*

*
*

DUUABHJI DHAUAMSI

VKD'S IJBKAKY.

*
*

&

Section

*
*

,:

GLEANINGS FROM INDIAN CLASSICS

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED

BY

GIRISH

CHANDRA CHACKRAVARTI,
DEVA PRESS,
6j/2 Beadon Street,

CALCUTTA.

"

What mortal now can harm,

Or foemen
Through

vex us more

thee,

Immortal God,

beyond alarm
iuc

soar."

GLEANINGS
FROM

CLASSICS.
EDITED BY v

MANHATHA NATH^DUTT,

M,

A.,

Rector, Keshub Academy,

Editor of the English Translation of the Ramayana,

Srimadbhagabatam and Vishnupuranam.

CALCUTTA

AT THE DEVA PRESS.

1893.

All rights Reserved.

Es. 2

INTRODUCTION.
The Hindus and
misunderstood thing

their

The

modern world.

the

in

are the most

Religion

people of the Western World labour under

the notion that the Hindus are a people a little
civilized

and

better than the aborigines of Africa

than

no better

is

The

fault

does not

by nature very

if

are in every

he passes

the

upon

his
of

life

in

of

idolatry.

The Hindus

are

they never
especially to nations

and modest

different

way

all

autonomy

grossest

others,

their Religion

sort

with them.

lie

retiring

thrust themselves

who

the

from them.
will

India,

Hindu-home

he

A foreigner,
never

know

will

never

domestic arrangements, he will never

understand what sort of being a Hindu really is

know

their

for

a Hindu

himself by

is

too bashful and too modest to defend

and morals or

explaining his religion

manners and customs.

They cannot be easily known

a language
Thus the popular notion of

from their books, for they are written

very difficult to master.
the Western World is, that the
aborigines,

who worship woods and

But a few

of the great

America have a
has

been

done

in

Hindus are semistones.

scholars

of

Europe and

different notion of the Hindus.

by

their

study

of

the

This

Sanskrit

IV

thousand years' continual

sort,

moral,

physical,

struggles of every

foreign

and

social, political

religious,

could not destroy. They instilled into their society

moral virtues which nowhere are to be found
they
;

made

the

Hindu homes the sweetest and the happiest

in all the world.

We

do not exaggerate

the notion that

is

an attempt

all

Hindu

we cannot remove

over the Western

find

none

just

now

in that direction.

to popularize the
religion

so long

predominant

World, we know we shall

in saying what we have
is

This

Literature,

amongst the Western

to agree with us

This work

said.
is

an attempt

Philosophy and

nations.

We
We

are

are
treading the footsteps of the great Rishis.
and
the
the
of
means
examples
following
adopting

those great men,

who made

India what

give their tales, their annals,

it is.

legends and

We shall
histories,

and sweeter poems in popular and

easy English, suiting modern tastes and Western
methods. Hindu Literature, History, Philosophy and

their sweet verses

Religion are so extensive that it is not expected to

be mastered in a day or explained in a book. This

work

is the first
step to give an idea of them,
be followed by a series of works, in each and
every one of which attempts will be made to popu-

little

it

will

larize

Hindu

Religion.

Literature,

History

Philosophy and

TALES OF IND.

'gits "gUcjfjncss

gir ^Jceraccmila Ifurma

,&mcjl)t

gotnmanocr
of

fl)c

of

tl)e

ix6ian
of

f)is

^ittlc

as a

5ook

is

often of

most fmincnt
fmpire,

ocl)in.

^tcspcclfuUg
rafifuoe bp

CONTENTS.
PAGE
Battle of

Gods and Demons

i.

Shiva and Sati

19.

Srikrishna

30.

The Monkey War

The Battle of Kurukshetra

57.
79.

Nala and Damayanti

105.

Sribatsa and Chinta

115.

Prahlada

126.

The Lost Ring

The Boy Devotee
Sabitri

and Satyavan

135.
150.

156.

Debjani

165.

Bilwamangala

176.

Harishchandra

183.

Parasurama

196.

Bishaya

201.

The Danava King

209.

TALES OF IND.
BATTLE OF GODS AND DEMONS.

[1]
E

great Trinity manifested itself in three forms,

namely, Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the

Preserver,

and Shiva, the Destroyer. The universe

first and was filled with innumerable

was created by the

forces

but they were of two classes,

negative,

One

the preserving

positive

and

and the destroying forces.

was engaged in preserving the universe,

the other was always for its destruction.
The preservclass

ing forces, such as the

air,

embodiments

was good,

of all that

quite the reverse.

fire,

The former were

water,

were the

the others were

called the

Devas

TALES OF IND.

Danavas

or the Gods, the latter were called the

Vishnu was the Great Protector

Demons.

and Shiva was that

his seat in

of the gods,

The former had

demons.

of the

or the

Baikuntha, and his almighty power (omnihis wife, and she was called Lakshmi.

potence) was

Shiva lived
*

Kailash, and his wife was Durga.*

in

Readers are to understand that the names Vishnu and Shiva

are the

mere names

Durgd

are also the

forces,

and are not

of the

two great Spirits of God. Lakshmi and

of His preserving and destroying

mere names

distinct beings.

The

created elements.

The gods and

tale of the battle of

the

demons are the

gods and demons

is ai>

allegorical account of the ever-lasting struggle of the elements, the

Life

of

struggle

and Death, the struggle

servation and destruction,

the forces of pre-

of

the battle of the good and the evil r

The tale is to
that is continuing from the beginning of time.
be found in the books of every religion, but told in various
The Christians have Satan, a quite distinct being from
ways.

God

but the Hindus say that

as Shiva

is

All-evil.

He

He

as

Vishnu

is

All-good and

He

has created the gods as well as the demons,

and they are both protected, loved and preserved by Him

and they s-tand as- brothers in relation-. In this tale all these forces
have been personified and made to live and act as human beings,
;

as

required in

an allegory.

Hindu Rishis had

said

that

should

know

that the

the good elemen-ts r

both

material

The

readers

immortal and none of them could ever be destroyed

whereas the demons, i.e. the evil elements, are both material and

and

spiritual,are

spiritual

;.

but though they are never exterminated, yet some of them

are always destroyed.

the greatest

favourites

They should also mark that the demons wereof

God as Shiva but He Himself des;

troyed them by His destructive and omnipotent force, which had

named

Durg.d, His wife,

when required

to

keep equiHibtiiH

IE*

BATTLE OF GODS AND DEMONS.

Vishnu wanted to make

his favourites,namely the

immortal and powerful.

Vishnu, being
Preserver, naturally wants to preserve the gods

tin-

gods,

to

bestow immortality. He asked thr

gods to churn* the great ocean, f so that ambrosia might

preserve means

to

be produced. The demons offered their services to the

gods, which they could not decline. Thus both the gods

and the demons laboured incessantly

for years,

till

tin-

ocean gave forth the wonderful liquid. J Then there arose

a great disagreement between the gods and the demons

both parties wanting to take possession of it. Vishnu

appeared before them as a most beautiful damsel and

and

offered to divide

and the demons.

distribute

They were

it

all

exquisite beauty and they agreed

amongst the gods

charmed with her

to submit to her will.

But both the gods and the demons exist and fight for
the universe.
supremacy till the end of time. Thus Brahmd is the infinite base
from which elements have evolved
Vishnu preserves them, Shiva.
j

destroys them

grand struggle Nature with her beauty,

sublimity and laws has been formed. This tale tries to explain
this grand philosophy of the Hindus.
*

forces,

out

of this

The churning

of the

the effect

which

of

ocean means the actions of the contrary

is this beautiful universe.
Readers are

well aware that the effects of the so

tation are the orders

and

many

contrary forces of gravi-

regularities in the starry universe.

Evidently the ocean means the original chaotic state of the

Milton's sea of Chaos.

universe.
^

This ambrosia

is

This damsel

Nature

is

the immortality of Nature,

;

she always rules over the elements.

TALES OF IXD,

She

them that as the gods were the elder

told

brothers of the demons, they should be served first,

The demons acquiesced and she began to distribute
j

Soon she
the immortalising liquid amongst the gods.
gave away almost the whole of the quantity, and herdrank the

self

rest.

The demons were exasperated

they rushed upon her in all fury, but the gods soon
came to her help. There were great fightings,- but
as the gods had become immortal and powerful by

drinking the ambrosial wine, the demons were soon

defeated and routed.

Their Protector and God, the terrible Shiva, came

to their assistance. He asked them to churn the ocean

But

again.

alas,

instead

of

ambrosia

the

ocean

vomitted forth deadly poison.*

The quarrel that was bred on the shores of the

churned ocean continued for thousands

battle that

nued

of years; the

began between gods and demons conti-

to eternity.

The demons were very powerful and some

them became

invincible

of

and unconquerable by the

grace of their god Shiva. Though they could not

exterminate the gods, yet often they defeated them,
drove them from heaven and took possession of the
celestial regions.
*

This poison means Death i. e. the force of destruction.

God can give only destruction and death.
;

Khiva, the

BATTLE OF GODS AND DEMONS.

great wars and terrible

between the gods and the demons. Sometimes the
shall
former were defeated, sometimes the latter.

There

were

We

narrate only the greatest of these wars and battles.*

[2]
THERE were supposed

to be thirty three millions

gods and goddesses, but Indra was their Ki:ii,

and Lord. After the defeat of the Danavas on the

of

shore of the churned ocean, the gods lived in peace

and happiness for many long years, till a great
Danava was born, who was known by the name
of

Under him the

Bitr&sura.

gained strength,
a great general.

demons

gradually

he was a great warrior and

He collected round him all the

for

demons who had been scattered over the universe

after their defeat at the battle for

them

ambrosia

he formed

them with hopes of

into a great army,

success and promised them victory withHhe possession

of

filled

heaven and
*

its

happiness.

There are a good many

born as human
humanity.
shapes to

beings

tales, in

they bred

which we find the demons-

sin

and vice and oppressed

come down and assume human

check and destroy them. The Rdmdyana is an instance,

The gods had

to

Rdvana. and his Rdkshasas were the demons, and

and the monkeys were the gods. But

only three wars, in which they fought
as

human

beings.

in

Rama was

this tale

in their

we

Vishnu

shall narrate

cwn shapes and not

TALES OF IXD.

Under him they rose

war with the gods

encamped

under him they marched and

to gain

heaven or to die

could

not

killed

drive

for years

and

they deter-

in the field of battle.

;

there were

and hot skirmishes

battles

demons were

enemies

their eternal

The war went on

sanguinary

They could never

at the gates of heaven.

forgive the gods

mined

and declared

in rebellion

but

wounded,

many

innumerable
the

gods

them from heaven.

They grew
weakened and crippled by continual wars.
They
lost heart and thought of flying from their happy
heaven. Indra became anxious and went to Brahma,
for advice and help. "My dear son/' said the Creator,
"Go

Ask

to the great Dadkichi.*

them

a thunder out of

would not be able to

kill

for

for his

without

bones

make

thunder ye

Bitra and to drive away his

demonaic hordes from the gates

of heaven."

The king of

the gods hastened to the great Rishi

Dadhichiy and narrated to him all the evil deeds of

the wicked demons, their attacks on heaven and their

oppressions all over the universe. "Venerable father/'

prayed the heavenly king, "If thou dost not save us and

with us the universe,

"My

we have no

for thee."

Indra told him

by the great Creator.

*

He

He was

all

other hope of safety."

"Tell

dear son," said Dadhichi,

me what

can do

that had been said to

told

him

him that he had come to

a sreat

BATTLE OF GODS AND DEMONS.

v^S***^*************^*********^^

him

to pray for his bones. "Is this

"I shall gladly give

He

my

life

then renounced his

back to heaven with

all

?" said

life

his bones.

Dadhichi,

of the world."

for the

good
and Indra hastened

There was great joy

amongst the gods and they cheered again and again,

when their king appeared amongst them with the muchdesired bones.

Soon the dreadful thunder was created and every

arrangement was made to attack the demons. A

was fought

great battle

in the fields of

heaven

there

was hard

was

fighting on both sides, till the terrible thunder

loose.
It soon crushed the
demon-king into

let

atoms and hurled

height.

They

fell

his vast

army down from the

ethereal

from the height of heaven to the very

depths of the infernal regions, there to

for many a long year.*

lie

insensible

[3]
AFTER

the

fall

of the

height, the gods lived for

in peace,

the

demons from

many

the heaven's

years very happily and

to attack them.

demons never venturing

Their power had been thoroughly broken down and

they had neither the heart nor the courage to venture
out of the infernal regions and to
*

call

the gods to battle.

Readers should notice the similarity of

this battle with that

of Satan

with the gods in the fields of heaven.

of the two

must have been borrowed from the

Evidently either

other.

TALES OF IND.

But they were not

forth in disguise and

at rest

to

tried

of

many

them issued

disturb the gods in

Sometimes they would come stealthily

near the gates of heaven and look wistfully on
its
the boldest of them only
beauty and happiness

various ways.

would pass

kingdom. He would
he would disturb the peace

celestial

wealth of heaven

steal the

of

into the

heavenly homes and return

compeers

of

down

steal

the

celestial

damsels and carry them

they would often steal

to the infernal regions

heavenly

courage and

These wicked and bold demons would

adventure.
often

to tell his less bold

wonderful deeds of

his

children

make them

and

their

eternal

slaves.

Thus many years

stole the

the gods, though

proper to declare another war

but at last a Ddnava, named Shoma,

disturbed,did not think

with the demons

on

rolled

beautiful

it

wife

of

Brihashpati,

the

great

Preceptor of the gods. The wicked Danava tempted

her to the path of sin she fell and she was enticed
away to the kingdom of darkness.
;

The

old Preceptor grew wild with grief and

he
hastened to Indra and appealed to him
anger
to rescue his beloved wife from the clutches of the
;

demons.
all

felt

His words were mandates to the gods

they

injured and insulted by the gross injury done

to their great leader.

BATTLE OF GODS AND DEMONS.

So the order was passed king Indra called

generals to arms and his gods to rally round him,
;

his

for

another mortal struggle with their eternal enemirs.

Every arrangement was made and they marched out

from heaven to chastise the demons and rescue the

stolen goddess.

The demons

resolved to stand firm

they determined

to have another great struggle with the gods, whatever

might be the

final

result.

Ddnava, named Taraka, as

they made every preparation

They

elected

a great

and leader

their king

to give their

hot reception.
Their choice of a leader was the best possible.

Ddnava, Tarakasura, was

arms and unequalled in statecraft.

great

enemies a

The

really invincible in

For many a long

and had at
the
to
had
been
he
Shiva,
God,
praying
year
invincible to
got his blessings, thereby becoming
thunder and to all heavenly weapons.
last

The gods and

period,

like

the

demons met,

two wild whirlpools

in

met

after a long

a great storm.

The

war continued for years, both parties fighting, as only

the gods and the demons could fight. Again and again
the thunder was let loose, but to no purpose the demons
;

gradually gained ground. The celestial army was daily

broken down and the gods were at last defeated and
routed.

They

fled

in

hot haste

towards

pursued by the successful and elated demons.

heaven,

TALES OF IND.

10

fled precipitously into their

They
shut up

its

gates

The demons stormed

them out

of the much-desired

last

heavenly citadel, drove

homes, and took possession

kingdom.

The gods

fled in all

At

and were scattered over the universe.

heaven was

their

of their celestial

directions

kingdom and

but alas, fortune was against them

lost.

Indra, king of the gods, having been defeated

of his kingdom, went to the Creator for

and driven out

advice and help.

disheartened such
;

is

immersed

and

this is

"Do

not be

the will of Providence.

Shiva

"My
is

son,"

said he,

great Yoga* on the death of his wife ;t

the reason of the demons becoming unconin

Go

querable.

to

Vishnu and he

advise thee

will

as to what to do in order to regain thy Paradise."

fndra'vrent to Baikuntha and prayed to its Lord

He narrated all that had happened and told

for help.

him the miserable

goddesses had

and the

plight into which the gods

fallen.

"My

beloved son,"

said the

have no power to destroy

I
can
preserve and I have preserved you from death by
bestowing upon you immortality. None can destroy

great

the

God,

"I

demons except Shiva.

His wife

is

born

as

daughter of king Himalaya. Go and try to get her

married with the Great Destroyer. The son that

Read

the particulars of Yoga in the Appendix,

Read

the particulars of the death in the Tale Shiva

and

Sati.

BATTLE OF GODS AND DEMONS.

would be born

of this marriage,

II

would regain heaven

for you."

The king of the gods returned to his hiding-place.

There held he a confidential council with his ministers
and generals

it

was

settled to despatch

Narada*

to

king Himalaya with the proposal of the marriage.

But the difficulty was not there
the gods knew not
;

what to do

up Shiva from his FOOT* -sleep. "Oh,

There
king," suggested one, "Take Madarft with you.
is none in the universe who can withstand the arrows

of Love.

Narada
The

to rouse

Surely Shiva's, Yoga would be broken and

would be able to propose to him the marriage."
suggestion was adopted and every arrange-

ment was made. The

chief gods

and Narada promised

to join

went towards Kaildsa,

them

there, after secur-

ing the consent of king Himalaya.

On the heights of the hoary Kaildsa sat Shiva in

great F^^-sleep. Calmness reigned all over the

extended far
place, the sway of soliuTde^Tiaving
and wide. Not a sound, not the least noise, could
his

the
venture to disturb the peace of the awful place
wind had ceased to breathe where the great Destroyer
;

sat in his majesty.

The gods silently and slowly assembled at the foot

snowy heights. Madan was put forward. He

of the

This was also a very celebrated Rishi.

Madan

is

the

god

of

Love.

TALES OF

12

IXD.

^^^^^^r^^^sxxx^u^^xv^xv^^^-x^

-"

.advanced trembling from head to foot. But he gathered

It
courage, took up his bow and sent up an arrow,
did

its

action

the Great

slowly opened
the

god

of

his eyes

love,

Unknown was moved he

He saw
;

and looked around.

slinking

away from

his

sight.

