words to Arthalobha with downcast faces. The mean fellow, when he heard it, wanted to recover her by force; then a friend of the name of Harabala said to him; "You cannot recover her from that Sukhadhana, for he is a hero, and I do not behold in you manliness corresponding to his. For he is moved to heroism by a woman that loves him on account of his generosity, and he is mighty, and surrounded with other mighty men that have come with him. But you have been deserted by your wife, who separated from you because you sold her out of meanness, and scorn makes you timid, and being reproached you have become effeminate. Moreover you are not mighty, and you are not surrounded by mighty friends, so how can you possibly be capable of vanquishing that rival? And the king will be angry with you, when he hears of your crime of selling your wife; so keep quiet, and do not make a ridiculous blunder." Though his friend tried to dissuade him with these words, Arthalobha went and beset, in his anger, the house of Sukhadhana with his retainers. While he was thus engaged, Sukhadhana sallied out with his friends and retainers, and in a moment easily defeated the whole of Arthalobha's force.

Then Arthalobha fled, and went into the presence of the king. And concealing his own wicked conduct, he said to the king,--"O king, the merchant Sukhadhana has carried off my wife by force." And the king, in his rage, wished to arrest that Sukhadhana. Then a minister of the name of Sandhana said to the king--"In any case, my lord, you cannot arrest him, for when his force is increased by that of the eleven friends who have come with him, he will be found to have more than a hundred thousand excellent horses. And you have not discovered the truth about the matter, for his conduct will turn out to be not altogether without cause. So you had better send a messenger, and ask what it is that this fellow here is chattering about." When king Bahubala heard this, he sent a messenger to Sukhadhana to ask about the matter. The messenger went, and asked about the matter by the king's order, and thereupon Manapara told him her story. When Bahubala heard that wonderful tale, he came to the house of Sukhadhana to behold the beauty of Manapara, being filled with excessive curiosity. There he beheld, while Sukhadhana bent before him, Manapara, who with the wealth of her beauty would astonish even the Creator. She prostrated herself at his feet, and he questioned her, and heard from her own mouth how the whole thing happened, Arthalobha being present and listening. When he heard it, he thought it was true, because Arthalobha was speechless, and he asked that fair one what was to be done now. Then she said decidedly, "How can I return to that spiritless avaricious man, who sold me to another man without the excuse of distress?" When the king heard this, he said, "Well said," and then Arthalobha bewildered with desire, wrath, and shame, exclaimed,--"King, let him and me fight with our own retainers, without any auxiliary forces; then let it be seen who is spirited and who is spiritless." When Sukhadhana heard this, he said--"Then let us fight in single combat, what need is there of retainers? Manapara shall be the prize of the victor." When the king heard this, he said, "Good! so let it be!" Then, before the eyes of Manapara and the king, they both entered the lists mounted. And in the course of the combat, Sukhadhana laid Arthalobha on the plain, by his horse's rearing on account of a lance-wound. Then Arthalobha fell three times more on the earth, on account of his horse being killed, but Sukhadhana, who was a fair fighter, restrained himself and would not slay him. But the fifth time Arthalobha's horse fell upon him, and bruised him, and he was carried off by his servants motionless. Then Sukhadhana was cheered by all the spectators with shouts of applause, and the king Bahubala honoured him as he deserved. And he immediately bestowed a gift of honour upon the lady, and he confiscated the property of Arthalobha, which had been acquired by unlawful means; and appointing another to his office, he departed pleased to his palace. For good men derive satisfaction from breaking off their connection with the bad. And Sukhadhana, having maintained his claim by force, remained enjoying himself in the society of Manapara his loving wife.

"Thus wives and wealth leave the mean-spirited man, and of their own accord come to the high-spirited man from every quarter. So dismiss anxiety! Go to sleep! in a short time, my lord, you will obtain that princess Karpurika." When Naravahanadatta heard that sound advice of Rajyadhara's, he and Gomukha went off to sleep.

And in the morning, while the prince was waiting awhile after his meal, the wise Gomukha addressed Rajyadhara as follows: "Make such an ingenious chariot for my master, as that he shall be able by means of it to reach the city of Karpurasambhava, and obtain his beloved." When thus supplicated, that carpenter offered Naravahanadatta the chariot with a pneumatic contrivance, that he had made before. He ascended that sky-travelling chariot, swift as thought, together with Gomukha, and crossed the deep, the home of monsters, that agitated its waves as if exulting to behold his valour, and reached the city of Karpurasambhava on its sh.o.r.e. There the chariot descended from the sky, and he and Gomukha left it, and out of curiosity wandered about inside the town. And by questioning the people he found out that he had indeed without doubt reached the desired city, and delighted he went to the neighbourhood of the palace. There he found a splendid house occupied by an old woman, and he entered it to stay there, and she received him with respect. And eager to hit upon an artifice, he immediately asked that woman, "n.o.ble lady, what is the name of the king here, and what children has he? And tell us of their appearance, for we are foreigners." When he said this to the old woman, she, seeing that he was of excessively n.o.ble form, answered--"Listen, ill.u.s.trious sir, I will tell you all. In this city of Karpurasambhava there is a king named Karpuraka. And he, having no children, performed penance, with his wife Buddhikari, fasting, in honour of Siva, in order to obtain offspring. After he had fasted for three nights, the G.o.d Siva commanded him in a dream--'Rise up, a daughter shall be born to you, who shall be superior to a son, and whose husband shall obtain the sovereignty of the Vidyadharas.' After receiving this order from Siva, the king woke up in the morning; and, after communicating this dream to his wife Buddhikari, he rose up and went off delighted, and with his queen broke his fast. And then in a short time that queen conceived by the king, and when the period was completed, she brought forth a daughter beautiful in all her limbs. She surpa.s.sed in splendour the lights in the lying-in chamber, [620] and they, as it were, heaved sighs by discharging lamp-black. And her father made great rejoicings, and gave her the name of Karpurika, which is his own name made feminine. And gradually that moonlight of the eyes of the people, the princess Karpurika, has grown up, and is now in the full bloom of youth. And her father, the king here, desires to have her married, but the haughty girl detests men, and will not consent. And when my daughter, who is her friend, put this question to her 'My dear, why do you not desire marriage, the only fruit of a daughter's birth?' she answered, 'My dear, I remember my former birth, and the cause is something which happened then; hear it."

Story of the princess Karpurika in her birth as a swan.

On the sh.o.r.e of the ocean there is a great sandal-wood tree. Near it there is a lake adorned with full-blown lotuses. I was a female swan on that lake on account of my actions in a previous birth. Once on a time, out of fear of the sea, I made a nest in that sandal-wood tree with my husband, who was a male swan. When I was dwelling in that nest, I had male offspring born to me, and suddenly a great wave of the sea came and carried them off. When the flood carried away my children, out of grief I wept and took no food; and remained in front of a linga of Siva on the sh.o.r.e of the sea. Then that male swan, my husband, came to me and said--"Rise up, why do you lament your children that are dead, we shall get other ones. [621] As long as life is preserved, everything can be obtained." His speech pierced my heart like an arrow, and I reflected--"Alas! males are thus wickedly regardless of their youthful offspring, and show no affection to, or compa.s.sion for their females, though they are attached to them. So of what comfort is this husband to me? Of what use is this body that brings only pain?" Thus reflecting, I prostrated myself before Siva, and devoutly placed him in my heart, and then in front of his symbol, before the eyes of the swan, my husband, I uttered this prayer; "May I become in the next birth a princess remembering my former state,"--and thereupon I flung myself into the sea. Consequently, I have been born in this life such as you see. And because I remember the cruelty of that husband in a former birth, my mind does not feel inclined to any suitor. So I do not desire to be married; the rest is in the hands of Destiny. "This is what the princess said then in private to my daughter, and that daughter of mine came and told it to me."

"So, my son, I have told you what you asked me. And that princess is undoubtedly destined to be your wife. For she was long ago designated by the G.o.d Siva as the wife of the future emperor of the Vidyadharas. And I see that you are marked with all the distinguishing signs of an emperor, such as the peculiar freckle, and other marks. Perhaps you are some distinguished person brought here by Providence for that very purpose. Rise up, for the present we will see what there is in my house in the way of provision." After the old lady had told him this, she brought him food, and he and Gomukha spent the night there. And in the morning, the prince deliberated in private with Gomukha as to the steps to be taken, and then he a.s.sumed the dress of a Pasupata ascetic, and accompanied by Gomukha, he went to the king's gate, and roamed about in front of it, crying out again and again--"Ah my female swan! Ah my female swan!" And the people gazed at him. And when the maids beheld him thus employed, they went in astonishment and said to the princess Karpurika; "Your Highness! we have seen at the royal gate a Pasupata ascetic who, though he has a fellow, is unfellowed in beauty, [622] and he continually utters these words, 'Ah my female swan! Ah my female swan!' which bewilders the minds of the women." When the princess heard this, she, as having been a swan in a former birth, was filled with curiosity, and had him, just as he was, conducted by her maids into her presence. And she saw that he was adorned with infinite beauty, like a new G.o.d of Love that had taken a vow to propitiate Siva. And she said to him, when he looked at her with an eye expanded by curiosity, "What is this that you are continually saying, 'Ah! my female swan! Ah! my female swan?'" Though she said this to him, he went on to say--"Ah! my female swan!" Then his companion Gomukha answered her; "I will explain this in a few words, listen, Your Highness.

"In a former birth he was a swan on account of his actions in an anterior state of existence. Then he built himself a nest in a sandal-wood tree, on the bank of a great lake near the sh.o.r.e of the sea, and lived there with his female. And as it happened, their offspring in that nest were swept away by a wave, and his female, distracted with grief, threw herself into the sea. Then he, being grieved at separation from her, and disgusted with his bird-nature, desirous of leaving that body, made a pious wish in his heart--'May I be in a future life a prince remembering my former state, and may this virtuous female swan be my wife, remembering her former existence also.' Then he thought on Siva, and scorched with the fire of grief, flung that body into the water of the sea. So he has been now born, my fair lady, as Naravahanadatta, the son of the king of Vatsa in Kausambi, with the power of recollecting his former existence. When he was born, a voice said distinctly from heaven; 'This prince shall be the emperor of all the kings of the Vidyadharas.' In course of time, when he had become crown-prince, he was married by his father to the G.o.ddess Madanamanchuka of heavenly appearance, who had been born for a certain reason as a woman. And then the daughter of a king of the Vidyadharas named Hemaprabha, the maiden Ratnaprabha, came of her own accord, and chose him for a husband. Nevertheless, thinking on that female swan, he does not enjoy tranquillity; and he told this to me, who have been his servant from my childhood. Then, while he was out hunting, it happened that he and I had a meeting in the forest with a holy female hermit. And in the course of conversation she said to him with favouring condescension--'Owing to the effect of his actions the G.o.d of Love, my son, became a swan. And a heavenly female, that had fallen through a curse, became his dear wife, when he was dwelling, as a swan, in a sandal-wood tree on the bank of the sea. But she threw herself into the sea, through grief at her offspring having been carried away by the tide, and then the male swan flung himself into the sea also. He has now by the favour of Siva been born as yourself, the son of the king of Vatsa, and you know of that former birth of yours, my son, for you remember your former existence. And that female swan has been now born in Karpurasambhava, a city on the sh.o.r.e of the sea, as a princess, Karpurika by name. Therefore, go there, my son, and win her to wife.' When the holy female hermit had said this, she flew up into the sky and disappeared. And this lord of mine, having heard this information, immediately set out with me to come here. And being attracted by love for you, he risked his life, and after traversing a hundred difficulties, he reached the sh.o.r.e of the sea. There we had an interview with the carpenter, named Rajyadhara, who dwells in Hemapura, and who gave us an ingenious chariot. We have mounted on this terrible machine, as if it were our courage having taken shape, [623]