Uncontrolable anger rose up in his bosom, and his

forehead emitted forth destructive fire. Soon the poor
god of love was overwhelmed with its deadly flames.

Oh, how piteously he cried for help how he appealed

But
gods to save him from Shiva's anger
!

to the

the Ktfgvz-sleep of the great God was destroyed. He

rose from his seat and moved towards his home.

opportune moment, when the wound made

Love
was fresh in his heart, Narada greeted him
by
and proposed the marriage. He told the great God

At

this

how
and

badly the universe was faring by his inactivity

how

had become urgently necessary

for him to marry and settle down how his wife had
again taken birth as a daughter of king Himalaya.
his

Yoga

it

Shiva gave his consent and

Narada hastened

to

them the welcome news. There

was great joy amongst the gods and the goddesses

the gods to impart to

they

all

hastened from

wedding.

It

all

quarters to be present at the

was solemnized

in

due form, the Creator

himself acting as the high priest.

A son was born of this marriage

named Kartikeya.

When

and he was

he grew up, he was elected

BATTLE OF GODS AND DEMON'S.

IJ

Under him the

as the general of the heavenly hosts.
gods received back their old courage and energy and
;

under

his flag they rallied round,

and hoped

to regain

their lost heaven,

Kartikeya led the gods to the gates of heaven and

challenged the demons to battle. Another great war
broke out and lasted for years, till at last the great
Tdraka, was killed and the demons were hopelessly

They were driven out

and
heaven was regained.*
kingdom

defeated.

the

of

celestial

[4]
TIME went on and

there

was no disturbance

in

heaven. But the struggle of elements could never

cease the deadly feud between the gods and the
;

demons could never end in peace and amity. A decade

passed when two very powerful demon were born,
who gathered round them all the demon chiefs and
began to disturb the peace of heaven. King Sambhu
and his brother Nisambhu gradually grew very
powerful and extended their sway far and wide

over

Again there is a great similarity of this tale with the tale of

the Bible. Shoma's enticement of the
heavenly goddess and the consequent loss of heaven looks almost like Satan's enticement of Eve

and the

loss of

Paradise.

Again here

regained by the birth of a son of

by the birth of Christ.

God

in this tale

Shiva,

just

the heaven was

as in the Bible,

TALES OF IXD.

14

They attacked more than once the

defeated and routed them in battle and made

the universe.

gods,

most uncomfortable and untenable

their position

in

more powerful than Bitra or

Taraka in fact the great Destroyer honoured them by
bestowing upon them his great Spirit, which neces-

They were

heaven.

far

sarily

and

made them, on

irresistible

the one

hand thoroughly invincible

and on the other the very incarnation

and

They possessed a General as

themselves the Danava Raktabija, having

of destruction

evil.

great as
secured from Shiva the boon of having a Raktabija
at each drop of his blood. Thus he was more than an
;

the gods are not killed, but the General of

king ShambltU) if wounded, would produce a host of
Raktabijas, as powerful as the original one.* The

immortal

heart

lost

gods

heaven.

and gradually began

Indra hastened

to

Brahmh,

to

fly

from

but he said that

he really did not know what to advise. He hastened

to Vishnu and asked permission to resign his throne

and sceptre
the

gods

from

Nishambhu.
have
*

of heaven,

the

if

He

did not protect him and

oppressions of Shambhu and

said the Preserver, "Twice

"Indra"

pointed to you the

The Hindu

Rishis

way

wanted

to

to defeat the

show

Danavas.

that the negative forces

and elements grew more and more powerful as they are beaten
down by the positive forces and elements. Shambhu and Nishambhu
were greater heroes than Bitra and Tdrakd*

BATTLE OF GODS AND DEMONS.

15

do not know what to say now. As far as I

Sambhu and Nisambhu cannot be killed, unless

But really
see,

the great Destroyer does

at this

you

crisis

it

himself.

except the

None can

Lord or the

help

Lady

of

Kailteh."*

Who could dare go to the God of Destruction ?

Indra appeared suppliant before Durga, the Lady of
Kail&sh. She was moved by the piteous appeals of
the gods and the goddesses.

check

Finding no other way to

oppressing and destroying power of the

demon kings she agreed to go and fight with them.
the

dear children," said she, "Go back to your

heaven remain at ease for the good of the world I

"My

shall

go and kill these two demon kings."

She appeared as a most beautiful damsel

the

in

Her exceptional
pleasure-garden of the demon king.
was more than what could be described;

beauty

her voluptuous grace and her youthful loveliness

the place with a sort of majesty and grandeur.

The
king.

report of her arrival soon reached the

Great

Shambhu grew mad

immediately sent

filled

demon-

to possess her

he

messengers to her, offering the

But she was not what they took

throne and kingdom.

her to be.
*

The

tale

shows that the negative forces were always very

powerful and often they grew supreme over all others; God had
to interfere to check them to keep up the equilibrium in Nature.

TALES OF

16

IND,

"Who

"Oh, beautiful lady," said the messenger,

The
graced our royal gardens
"I
smiled
and
am
his
who
replied,
great goddess
admires and adores me." "Then, Oh Lady," said the

art them that hast

?"

messenger, "Come to our king. I have been sent by

"Go and tell
him. He asks you to be his queen."
him," said she, "I

am

Who-

only to be had by force.

me in battle, possesses me in peace."*

her bold words were reported to the king
he smiled and took it for a joke. But in order to
ever defeats

When

humour

her,

to her

and escort her

he ordered one of

challenged him to battle

to fight

and was

his great generals to

to the royal palace.

;

the poor general

go
But she

was forced

killed.

King Shambhu was

really astonished to learn that

He was not
his general had been killed by a woman.
to be trifled with he immediately ordered anotft^r of
;

his generals to

go with his army and bring the damsel

But there was a great battle, and

to the royal court.

the general perished with

all his

army.
he sent for his
alarmed
really
asked
him to see
and
Commander-in-Chief, Raktabija
what the matter was. The great Danava went out

The king was

with

all

his

sitting, after
*

soldiers

and found the Goddess quietly

destroying the

We would ask

demon army.

He

tried to

our readers to mark the words that

the lips of the Goddess.

What

could be truer and grander

fell
?

from

BATTLE OF GODS AND DEMONS.

17

induce her to come with him without further ado

but she declined and challenged him to battle. "Shame

on me," said Raktabija, "If I fight with a woman."

"But" replied she, "Try the game.

woman."
At last Raktabija was forced

am more

to fight

than a

and a

terri-

morning to night. The Great

Goddess fought as the great Spirit of Destruction could
But, alas, all her efforts were fruitless,
possibly fight.
ble battle raged from

for she could not kill

Raktabija

in

her efforts to

kill

him, she created innumerable Raktabijas to fight with

her.

She at last appeared in her great Kali-term*

she divided herself into innumerable Kalis
and all
;

those Kalis began to fight in the greatest fury, some

killing the demons and some drinking up their blood.

Thus no more blood was dropped and no more Raktabija was created.
By the evening the whole demon
army with

their great General

had perished

and the

Goddess having withdrawn her forces,had herself turned

again into a beautiful damsel.
need not say, the demon king was much alarmed and much grieved by the sad fate of his great

We

He

General.

army and
;

gathered round him the rest of his great

with the fell woman, who

sallied forth to fight

Kali

is

the form of the Great Sp'uit of Destruction.

TALES OF IND.

had suddenly appeared

not try to describe this

in

his

battle,

We

kingdom.

need

a battle the equal of

which had never occurred and which the greatest poet

had failed to adequately describe. Suffice it to say that

when the great Shambhu saw his beloved brother fall,

he became ten times more furious and caught hold of
the flowing black hair of the Great
of the action

by the head.
whirled and she hardly had time
for help.

Goddess

in the

heat

he raised her up and whirled her round

She was defeated, she was mercilessly

Then she

silently

to breathe or to cry

prayed

for protection

and

help of his great husband Shiva, who soon came to

her rescue. He immediately withdrew from the demon

king the Spirit with which he blessed him. The great

demon suddenly found him as weak as a child and

was soon

killed.

There was great joy amongst the gods and they

lived happily in heaven.*
*

There

are

many more wars and

battles,

but the three

narrated above are sufficient to give an idea of the whole thing.

SHIVA AND SATI.

[1]
of the

Himalayas,

in

was the land

of

the land of beauty

fORTH
and sublimity, there was a charming

hill,

called

Apsaris and Kin*

nan's
it was the land of
many colored flowers and
it was
a
folliage
lovely bower of Nature's own
where
she
had congregated all that was
making,

the Kailash.

It

was

beautiful

and

animal or

in the botanic

all

that

lovely

and charming

in the

kingdom.
and pleasure Shiva
beloved wife Sati had their happy home.t

In this land of love, beauty

and

his
*

Apsaris and Kinnaris are beautiful races of songstresses

and dancing girls.

f There is apparently some difference
Destroyer as described

in

between Shiva the

the preceding tale and the one that wiM

be described in the following.

Readers

should

know

that the

TALES OF IND,

20

It was but a cottage on the top of a snowy range

it
was a hut, a poor hut covered with twining creepers.
There was not to be seen the least artificial effort to
;

secure any of the worldly comforts

but Nature was
an obedient maid, in this poor but the most happy
home. She gathered round the hut for their frugal
;

meals
with

all

sweet

the

all

fruits

of

the world

she

came

her flowers to decorate their nuptial bed,

in their lovely bower all the
singing birds

she placed

to pour into their ears the sweetest music

the sky

of

of the world.

But Shiva had intentionally given up all that was

Well, he was the richest man of the world
worldly.
;

he was the wisest of

and the mightiest

he had no wants to complain of.
all

of all the

mighty

But he had

left all this far

Hindu
of

Rishis

human

life.

the wise

behind him and had made

have left behind them two very grand ideals

They have painted two great figures, which they

intended to place before the world as the best models which man
can imitate and adopt, inorder to be fully happy in this life and
to get eternal salvation in the

Kaildsh-\\ome

is

one

of

life

next.

these two.

Shiva and Sati and their

Here Shiva

is

not the

ter-

a great Yogee, a man with the highest perfection

of asceticism and intellect in him.
By the highest developement of
asceticism he is fully happy and beyond all misery in this world
rible Destroyer, but

an-d

by the highest developement of his mind he has become one

with the Supreme Being in the next.

In the next tale, readers will

find quite a different sort of an ideal in the life of Srikrishna

man

is

happy and saved by

perfect worldliness

and

love.

there

SHIVA AND SATI.

abode

his

21

the solitude of Kailash,

in

away from

all

worldly wealth and cares.

He wore a piece of tiger's skin
he sat on
that of a lovely deer
round his neck hung the garlands of bones
he was entwined with deadly snakes
;

and serpents.
door to door.*
a maniac.

like

He rode an old bull and begged from

He took strong narcotics and looked
To him all the horrors of the world

were welcome.
But he was a mighty man
Matter and controlled the Spirit.
of

developement

Intellect

own thoughts, he
He forgot that
around.
in his

He was

there existed a universe

of his

own

that thought consisted of meditating

dear wife Sati.

did exist,

ONE was
*

This

In fact the

the perfect

always deeply engaged

cared nought for the world

was intoxicated with the wine

and

he ruled over the

he

thoughts

upon

his

own

He

forgot that he or any other being

he felt that only ONE existed and that

his lovely wife SATl.f

is liut

an imperfect description of the form of Shiva,

Hindu Rishis

tried to paint great

Nature and the
greater Source of that Nature in the forms of Shiva and Sati.

t This is but a faint description of one of the grandest philosophical truths of the Hindus. This is what the Yoga philosophy

aims

at.

readers,

The Vedanta philosophy

who might be curious to

Vedanta philosophies.

says the same.

learn

more

of

We
it,

should ask our

to read Yoga

and

TALES OF TXD.

22

He had two

faithful attendants,

named Nandi and

he was sorrounded with innumerble ghosts

Bhringi
and spirits he was feared and respected all over the
;

But look to the side of

world.
fearful

figure

this

horrible

there you will find seated smiling

and

and

happily a goddess, quite the reverse of this terrible

one.

was

It

of

the

Sati, the daughter of king

mightiest

rulers

of the earth.

Daksha, one
There is no

language which can adequately describe her most

wonderful beauty. But no jewellery adorned her hair

no ornaments her body. Her black long hair flowed

down her back and breast in beautiful ringlets
;

round her neck there were some garlands of beads

and round her loins and body was a piece of rag.

She had given up

all

her paternal royal luxuries,

become a poor beggar and a great ascetic

like her husband dear.
She lived with him happy and
her home in Kailash was the happiest in the world.
she had

They had
they

had

risen above the broils of the world

gone

beyond

the

all-grasping

hand

of

a place where nothing

Mysery.
or
reach them. They
material
could
worldly,
gross

They soared high

in

were necessarily the happiest and

their

home was

pervaded through with perfect bliss.

They had no wants, for they had destroyed all
wants they lived in the world, but had destroyed
;

SHIVA AND SATI.

the

idea

of

existence

its

23

minds.

their

in

They

achieved that grand knowledge which told them that

this perceptible universe was only a mental dream

Supreme Being, having had no real existence

own. They felt the grand truth which told

of the
of its

them that they were not separate beings but they

were that GREAT ONE who only is real and who only
;

does

exist.

worldly matters fled from their

necessarily nothing savouring of the

Necessarily

home

lovely

material world

all

could

dare

approach
in the

Kailash. They lived very happy

and

in

their

Land

grand

of intellect

the happy valley of salvation and bliss.

Thus

Shiva

lived

and

Sati

for

many

years

on the snowy heights of their happy Kailash, till an

unhappy incident occurred. Once on a time Shiva

YagmO* where his fatherHe was a

was
in-law, king Daksha,
present.
man having his mind somewhere engaged. He did
not observe the approach of his father-in-law and
to attend a great

happened

forgot to
*
fire

show him the proper

Yagma was

a great religious ceremony

which was called

Homa was

The proud

respect.
;

in

which a great
hymns were

kindled and Vedic

chanted to propitiate and to praise some particular god or

the gods. There were various sorts of Yagmas, in the course
Those Yagmas were very
of which
animals were sacrificed.
all

and only great kings could solemnise them.

modern Hindus Yagmas have almost died out.

expensive affairs

Amongst

the

TALES OF IND.

24

king took offence

son-in-law.

he was never pleased with his

Learning that the horrib'le

man,

mad

whom

he took to be a great Yogee and to whom he gave his

most beloved daughter in marriage, had made his Sati

worse than a beggar, he gave up all communication

with him. He was not with him even on speaking terms

he studiously used to avoid him and told

was dead. But when he saw

people that his daughter

his

mad

son-in-law openly insulting him by not accord-

him the ordinary courtesy

resolved to teach him a lesson.

ing to

He

of the society,

held a Yagma, in which he invited

all

he

the

world except Shiva, and necessarily his wife poor

Sati. There were great preparations and grand amuse-

ments
in

it

this

was one

world

it

of the greatest festivities ever held

was a

in

festivity

which

all

the

people of the world were specially invited to join,

All the relatives
except the mad man of the Kaildsh.

and friends

of the great king

of the royal household

came

all

the princesses

arrived from their husbands'

homes, except poor Sati, who was not even informed

of the great
festivity that her beloved father was
holding.

But

Narada went

to

K'atlas h

and informed her

what was going on at her father's palace. Sati grew

eager to go, she had not seen her mother and sisters
for

many

years past

she

felt

that her absence in this

SHIVA AND SATI.

great festivity would be deeply

if not
by any one else.

She went

to her

by her dear mother,

felt

husband and

25

told

him

all

She entreated him

had heard from Ndrada.

that she
to allow

her to go and see her parents.

"My poor darling,"
said Shiva, "Your father has purposely forgotten to invite us.

insults

He wants

to

heap
But
are honours.

and be insulted before

all

insults over Shiva, to

Sat?',

your

why

relatives

whom

should you go

and friends

?"

"My dear husband," replied she "Should a daughter

very much mind, whether her father invites her or
not ? Is there any necessity for a daughter to seek
for

an invitation when $he goes to see her parents ?"

Shiva smiled and said, "I shall not prevent you

Sati, remember that

Be
you
very careful and try
to come back as soon as possible." Then he turned to
Nandi and ordered him to go with her. "Nandi" said
he, "Take care to control your temper. There you will

from going to your parents.

are going to a great

But

trial.

and worldly vanity can produceYou and your Sati will appear in that grandeur and
pomp like two of the poorest beggars of the world.

find all that wealth

may

People

redicule

you,
nay they
you or perhaps insult you. Do not mind
all this
come back with Sati as soon as possible/'
left
Sati on the back of the old
Kailash
They

may

naturally

slight
;

Bull,

Nandi leading him

to the palace of king

Daksha.

26

TALES OF IND.

Beyond and above

the world this asceticism

is

very grand but in a place where the wealth and riches

of the world had come to vie with one another, where
;

the

great chiefs and

potentates had

come together

showy costumes and invaluable jewellery,

Sati's appearance looked like something very hateful.

with

all

their

Especially to king Daksha,

insulting to

find

his

it

was

really painful,

nay

own daughter

present in that
grand assembly in a plight worse than that of a beggar.
They entered the great palace, now alive with men

and women. They passed through the crowd in silence,

Their slight and neglect
alas, none welcoming them
were apparent on all sides; many whispered amongst
!

themselves and

made a

many began

to

abuse Shiva, who had

royal princess a beggar.

She went

who came running

to her mother,

to

welcome her, she being the most beloved of all her

But she was horrified to see the beggarly
children.
state of her daughter

she stood a few seconds wildly

Then arose wild

staring at her and then she fainted.
weepings all over the palace Sati had come unasked
;

and uninvited, but she had come as a beggar.

[3]
daughter to give up her
beggarly costume. She brought for her beautiful jewel-

QUEEN Prasuti asked her

lery

and gold-embroidered

clothes,

she brought for

SHIVA AND SATI.

2"J

her various delicacies, those that were her favourites

when she was a

child.

all.