and have crossed the perilous gulf of the sea, and arrived at this town. For this reason, queen, my master wandered about, exclaiming, 'Ah my female swan!' until he came into your presence. Now, from the pleasing sight of the n.o.ble moon of your countenance, he enjoys the removal of the darkness caused by the presence of innumerable woes. Now, honour your n.o.ble guest with the blue lotus garland of your look." When Karpurika heard this feigned speech of Gomukha's, she thought it was true, relying on the fact that it harmonized with her own recollections. And she melted in her soul with love, and she thought, "After all this husband of mine was attached to me, and my despondency was causeless." And she said--"I am in truth that very female swan, and I am fortunate in that my husband has for my sake endured suffering in two births. So now I am your slave, overcome by love;" and saying this, she honoured Naravahanadatta with baths and other hospitalities. Then she informed her father of all this by the mouth of her attendants, and he, the moment he heard it, came to her. Then the king thought himself fortunate, having seen that his daughter had conceived a desire to be married, and that an appropriate suitor for her had at length arrived in Naravahanadatta, who was marked with all the signs of a great emperor. And he gave, with all due honour, his daughter Karpurika to Naravahanadatta according to the prescribed form. And he gave to that son-in-law of his, at every circ.u.mambulation from left to right of the sacred fire, thirty millions of gold-pieces, and as many lumps of camphor, the heaps of which appeared like the peaks of Meru and Kailasa that had witnessed the marriage of Parvati, come to behold his magnificence. Moreover the king Karpuraka, who had attained his wish, gave Naravahanadatta a hundred millions of excellent garments and three hundred female slaves well adorned. And Naravahanadatta, after his marriage, remained with that Karpurika, as if with affection incarnate in bodily form. Whose mind was not delighted at the union of that couple, which resembled the marriage of the spring-creeper and the spring-festival?

And on the next day Naravahanadatta, who had attained his object, said to his beloved Karpurika, "Come, let us go to Kausambi." Then she answered him--"If it is to be so, why should we not go there immediately in this chariot of yours that flies through the air? If it is too small, I will furnish another large one, for there is living here a mechanic who makes ingenious chariots, who has come from a foreign land, Pranadhara by name; I will cause him quickly to make such a chariot." After saying this, she called the warder that kept the door, and said to him--"Go and order that chariot-maker Pranadhara to prepare a large chariot, that will travel through the air, for us to start in." Then the queen Karpurika, having dismissed the warder, informed her father by the mouth of a slave of her desire to depart. And while the king, on hearing it, was coming thither, Naravahanadatta thus reflected; "This Pranadhara is certainly the brother of Rajyadhara, whom he described as having run away from his native land through fear of his king." While he was thus thinking, the king quickly arrived, and that mechanic Pranadhara came with the warder, and said--"I have ready-made a very large chariot, which will easily carry at this instant thousands of men." When the mechanic said this, Naravahanadatta said "Bravo!" and asked him courteously; "Are you the elder brother of Rajyadhara, skilled in various very great mechanical contrivances?" And Pranadhara answered him, bowing before him--"I am that very brother of his, but how does Your Highness know about us?" Then Naravahanadatta told him what Rajyadhara had told him, and how he had seen him. Then Pranadhara joyfully brought him the chariot, and he mounted it with Gomukha, after having been politely dismissed by his father-in-law the king, and after bidding farewell to him; but first he placed in it the slaves, camphor and gold. And he took with him Pranadhara, whom the king permitted to depart, and that head-warder, and his recently married wife Karpurika; and his mother-in-law uttered a solemn prayer for a blessing on his journey, and from those stores of splendid garments he bestowed gifts on the Brahmans; and he said to Pranadhara--"First let us go to Rajyadhara on the sh.o.r.e of the sea, and then home." Then the chariot was driven on by Pranadhara, and the king and his wife flew up into the air quickly by means of it, as if by his accomplished wish. [624] In a moment he crossed the sea, and reached again that city of Hemapura on its sh.o.r.e, the abode of that Rajyadhara. There Rajyadhara bowed before him, delighted at beholding his brother, and as he had no female slaves, the prince honoured him with the gift of some, at which he greatly rejoiced. And after taking leave of Rajyadhara, whose tears flowed fast, as he could hardly bear to part from his elder brother, the prince reached Kausambi in that same chariot. Then the people, on beholding the prince unexpectedly descend from heaven, riding in that splendid chariot, followed by his retainers, and accompanied by his new bride, were much astonished. And his father, the king of Vatsa, having gathered from the exultations of the citizens that his son had arrived, was delighted, and went out to meet him, accompanied by the queen, the ministers, his daughter-in-law, and other persons. And the king, beholding that son prostrate at his feet with his wife, received him gladly, and thought that the fact, that he was to be the future emperor of the aerial spirits, was clearly revealed by his coming in a flying chariot. His mother Vasavadatta, with Padmavati, embraced him, and she shed a tear, which dropped like the knot of pain loosened by seeing him. And his wife Ratnaprabha was delighted, and Madanamanchuka also, and their jealousy being overcome by love for him, they embraced his feet, and won his heart at the same time. And the prince delighted his father's ministers, headed by Yaugandharayana, and his own, headed by Marubhuti, when they bowed before him, by rewarding them as they severally deserved. And they all, with the king of Vatsa at their head, welcomed that new wife Karpurika, who bowed becomingly before them, like the G.o.ddess of Fortune arrived surrounded by a hundred immortal nymphs, even the sister-shape of Amrita, [625] openly brought by her husband, having crossed the sea adorned with its sh.o.r.e as a garment with a beautiful fringe. And the king of Vatsa honoured that warder of her father's, giving him many crores of gold-pieces, garments and lumps of camphor, which had been brought in the chariot. And the king then honoured Pranadhara as the benefactor of his son Naravahanadatta, who had pointed him out as the maker of the chariot. And then the king honoured Gomukha, and asked him joyfully, "How did you obtain this princess? And how did you start from this place?" And then Gomukha deftly told the king of Vatsa, with his wives and ministers, in private, the whole adventure, as it took place, beginning with their going to the forest to hunt,----how they met the female hermit, and how they crossed the sea by means of the chariot provided by Rajyadhara, and how Karpurika was obtained with her female attendants, though she was averse to marriage, and how they returned by the way by which they went, in a chariot which they obtained by finding Pranadhara. Then all of them, shaking their heads in astonishment and joy, said--"To think of the concurrence of all these circ.u.mstances, the chase, and the female ascetic, the carpenter Rajyadhara skilled in mechanical contrivances found on the sh.o.r.e of the sea, the crossing the ocean in the chariot that he made, and that another maker of these chariots should have previously reached the other side of the ocean! The truth is, Destiny takes trouble to provide the fortunate with the means of obtaining prosperous success." Then all respectfully commended Gomukha for his devotion to his lord. And they praised queen Ratnaprabha, who by her knowledge protected her lord on his journey, for she produced general satisfaction by acting like a woman devoted to her husband. Then Naravahanadatta, having made his party of air-travellers forget the fatigues of their journey, entered his palace with his father, and mother, his wives and other relations. Then his treasury was filled with heaps of gold by the friends and relations who came to see him, and whom he honoured, and he loaded Pranadhara and his father-in-law's warder with wealth. And Pranadhara, immediately after he had taken food, respectfully addressed this pet.i.tion to him--"Prince, king Karpurika gave us the following order--'You must come back quickly as soon as my daughter has reached her husband's palace, in order that I may have early news of her arrival.' So we must certainly go there quickly this very moment; give us a letter from Karpurika to the king written with her own hand. For otherwise the heart of the king, which is attached to his daughter, will not take comfort. For he, never having mounted an air-chariot, fears that we may have fallen from it. So give me the letter, and permit this head-warder, who is desirous of ascending the chariot, to depart with me. But I will return here, crown-prince, and will bring my family, for I cannot abandon the two ambrosial lotuses of your feet." When Pranadhara said this firmly, the son of the king of Vatsa immediately made Karpurika sit down to write that letter. It ran as follows, "My father, you must not feel anxious about me, since I share the happiness and possess the love of a good husband; was the G.o.ddess Lakshmi an object of anxiety to the ocean after she had betaken herself to the Supreme Bridegroom?" When she had written the above letter with her own hand, and given it, the son of the king of Vatsa dismissed the warder and Pranadhara with honour. And they ascended the chariot, and produced astonishment in the minds of all, as they were seen going through the air, and crossing the sea they went to the city of Karpurasambhava. There they delighted the king Karpuraka by reading out his daughter's letter, which told that she had reached her husband's palace. The next day Pranadhara took leave of the king, and after visiting Rajyadhara, repaired with his family into the presence of Naravahanadatta. Naravahanadatta, when he had returned thus quickly after accomplishing his mission, gave him a dwelling near his palace and an ample allowance. And he amused himself, and his wives, by going about in the flying chariots made by him, as if rehearsing future journeyings in the skies as emperor of the Vidyadharas.

Thus, having delighted his friends, followers and wives, and obtained a third wife Karpurika in addition to Ratnaprabha and Madanamanchuka, the son of the king of Vatsa spent those days in happiness.

BOOK VIII.

CHAPTER XLIV.

Victory to the elephant-headed G.o.d, [626] who, reddening the sky with the vermilion dye shaken off by the wind of his flapping ears, seems to create sunset, even when it is not due.