"Dear

father

and ask

But Sati declined

mother," said she, "I must

first

see

my

him why he has not invited us ?"

she went
She heard no refusal

to the

assembly where king Daksha was engaged

grand
in

the

great Yagma.

Oh,

What

a contrast

Asceticism and worldliness

stood side by side. The worldly pomp and grandeur

stood face to face with solitude and calmness of Retire-

Poverty was placed by the side of Wealth.

Sati appeared in that grand assembly and all rose
But king Daksha lost his temper. "Oh,
respect.

ment.

in

me !" Cried he, "Why did I not die

my own daughter reduced to such an
state
Who asked you to come here, Oh
ignoble
Then he
you wicked girl, to me you are dead."
shame, shame to
before seeing

"Look

turned towards the assembly and roared.

the doings of that

Mad wicked

ruffian

who

calls himself

at

Yogee.

always beastly drunk and

gentlemen, how he has reduced

scoundrel,

piteously dirty, look^

a Princess of the royal house of great Daksha to the

lowest stratum of poverty !"
"Father, dear father,"
but do not
if
me
"Abuse
you like
appealed Sati,
;

abuse

my

husband.

You

yourself taught

early days that to a wife her

he might be,

is

her

God and

me

in

my

husband, however bad

Preceptor."

TALES OF IND.

28

But king Daksha

on

fired

he did not care for

the feelings of his poor daughter. She again and again

tried to stop him,
but finally seeing that it was
impossible to stop her enraged father from showering

abuses over his dear husband's head,

she determined

up her life. Death she preferred to hearing

such abuses of one who was her husband.

to give

She stood
could

stand

husband

she

assembly as only a goddess

mentally meditated upon her

in that great

she bade him

towards the assembly and

farewell
fell

she then turned

dead.

There were loud lamentations

all

over the palace

people ran to see Sati from all directions, queen

Prasuti came weeping with all her daughters. The
joy and merriments were soon turned into sorrow and
grief.

Nandi hastened

In the meanwhile

Shiva heard

death of his most beloved

and madly rushed towards the kingdom
king Daksha followed by all his Ghosts and Spirits.
Soon the mad hordes appeared before the

wife.
of

to Kailash.

He

assembly

in silence of the

rose

in

a minute the

Yagma was

destroyed, and

the assembled guests were mercilessly beaten.

Daksha was attacked

the head of a goat
*
fell

It

is

King

he was soon beheaded and

was placed upon

his

shoulder.*

when king Daksha was killed, queen Prasuti

her son-in-law and wept piteously. Skiva was

said that

at the feet of

SHIVA AND SATI.

2g

Shiva took up the corpse of his dear wife, placed

his shoulder and began to dance like a maniac.

it

on

He

the palace of king Daksha with the dead

body and roamed over the world for many long years
till it
gradually fell piece by piece from his shoulder.*
left

He

then silently retired to his mountain home

and there sat he in his great Yoga. He entered into
;

grand sleep of eternal peace which lasted for

hundreds of years.f

that

We

have already told

in

another tale

how Satt

was born as Umd, the daughter of king Himalaya and

how she was again married to her mad husband. %

They
asceticism

and

lived happily for years

;

in

the strictest

but that asceticism was mixed with the best

possible domestic love and happiness.

moved he ordered Nandi to put life

But Nandi did not give him his original

into king Daksha's body.

from his body,

for

he

did not

uttered abuses of great Shiva.

This

head becoming that of a goat.

*
It was said that Vishnu cut
t
J

like

off

head,

is

which was severed

see the face again which

to

the origin of the king's

the body from his shoulder.

Read the preceding tale.

Read the tale, named the Battle

of

Gods and Demons.

SRIKRISHNA.
t

[?y

UTTRA

one of the most important cities in

It was the
the North Western Provinces.

capital

of

is

the

at the

Dynasty
were reigning
the

bank

down by

in

side,

river

Yadu

celebrated

Kurus and

Ha$tinapur>*

of the beautiful
its

the

of

kingdom

time when the

It

is

the

Pandus

situated

Yamuna which

giving beauty and

health,

on

rolls

plenty

through the kingdom. A few miles

was
there
a splendid Tamala forest, where
the
river
up
beautiful deer roamed in green pastures and rainbow-

and prosperity

all

See the Battle

of Kurukshetra.

SRIKRISHNA.

31

coloured peacocks danced under the shade of flowery

It was the
pleasant haunt of the people of

trees.

Muttra

it

was the place

for

holding picnics for the

young and the Pujcihs and Yagmas for the old. It

was the place where the beautiful Yadu maids came
to

dance and play

was the place where the Muttra

it

matrons came to while away their spare moments.

In

fact,

this

beautiful

Brtnd&bana, situated as

on the bank of the rippling

it

was

YamuncL, gardened by

Tamala, Bakul and Kadamba

and interpersed
with green pastures and shady streamlets, was the
pleasure ground of the rich and the poor of the great
city of

trees,

Muttra.

On
down

the opposite side of the river a few miles

the city there stood a very prosperous village,

was inhabited by milkmen, a class

of people always famous for their physical strength
and worldly wealth.
They possessed innumerable
and
bullocks
buffaloes, and lands covering
cows,
called Gakula.

many

It

miles on the bank of

the

Yarnuncn,

were

in

and were used as pasture-grounds for

The Gakula milkmen were simple, virtu-

their possession

their cattle.

ous and honest

none

of

them was

poor,

but none

They had their own society, in which

lived
Their women
they
independent and happy.
were beautiful and lovely, honest and simple, but
was very

rich.

bold and forward in

demeanour,

Health, plenty and

TALES OF IND.

32

in

beauty reigned

gods might

Gakula

At the time
was the head

Dairy

fit

good

qualities

it

was a place where

live.

clan.

None was

Nanda

so good

to be the patriarch of this wild

but simple people as he

all his

surely

which we are speaking,

of

of this

and none was so

come and

fancy to

by

and he was

truly

his wife Yasoda.

matched

in

They were

loved and respected, nay feared and obeyed, by all

the people of Gakula. And his influence was so great

commanded respect even from the members of

the royal family, who ruled in Muttra.
King Kansa
was then the reigning sovereign, a ruler hated of his
that he

He was a base
subjects and feared by his enemies.
and heartless tyrant he was a monster of iniquity
and demon of cruelty. The people groaned under
;

his

tyranny and oppression

and none there was

in

but he was very powerful,

the kingdom who dared breathe
;

a word against him.

[2]
As

case of every tyrant, king Kansa was

always afraid and suspicious of all the people amongst

whom
lest

in

the

he had to

live

he might be

special

care to

and move.

killed

by

his

He always
enemies

know from every

possible

feared,

he took
quarter

whether he had any fear from any man and

whom

to fear

if

so,

so that he might take previous precau-

SRIKRISHNA.

33

%*x**h*<h*-w-**>^-i~^'^~'*-"w'->k*-^^

tion to

ward them

He was

off.

told

by astrologers that

Debakfs eighth son would kill him and he

had none else to fear."* As soon as he learnt it, he
imprisoned his sister and her husband, Basudeva,
his sister

intending to kill them, so that no son might be born to

them. But they fell at his feet and craved for mercy
they promised on solemn oath that they would deliver
;

to

him

all

the children born to them, and they would

not complain,

were born.

if

he would

The

kill

them as soon as they

was moved and he agreed

but kept them prisoners in his own

cruel king

to the stipulation,t

palace, well guarded, so that they might not secretly

remove their children.

One

after another

seven children were born and

duly delivered to the cruel tyrant,

them

who

to

make

his

But the poor

safety doubly
determined
to
save
the
whatever be
parents
eighth
the consequence they determined to make an effort
sure

killed

all.

There are some other versions

whatever source

many
t

it

years before

The

might
it

be,

of this foretelling;

king Kansa came

to

know

but from
his

fate

did occur.

eighth son

of

Basudeva and Debaki

is

Srikrishna, a

personage worshipped and adored by the Hindus as an incarnation

of God.
We need not say that there are various versions of his
birth

and

life.

We

need not also

more than one miracle mentioned

tell

our readers that there are

through the narrative of his

life.
We shall avoid mentioning for obvious reasons the miracles
in the body of this tale, but would mention them in short notes.
all

TALES OF

34

to save

at

of their beloved children

one

least

IND.

from

and king. When at

the dead of night their eighth child, which was a very
beautiful boy, was born, Vasudeva wrapped it up in

the wrath of their cruel relative

took

clothes,

under his arms and

it

stealthily

came

out of the prison-house."* It was an awful night

the blue sky was full of black clouds
the lightning
was flashing and the thunder w as roaring the rain
;

was
in

falling

mad

in the

under

his

was the eighth day

roaring and

in

of the

blowing

full

moon

It is

her wild fury, Vasudeva with his child

hastened towards the village of

came

It is

to

the

river. %

foaming

bank

He made

rushing,

Debaki heard the voice

the guards

opened the door Himself.

and

the

save the child and told them

to

further said that

of

Somehow he managed

said that both Vasudeva and

God who asked them

sleep

\vas

arms

and

Gakula,

it.

and the wind

of Bhadra^ the very middle of the rainy

The Yamuna had risen, and she had almost
In this fearful night when Nature
her banks.

was dancing

do

torrents,

month

flooded

It

fury.

season.

of

like

There

miracles narrated in connection with this birth,

how

to

fall

into a deep

are

some more

which we need not

mention.
f
\

Corresponding to August.
said that when Vasudeva was meditating how to cross

It is

the river

he saw a jackal walking across

animal's example and found

to

it.

He

followed the

his joy that the water of the river

WHS very shallow. It was also said that a big snake walked
way with him protecting the child from rain by its big fangs.

all

the

SRIKRISHNA.

to cross

it

35

he ran towards the house of Nami,

wife Yashodd had given birth to a daughter that very

none could possibly be astir
night. None was astir,
in

that dreadful

night

Yashoda was

in

deep

si

room, her new-born child lying by her

Vasudeva stealthily entered into that room

in her lying-in

side.

and placed

own boy by

his

her side

None knew what was done

child

th<-

at the

dead

of

The

night.

the cruel king was thus saved.

found in the morning that a daughter was born

that

Kansa

he took up

milkman and hastened back home.*

the

daughter of

would

kill

He

to his sister.

brought

it

out and ordered

to be

it

killed.t

[3.

THE
nursed

up

son of Vasudeva and Devaki was tenderly

by

prince of the royal house of

as one of the
*

It is

of Gakula

and carefully brought up by

Yashoda

The

Nanda.

milkman's boys of Gakula.%

mentioned that God made

fall

Yadu grew

into a deep sleep.

We

Ifashoda,

and

all

was previously directed by the voice

make

of children.

this

exchange

It is

said that

We

Krishna

them

is

it

of

is

also

God

to

the people dashed the child on a piece

and rose up into the sky.

must here remind our readers that the character of

of stone to kill
i

when

the people

need not say that

told that Vasudeva

Ke

it, it

flew from their hands

an ideal

life

placed before humanity.

to our notes in the tale,

named Shiva and

Sati.

We
As

shall refer

they have

TALES OF

36

was the joy

of all the village

IND.

and the milkmen and the

milkmaids gave him various names, of which we shall

He was called K&nai by his
mention only two.

mother and he was known by the name

through

What
could
line

of

Krishna

of

all

his clan.

possible education the son

milkman

Learning was not in their

their children had no idea of entering into the
reasonably get

deep labyrinths of Science, Philosophy, or Literature.

Krishna was sent out to take care of the cattle in the
pasture, as soon as he grew up to the age of doing it
and he daily went out with all the other boys of the
But although he learnt nothing, he learnt at
village.

least

that

one thing

maddened

it

was

to play on the flute

the maids of

the flute

Gakula and which

in after-

a conch* sent inspiration into the

turning
hearts of heroes on bloody fields of battle.
into

life

Yamuna flowed by Gakula

and
but with the birth of
giving
plenty
Krishna a streamlet of Love flowed through the
milkmen's village giving it untold pleasure and
Well, the beautiful
health

it

found

in that tale

find

will

in

an ideal character of asceticism

this

a quite

opposite character,

character of worldliness in perfection.

in perfection,

they

namely an

ideal

There they have found first

asceticism and then in that great asceticism great love

find

will

first

great

love

and

then in

that

great

here they
love great

inorldliness,
*

Conch served the purpose

of a

bugle

in

ancient warfare.

SRIKRISHNA.

The baby Krishna was the darling

mother and the joy of all the villagers.

eternal
of

bliss.

his

The

37

was

Krishna

child

the

caressing

idol

of

the women and the boy Krishna was the

most beloved companion and play-mate of all the
The men and women of Gakula knew
boys.

all

not

why

began to love Krishna

which they could not account

the reason of

own

loved their

but

children,

for.

love

their

in

they

way
They

towards

Krishna was something more than usual, nay it was

more than what could be found in Nature. And how
naughty he was

was

nor

gentle,

He was not a good boy neither he

He would enter into his
mild.
;

neighbours' houses,

make havock on

the

eatables,

break household utensils

specially on milk and butter,
and do a thousand other mischiefs. So great was
never

silence,
of

any

amongst
*

We

took place
sent by

his

his

him

in his

that

complaining
wicked pranks.*

childhood.

to kill

at

least

Once a

to tie his
in

the

But

his

of

sorceress,

On

but the child killed her.

mischief

misdeeds or

two

him by allowing him

in

his

ceased.

soon

neighbours

suffered

they

for

must here narrate

Kansa

breasts,

wanted

towards

love

their

to

the

pranks

Though
miracles that

named Putana, was

suck

her poisonous

another occasion Yashoda

hands with a rope, so that he might not do any

neighbours' houses

but

all

the ropes of the house

were brought, (and a milkman's supply of rope must be considerable)

but was found not enough to bind up his two hands.

TALES OF IND.

38

Yashoda was not

at

all

yet Krishna was

willing,

forced to go out into the field to look after his father's

cattle.
How unwillingly and with how much
reluctance

she

sent him out

How many

times she

imploringly asked him not to go very far, not to go

near the dangerous water of the Yamuna,, not to go

she was afraid of king Kansa,

not to roam under the hot sun and not to do a thousand

across the river,

for

She gave him eatables, those that she

knew her darling Krishna was fond of how many
other things

times she tenderly requested him to eat them when

he would feel hungry
She would stand at the gate
!

and look

at him,

departing boy,

as only a loving

mother looks

at her

as he sped along with his play-mates,

driving the cattle before him.

The boys grew mad

for

him

they would not go

Kanai\ no play
could be played without him, no game was managed
without his presence. He was their leader, he was
their friend,
nay he was their all. He led them to

to the pasture without their beloved

many

plays, he invented

them with

his love,

many games

he enchanted

he amused them with his sweet

flute*
There are many anecdotes told regarding this period of his
Some of them are possible facts, but many of them are
He showed at this early period of his life superhuman
miracles.
He killed
physical strength and sometimes mysterious powers.
life.

SRIKRISHNA.

39

[4]
THUS

slowly and gradually spread

around him a halo of love and created a new world

Krishna

Thus when he entered into his teens, he

maids of Gakula towards him. Mis
beauty, his grace, his amiability and love, over and
above all this, his sweet and enchanting music on his
of

bliss.

drew

all

the

made them unconsciously love him.

They met him on their way to the river, in the
morning when they went to bathe and in the evening
when they went to fetch water in their pitchers.
magic

flute,

loiter

converse with him, they began to

to

They began

nay they sometimes passed some

with him,

hours with him

in

merry-making.

love with him,

One

all fell in

all.

Krishna and the lovely maids

many demons,

another

and Krishna loved them

they

slowly carried

after

of

Gakula were

into the blissful whirlpool of love.*

away

specially the

demonaic snake Kalia who used to

live

under the water in a certain place in the Yamund. Many of the

cattle of Gakula died by drinking the poisonous water of this place.

Krishna one day jumped into

*

this

poisonous pool, dived down and

snake-demon.

killed the fearful

This love

affair

has been variously described, sometimes

with questionable taste and purity

but readers should know that
Srimat Bhagabata, one of the best Sanskrit Works, is the chief
;

authority on the
in fact there

life

of Srikrishna.

was not the

We

find

nothing objectionable,

least trace of carnality

as described in this book,

in this

grand love

a love in which not one but

all

the

TALES OF IND.

40

day Krishna was surrounded by his playand the maids had also their household

the

In

mates,

Yamuna, and pass a few minutes with

to the

way

which did not

him,

sweet company.

and

night,

see him on their

They could only

duties to perform.

their

satisfy

They began

specially

at

cravings

him

meet

to

moon-lit

for

night,

in

his
at

the

surrounding gardens and orchards, and sometimes

on the green pasture.
There they played and
amused themselves with their lover in various ways.

was the

a general rush towards

the beautiful groves, where there was nothing but

His

flute

signal for

love and pleasure.

and

picnics

amusements
the

pasture

in

Krishna organised plays, games

the gardens and groves for the
boys on

of the maids, as he did for the

grounds.

Of these various

games and

merry-makings, only two we shall mention. In the

rainy season he organised a grand swing-play, and
in

of

spring a great red powder contest, in both

the

which

all

the boys

and maids

of

Gakula

heartily

joined."*

women

living

on both the banks of

In fact Srikrishna was almost a boy

the

at the

Yamuna

percipitated.

time when this love

have taken place.

two occasions are observed by the Hindus as
great religious festivals; one is called Jhulana and the other Hori

affair is said to
*

Both

or Dola.

of these

SRIKRISHNA.

His

plays

universal love,

41

and

games, his sweet music, his

drew round him hundreds of maids, not

only of Gakula, not only of his own clan, but from far
From the villages on both the banks of

and wide.

Muttra

the river, nay from the

girls came

to

enjoy the

distributing to

boys and

which he was freely

bliss

heavenly

city itself,

to love him,to adore him,

flocking to him,

all.

Then he organised a grand moon-light

ball,*

not in the orchards and gardens of Gakula, but in

the magnificent parks of Brinddbana itself, the place of
recreation and amusements,

the pleasure gardens,

The day fixed was the full moon of

the
autumn, t when the moon shines in all her glory

of the great city.

time the moon-lit night,

watered by the silvery

the place the Brinddbana,

Yamuna, and

flowery plants and many-coloured

beautified by

folliage.