Thus Naravahanadatta, the son of the king of Vatsa, dwelt happily in his father's house, after he had won those wives. And one day, when he was in his father's a.s.sembly-hall, he saw a man of heavenly appearance come there, descending from heaven. And after he and his father had welcomed the man, who bowed before him, he immediately asked him, "Who are you and why have you come?" Then he answered--"There is a city in this earth on the ridge of Himavat, called Vajrakuta, [627]

and rightly so called, as being all made of diamond. There I dwelt, as a king of the Vidyadharas named Vajraprabha, and my name too was rightly given me, because my body is framed of diamond. And I received this command from Siva, (who was pleased with my austerities,) "If thou remainest loyal at the appointed time to the emperor created by me, thou shalt become by my favour invincible to thy enemies." Accordingly I have come here without delay to pay my respects to my sovereign: for I have already perceived by means of my science that the son of the king of Vatsa, (who is born of a portion of the G.o.d of Love, and appointed by the G.o.d who wears a digit of the moon,) though a mortal, shall be sole emperor over both divisions of our territory. [628]

And though, by the favour of Siva, a prince of the name of Suryaprabha was ruler over us for a kalpa of the G.o.ds, still he was only lord in the southern division, but in the northern division a prince called Srutasarman was emperor; but your majesty, being destined for great good fortune, shall be sole emperor here over the wanderers of the air, and your dominion shall endure for a kalpa."

When the Vidyadhara said this, Naravahanadatta, in the presence of the king of Vatsa, said to him again out of curiosity: "How did Suryaprabha, being a man, obtain of old time the sovereignty over the Vidyadharas? Tell us." Then in private, that is to say, in the presence of the queens and ministers, the king Vajraprabha began to tell that tale.

Story of Suryaprabha, and how he attained sovereignty over the Vidyadharas.

Of old there was in the country of the people of Madra a town named Sakala; [629] Chandraprabha, the son of Angaraprabha, was king of it, whose name expressed his nature, as he delighted the whole world, but he was like fire in that he scorched his enemies. By his wife, named Kirtimati, there was born to that king a son, whose future glory was indicated by his exceedingly auspicious marks. And when he was born, a clear voice sounded from heaven, which rained nectar into the ears of king Chandraprabha, "This king, now born, named Suryaprabha, is appointed by Siva as the future emperor over the kings of the Vidyadharas. Then that prince Suryaprabha grew up in the house of his father, who was distinguished by the delightful favour of the enemy of Pura, [630] and he being very clever, gradually acquired, while still a child, all knowledge and all the accomplishments by sitting at the feet of a teacher; and then, when he was sixteen years old, and captivated the subjects by his virtues, his father Chandraprabha appointed him crown-prince, and he gave him the sons of his own ministers, many in number, Bhasa, Prabhasa, Siddhartha, Prahasta and others. And while he was bearing with them the burden of a crown-prince's duty, one day a great Asura of the name of Maya came there, and Maya went up in the a.s.sembly-hall to king Chandraprabha, who welcomed him, and said to him in the presence of Suryaprabha, "King, this son of yours, Suryaprabha, has been appointed as the future emperor of the kings of the Vidyadharas by Siva; so why does he not acquire the magic sciences that will put him in possession of the dignity? For this reason I am sent here by the G.o.d Siva. Permit me to take him, and teach him the right method of employing the sciences, which will be the cause of his obtaining the sovereignty of the Vidyadharas. For he has a rival in this business, a lord of the sky-goers named Srutasarman; he too has been appointed by Siva. But this prince, after acquiring the power of the sciences, shall conquer him with our help, and become emperor over the lords of the Vidyadharas." When Maya said this, king Chandraprabha said--"We are fortunate; let this auspicious one be taken by you wherever you wish." Then Maya took leave of the king, and quickly carried off to Patala Suryaprabha and his ministers, whom the king permitted to depart. There he taught the prince ascetic practices of such a kind, that by means of them the prince and his ministers quickly acquired the sciences. And he taught him also the art of providing himself with magic chariots, so that he acquired a chariot named Bhutasana. Then Maya brought Suryaprabha, mounted on that chariot, with his ministers, having acquired the sciences, back to his own city from Patala. And after he had led him into the presence of his parents, he said to him, "Now I depart, enjoy here all the enjoyments given by your magic knowledge until I return." After saying this, the Asura Maya departed, after having been duly honoured, and king Chandraprabha rejoiced in his son's having acquired the sciences.

Then Suryaprabha, by virtue of the sciences, was continually roaming through many countries in his chariot, with his ministers, to amuse himself. And wherever any princess beheld him, she was immediately bewildered by love, and chose him for her husband. The first was the virgin daughter of the king of Tamralipti, who was called Virabhata; her name was Madanasena, and she was the first beauty of the world. The second was Chandrikavati the daughter of Subhata, the emperor of the western border, who had been carried off by the Siddhas and left somewhere else. And the third was the famous daughter of k.u.mbhira, the king of the city of Kanchi, Varunasena by name, remarkable for her beauty. And the fourth was the daughter of king Paurava, sovereign of Lavanaka, Sulochana by name, with lovely eyes. And the fifth was the daughter of king Suroha, the lord of the land of China, Vidyunmala with charming limbs, yellow as gold. And the sixth was the daughter of king Kantisena, ruler in the land of Srikantha, surpa.s.sing in beauty the Apsarases. And the seventh was Parapushta, the daughter of king Janamejaya, the lord of the city of Kausambi, a sweet-voiced maid. And though the relations of these maidens, who were carried off by a surprise, found out what had happened, still, as the prince was confident in the might of his supernatural science, they were pliant as canes. These wives also acquired the sciences, and Suryaprabha a.s.sociated with them all at the same time, taking many bodies by his magic skill. Then he amused himself, in the company of these wives, and of the ministers Prahasta and others, with roaming in the air, with concerts, drinking-parties and other amus.e.m.e.nts. Possessing heavenly skill in painting, he drew the Vidyadhara females, and in that way, and by making sportive sarcastic speeches, he enraged those charmers, and he was amused at their faces, furrowed with frowns, and with reddened eyes, and at their speeches, the syllables of which faltered on their trembling lips. And that prince went with his wives to Tamralipti, and roaming through the air sported in the gardens with Madanasena. And having left his wives there, he went in the chariot Bhutasana, and accompanied by Prahasta only, visited the city called Vajraratra. There he carried off the daughter of king Rambha before his eyes, Taravali by name, who was enamoured of him, and burning with the fire of love. And he came back to Tamralipti, and there carried off again another maiden princess, by name Vilasini. And when her haughty brother Sahasrayudha was annoyed at it, he paralyzed him by his supernatural power. And he also stupefied Sahasrayudha's mother's brother, who came with him, and all his retainers, and made his head shorn of hair, because he wished to carry off his beloved ones. But though he was angry, he spared to slay them both, because they were his wife's relatives, but he taunted them, who were downcast on account of the overthrow of their pride, and let them go. Then Suryaprabha, surrounded by nine wives, having been summoned by his father, returned in his chariot to his city Sakala.

And then king Virabhata sent from Tamralipti an amba.s.sador to Suryaprabha's father, king Chandraprabha, and gave him the following message to deliver--"Your son has carried off my two daughters, but let that be, for he is a desirable husband for them, as he is a master of supernatural sciences, but, if you love us, come here now, in order that we may make a friendship based upon the due performance of marriage rites and hospitality." Thereupon king Chandraprabha rewarded the messenger, and determined that he would quickly start for that place on the morrow. But he sent Prahasta, as an amba.s.sador to Virabhata, in order to make sure of his sincerity, and gave him Bhutasana to travel in. Prahasta went quickly and had an interview with king Virabhata, and questioned him about the business, and was informed and highly honoured by him, [631] and promised him, who smiled graciously, that his masters would come early next morning, and then he returned in a moment to Chandraprabha through the air. And he told that king that Virabhata was ready to receive him. The king, for his part, being pleased, shewed honour to that minister of his son's. Then king Chandraprabha with queen Kirtimati, and Suryaprabha with Vilasini and Madanasena, mounted that chariot Bhutasana, and went off early next day with retinue and ministers. In one watch only of the day they reached Tamralipti, being beheld, as they pa.s.sed through the air, by the people with eyes the lashes of which were upraised through wonder. And descending from the sky, they entered the city side by side with king Virabhata, who came out to meet them; the beautiful streets of the town were irrigated at every step with sandal-wood water, and seemed to be strewed with blue lotuses by means of the sidelong glances of the city ladies. There Virabhata honoured his connexion and his son-in-law, and duly performed the marriage ceremony of his daughters. And king Virabhata gave at the marriage-altar of those daughters, a thousand loads of pure gold, and a hundred camels laden with burdens of ornaments made of jewels; and five hundred camels laden with loads of various garments, and fifty thousand horses, and five thousand elephants, and a thousand lovely women adorned with beauty and jewels. And moreover he gratified his son-in-law Suryaprabha and his parents with valuable jewels and territories. And he duly honoured his ministers, Prahasta and others, and he made a feast at which all the people of the city rejoiced. And Suryaprabha remained there in the company of his parents, and his beloved wives, enjoying delights, consisting of various dainties, wines, and music.

In the meanwhile an amba.s.sador arrived from Rambha in Vajraratra, and in the hall of a.s.sembly delivered this message from his master: "The crown-prince Suryaprabha, confiding in the might of his sciences, has insulted us by carrying off our daughter. But to-day we have come to know, that he has undertaken to be reconciled to king Virabhata, whose misfortune is the same as ours. If in the same way you agree to be reconciled to us, come here also quickly, if not, we will in this matter salve our honour by death." When king Chandraprabha heard that, he honoured the amba.s.sador, and said to him, "Go to that Rambha and give him this message from me: 'Why do you afflict yourself without cause? For Suryaprabha is now appointed by Siva the future emperor of the Vidyadharas; and inspired sages have declared that your daughter and others are to be his wives. So your daughter has attained her proper place, but you being stern were not asked for her. So be appeased, you are our friend, we will come to your residence also.'" When Prahasta received this message from the king, he went through the air, and in a single watch he reached Vajraratra. There he told his message to Rambha, and having been gladly received by him, he returned as he came, and reported it to king Chandraprabha. Then Chandraprabha sent his minister Prabhasa, and had king Rambha's daughter Taravali conducted to him from Sakala. Then he departed in the air-chariot with Suryaprabha, being dismissed with great honour by king Virabhata and all others. And he reached Vajraratra, which was full of people awaiting his arrival, and was met by Rambha, and entered his palace. There Rambha, having performed the great feast of the marriage ceremony, gave his daughter countless stores of gold, elephants, horses, jewels, and other valuables. And he gratified so lavishly his son-in-law Suryaprabha, that he forgot all his own luxuries. And while they were remaining there delighted with feasts, an amba.s.sador came from the city of Kanchi to Rambha. Rambha having heard his message, said to king Chandraprabha--"King, the lord of Kanchi, named k.u.mbhira, is my elder brother; he has to-day sent me a trustworthy messenger to speak this speech; 'Suryaprabha first carried off my daughter, then yours. And now you have made friendship with him and his father, as I hear, so bring about my friendship also with them. Let them come to my house, that I may with my own hand give my daughter Varunasena to Suryaprabha.' So grant this request of my brother's." When Rambha made this request, Chandraprabha granted it, and sent Prahasta and had Varunasena brought quickly from the city of Sakala to her father k.u.mbhira. And the next day, he and Suryaprabha and Rambha, and Virabhata and all, with their attendants, went to the city of Kanchi. And after they had been met by k.u.mbhira, they entered the city of Kanchi, as it were the girdle of the earth, full of many jewels and adorned with excellences. [632] There k.u.mbhira bestowed his daughter on Suryaprabha with the usual ceremonies, and gave much wealth to the young couple.