In this

ever charming place the grand Rasha\ was held;

the lovely

maidens

best attire and

every

This

occasion

is

also observed as a great

Brinddbana

year.

all

the neighbourhood, in their

bedecked with all the flowers and
of

is

held

to

be a

religious festival

celebrated

place

of

pilgrimage on account of Krishna's holding his celebrated dance at

this place.

t
the

It is

month
$

the

full

moon day

of

Agrahdun and generally

of October.

Rdsha

leterally

means a dance.

falls

in

TALES OF

42

IND.

perfumes, came and joined in this grand dance. Great

Poets have failed adequately to describe this magniit is better for us not to
ficent affair,
attempt a thing,
left

undone by greater personages.*

5]

KRISHNA'S kingdom of love did not consist of

All the
only boys and girls, child and woman.

milkmen

nay the people

of all castes
altar of his

In

love.

great

own

sacrificed themselves at the

of his

and creeds,

clan,

fact

surrender to him in

they
all

made an unconditional
love

matters;

rose

above

the ties of relation, above the rules of social etiquette,

and above every other worldly consideration. The old

and the young, nay even the venerable Patriarchs,

at his feet they honoured and respected him

bowed
as

leader and

thier

We
Bhagabata,

chief.

must mention here that

it

is

mentioned that out

would

It

in

suffice

many Purdnas,

of all the

Bhagabata no mention

of Radha,

is

made;

we

except

maidens one named

Radha loved him most and Krishna too loved her the
in

if

in fact

best.

there

we

But
find

Krishna's love spreading to all equally and impartially, he having

not the least preference for any special girl or woman.
It is said
that

Radhd was

his

maternal aunt and the wife of one Aydnrz.

There are many anecdotes

Krishna.

At

in

connection

the present time Krishna

Rddha, and she

is

to be

is

with

Rddkd's love

for

worshipped along with

found by his side in every temple.

SRIKRISHNA.

43

mention only one event it will prove the extent of

his influence over the people amongst whom he lived.
;

thoroughly a new religion, a

subversive
religion thoroughly novel and thoroughly
He preached
of all their cherished beliefs and faiths.

He preached

the

against

time-honoured

ancient

religion

and

advocated Nature-worship. But so great was their

love for him,that they submitted to him.though a mere
they
boy, even for the future welfare of their souls;
trampled down their old religion and followed him

do things, novel and new.

to

him to the

We
hidden.

hill

They accompanied
to worship Nature.*

Gobardhana, there

need not say that such doings do not remain

The name of Krishna passed from house to

house his great deeds became the general topics of

conversation; his fame spread all over the kingdom
;

King Kansa was alarmed though he

Krishna more than once, and sent

Muttra.

of

attempted to kill

emissaries for the purpose yet he

to

did

be a very dangerous personage.

*

said that

It is

when Krishna with

both male and female went to worship

took

offence;

for the

gods and godesses.

for

seven

this deluge
finger.

Hill

nights

the

his clan

and

his followers

Gobardhana, God Indra

Gakula people openly gave up the worship of

ordered raining, and it rained in torrents

He

l&rishna saved his people from

and seven days,

by raising up the

All

not take him

But now he grew

people rested

hill

which

under

it

he kept on

his

little

and were thus saved.

Gobardhana stands about 30 miles from Muttra.

TALES OF IXD.

44

alarmed;

really

increased

and

his

when he heard

alarm was

that

hundred-fold

Krishna w as not the

r

son of Nanda, but that of Vasudeva,

to kill

whom

the very boy

he had killed innumerable children.

His

but he controlled himself, for

anger knew no bounds
he knew that Krishna had become an idol of worship
;

to
kill

He

the people of Muttra.

An open attempt to
him now meant a general revolt of all his subjects.
also feared that his soldiers would not fight with

all

Krishna, but would go over to his

determined to kill him treacherously.
great

enemy he thought
Krishna

loved

named Akrur

whom

and

King Kansa called him to

him with all honour and

many
"

my

presents.

sister.

"Good and

his

court

virtuous

am

him

upon

Akrur"
is

him

as a milkman's boy. He should at once

in Muttra, as a prince of my great

loved.

he received

bestowed

should no longer allow

this

Muttra

in

Krishna

have been informed that Krishna

So he

Any how

of removing.

There was a man

who

side.

said he,

the son of
to

remain

come and

live

house should

told that Krishna loves you much and

have resolved to send you to him to bring
him with all honour to my royal court, so that he
live.

therefore

might henceforth assume

Akrur
there

his

own

exalted position."

w ent to Gakula with the

r

was joy and lamentation

all

royal message

over the beautiful

SRIKRISHNA.

joy for Krishna's elevation and lamentation

village,

his

for

45

departure.

them hopes

that he

But he consoled them all, gave

would soon return and went to

Muttra in Akrur's chariot*

The king received him most graciously he
welcomed him in all pomp and grandeur he made
arrangements for various amusements for his recepOne of these was a pugilistic fight, in which
tion.
Krishna was asked to join. The king privately gave
instruction to kill him on the spot, but Krishna soon
;

learnt his

nefarious intention,

the assembled people

understood the king's evil intention and rose in

also

a body.

Krishna

easily killed the

murderous

pugilists

and

then he attacked the wicked king and killed him on

There were great uproars and confusions

the spot.

and amidst the general acclamation he was placed

on the throne of Muttra with the unanimous consent
of the people.

[6]

We

now come to the second period of his life.f

has forgotten all his early boyish pranks and has
turned a grave statesman he has become a powerful

He

This occasion

The

full of

first

is

also observed as a religious festival,

period of Krishna's

worldlinesa.

life

is full

of love, the

second

TALES OF IND.

46

and able
mates,

has forgotten his loving playlovely maidens, his obedient adorers,

nay even

When
back

He

ruler.

his

mother

his

they

all

came

Yashoda and father Nanda.

to take him

to his royal palace

to his old haunts, he told

told his

them

as prince

Harrv

boon companions.
" Presume not that
I

have turned away

The days

am

the thing

my

former-self.'''

was,

love-making were gone the days

of playing, merry-making and amusing were over
Krishna had much to do in the field of politics. The
of

had been torn by internal dissensions tyrants had become all powerful and merciful
rulers had disappeared.
The people had fled into the
whole

of

India

deepest forest to save themselvs from the oppressions

of wicked men.
When Krishna found himself on
the

throne of

he

he

Muttra he saw all

could do much

this in a

glance

the

to

thought
protect
oppressed and bestow peace and happiness all over
India.
He had become a ruler of a province, why,
he could be the ruler of all India too He could bring
!

under

his

standard

all

the

contending factions

he

could chastise the tyrants and help the good. Indeed

he found he had enough works to do, if he wanted to

extend and spread a kingdom of love and happiness

over the country. The vast continent of India
was not a Gakula to do in this vast empire what he
all

SRIKRISHNA.

own country

did in his

village,

47

required unknowable

state-craft, and unsurpassing intelligence

required a great head and a broad heart.

in short

he

Both those things he possessed. His change of

character was so sudden that all the people were taken

When his play-mates came to his royal court,

he told them gravely that his life at Gakula had ended,
that he was no longer their loving play-mate and
aback.

king and sovereign. He asked them

back
and
try to amuse the Gakula maidens by
go
what
he
used
to do. When weeping the brokendoing
leader, but their

to

hearted maidens

came

most seriously

to his door, he

he requested them to forget

go back
him and try to be happy without him. When his
bereaved mother Yashoda with Nanda and his clan
appeared at his court, he asked them to consider him
no longer their son, but as a prince of the great

them

told

to

Yadu dynasty and

and

as

their present

king,

sovereign

chief.

There were lamentations

was joy

all

over Gakula^

but

over the kingdom of Muttra. Both

the lamentation and the joy arose out of the great
love that the people bore for him.
The people of
there

all

Gakula could not bear

his

absence

able to live without seeing him often

Muttra

rejoiced,

had

last

at

because

become

their

would they be

The people

of

Krishna

their

beloved

ruler

and king.

The

TALES OF IND.

48

and hard-hearted tyrant Kansa was killed and

the great and the good Krishna had become their
cruel

sovereign

what could be there

more welcome than

this

in

the

wide world

We

now find him consolidating his kingdom. In

order to secure powerful allies, he had married more
than one royal princess. First he married Kubja, then
Riikmini, then Shatyabhama, and others, all born of
royal parents. He had increased his army and raised

up a great and most powerful contingent out of the

He had made
strong and brave milkmen of Gakula.
happy, without which no ruler could be
invincible and secure. In order to make himself more

his

subjects

and meddle with foreign politics,

extend his power and influence beyond

qualified to interfere
in

order to

the limit of his

to

own kingdom,

without being anxious

safety and security, he removed his capital

Dwarakd, a city in Gujrat, situated on the shore

for its

own

of the blue ocean.

[7.]

A FEW

years after

above the heads of

all.

we

find

We

need not mention how he

his

figure

towering

up to this lofty height. We

man, whose friendship was
to be desired, whose favours were to be prayed for
whose smiles were to be looked after and whose

managed

find

him

to raise himself

at this period a

SRIKRISHNA.

49

Great potentates and

powerful chiefs vied with one another to do him
honour. Unquestionably he had become the first man
frowns were to be feared.

Why

of India.

should

we speak of other chiefs and

great Kurus and Pandus> who

potentates ? Even the

were the most powerful,

Dynasty

of

India,

had

nay the de facto Imperial

fully

They considered themselves honoured

ship.

friendship and favour.

his

submitted to his leader-

of this great
dynasty, the

and statesman

to get
the
Patriarch
Bhishma,

acknowledged first warrior

had acknowledged him

of the period,

God and adored and

worshipped him as such."* From the hoary Himalaya
to the island city ;t from Dwdrakd to Kamdkshd\ he
had become the Ruler of all rulers. He held in his
be

to

an

incarnation

hand both the keys

of

of

Indian politics and religion.

His great intelligence was admired and submitted to

his great love was adored and worshipped.

The

internal dissensions, that were

rending the
from
one
corner
to
the other, had been all
country
the tyrants had been chastised and
settled up by him
;

forced

be merciful

to

peace and prosperity had

appeared where there were bloodshed and

*

Read

It

the Battle of Kurukshetra.

refers to

Lanka, the ancient capital of Ceylon.

Monkey War.
*

misery

This city

still

exists

it is

near Gowhatti in Assam.

Read

TALES OF IND.

50
^^

.~^~.

And

all this he did,

not by any physical force,
not by issuing forth with arms and ammunitions, with
infantry and cavalry, with horses and elephants, but

Hardly ever he himself

he managed all this through his

by simple statesmanship.
fought a battle

great intelligence and magnificent state-craft.

The people of India had become very wicked and
vicious

they had been spoiled without any hope of

The virtuous and the

redemption or reformation.
retired
into
the
had
jungle or had been living
good
misery and woe. Krishna resolved to exterminate
these men from the face of the earth and thus to save
in

India from future miseries and oppressions.

Amongst these, there were two, equal to
there was none so bad or wicked.

whom

These were the

kings Jarasandha and Shishup&la. He himself killed

the latter and the former was killed by the Pandu

Thus

Princes.

one

after

another

wicked

all

tyrants with their bad followers and subjects were

exterminated from the face of the earth. But still
the

works

of

Krishna had not been

finished.

There

were two most wicked and vicious clans still left to

be exterminated. But both of them were very dear

One was

the great

Kuru Dynasty

and near

to him.

with

most powerful and extensive

its

the other was

children

his

retinue,

own Yadu dynasty with

and grand children.

his

and

own

SRIKRISHNA.

51

The powerful Kurus were exterminated

great battle of

Kurukshetra.*

present with

his great

help the poor Pcindus,

them

for

If

state-craft,

it

in

the

Krishna were not

in the

battle to

would have been impossible

to gain the victory.

He

not only

made

his

Arjuna
by helping him with his
advice and making him do things which he would
never have done, but he preached to him a religion
friend

victorious

support of those most unscrupulous advices, based

on very peculiar morals.t In fact Krishna asked the
in

to trample down every sort of moral virtues;

he asked them to kill parents, preceptors, brahmins

Pandus

brothers, cousins, males, females

this

and children.

To do

he advised them to adopt every sort of treachery

and

to take recourse to every sort of subterfuges

and

from the day he ascended the

throne of Muttra, was a moral mystery. It was evident
that his sole aim and only aim was to exterminate
His

falsehood.

life,

from the earth

*

we

As we have

shall not repeat

all

the

vicious

and the wicked.

It

written the history of this battle in another tale,

it

here.

We

refer our readers for the particulars

to that tale.

We

should ask our readers to

seeing the battle

have to

friend

read Gita.
as

When Arjuna

he thought he would

uncle, who was more than a father to him, his

who was a Brahmin and his dear and near relative and

kill

preceptor,

field,

declined to fight

his

Krishna gave him some instructions and preached to him

some moral

doctrines.

The

Gild contains these instructions.

TALES OF IND.

52

was

clearly

apparent from every work of his life

was to create a new world, a

that his sole aim

world of love, happiness and bliss. But he himself

appeared to be a man without a heart and without any

man who was an incarnation of worldlia man who, to serve his purpose, could do
ness
any and every sort of diabolical thing. He was a
feelings

contradiction

of

moral

faculties,

he

nay,

was a

great mystery.

he had disappeared from the world without

explaining his religion and morals, he would have been
If

taken for one of the worst

men

ever born.

But

in

the field of the great battle of Kurukshetra, when

his friend Arjuna absolutely declined to follow his
peculiar morals, he

was forced

to explain

his novel doctrines with arguments.

and support
they were

And

so convincing, they w ere so true and grand, that

thenceforth he was universally adored and worshipped
r

as the great incarnation of the

religion

became the

Supreme Being.*

His

religion of the humanity.

Krishna's philosophy and doctrines were, as we said, explained

the great book Gitd, now translated into almost all European
languages. Scholars and philosophers have unanimously aaid that

in

We should earnestly ask

it was the grandest book of the world.
our readers to read this book. We can give only a brief summary
of

it

in

the Appendix.

SRIKRISHNA.

53

[8]
IN the range of history or fiction

we have never

and

come across such a grand

great character.
He was a lover, a thorough worldly man, a great
and statesman, a philosopher and a prophet.
Being a milkman's boy he rose to be the greatest
man of India, he became the Ruler of all rulers,
politician

prophets and the Philosopher of

But if he became all this for
all
philosophers.
results of his
self-agrandisement, if these were the

the Prophet of

all

have commanded very

sensible men.
self

But, no,
least

selfishness

his sole

respect from good and

little

was not

in

course he would

then of

ambition,

supernatural

his

in

there was not the

As we have said,
a new world of love

him

actions.

aim was to create

happiness and bliss. To accomplish this he

had to do many things and had to assume many
peace,

characters

to

create a world of happiness and bliss

of the wicked and the vicious.

meant the extermination

If

he spared

his

relatives,

his

own

children

we would have questioned

and

his honesty
did
not even
he
no,
spare none,
He exterminated the Kurus, his very near
himself.
he then exterminated his own
relatives and friends

grand-children,

of purpose.

But,

great clan with his

own dear

sons and grandsons.

TALES OF IND.

54

He took them all to the great pilgrimage of

Pra-vasha. There was great joy and mirth in Dwdraka.
The Pravasha was a place most holy, most beautiful
and most enjoyable. Every one of the clan, every
son and grand-son of Krishna, every prince of the
royal

Yadu

Pravasha.

house,

made

himself ready to go to the

eatables were taken,

Many

innumerable

casks of liquor followed

nothing was there wanting
to make the pilgrimage most enjoyable and pleasant.
;

They

all

came and encamped

in the holy place

the

performed
religious ceremonies, they
and fed the Brahmins. Then they

they

distributed alms

began to percipitate

in

merry-making

they ate,
danced.
they drank, they played, they
They got
themselves so very drunk that soon they quarrelled
amongst themselves. One abused another, the other
retorted

rose

in

friends

they fought and one was killed. His friends

a body and attacked the murderer, his

rushed to
there

confusions,

Yadu
trees.

princes

fell

There

on

was

Krishna

rescue.

his

w as bloodshed
all

all

sides as so

appealed

were
around

many

great
the

leaves of

he was asked

to,

stop the family fued and the bloody carnage.

But he too joined in the fray and began to kill his
own sons and grandsons. Soon the whole clan was
to

exterminated

Krishna.

there

When

was

there

none

left

was none

to

alive
kill,

except
Krishna,

SRIKRISHNA.

55

**'V*<*<>N^t*V>M'VX^NX^

view of the bloody

coolly took a

field

and moved

away.*

Then

he

asked

go to
friend Arjuna what

charioteer

his

to

Hastinapura and inform his

had happened. "Tell him," said he, "that all the
Yadus are dead. Ask him in my name to hasten to

Dwdraka, where the widowed Yadu princesses are

them to
Tell him to
take
unprotected.
and
them
Hastinapura
give
protection."
left

It

was evident

that he

had no mind to return

capital.
Perhaps he thought his occupation
was gone perhaps he thought his work was done.

to

his

He

moved away and

was dear and near to him
slowly

that

There

is

left

the place where

all

fell.

an anecdote in connection with this extermination

The Yadus grew so very wicked and vicious, that

once when they saw a great Rishi. they determined to cut jokes at
him. One of them assumed the garb of a female and the wicked
Yadu boys took the disguised prince to the Rishi, They asked
of Yadu, Dynasty.

him
took

to

say what child the girl

offence

for

their

would give

irreligious

birth.

The

Rishi

and

said,

"Oh

behaviour

wicked boys, there will be born out of this one an iron rod,
which would be the death of your vicious clan." The Yadus were
alarmed, they went to Krishna and asked his advice.

them

to take the iron rod to Pravdsha, rub

gradually
do.

annihilate

But out

Pravdsha.