And when the marriage had taken place, Prahasta, after taking food, said to Chandraprabha, who was all joyfulness, in the presence of all, "King, in the country of Srikantha I had an interview with the king of that land; there king Kantisena whom I thus happened to see, said to me--'Let Suryaprabha come to my house with that daughter of mine, whom he has carried off, I will perform the ceremony for him according to rule. If he refuses, I will abandon the body, distracted by love for my daughter.' This is what he then said to me, and I have now mentioned it on the proper occasion." When Prahasta said this, king Chandraprabha answered, "Go then, take Kantimati to him, we will go there also." When the king said this to him, Prahasta went off that moment through the air, and did as he had commanded. And next morning Chandraprabha and all, with k.u.mbhira, went to the land of Srikantha in the air-travelling chariot. There king Kantisena came to meet them, and making them enter his palace, performed the auspicious ceremony of his daughter's marriage. Then he gave to Kantimati and Suryaprabha an endless quant.i.ty of jewels, which excited the wonder of the kings.

While they were all remaining there, enjoying all kinds of pleasures, a messenger came from Kausambi and said--"King Janamejaya sends this message to your honours, 'My daughter, of the name of Parapushta, has been carried off by some one lately. And I have found out to-day, that she has come into the power of Suryaprabha, so let him come with her to my house without fear. I will perform the marriage ceremony according to rule, and so dismiss him with his wife, otherwise you will be my enemies, and I shall be yours.'" Having thus delivered his master's message, the amba.s.sador remained silent: then king Chandraprabha said to them apart--"How can we go to the house of that king who sends such haughty messages?" When the king's minister named Siddhartha heard that, he said, "Do not entertain wrong notions, king, for he is justified in using such language. For that king is very generous, learned and sprung of a n.o.ble race, a hero, one who has offered the Asvamedha sacrifice, ever unconquered by others. How can he have spoken anything unbecoming in speaking according to facts? And as for the enmity which he threatens, he does that now on account of Indra. So you must go to his house, for he is a king faithful to his engagements. Nevertheless send some one to find out his intentions." When they heard this speech of Siddhartha's, they all approved it. Then king Chandraprabha sent Prahasta to sound Janamejaya, and honoured his messenger. And Prahasta went, and after making an agreement with the king of Kausambi, brought a letter from him, and satisfied Chandraprabha. The king quickly sent that Prahasta, and had Parapushta conducted from Sakala to Janamejaya. Then Chandraprabha and the other kings, preceded by Suryaprabha, [633] with Kantisena, went to Kausambi in the chariot. There the king Janamejaya courteously honoured his son-in-law, and his connexion and all the others, by advancing to meet them, and other ceremonies. And after he had performed the ceremony of the marriage-rite, he gave five thousand elephants and one hundred thousand excellent horses, and also five thousand camels laden with full burdens of jewels, gold, precious apparel, camphor and aloes-wood. And he made such a feast, that even the realm of Pluto was exclusively engaged in dancing and music, a feast in which excellent Brahmans were honoured, and all kings gratified.

And in the meanwhile the heaven there suddenly became red, as if indicating that it would soon be dyed crimson with blood. And the sky suddenly became full of confused hurtling noises, as if terrified at beholding a hostile army coming in the air. And a mighty wind immediately began to blow, as if exciting the inhabitants of earth to war against the wanderers of the air. And immediately a great Vidyadhara army was seen in the air, illuminating with brightness the circle of the horizon, loud-shouting, impetuous. And in the midst of it Suryaprabha and the others beheld with astonishment a very handsome heavenly youth. And at that moment the herald of the Vidyadharas proclaimed with a loud voice in front of that youth, whose name was Damodara: "Victory to the crown-prince Damodara son of king ashadha! O mortal, dweller on the earth, Suryaprabha, fall at his feet. And do homage, O Janamejaya; why have you given your daughter to an undeserver? Propitiate, both of you, this G.o.d at once, otherwise he will not be appeased." When Suryaprabha heard this, and saw that army, he was wroth, and seizing his sword and shield, he flew up into the heaven by his science. And all his ministers flew up after him, with their weapons in their hands, Prahasta, and Prabhasa, and Bhasa, and Siddhartha, and Prajnadhya, and Sarvadamana, and Vitabhiti and Subhankara. And the Vidyadharas fought a great fight with them. And on one side Suryaprabha, and on the other Damodara advanced, not slaying their enemies with their swords, but receiving their weapons on their shields. Those men, few in number, and those air-roamers, a hundred thousand in number, found equality in battle, fighting with one another. And all sword-blades there flashed red with blood, falling on the heads of heroes, like the glances of the G.o.d of death. And the Vidyadharas fell on the earth with their heads and their bodies, in front of Chandraprabha, as if imploring protection out of fear. Suryaprabha shone in the world with the glory of the Vidyadharas which he had seen. The sky was red with blood, as if with vermilion shed abroad. And Suryaprabha at last reached, and fought face to face with Damodara, who was armed with a sword and a shield. And as he fought, he broke through his enemy's guard by a skilful management of his weapons, and laid him on the earth, having cleft his shield with his sword. And while he was preparing to cut off the head of his struggling foe, Vishnu came and made a threatening sound in the sky. Then Suryaprabha, having heard that sound, and having beheld Hari, prostrated himself, and out of respect for the G.o.d spared to slay Damodara. Hari carried him off somewhere as his votary, and saved him from death, for the adorable one delivers in this world and the next his faithful followers. And the troops of Damodara fled in different directions. Suryaprabha, for his part, descended from heaven to his father's side. And his father Chandraprabha welcomed him, on his returning unwounded with his ministers, and the other kings praised him, now that his valour had been seen.