They

did

as

He

told

on a stone and thus

they

were asked to

broken pieces of this rod grew long grasses

the Yadus were fighting amongst themselves,

of the

When

it.

it

in

TALES OF

56

He came

to

IND.

sat

tree,

under

it

and

fell

soon there appeared a hunter, who saw

his reclining figure from a distance through the thick
asleep

;*

He

leaves of the tree.

aim and

There

in the

forest

deep

of the tree the greatest

wounded
uncared
to

man

under the green leaves

of the

he breathed his

there

The man, whose

for.

the

all

mistook him for a game, took

shot.

age was mortally

last

unknown and

smile was sun-shine

good and whose frowns were the deaththe wicked, not of Dwdraka, not of

signal for all

Mathurd, not

of

Hastinapura, but

one corner to the other,

from which he rose.

of

all

India from

died in the same obscurity

Krishna suggested to them to use this grass as weapons. They

in their hands and destroyed the whole clan.

became thunder
*

state

It is

in

Great Soul.
total

said

that

this

It is

annihilation

his soul, joins

Fo^a-sleep

and mixes with the

impossible for a man to fall asleep just after the

but' Krishna is
of all his sons and grandsons

said to have fallen asleep.

mystery.

sleep of Krishna was

which a man, or rather

Every part

of

his

wonderful

life is

THE MONKEY WAR.

[1]

YN the modern
X ancient time a
It

was

and
by

beautiful

rivulets

its

province

of

Oudh

there

was

in

powerful kingdom, called Ayodhya.

watered by many rivers

people were happy and rich, ruled

and

fertile,

the benign Solar Princes.

Of

the kings of the great Solar Dynasty, Raja

Dagaratha was the mightiest and the best. He was
all

arms and unequalled in alms. The

people of Ayodhya, were very happy to live under his
kind sw^y but the king himself was not happy. He
had three good wives, named Kaugalya, Kaikeyi and
Sumitra, but none of them gave birth to a prince,

invincible

in

TALES OF

58

IND.

^^^>^^^^>^^^^^^>^^^^^^^

who

could ascend the throne of the great kingdom

and rule the people, as only the Solar princes knew

how

The people prayed and

to do.

sacrifices to the gods, but

the king offered

time wore on and no prince

was born

Once on a time king Dagaratha went out ahe saw a stag, put spurs to his horse and
hunting
him.
Soon his escorts were left behind and
pursued
;

disappeared into the deep forest. He at last

found himself unattended and alone, the stag having
disappeared from his view. He advanced and found

he

a beautiful rivulet gliding fast

the stag he aimed and shot.

he thought he saw

"Oh,

am

was uttered by the faltering

the king was surprised and bewilder-

killed

!"

voice of a boy
ed he ran to the place from
;

arose.

What was

his

which the piteous cry

horror when he found that his

deadly arrow had pierced the heart of a beautiful

He took up the boy on his lap he tried to
boy
bind up the wound, from which hot blood was flowing
!

like

water

boy, but

he tried a hundred means to save the

all

was

The boy

to

no

effect.

slowly raised up his head and said, "My

and old. They are fasting from

parents are blind

yesterday and they are thirsty.

this pitcher of water to them and

beloved Sindhu

is

no more."

Oh
tell

Sir,

kindly take

them that

their

THE MONKEY WAR.

59

The king took up the corpse of the poor boy

he took the pitcher of water and went to the old
Rishfs hut. His heart was palpitating and his steps
;

were

but what was his agony

faltering,

when he

heard the blind parents talking of their absent boy

"Where is my Sindhu ?" said the poor mother,

"He never loiters anywhere." The old and blind
father raised

my

up

voice and

his feeble

come quick

darling boy,

am

"Sindhu,

said,

very thirsty."

The king gathered

strength and approached the

He broke the sad news and tried

bereaved parents.

was

to explain that

it

cried
man,"
bereavement

the

all

old

an accident.
Rishi,

your son

of

"Die,

"Oh, wicked
die

for

the

it

is."

and know what

They both died and went to the place where their

beloved Sindhu had preceded them.
The king returned home, not very much worse
for

the sad

mourn.

occurrence, for he had no son to lose or

few months

after,

he went out to fight an

He

enemy and was

mortally

was

palace and was most tenderly

second wife Kaikeyi. He was so

carried

to

wounded

in the

battle.

his

nursed by his
pleased with her that he pressed her to ask for two
favours, which he promised to grant her.
"No, my
lord," said she, "I

anything
promise."

in

have no wants now.

future,

shall

If

want

remind you of your kind

TALES OF IND.

60

None gave any importance

incidents when they occured, but

to

SOON
all

after.

after the king's recovery

over the kingdom that

little

they produced great

and memorable events many years

these two

it

was rumoured

the three queens were in

all

Some months passed and Katt$alya

birth
to
a
boy who was named Rama. Then
gave
Kaikeyi gave birth to a son who was named Bharata.
The youngest queen gave birth to a twin and the boys
were named Lakshmana and Satrughna.
As the boys grew up, Lakshmana was greatly
attached to Rama, and Satrughna to Bharata.

the family-way.

They were brought up

in

all

rank and station

befitting their

When Rama was

the

accomplishments

in life.

about sixteen years of age,

great Rishi Vigwamitra came to Ayodhya and asked

the king to allow him to take

Rakshasas.

Ravana was

Now

Rama

to fight with the

Rakshasas were a

their great king.

wild

race

His seat was at Lanka

Ceylon, but he was a most powerful king with

immense wealth and innumerable soldiers. In fact
in

he subdued
far as

and

all

the kings and potentates of India as

Himalayas. His power was irresistible

oppressions were unbearable he placed his

the

his

THE MONKEY WAR.

6l

relatives all over the country with instructions to rob

the people and kill the Brahmins.

The uncle of king Ravana

named Kalnemi,

with his wild sister Taraka, was placed near the holy

where Rishi Vi^wantitra had

place

his seat.

Their

oppressions becoming unbearable, the venerable Rishi

repaired

to

Ayodhya

and

asked

for

protection:

Rama was

only sixteen years of age, but he entreated

father to allow him to go with the Rishi, so that

his

he might protect the Brahmins from trouble.

King
and
with
reluctance
Da$arat.ha gave permission

Rama

Ayodhya accompanied by his beloved

brother Lakshmana.
They came to a great forest, where the most
As soon
furious and terrible Taraka used to live.
left

as the Prince challenged the

rushed forward to
fell

demoness

kill

him

Rakshashee to

Rama

but

and her brother

The Rishis gathered round

fled

the

fight,

she

soon killed the

away

for his

life.

scions of the Solar

Dynasty and blessed them for their great deeds.

Thence they repaired to a place called Mithila,
the
that

kingdom of king Janaka. He had made a vow

whoever would be able to break the bow, left

by Parasurdma,* would marry

*

his beautiful daughter,

Parasurdma was the great Brahmin who became a very

warrior.
When the Kshatryas became very vicious,

powerful

Brahmin Parasurdma took arms

to chastise them.

It

is

said thaf

TALES OF IND.

62

named

Many princes came

but none could raise the

Sz'fd.

secure

to

the

what

of
bow,
Rishi
of
his young
Vigw&mitra was proud
breaking it.
he took him to the palace of the king and
hero

damsel,

asked him to secure the Princess.

bow amidst

the

acclamations of

Rama

broke the

the

people of

all

Mithila.

King Janaka received the princes in all honour

he sent ambassadors to Ayodhya to apprize the old
king of his son's glorious feat and to invite him to
;

come

Mithila to celebrate the nuptials. King

Dagaratha came with all his generals and ministers.
to

and

Rama

married Sita,

There were great

festivities

his three brothers

marrying the three sisters of the

young Princess.

[3]
As Rama grew up

the

king allowed him to

people, so that he might gradually learn

govern
His rule was so benign
the art of Government.
that
o
the

people grew* enamoured of him

they could
give their lives for him, if he so willed.
King
all

the

he exterminated the Kshatryas twenty-one times from the face of

the earth.

He was

a terror to

be an incarnation of Shiva.

all

Kshatryas and was supposed to

THE MONKEY WAR.

Da$aratha was much pleased

son
all

had thus acquired

over

the

it

to be declared

Rama would

kingdom
Jubaraj* and the king would retire,
Government in his hand. Oh, the joy
There were

festivities in

fame his

the

see

to

he ordered
that

63

every town,

be made

leaving the
of

Ayodhya

illuminations

every village and bonfires on every house top.

There were music and songs there were distributions
of alms and celebrations of pujcihs.
In thousand
in

and one ways the people expressed

their joy

for

the

happy news.
But alas there was a very wicked
named hunch-back Manthara, attached
!

maid-servant,

house

to the

hold of queen Kaikeyi. She went to her mistress and

plied her with evil advices. "Oh queen," said she, "If

Rama becomes
Bharatals

fate

king,
?

No

what

will

be your and your

better than that of beggars

Who could
will

ever love the son of a step-mother ? Rama

imprison him, banish him or perhaps kill him
!

you now lose the opportunity, you shall have to

weep till death." Kaikeyi was moved, she began to
she finally
be convinced of the truth of her words
If

agreed to accept her evil advices.

asked the queen,

"to

"What can

avert this great evil ?"

do,"

"Do

you not remember," replied the wicked woman, "the

*

Jubaraj

is

the heir apparent.

TALES OF IND.

64

king promised to. grant you two favours ? Ask by

one to place Bharata on the throne and by another

Rama for fourteen years."

When the old king came to see

to banish

his

queen,

he

found her weeping and lying on the floor. He raised

her up
he consoled her and tried to know the cause
;

Being repeatedly pressed by the king,

of her grief.

she at last gave vent to her pent-up feelings. The

poor old king heard in silence the cold and piercing

words

of the

queen

his

"Oh Rama" he

swam.

head reeled and

cried

and

fell

his

flat

eyes

on the

ground.
it
spread from
reached the cottage of the

Soon the sad news got wind

house to house

till

All

poorest peasant.

people silently

it

festivities

and eagerly

As soon

orders of the king.

\vere

stopped

the

know the final

Rama came to learn

tried to

as

cause of his father's grief and his step-mother's

demand, he went to him and asked his permission to

the

leave Ayodhyd.

cannot

worth for

"Father," said the Prince,

"if

a son

promise, what is his life

Let Bharata have the throne, he deserves

fulfill

his

father's

much

I shall
as I.
pass fourteen years in
asceticism at the expiration of which I shall return
and bow at your feet." The poor old king could not

it

as

utter

a word.

make your

"My

father

dear boy," said Kaikeyi, "Don't

words.
Go, leave

false to his

THE MONKEY WAR.

"My

Ayodhya"

Bless me, so that

65

mother," replied R<\,ma "I must go.

}

might have strength enough to

my father's promise."
He came out and told his

fulfill

companion, Lakshmana,

Lakskmana"

dear

that had happened.

all

the

said

Ayodhya and be a son

to

beloved brother and

my

prince,

poor mother."

young prince could not suppress

"My

"Remain

in

But the

his feelings

tears

rushed out of his eyes, anger displayed itself on his

countenance. "Brother," cried he, "Why should we
allow a step-mother to do such an injustice ?
Bharata take his wicked mother's part,

brother

fight with

shall

Rama

smiled

mother

is

him and make you

and

must leave Ayodhya to fulfill our father's

here, be obedient to mother

Kaikeyt and brother Bharata

Lakshmana

love me."

and entreated him

"Dear brother,"

Rama was

We

on the throne."

"Laks/imana, Bharata' s
Bharata is as beloved to me

Remain

promise.

prince to

said,

our mother.

as you.

sit

If

to

said he,

fell

them as you

love

at his brother's feet,

take

"Do

him as

his

not leave

wept

companion.

me

behind."

moved, he agreed to allow the young

accompany him.
need not describe the meeting

of

Rama

with

poor mother. Oh, how happy had she been a

minute before and how miserable now
He bade
his

her adieu

in

tears

amidst

the

loud

lamentations

66
*

TALES OF

IXD.

"''''"'^'""*-''<''**'*''^^

women

of all the

He

of the palace.

then proceeded
There were no tears

to bid farewell to his dear wife.

no shadow

of

sorrow floating over her

beautiful countenance.

"My

Lord/' said she, "Your

wife

is

wherever

"My

darling,"

born

in

in

her eyes,

to

ready

go

Rama, "You

replied

comforts and luxuries

the fatigues and

Sita,
Ayodhya"
a
me
that
taught

would

go."
are bred and

you cannot, stand

Remain
stopped him and said, "You

wife's

ascetic.

paramount

follow her husband in weal or

now

an

of

difficulties

in

you

in

woe.

to

duty

is

How

could

wo'nt hear any refusal."

you
She was determined to follow her husband and
say otherwise

would not mind any obstruction. So Rama had to

yield and to promise to allow her to follow him.

They took

costumes, and put on

Thousands and thousands of

off their royal

the garb of ascetics.

people had assembled at

them, to weep for

going,

if

possible.

the

them and

Rama

to

palace-gate

to

see

prevent them from

comforted them, assuaged

He came

loving and endearing farewells.

out with his beloved brother and dear wife

and the

city

them, bade them

ascetic garb.

and entered

all

Ayodhya wept aloud to see them in

They passed through the weeping mass
of

into the nearest jungle.

THE MONKEY WAR.

67

[4]
THE
shock

poor king Da$aratha could not survive the

he died as he fainted, never again uttering a

Bharata was not at Ayodhya, when all these

sad occurrences happened. As soon as he learnt of
the news of his father's death and
the sad news,

word.

of

brother's

his

banishment,

he

hastened to the

capital.

He

did not
to

hesitate

speak to his mother

he did not

express his strong displeasure

He

wicked behaviour.

performed

ceremony and repaired

to

for her

his father's funeral

the jungle in search of

his brothers.

They met

they met in tears. Bharata fell at

his brother's feet and entreated him to come back to
;

"Dear brother," said he, "If you do not

or send Satrughna,
Lakshmana
send
allow
go,
me to accompany you."
"My beloved brother,"
Ayodhya,.

replied
will

Rama,

not be

"If

fulfilled

and govern Ayodhyd

after

fourteen

go back, our father's promise

could we do this ? Go back
;

my name. I shall return

and
assume the Government.
years
in

entreat you to follow my advice.

You
are
bound
to
elder
brother."
you
obey your
I

bound

to

obey you," said Bharata, "but

on the throne.

Give

me your

shoes

know,
"I

am

won't

sit

shall place

68

TALES OF IND.

^ ^x>^ ^^ ^j^^x*^N-^*^~^-^^
yNk

fc

them there and they would be your emblem and

shall be your representative."
So this was done. Bharata and

Satrughna

returned to Ayodhya,
Rama with his brother and
wife left the forest and proceeded southward visiting
;

holy places. They came to the seats of many

great Rishis and by their request drove away the
Rdkshasas from various places.

many

came

to a forest, called Panchabati,

watered
a beautiful place
by the river Godavari.
it was
Sitd, was enchanted with its silvan scenery
at last

They

to

arranged

pass

sometime

in

this

Nature's

panorama of rivers and trees, foliage and flowers.

Huts were made on the bank of the river by the side
of

a flowery grove.

They

lived very

happily for

months amongst singing birds and loving beasts.

Here in this forest Surpanakhci, the sister

of

king Rdvana used to live with two great Rdkshasas,

named Khara and Dushana. She one day happened
to see

Rdma

offered

to

insolent,

she at once

marry him.

when

fell

in love

with him

She gradually

at his brother's order

and

grew very

Lakshmana

cut

her nose and sent her reeling and bleeding to her

wild abode. Her piteous cries filled the forest with
off

melancholy echo
in

wild

fury

indignity done

to

then came

Khara and Dushana

punish the princes for the great

to the

sister

of

the

Rdkshasa

king.

THE MONKEY WAR.

Rama
were

69

went out and gave them battle. Soon they

and Surpanakha fled to the island

killed

city.

that

There she narrated before her great brother all

had happened.
She wept and prayed for

vengeance. Ravana had heard from various sources

the deeds of Rama and the defeats and retreats of the

Rakshasas

but he

did

think the

not

matter so

important as to require his personal interference. He

heard much of Sitd's beauty he was tempted, he
thought, he should see what sort of beings these
;

Ayodhya were.

princes of

He

held a private council

and finally decided to bring Sita to his golden city.

He took with him his uncle Maricha and started for
the beautiful forest of Panchabati.

The Rakshasas were great adepts in magic they

could do many wonderful things and assume every
possible shape at their will. Maricha took the shape of
;

deer and went frolicking before the cottage

Royal ascetics. Sita asked her husband to

a golden
of the

catch

and

it

He came

took up his bow and arrows.

could not catch it,
it

and played and then

frolicked

pursued

Rama

to the deer, but he

it

from place to place,

far off his cottage.

he aimed and shot

Rdkshasa

fell

He
at

got
it,

dead crying,

from him.

fled
till

tired

when
"'Oh

he
in

came very

pursuing
the

He
it

disguised

Lakshmana, come

TALES OF IND.

70

and

help
re-echoed

The

The

me."

filled

till it

cry

piercing

the \vhole forest.

plaintive cry reached Sitci's ear

and asked Lakshmana

of her dear husband.

to

move.

for

him

he

she started

to

go immeditately to the help

But the young prince refused

Lady," said he, "Do not be anxious

invincible.
This forest is full of

"My

Rdkshasas.

and

echoed

is

It is all

their doing.

cannot leave you

alone."

Sitd lost her good sense in the apprehension for

she got angry and began to abuse

her dear husband

poor Lakshmana. "Oh you wicked youngman," cried

she, "You intend to rob your brother of his kingdom
"Mother," replied the prince, "You force
to leave you alone.
I
am not to blame. God

and wife

me

!"

He

protect you."

then drew a circle round the hut

and requested her not to come out of it, but to

remain quietly in the hut till they would return.

He

took up his bow and arrows and hastened away.

No sooner he was gone, than Havana in the

disguise

of

little,

false

an

ascetic

came

to the door of the

hut

Sitd requested him to wait a

that
her
husband was out. But the
saying
Rishi appeared to be angry for the slight and

and asked

for alms.

threatened to go away. There was no greater sin

to a Hindu than to allow an ascetic to go away from
his

door disappointed and displeased.

Sitd

came

THE MONKEY WAR.

71

out and went to the Rishi to give him alms.

But she

was immediately seized and dragged away.

Oh how

she wept

much she blamed

how

she

herself for driving

from the cottage. Oh

cruel king to let her go
his feet

and asked

how much she entreated the

how many times she fell at

mercy, but

for

how
away Lakshmana
struggled

all in

vain.

[5]
HERE

the deep depth of the forest Rama

anxious
when he heard the dying cry of
grew very
His heart told him that it
the disguised Rdkshasa.
in

foreboded some great evil

apprehended

that

his

to

his help, leaving Sita all alone.

He

dear wife.

his

come

young brother might

He

lost

to

no time, but

hastened towards the cottage. But as he feared, he

met his brother in the way. "Oh, dear brother,"
cried

Rama, "You have

can

do," replied he,

left

"What

Sita alone ?"

"She forced me

to

come

to

your

help."

They then
as

ran

towards

Rama came

they could.

and

cried,

"Sita,

me

from

my

cottage,

panting

to

as

the

come out and

None answered,

dear Sita,

anxiety."

the

fast

door

relieve
all

was

quiet and still.

They rushed into the hut, but there
was no Sita to be found.
They hastened to the

TALES OF

72
^x^vx^xxxxxxx*

IND.

**^**+s**s-*s^**s-*s~*j-*s~*~~*^^^

bank

of the river
they ran to the flowery grove
searched
they
every creek and corner, but there
was no Sitd to be found. All the forest was filled
;

with the heart-rending lamentations of the bereaved

husband.
Sitd threw her ornaments

they would

been

tell

carried

all

her husband

They saw

away.

the

way, hoping

the direction she had

ornaments

these

and went in search of her

but on and on they
went and no Sitd could be found. They at last
;

came

an

to

wounded.*
where

who had been

hero,

They asked him

the

"You do

dying hero,

mortally

he could

if

Sitd had gone away.

their

replied

old

tell

them

"My

dear boys,"

not

know me,

am a friend of your father my name is Jatdyu.

saw the wicked Rdvana taking away your wife.
;

fought
defeated

am now old. He has

me and gone away." He died, the princes
with him,

placed him

on

southward

in

but

the

funeral

search

of

pyre

the

and

great

proceeded

city

the

of

Rdkshasas.

They at
big monkeysf
*

Vishnu
f

Jat ay u

last

came

to a

hill,

where they saw

of the species that inhabited the

was a very big

bird,

broth'er of

Garura,

five

great

whom

rides.

In the

Ramayana

these

monkeys are described as human

beings except that they were monkeys in shape.

THE MONKEY WAR.

73

of Kishkindha.
They were all rational
human beings and perhaps more powerful than men.
Rama came to them and asked them "Can you tell me
who has taken away my wife ?" "Yes," said one of

kingdom

"We

have seen the wicked king of Lanka,

she might be your wife.
girl
But who are you ? From which place are you

them,

taking away a beautiful

coming

?"

Lakshmana
sad

"We

fate.

are

Sugriva,
Kishkindha.

My name

his attendants.

you help us

in

all

about their

and

unhappy"

monkey -hero
miserable

as

brother

the

in

told the

the monkey," as

replied

you

are.

you
of
is

There

sits

king

Fa//, the great king of

Hanumdn,

am one

of

King Vali has banished us all. If

regaining the kingdom, we can help

regaining the Princess."

There on the top of the hill the pledge of

Rama promised to kill Vali
friendship was taken.
and place Sugriva on the throne of Kishkindha.
Sugriva promised to march out with his monkeyarmy and recover Sita from the city of Lanka.
Poor Vali was soon
the

throne.

quarters

of

He
the

sent

killed
his

to

and Sugriva ascended

emissaries to
find

the

four

out the place where

globe
Sita had been kept hidden. Hanuman went to the
south, jumped across the sea and entered the golden
He found the city unequalled in
city of Lanka.

TALES OF IND.

74

in

beauty,

magnificence and

He saw

in wealth.

the

great Rakshasa-acmy and its wonderful array of

arms and ammunitions. He saw innumerable horses,
countless chariots,

roamed

and hundreds

in disguise all

over the

He

of elephants.

city

and found the

weeping Sita kept as prisoner in the garden viAgokd.

He was at the point of returning back to Kishkindhd,

when

it

struck

him,

he should

that

Rakshasas that he had honoured

He began

inform

the

their city with his

make

himself rather
august presence.
with the properties of the Rakshasas ;
so he
to

free

was soon caught and brought before the king.

When he was asked who he was, he did not
hide the

real

facts.

"Oh wicked

king,"

am an ambassador from the court

He is coming
king of Kishkindhaorder to help Rama, who is the most
"I

of

said

of

the

to

Lanka

he,

great
in

powerful king

Ayodhya and whose

been sent to

I have
wife you have stolen.
see what sort of a city you possess, so

that king Sugriva might teach

Ravana
the

you a lesson.''
he would have ordered

got very angry

execution of Hanuman,
;

but

his

ministers

an ambassador was

prevented him from doing it,

never to be killed. But the king ordered the face of
the monkey to be burnt and thus disfigured he was to
for

be sent back to his impudent king. In the attempt,

Hanuman managed to burn half of the golden city
;

THE MONKEY WAR.

75

thence he
he then jumped back to the mainland
the
to
the
and
told
Kishkindha,
history
king
repaired
;

of his mission.

[6]

A FEW

days

king Sugriva marched out

after,

monkey-army and came

They saw the golden city of Lanka
with his

ocean

blue

as far as the sea.

on the

floating

a magnificent piece of gem.

like

They

encamped and king Sugriva ordered his army to

make a bridge over the mighty sea.
Thousands and thousands of monkeys went up
the hills and penetrated into the forest

down stones and

By

months'

remnant
the

of

trees,

and threw them

they brought
into the

sea.

was made, the

be seen and is known as

incessant labour a bridge

which

is still

to

Adam's Bridge.

The

whole

monkey-army

encamped before
sides.

Every

the

city

precaution

and beseized

was

the place from being surprized

good.

taken

the
it

to

sea,

from

all

prevent

and stormed.

had
two
Rdvana
King
Kumbhakarna and Bibhishana,
giant

crossed

brothers,

the

named

former was a

and a monster, the latter was virtuous and

He had a son, named Indrajit, who was

He had
unequalled in arms and invincible in wars.
innumerable cousins, countless sons, powerful relatives

TALES OF IND.

76

and able

generals

was none

in

ness and

except Bibhishana there

was not an adept in wicked-

but

Lanka who

sin.

Good and virtuous Bibhishana tried to induce

Ravana to give up Sita, and make up the

his brother

difference

court

but he was deaf to

when he entreated

Havana
kicked

lost

him

all

and

all

reasons.

the king to

control

drove

give

In

open

her up,

over his wild temper he

him out of the town.
;

Bibhishana went to the enemy's camp and we need

not say, he was received with open arms.

The great War began

One after another
years.
generals and heroes of the
give

none

but

battle,

Kumbhakarna came,
the

field

of

was

it

lasted

the

sons

for

ten

long

and cousins,

king came out to

returned alive.
At last
great

but he too did not return from

battle.

golden city of the sea

There

Sad

only

whom

fatality

had overtaken the

one invincible and all-con-

monkey-army could not

Prince Indrajit came out more than once,
defeat.
attacked Rama and his army, defeated him hopeSo long he
lessly and routed his monkey hordes.
quering

hero,

the

Lanka was safe and the recovery of

alive,
Sita was a hopeless task. Rama appealed to his
friend Bibhishana to save him and his army from

was

the deadly attacks of his invincible nephew.

"Dear

THE MONKEY WAR.

said Bibhishana,

friend",
if

he be

in

arms,

77

''None can

especially

if

kill

Indrajit
he comes out to battle,

performing his Pujd. However, I am at your service

and can do every thing for you. Allow Lakshmana
to accompany me; I shall take him to the place
where Lakshmana would be able to kill him."

Next day Lakshmana and Bibhishana entered

the

unrecognised.

city

gate and

They

palace of the

prince.

room where the hero was

He was soon attacked by the Prince

He was armless, but he fought like an

in prayer.

Ayodhyd.

enraged

after

They passed by gate

into the

passedjstealthily into the

engaged
of

finally

went

lion,

till

he was cut down.

They came

the city in disguise, as they went

knew the foul deed they had committed.

of

great rejoicings

in the

were loud lamentations

The

out

and none

in,

There were

monkey-camp, but soon there

all

over the beseized

bereaved and enraged

father,

city.

the

great

king of the Rdkshasas, Rdvana came out to exterminate Rama and his monkeys from the face of
the

earth

or to

die

in the field of battle.

He was

too proud to pray for mercy or to negotiate a treaty.

There was terrible carnage on both sides till the

evening,

when

the great king

fell

and the Rdkshasas

fled precepitously into their ruined city.

Bibhishana was placed on the throne and Sitd

was brought back in pomp. Sugriva went away to

TALES OF

78

Kishkindha, but
as

IND.

Hanuman went

with

Rama

as far

Ayodhya.

was never happy. She lived some

Ayodhya, when Rama banished her into a

Poor
years

in

5y/ct

because his subjects questioned her chastity

they thought Sita must have been leading a life of
infamy, when she was at Lanka. Rama in order to

jungle,

please his people asked Lakshmana to take her away

from the royal palace and to leave her into a forest.

This most unjust and cruel step was taken and Sita
was banished for ever.

When Lakshmana

her in the jungle, she

was some months with child and there at the holy
seat

of

left

Rishi Valmiki, she gave birth to a twin,

They were

who were named Lava and Kusha.

brought up by the great Rishi and were given the

education befitting their royal rank.

few years

after,

when Rama with

his brothers

came out

to conquer all the chiefs and potentates,

two young princes met them in battle they
defeated them and made them prisoners. The old

the

Rishi came and interfered

and

Sita

with

her

sons

there was a reconciliation

returned

home

full

of

happiness and bliss.*

*

This

Ramayana.

tale is the briefest narrative of the great Sanskrit epic

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.*

[1]

YN

modern province

the

ancient

The

Lunar

sovereignty.

of

Delhi there was in

time a kingdom, called Hastindpur.

Dynasty held sway over this vast

At the time

of

which we are speaking,

king Santanu was the ruling sovereign. He married

Ganga, and the fruit of this marriage was a son who

was named Vishma.

*
is

poem
from
is

One

one

of

of the biggest Sanskrit

the briefest

based.

the Mahdbharata.

is
;

it

It

can be called an Epic

can very well glean

same time a great history. We

a very clear history of the people of that period.

at the

it

works

the eighteen great Purdnas

narrative of the great battle on

This

tale

which the poem

is

8o

TALES OF IND.

Once
and

in

time king S&ntanu went out hunting

excursions met a very beautiful daughter

at a

his

of a fisherman,

who was

called Satyabatt.

He

fell

with her and offered to marry her, but the

not agree to the R&j&h's proposal,
he could promise to bestow the kingdom upon

in love

fisherman did
till

son of his daughter.

King Santanu had already
whom he could by no means deprive of his
He, therefore, returned home, but felt the
rights.
the

a son,

disappointment very keenly.

His son Vishma marked his father's melancholy
mood he enquired and learnt of the secret cause of
;

mental

father's

his

make him happy and went

promised

to

relinquish

kingdom and not

be born to him.

home and

to

He

He determined

sufferings,

to

to see the fisherman.

He

over

the

all

his

claims

marry, so that no son could

secured Satyabatt, brought her

offered her to his father.

Satyabatt had a son before her marriage, named

Byasa and now she gave

One

died

early,

birth

other

the

was

to

two more

married

sons.

to

daughter of Kashi. But he too died, leaving no

the

heirs.

As Vishma had taken the vow of celibacy, the great

Lunar Dynasty was at the point of becoming extinct
Therefore

according

to

Satyabatt's illegitimate
*

the

son

custom

of

the

age,

Byasa* was invited

to

This Byasa was the celebrated Rishi who compiled the

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

with the widowed

live

Princess as her husband.*

She gave birth to two sons. The elder became blind

and was named Dhritar&shtra ; the other was called
Pandu* Another son was begot by By&sa on a maid
of the Princess

and he was called Vidura.^

Vishma gave his brothers the highest possible

As Dhritarashtra was blind, Pcindu was
education.
but
Vishma
declared to be the Heir-Apparent
blind
to
take
care
of
the
Prince
and
promised
special
;

never to desert him and his children*

When

they

grew up Dhritar&shtra was married to G&ndhdri,

the Princess of G&ndh&r and Pandu was married
to the

first

and then

to

adopted daughter of king Kunta of Bhoja

Mddri, the Princess

of

Madra.

Vedas and wrote eighteen great Pur&nas. In fact all great

are supposed to have been written and compiled by him. He

four

Works
is

one of the most celebrated Rishis

*

All

this

through

tale

marriage system and want

those days the morals in
of the

of ancient India.

readers

would

find

laxity

of

the

female chastity. It is evident, in

India were quite different from those that
of

modern world.
It is

when the widowed princess went

very fearful that she shut her eyes.

said that

she found him

so

to

Byasa

Thus the

son that was born to her became blind. Next time she gathered
courage and kept her eyes open, but turned very pale, so her
son that was born became Pdndu which means pale. On the
third
all,

time when she was asked to go to Vydsa, she did not go at

but sent one of her maids.

TALES OF IND,

82

Kunti before her marriage with Panda

a son, who was named Kama. In
gave
course of time another son was born to her and he
was named Yudhisthira. Then Gandhari gave
birth to one hundred sons* successively and Kunti
Princess

to

birth

two more. Madri gave birth to a twin and king

Pdndu died. The other two sons of Kunti were
named Bhima and Arjuna, and the twins were called
Nakula and Sahadeva. The eldest son of Gandhari

was

Duryyodhana and another out

was named Duswashana. They were
called

of the

rest

all placed
under the tuition of a very learned Brahmin, called
Drona, who had a son named Aswathdma.

[2]
was very

Yudhisthira

Bhima was

best warrior.

the

virtuous

There

is

of

gentle,

Bhima, but he grew up very

hundred sons

and

Arjuna grew up as
Duryyodhana was as strong as

physically a giant

an anecdote

Gdndhari.

in

It is

vicious

and wicked.

connection with the birth of the

said that

when she was

told that

Kunti had given birth to a son, she was mortally sorry, because
She forced an abortion and
her son would never be a king.

Riski's

embryo and cut it into a hundred pieces. But

repented and wept for her mad conduct. A great
assistance was sought for and he put life into these hundred

pieces,

making one a

tried to destroy the

finally

she

son.

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

All

his brothers

imitated him in

83

wicked ways
Aswathama and

his

and grew up as bad as he was.

Kama were also brought up with these Princes, the
former became fond of luxuries, the latter however

became a great warrior. Kama and Duryyodhana

gradually became fast friends.
Yudhisthira was the eldest son of the

Pandu

he was also the eldest of

king

the brothers

he was declared to be

time

therefore in course of

all

late

the Heir-apparent.
The sons of Dhritarashtra were
known as Kurus and those of Pandu as Pandavas.

The Pandavas were good and gentle and they were

very much liked by the people. The Kurus were
bad and wicked and the people were afraid of them.
of Hastinapura were happy to learn

The people
that

good and virtuous Yudhisthira would be their

But wicked Duryyodhana could not
king.

future

bear the sight of his brother's glory. He began to

device plans to humiliate the Pandavas ; he was

backed by all his brothers and his maternal uncle

Sakuni plied him with evil advices. It was finally
arranged to murder the

five

Pandavas.

They were tempted to go to a place called

Varanabata, where Duryyodhana caused a house to
be

built.

easily

It

ignite.

Pandavas

in

was made
It

was

this

of

materials

which

secretly arranged to

infernal

house.

could

burn the

They

knew

TALES OF IND.

84

nothing of the evil intentions of their cousins

came

to live in this

they

house with their mother.

But

Vidura loved them more than

his

own

children

he

privately informed them of the nature of their danger.

The Pdndavas then held a consultation. "Dear
said

brothers,"

will

Hastinapura, Duryyodhana
learnt his evil designs.

are

in

the

his hands,

on his

all

we go back to
know that we have

"if

Yudhisthira,

The army and the treasury

chief men of the Durbar are

we go

back, surely he will attack

shall be easily defeated and perhaps killed.

side.

us.

We

My

advice

is

If

to fly from

this

house.

Let us travel

over the country incognito and try

friends with other kings and princes.
all

shall feel ourselves strong to fight with the

make
When we
Kurus, we
to

To

come back and demand our kingdom."

shall

other

brothers

the

words

of

the

eldest

were

commands they agreed to go wherever he went.

One day at the dead of night they set fire to
;

the

house and

fled from the place.

People thought that
must
have
been
burnt
to
death.
they

[3.]

THE Pandavas assumed

roamed about

for

months.

aboriginal girl in the jungle

the garb of ascetics

Bhima met
and married

and

with

an

son

her.

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

was

born

to

this

and

marriage

85

named

was

Ghatotkacha.
at

They

last

country

came

jungle and

the

left

called Panchal.

to

There they learnt that the

Drupada had taken a vow of giving away his

daughter to the warrior who would be able to shoot
king

the

target

wonderful

he had constructed.

which

of

piece

mechanism.

The

It

was a

target

was

placed on a very high pole and a golden fish was

placed behind it. There was only a very small bore
in the target, through which one of the eyes of the

golden

fish

could be seen.

to hit the fish seeing

The

warrior would have

reflection in water,

its

which had

been kept underneath the target.