And while they were all engaged in joyfully talking over the combat, another amba.s.sador, belonging to Subhata, arrived there. And he came and delivered a letter in the presence of Chandraprabha; and Siddhartha, opening it, read it out in the a.s.sembly: It ran as follows, "The august king Chandraprabha, the pearl-jewel of a n.o.ble race, is thus respectfully solicited by king Subhata in the Concan. We have learnt that our daughter, who was carried off by some being in the night, has come into the hands of thy son, and we rejoice thereat. Make an effort, thou and thy son Suryaprabha, to come with her to our house, without raising any objection, in order that we may behold our daughter, returned as it were from the other world, and perform for her at once the ceremony required for marriage." When this letter was read by Siddhartha, the king Chandraprabha, consenting, welcomed the messenger and rejoiced. And he quickly sent Prahasta to the western border, and had Subhata's daughter Chandrikavati conducted into her father's presence. And the next morning they all went, with Suryaprabha in front, and in company with Janamejaya, in the chariot to the western border. There king Subhata, pleased at recovering his daughter, shewed them much honour, and celebrated his daughter's marriage festival. And he bestowed on Chandrikavati jewels and other gifts in such liberal profusion, that Virabhata and the others were ashamed at what they had given. Then, while Suryaprabha was remaining there in the house of his father-in-law, there came from Lavanaka also an amba.s.sador belonging to king Paurava. He delivered to Chandraprabha this message from his master, "My daughter Sulochana has been carried off by the fortunate prince Suryaprabha: that does not grieve me; but why should he not be brought with her to my house, in order that we may perform the marriage ceremony?" When king Chandraprabha heard that, he honoured the messenger in his joy, and had Sulochana escorted by Prahasta into the presence of her father. Then they, Subhata and all, in the company of Suryaprabha, went to Lavanaka in the chariot, that came as soon as it was thought of. There Paurava performed the joyful marriage ceremony, and bestowed jewels liberally on Suryaprabha and Sulochana, and honoured the kings also. And while they were remaining there in delight, entertained by the king, Suroha, the king of China, also sent an amba.s.sador. That king, like the others, requested by the mouth of the amba.s.sador that, as his daughter had been carried off, they would come with her to his palace.

Then king Chandraprabha was delighted, and he had the king of China's daughter, Vidyunmala, also conducted by Prahasta to her father's house. And on the next day Chandraprabha and all went, including Paurava, together with Suryaprabha and his retinue, to the land of China. There the king came out to meet them, and led them into his own treasure-chamber, and there performed the marriage ceremony of his daughter. And he gave to Vidyunmala and Suryaprabha an immense quant.i.ty of gold, elephants, horses, jewels and silk garments. And being invited by Suroha, Chandraprabha and the others continued there for some days in various enjoyments. And Suryaprabha, who was in the prime of youth, was adorned by that Vidyunmala, [634] as the rainy season, when the clouds abound, is adorned by the lightning-garland.

Thus Suryaprabha and his relatives, accompanied by his various charmers, enjoyed delights here and there in the houses of his fathers-in-law. Then he took counsel with Siddhartha and his other ministers, and dismissed one by one to their own lands Virabhata and the other kings, with numbers of horses, and then took leave of that king Suroha, and accompanied by his daughter, with his own parents and followers ascended that chariot Bhutasana, and went triumphant to his own city of Sakala. In that city great rejoicing took place on account of his arrival; in one place there was the occupation of dancing, in another the delight of music; in one place the amus.e.m.e.nt of drinking, in another the toilet-rites of fair-eyed ladies; in another the voice of bards loud in the praise of him who had obtained what he desired. Then he had brought his other wives, who had remained in their fathers' houses, and with the stores of elephants and horses bestowed by their fathers, that were brought with them, and with the innumerable camels bowed down with burdens full of various jewels, he displayed in sport the wealth obtained by the conquest of the world, and aroused the wonder of his subjects.

Then Sakala, inhabited by that fortunate one, appeared glorious, as if the chiefs of the G.o.ds, of the followers of Kuvera, and of the snakes, had made in it many deposits of much wealth. Then Suryaprabha dwelt there with Madanasena, enjoying the pleasures he desired, happy in that all blessings were fully bestowed upon him, in the society of his parents, with his ministers, accompanied by his other wives, expecting every day Maya, who had made a promise to return.