Many princes from many places had come to
secure the beautiful damsel and to show their feats
of

arms.

and

all

Vishma,
the

Drona,

other

Kama, Duryyodhana

princes

Hastincipura had also come to

One

and

warriors

this great

of

tournament.

princes tried to win the

damsel, but none could hit the eye of the fish. Then
after

another the

have taken," said he, "A vow of

celibacy and therefore cannot marry the Princess.
If however I be successful,
my nephew Duryyodhana
rose

Vishma.

have the

"I

He

took up the bow, but saw

before him Shikhandi, the son of king Drupada,
who was an eunuch. To see an eunuch was an evil
will

girl."

TALES OF IND.

86

omen and Vishma never used

an

omen.

evil

back to

He

his seat.

Then king Drupada

or creed

one might

hit the fish

Then

left

silently

arms on seeing
the bow and came

to take

rose

"I shall give her to

"Of whatever caste

whoever would be able to

be,

shall give

Drona.

cried,

away my daughter

"If

my

him."

to

win the Princess," said

pupil,

Duryyodhana"

he,

He

took up the bow, aimed and sent up the arrow, but

to hit the golden fish.
Then rose
amidst the cheerings of the Kurus. "If I can

failed

Kama
hit

the

"The Princess would go to my friend

Duryyodhana" He tried but he too failed.*
The Princes of Pandu went to the assembly in

fish" said

he,

the garb of Brahmins

they were sitting amongst the

mendicants who had come

grew impatient

to rise

and

for alms.

shoot,

But Arjuna

he was eagerly

looking at his brother to get his permission.

Again and again cried king Drupada, "Kings or

beggars, Brahmins or Sudras, whoever he might be,
*

It is

said that

when

Kama

and Drona shot

at

the

fish

Krishna who was present and who knew that the Pandu Princess
were present in disguise put his Sudarsana Chakra over the target
and thus prevented their arrows from going up to the fish, Sudarsana
the weapon of Vishnu. All through the Mahabharata
had been represented as the incarnation of the great
Preserver. Krishna wanted the princess to be won by his friend

Chakra

is

Krishna

Arjuna.

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

87

him come and try to shoot at the fish. My

Draupadi would surely go to the successful man."

let

Finding that every one had failed and Arjuna

to accomplish this wonderful feat of arms,

was eager

Yudhisthira at
his

try

gave him permission to go and

He rose amidst the titterings of

last

chance.

the Brahmins and hisses of the Princes.

to be the poorest
silently

went

to

He appeared

of the poor, but he slowly and

the target and looked towards the
He bowed first to Drona, his tutor

great assembly.
and then to Vishma, his grandfather. Both of them
were astonished to find a beggarly Brahmin bowing
to them,

for

they

knew Arjuna

Then

to be dead.

he took up the bow, saw the reflection

on the water and sent up the arrow.

tish

of
It

the

went

a flash of lighting and hit the fish amidst the

loud cheerings of the Brahmins. The Princes could

up

like

not believe

that

such wonderful feat was possible

a poor Brahmin and they made a great noise.

However it was finally decided that he had really

of

won

the Princess.

[4]
THE Pandavas
home
the

"My

in the

door,

with beautiful

evening.

"We

sons,"

Draupadi returned

"Mother," cried

Bhima from

have got something grand to-day."

"Partake of it
all
she,
replied

TALES OF IND.

To obey

brothers."

their mother's

married the Princess and

future disagreement,

was arranged,

it

that

command

when one

of the

they all
to avoid
brothers

would be with

her, no other brother would go to her

or to the room where she would be.
If any of them

would violate

this rule, he would be bound to go to

banishment for certain years.
King Drupada soon came to learn that the five

poor Brahmins were the

five

Princes of

Pandu

in

He

disguise.
brought them home in all honour and
pomp the news flew from place to place like wildfire and it soon reached
Hastinapura.
;

King Dhritarashtra under advice from Vishma

sent Vidura to bring them back to the capital. They
all
came back ap.d lived in a new city, called

Indraprastha, separate from Duryyodhana and his

There they lived happily for months.

brothers.

One

day

poor

and piteously appealed

Brahmin came
to

him

to

Arjuna

to rescue his property

Arjuna''s arms were in

the room where Yudhisthira was with Draupadi.
To save the poor man's property he faced the dread
from

robbers. Unfortunately

penalty of banishment. He went into the room, took

up his arms and hastened to help the poor man.
After chastising the robbers he returned to his
brothers

and

banishment.

asked

go to
permission to
With very sorrowful heart the brothers
their

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

bade him farewell and Arjuna

went out on pilgrimage.

He
came

Indraprastha and

left

over the country and at last

His dearest friend Krishna, the

all

to Pravasha.
of

king

travelled

89

Mathura and Dwdra&d, went

to

meet him.

capital and gave his sister

Subhadra in marriage with him. Here he passed
many a happy day with his friend and wife.

He. brought him

We

need

adventures

in

his

to

not

say

his

travels

mention that he showed

arms

met with many

he

that

It

is

superfluous

many wonderful

to

feats of

helping the needy and punishing the wicked.

After the completion of the specified time for
in

banishment,
joined

and they

he came back to
brothers.

his

tried

all

They

their

best

to

Indraprastha and
lived

very happily,
the

please

Kurus by

every possible means.

Duryyodhana married Princess Bhanumati and
several children

were born

Lakshmana,

in

fell

to

The young couple were married

both

branches

prominent parts

of

Their daughter
of Krishna.

her.

with the son

love

the

great

in

great pomp,
Lunar House taking

in celebrating the nuptials.

Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadcva went

out according to the

custom

of the

age to conquer

TALES OF IND.

90

the

adjacent kingdoms.
They subjugated many
kings and exacted tributes from various principalities.

They returned home with hoard

of wealth

and Raja

Yudhisthira celebrated the victory by holding the

Rdjsuya Yagma. It was a grand and magnificent
Durbar, in which numerous kings and princes came
to pay homage to the great Pandavas.
All was joy
and merriment
was
everyone
happy, except
and
his
brothers.
Duryyodhana
They could not
;

bear the success of the Pandavas

the glory and the

happiness of the Princes of Pdndu were gall and

worm-wood to them. They returned to Hastinapura
resolving upon taking vengence.
They held a secret council,

Sakuni adviced them

"A Kshatrya"

in

which

uncle

to invite Yudhisthira to play.

said he,

"Can never refuse

to

accept

a challenge when asked to fight or to gamble. I shall

play dice with him and win all his property and
wealth.

Let us

them before

disgrace

whole

the

world."

The

wicked

Yudhisthira

was

advice
invited

was
to

play

accepted
;

king

and the most

game was begun. It was a great gambling

Pandavas were on one side and the
match,
Kurus on the other. The place was the great
unfortunate

the

Durbar

hall

Hastinapura.

and

the

audience

was

the

whole

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

Fortune was against the Prince of

to lose.

began
he

lost

all

elephants.

his

He

He

QI

Pandu

he

his

wealth,
gradually lost
possessions, his palaces, horses and
was up in the play
finding that he
all

had nothing else to bet, he betted his younger

He then one after another lost
brother and lost.
all his

brothers.

He

then betted himself and lost too.

he raised up
There was nothing more to lose
his head, looked round that great
assembly and
that
had
gathered over his
wiped away the hot drops
;

forehead.

"Yudhisthira"

sneered

Sakuni,

"Bet

time Draupadi, your wife. You are sure to win,

for she is a lucky woman." He silently began to play
but fortune was terribly
and betted his dear wife
this

against him, he lost again.

There was great glee on the

they again and again cheered for

side of the

Kurus

their victory.

Wicked Duryyodhana was mad with joy. "Oh

!" exclaimed he, "These Pandavas are now our
servants. Let them sit with the menials." Bhima could
friends

hardly control his anger,

Arjuna was trying to calm
him. Young Nakula and Sahadeva were piteously look-

ing at their eldest brother, enquiring what they were

But Yudhisthira calmly rose from his throne,

majestically walked towards the servants and sat with

to do.

His obedient and loving brothers all rose up

with him and went to sit with him amongst the menials.

them.

TALES OF IND.

Q2

Duryyodhana was not satified with thus

He ordered his brother
humiliating his own cousins.

Duswdshana

to

go and bring Draupadi and make

The daughter of a king and the

her a maid-servant.

Pcindavas was dragged out of her

and
appartments
brought before the Durbar. The
whole Hastinapura wept and the people cried

queen

of the great

"Shame."
stood before the people and wept
She appealed to all present to save her from
At last
disgrace but none came to her rescue.

Draupadi

aloud.
this

youngest brother of Duryyodhana, feeling pity

for her, rose and said, "Draupadi cannot be made

the

a maid-servant, for cousin Yudhisthira lost him first

and then he betted her." 'When Yudhisthira"
replied

Duryyodhana, "Lost

all his

property, he must

Let him say, that it is not

so and we shall give up our claim over Draupadi"
Bhima could not control himself any longer he

have

lost his

wife with

it.

snatched himself away from the grasp of Arjuna and

rose.
"You scoundrels," roared he, "I would have
thrashed you out of your existence, but I control myself
for the sake of our most beloved brother.
Raja

Yudhisthira

is

the

Lord

victory the whole world

the

whole

Draupadi

world

is

is

of

all

the world.

conquered and
what you

lost

or of a dozen of us

!"

in

In his
his

speak

loss

of

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA,

93

[6]
AT

this point

to

Vishnta

first

He

good Vidura interfered he went

and then to king Dhritarcishtra.
;

monarch what

told the blind

He

done.

his

wicked sons had

entreated him to save the

Kurus from

the

wrath of the Pandavas and to protect the great Lunar

Dynasty from the self-dissension and self-destruction.

The king brought

them from
to

go and

the

P&ndavas

Duryyodhana

life

him and freed

They were allowed

their eternal slavery.

to begin

to

anew.

much

was

disappointed.

He

disobey his father's command and could

not prevent the Pandavas to go away.
But he knew
could not

would be very easy for them to conquer fresh

kingdoms and to secure wealth untold. He called

that

his

it

uncle

Sakuni

him what to do and how

to advice

to destroy these thorns in his

"Invite

path to glory.

them again," said Sakuni, "To play and

ask them to bet in this wise.

they lose, they will

have to go to the jungle for twelve years, the last
If

year of which they shall have to pass incognito.

If
they are found out, they will have to go again for
12 years and so on.
are sure to find them out

We

and

rest assured

back."

they

will

never be able to come

"Dear uncle," replied Duryyod/iana, "suppose

Yudhisthira declines to play or to go to the jungle

TALES OF IND.

94

-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^r*^^^^^^^^. ^.

at

-V^XV-^^X>^^^X^N

Sakuni smiled and

all !"

"My

said,

dear nephew

you do not know Yudhisthira'.

Next morning Yudhisthira was again challenged
to play.
His brothers entreatingly asked him not to
accept the challenge, but Yudhisthira replied, "Dear
you advice me to neglect the holy duties

brothers, do
of a

God

has destined us for misery

calmly submit to His will".
The unfortunate play was again begun, and
again Yudhisthira lost the game. They sacrificed

Kshatriya

let us

themselves for virtue and truth

and

silently

left

Their

to pass 12 years in banishment.

Hastinapura
faithful and dear wife Draupadi followed them to be
the partner of her husbands' miseries, and amidst the
wails of the people they entered into a deep forest.
There they lived like ascetics for eleven years
at last the time
It

was a very

that the

them

Kurus

task to them, for they knew

would move heaven and earth to find
difficult

night

to the

Yudhisthira

became
cook

they

kingdom
giving

left

of

Birat

himself

in

said that

disguise.

There

out as a dice-player,

Raja's companion.
Arjuna assumed the garb

It is

jungle-abode and

their

the

calling himself an
*

to live incognito.

out.

One
went

came when they had

Bhima became
of

a female

his

and

eunuch* became the dancing and

Arjuna when

in

banishment went to heaven

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

95

music master of the princess Uttard, the daughter of

the

Nakula became the horse-keeper and

Poor Draupadi entered
There
of the queen as one of her maids.
for
a
and
year and
happily
very quietly

king.

Shahadeb the shepherd.

the service

they lived
the

Kurus, notwithstanding

know

all

failed

efforts,

to

their whereabouts.

year passed. Duryyodhana

excursions

came

went out

to

into the

him

give

in his

Birat country.
battle

but the

manuoever eluded him and looted

depredatory

King Birat

Kurus by a
The

his kine.

queen asked his son Uttara to go and save them, but

he was a boasting coward. "Mama," said he, "If
I

would have gone and

the thieving Kurus." The Pseudo-

had a good charioteer,

taught a lesson to

maid

of the

queen said that the music master of the

good charioteer and would

princess was a very

if asked
by the queen. She
him
ordered
to
come
to
her and when he
immediately
she
him
to
with
her
son.
came,
requested
go
Arjuna took the prince in his chariot before the

surely go with the prince,

Kuru

army.

to learn

the art of arms.

The

timid

Indra

songstress Tilotyama to him, but

She took

offence

young man attempted

in his

honour sent the heavenly

Arjuna declined

to

accept her.

and cursed him. saying that he would be an eunuch

Thus when Arjuna became the music master

young princess of Strata, he was really an eunuch.
for a year.

to

of the

TALES OF

Q6

IND,

from the chariot, when he found that to fight with

Kurus was not a child's play. Arjuna prevented
him from leaving the field, gave him his real name

fly

the

and promised to rescue his kine. He then went to

a tree where he had kept his arms hidden, He took

them down, armed himself and hastened to attack

the enemy.
The Kurus were soon routed and they
fled in hot haste

towards their own

capital.

King Bir&t found out the disguise of Yudhisthira

and his brothers. He placed him on his throne and
gave the Pdndavas

was

Uttarci

Arjuna

his

all

His daughter
Abhimanyu the son of

possible honour.

married

to

mother being Subhadra.

[8]
THE news
Kurus.
of

the

very soon reached the capital of the

The

blind king Dhritar&shtra, the Nestor

Lunar House, Vishma, the great preceptor,

Drona, the good and honest

induce Duryyodhana

to

Vidura,

all

tried

to

make an amicable settlement

P&ndavaS) but he at the advice of his

evil-making uncle Shakunt and his ambitious friend

with the

Kama

put a

deaf ear to

all

their

Krishna, the friend and relative

came

to

"Give the

mediate.
five

good advices.

both the parties

"Duryyodkana" entreated he,
of

brothers only five villages of your vast

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

satisfied with

They would be

domain.

Q7

the smallest,

them." "No, not an inch of land",

a mortal struggle".
"Without
replied he,
determined
battle
was
So
upon on both sides.

that

will offer

you

Both parties sent out invitations to the allied kings

Great preparations were made for the

and princes.

coming struggle and

soldiers

were collected from

every part of the Empire.

Krishna was the greatest man

the

of

age.*

Both the contending parties were eager to secure him,

but to him both parties were equally dear and near.

When

appealed
arms against any
in

to,

he said that he could not take

of them,

but he would be present

him who would come

the battle with

him

to

first.

Duryyodhana hastened to Diu&raka and went to

meet him, but he found him asleep. There was a
he sat on
golden throne near the head of Krishna
it
and patiently waited till he would rise. A few
;

came and sat at his feet.

Krishna opening his eyes saw Arjuna and asked
him what he could do for him.
"I
have come,

minutes after Arjuna

said

he,

can

"Oh

give

"You know

friend,

my
am

you
that

to

pray for a

friend ?"

always

gift."

replied
at

your

"What

Krishna.
service."

"Give me," said Arjuna, "Your goodself. I want

nothing else." Krishna smiled and replied, "My
*

Read Snkrishna,

TALES OF IXD,

98

dear friend,

you

must have heard

resolved not to take arms in this battle.

that

have

What

help

would be to you to get me ?" "Dear friend," said

Arjuna, "I know I shall win the battle r but I shall
it

not be happy
of

if

my

"I shall

dearest friend

He

be not a partner

"
"Very well r said he,

be your charioteer,"'*
turned his head and

"Dear brother/'
told

my

glory and happiness."

Arjuna.

saw Duryyodhana,
"You have heard what I had
However, I am bound to serve you.
said he,

Would you like to have me or my invincible army ?"

Duryyodhana thought it would be useless to take
Krishna who \vould not fight. As for council he
would get better from his dear uncle Shakum. It
was surely something to get Krishna's great army.

He

said,

"I

kindly give

shall

me

thank you,

your army."

Oh

brother,

if

you

will

Krishna agreed and

Duryyodhana returned to Hastinapura with the

invincible army.
Then Arjuna left Dwaraka and
Krishna accompanied him.

When all preparations were complete Yudhisthira marched out with his army and encamped on
the field of

We

Duryyodhana with

Kurukshetra.^

need not say that

all

this

his

was pre-arranged by Sri-

krishna and was a ruse to king Duryyodhana.

f

The

field of

Kurukshetra

is

considered to be one of the

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

99

stupendous army came out of Hastinapura to give

him

battle.

[9.

THERE were
the

greatest

millions of soldiers* on both sides

generals

and

the

most

powerful

It
in mortal struggle.
potentates had come to meet
and
friends
brothers
and
brothers
between
was a battle

and
of

friends.

the

On one

side

there

were the greatest

Drona,
There were hundred

Vishma, the ablest of the able

great
the bravest of the brave

Kama.

numerous grandsons of the blind king,

backed by the most powerful chiefs of India. On the
other there were the fiv-e Princes of Pandit with
sons and

Abhimanyu and Ghatotkacha. There

were king Drupada and king Birata and some other

their

sons

kings and princes, connected with them either by

blood or by marriage. And to crown all there was

Krishna who was their guide, friend and leader.

Vishma had promised never to desert the
With the greatest sorrow
children* of the blind king.
and regret he consented
Hindu pilgrimages.

It

is

to

command

situated

in

the

the Punjab,

Kuru-army
some miles

off

from Delhi by Delhi-Kalka Railway.

It is said that there were
t
altogether 18 Akshauhinis of
soldiers on both sides.
An Akshauhini is equal to ten millions.

TALES OF IND.

100

for ten days.

feats

war

of

was useless

It

was none so

for there

arms,

He

or in council.

killed

describe his

to try to

great, either in

almost the half of the

Pandava-a.rmy.
said

The Pandavas held

Krishna
"None

Vishma

so

in

world,

dream

the

long he will be

in

"Friends,"

world

can

arms.

Accept

defeat

my

nothing bad or nothing good in

for this world is mere
an erroneous

there

advice,
this

a council of war.

is

of the Soul.*

Do your

your duty is
to win the battle and don't mind the means. Arjuna,
do thou take Shikhandi with you to-morrow. Vishma
will surely leave off arms if he sees him.
That is the
duty

defeat
him, overpower him, kill, if
and
save
the
Pandava army."
necessary
Next day Krishna's advice was adopted. Vishma

opportunity,

saw Shikhandi on

A rjuna's

chariot.

He

smiled and

Immediately Arjuna mortally wounded

him and great Vhisma fell frcm his chariot. The

left

arms.

leaders

of

Patriarch.

both

hastened

parties

Both the

bitterly for him, for surely

to

them

to

Kuru and Pandu

the

wounded

princes wept

he was more than a father

all.

The next day the Kurus came out to give battle

under the command of Drona. He arranged his
*

Read Gitd

in

the appendix.

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

in

army
line,

The Pandavas

a most wonderful array.

found that
or to

was impossible

it

penetrate

But young Abhimanyu by

broke into the circle and
the enemy.

to

the

into

101

break the enemy's

formed.

semi-circle

most daring charge

killed many thousands of

his

hemmed

But he was soon

by the

in

Seven great warriors such as Drona and

Kurus.

Kama
boy

rushed upon him in wild fury. The poor

was soon overpowered and killed.
Bhima

rushed to his rescue,

young

hero,

he

but before he could reach the

mortally wounded from his
ten times furious by grief

fell

Bhima became
and vengeance. He killed
chariot.

and

felled a

On
and

thirty of his

the other part of the field

Kama

wicked cousins,

thousand of the enemy.

killed Ghatotkacha.

Raja Drupada fell

Every where the

Pandavas were defeated and routed. Arjuna when

fighting with Drona was mortally wounded and he
fainted on his chariot.
Then Krishna cried "Oh
Drona, your son

named
Krishna

is

killed."

Aswathama
gave

Drona, was

out

killed.

was
that

The

old

Really an

killed

elephant
but

by Bhima

Aswathama, the son of

warrior was overwhelmed

with grief on hearing his beloved son's death. But

he did not and could not believe that Aswathama
could be killed.
believe

that

my

"Oh Krishna!'

said

most beloved son

he,
is

"I

cannot

dead.

Let

TALES OF IND.

102

Yudhisthira say that my son is no more and

it, for I know he cannot tell a lie."

shall

believe

Krishna managed

to bring Yudhisthira to the

he asked him to say that Aswathama
was dead, but Yudhisthira positively refused to tell
such a falsehood. But Krishna was up to anything

great warrior

he

induced

finally

dead,

him

the elephant."

to

When

"Aswathama, is
Yudhisthira said "The
say

elephant," Krishna blew his great conch and the

words did not reach Drona's ears. When he was told

was dead, he fainted and immediately

one of the warriors on the Pandava side jumped upon
his chariot and cut off his head.

that his son

[10]
THE

next day,

command

of

Kama.

Kurus came
There

was

out

under

hand

to

the

hand

from morning to evening. Blood flowed lik

water and reddened the field of Kurukshetra. Bhima
fight

Duswashana

killed

cousins,

by

and

the

rest

of

his

wicked

but he had to retreat having been defeated

Many fell on both sides, and the

Kama.

Pandava army was gradually driven back and finally

routed. Arjuna soon came to rally round his army,
and stood face
great

in

arms

to face with
;

Kama.

they faught

like

Both were equally

lions

for

hours

THE BATTLE OF KURUKSHETRA.

lustily

Kama

till

together

and the Kurus

103

The Pandavas cheered

fell.

retired to their

camp.

Early next morning the Pandavas attacked the

Kurus with renewed vigour. Raja Birata fell righting, but the

most wicked Sakunl was

The

killed.

whole Kuru army was disorganised and by evening

they were hopelessly defeated and routed, and the

Pandavas were
It

had

in

hot pursuit*

was soon rumoured

fled

from the

field.

that

Raja Duryyodhana.

The Pandavas immediately

pursued and found him hidden in a place of safety.

When he saw that there was no escape, he came

Bhima

out and challenged

faught like
at last fell

The Pdndava-army
were

all

to single combat.

They

two mad elephants,but king Duryyodhana

mortally wounded.*

tired

retired

to

and exhausted

victory sure they

fell

asleep.

their

and

camp. They
knowing their

At the dead

of night

Asiuathama came to the wounded king and promised

him to bring the heads of the Panda Princes.

He
*

stealthily

entered the

Pandava camp

he

Every part of king Duryyodhana 's body except the thigh

iron.
No weapon could have any effect on any

was as hard as
part of his body.
to hit

Bhima

Duryyodhana on

in the heat of the fight forgot that

his

thigh

but Krishna was there.

he was

As

if

encouraging Bhima, he repeatedly clapped on his own thigh. The

hint was soon understood and king Duryyodhana was mortally
wounded.

TALES OF

104

IND.

went

into the tent, in which Draupadi was asleep

with her five young sons.
He gagged them, he
killed them one after another and hastened with their

heads to the dying king. But Duryyodhana perceived

the mistake committed by the son of Drona.
"My
friend," faultered he,
of the

Lunar House."

"You have killed the last scions

With these words on his lips

the poor king breathed his

last.

The Pandavas came

to Hastinapura after the

was
a
victory.
victory saturated with the
blood of all that was dear and near to them. There
was no joy
Their
there was no merriment.
entrance to the capital of their forefathers was not

But

it

ushered
of

in

by the sounds of drums or the boomings

Slowly and silently they entered

fire-works.

the palace, but there \vere heart-rending lamentations

all

around.

THE

five

Pdndu

Princes of

lived for

some years

and

at last they retired into the jungle to pass the

remainder of their lives in prayers and meditations.

Princess Uttard, the wife of poor Abhimanyu,

child, when her husband fell on the field of

was with
battle.

She gave

birth

to

a son,

who was named

Parikshit.

When

Prince

Parikshit grew up, he became

the king of Hastinapura.

NALA AND DAMAYANTI.

tl]

MONGST

all

the great and good monarchs that

flourished in ancient
to king

Nala

of

Naisadha.

India,

none was equal

and

In greatness, in piety

He
philanthrophy, he stood towering over all.
treated his subjects as his own children, the poor
of his kingdom were the members of his own royal
in

household.
The gods were worshipped and the
Brahmins were honoured in every house all over his

Happiness, comfort and ease were

to be seen everywhere
misery had fled from the

vast dominion.

benign king Nala had his kind

His
wife
Damayanti was equally good.
sovereignty.
Her mind was full of human kindness in her mind
land over

which

TALES OF IND.

106

was

of the people of

But
but

was holy and

that

all

mother

is

nay she was the

world where nothing

in this

all

celestial

Naisadha.

transitory and

is

permanent,
and
Nala's
king

fleeting,

happiness did not last long.

Kali the God of sin* had an eye over them from a
long time, but so virtuous were the king and the

queen Damayanti

queen that he did not get an opportunity

to

wre$k

vengeance upon the happy pair.

At last one day he found Nala engaged
worship not with the prescribed ablution

his

in

he forth-

with got possession of his mind and led him to evil

ways.

He became

very

much fond

himself madly into the

to

began
drifted

of dice

whirlpool of

his

neglect
royal duties,
the wide gulf of vice

into

gambled with

he threw

gambling

he

he was slowly

and

sin.

He

and gradually lost all his

him
a beggar and drove him
made
Kali
a cousin

possessions
out of his happy
;

home and

his

smiling capital.

His

loving wife Damayanti followed him as a shadow

follows its substance
uncomplainingly and ungrudg;

ingly the
*

royal

queen walked by the side

of

her

Shani and Kali are supposed to be two very powerful

have given two tales in which it has been shown that

We

gods.
these gods of evils shower on the head of an unhappy
of miseries.

man

all sorts

NALA AND DAMAYANTI.

husband and

left

behind her

all

107

that

was dear and

They had no other possessions but the

two pieces of clothes that they had on their person
and they were shunned by all that used to love them
near to her.

before.
evil God they fled on and on, till
a
entered
into
they
deep forest. There they rested,
exhausted
and broken down. They had
thoroughly

Driven by the

hunger was at
Good king Nala

not touched food since three days,

their

back and starvation

was not

in front.

change of fortune, for he

how
but alas
was strong enough to endure it
could he bear the great sufferings that his most
at all sorry for his

she was

beloved wife had to undergo

Though
she
was
very
smiling,
happy
though
!

husband's

side,

yet

to

king Nala

it

was

by

her

gull

and

wormwood.

They rested underneath a tree, till king Nala saw

a golden bird merrily dancing near at hand. The
bird might fetch some money, if sold in the market.

The money might keep them up

for

sometime.

Nala

once stood up and tried to catch it by throwing

over it his cloth, but alas, the bird was the God of
at

evil

in disguise.

It

took up the cloth and flew away-

It had
living the poor king in a state of nudity.
not satisfied the wicked God by reducing a great king

to a state of

most deplorable misery

still

he was at

TALES OF IND.

108

his

back

still

vengeance had not been

fearful

his

dU

still he wanted to
fully wrec.ked upon the king
them more and more miserable.

make

2]

WHEN night came, Nala and Damayanti, putting

round their loins only one cloth that they possessed
between them, tried to pass the night in the forest as
best as they could. Damayanti was tired and exhaustshe soon fell into a deep sleep.
ed,

But the poor and the unhappy king could not

thought after thought, most painful, rushed
sleep
;

mind and made

his wakeful night most

not sorry for himself
he could
bear no longer the sufferings of his beloved wife.
Kali entered into his mind and whispered into his

into

his

miserable.

He was

ear,

"Leave

why

should she be

her,

why make her miserable ?" Indeed,

made miserable for his misfortune ?

She w as the queen

r

daughter

of a

she

of a vast province,

most powerful king.

Why

was the

should she be

made a

If she had not been

partner of his misery ?
allowed to accompany him, she would have gone to

her father's

kingdom and there

lived happily

till

he

could join her.

But how to part

it

would be impossible

for

She loved him so much

him

to snatch

that

away from

NALA AND DAMAYANTI.

10Q

he could very
her loving grasp. She was asleep
but half of the cloth was round her
well fly from her,
;

he could not go in a state of nudity. The

wicked God who took possession of his mind again
he cut the cloth half
plied him with evil advices
loins

he silently rose from her side and left poor

Damayanti alone and unprotected there in that great

and

half

at

forest

fled

he

fled like

away from his most" beloved wife.

awoke and did not find her husband

far far

Damayanti
by her side
wild beasts,

but

nothing

He

the dead of night.

mad man

she found herself alone in the midst of

as far as her eyes could see she found
forest

deep

fantastic creepers.

of

She wept,

entwined with

trees

her loud lamentations

she again and again

sorrow,
her husband and appealed to him to come
and save her from danger, but who would hear
the place with

filled

cried

for

her lamentations

Nala had

fled,

fled

many

miles

from his loving wife.

We

shall not

attempt to describe the pain and

misery of unhappy Damayanti.

insult, misery, starvation at

to

the

kingdom

of

She had

every step

till

The mother

Chedi.

to

she

meet

came

of the king

saw her pass by the street

she took compassion
her
the
most
miserable
upon
seeing
plight in which
she was, she at once despatched a maid to bring her
;

into the palace.

TALES OF IND.

110

There Damayanti

lived as a

she was

if

was beyond the

lived in Chedi for

to the

companion

not happy,

princess
not be on account of her husband's
royal

she could

she

absence,

She

the vicious world.

insults

of

years,

but heard no news of her

absent husband.

t3]
WHEN

king of Bidharva, the

learnt of the

father

state of

Damayanti,
in-law's kingdom he hastened
he was told
he found them not
their kingdom and had entered
;

of

queen

affairs at his

son-

Naisadha.

But

to

they had

left

into the jungle.

He

that

made a searching enquiry all over the kingdom,

but could get no trace of his unhappy daughter. He
returned to his capital and sent emissaries all over the
country to search for his daughter and for the good
and the great king Nala. His men journeyed some

and some

they went to all the

surrounding kingdoms and searched every creek and
but almost all came back baffled in their
corner,

in disguise

in state

attempts. No news was received of the unhappy king

and the queen.

At

came

to

last

one

of

the

emissaries

Chedi and lived there

Damayanti

in the

in

named Sudeva

disguise.

He met

palace and although she was

living

NALA AND DAMAYANTI.

like

Ill

an ordinary maid he at once recognised her to be

their missing princess.

He appeared

in the royal court

and told the king that the maid was no other than
their beautiful Damayanti, the queen of Naisadha

and the Princess

Chedi was the

Bidharva.

of

sister

of

Now

the queen

Damayanti's mother

of

she

was beside

whom

herself with joy to learn that the maid,

she loved, was no other than her own sister's

daughter.

Damayanti passed some days with her

royal

great joy then she asked them to allow

her to go to her father's kingdom where her children
whom she had sent to her mother, were living.
relatives

in

The king and

the queen of Chedi sent Damayanti

way befitting her high rank.

with Sudeva in a

We

need not say that she was received with

open arms by her parents. There in Bidharva
she lived for years, wistfully looking for the return
of her beloved husband
for
she knew the evil
;

influences of

Kali could not

last for

more than some

years.

But she did not

rest quiet

she

made her

send again emissaries all over the country

of her husband.
She told them to enquire
every

village

question.

and

"What

ask

every

justification

man

the

was there

father

in

search

for

him

at

following
a man

for

to leave his wife behind clad in half of the cloth ?"

TALES OF IND.

112
'^"^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

All

returned

without

came back with a

of

kingdom

charioteer,

but

information,

any

He had gone

reply.

to

one
the

Rituparna and there met his

named B&huka. He put the question to
the king

him as ordered by the princess and the following

was the answer given by the charioteer. "If one's
husband does an act most condemnable, the wife
should hide

it

instead of giving

it

this

out to the world."

charioteer to be her

Damayanti suspected
in disguise.
He asked Sudeva

husband

to go at once
him that
inform
and
Rituparna
Sudeva was to
she was again going to be married.
bring the king and his charioteer by any means to

to the capital of king

the

of

capital

Sudeva started

Bidkarva.

Clever

for the court of king

and

intelligent

Rituparna and

soon reached his kingdom.

[4]

WE

must

unhappy king

now

say

what

happened

to

the

after parting with his dear wife.

He

hastened away from the forest, lest his wife

did come and follow him. He ran at his utmost speed

and

be

at a great distance from her.

he
met a snake and found it in
way
kindness
rose above all other
His
distress.
great
he took it up and tried to save it, but
feelings

to quit her

But on

his

to

NALA AND DAMAYANTI.

the

ungrateful

bit

reptile

113

and he was

him,

at

once

disfigured.

To him the evil turned to be a good for now

none could recognise him as the king, he was so
;

perhaps his own dear

Damayanti would not have been able to recognize

very much

that

disfigured

him.

He passed
uncared of

through many countries, unknown and

he at last came to the kingdom of the

king Rituparna
a charioteer he

and learning that the king wanted

offered himself

for the

services were accepted, for none there

in driving as he.

Here

post.

His

so efficient

in the service of

king Rituparna
Sudeva appeared in the
the king and announced the marriage of

he lived for some years

court of

was

till

Princess Damayanti.

King Rituparna, learning

to

Sayambara,* grew eager

that there

go

to

the

would be a
capital

of

so that he
might be present in the
from
which
the
beautiful princess would
assembly
make her choice. He ordered his charioteer Bahuka

Bidharva,

to get his royal chariot ready as soon as possible,

he would at once

start for the

So he

for

charioteer

started

who was no

Sayambara

is

a::

the

kingdom

of

Sayambara with his

Nala himself

other than king

assembly

in

which a princess makes her own

choice of a bridegroom from the assembled people.

for

Bidharva.

TALES OF IND.

114

kingdom of Bidharva
due time and king Rituparna was received by the
king in all honour. But there was no Sayambara,
for it was mere a trick of Damayanti to bring her

They reached

in disguise.

the

in

husband to her

As soon
of her

father's capital.

as the king arrived,

maids to the king

Damayanti sent one

We

in disguise.

need not

was divulged king

He was taken to the royal
reception was accorded to

say that very soon the mystery

Nala was

recognized.
court and a most cordial

him by the king and his subjects.

The wicked god of evil, Kali, rinding that his
time had expired, fled from the body of the king.

Damayanti and

her husband

came

their

own

to place

them

to

the king of Bidharva came

on the throne with a powerful army

kingdom

at his back.

The usurper fled in dismay and king Nala and queen

Damayanti were again very happy.*
*

Kali

is

and

in fact the

full of

vice

parts

namely Satya,

Kali

is

sin.

The

period of
entire

Tretd,

Time

Space

of

that

is

supposed to be

Time

is

divided into four

Dvapara and Kali.

the god of Sin and vice.

The moral

Here

of the tale

in this tale
is

apparent

the virtuous and the good, as soon as they are touched by Kali,

by vice and
Nala.

sin,

lose all

and become most miserable

like

i. e.

king

SRIBATSA AND CHINTA.

[1]
HERE

is

once arose a great dispute between the

v
goddess Lakshmi and the god Shani. Lakshmi
the goddess of wealth
he, on whom she casts her
;

his
benign eyes, becomes the richest of the rich
is
filled
with
all
the
wealth
of
the
world
treasury
;

luxury and plenty rolls over his vast mansion.

Shani

whom

is

the

scorching eyes>
his

home

he, on
poverty and misery
god throws the fiery glare of his

god

this fearful

turns to

But

of

becomes the poorest of the poor

be a desert where misery and want
-

take pleasure to dance and play.

Both were powerful in their own way, but

proud Shani sneered at the beautiful goddess and

Il6

TALES OF IND.

-'x^-'xx.xxxxx^x^^xvxvv^^

vaunted that he was the greatest

his

power was

far greater

than

of all the

gods

that of the goddess of

nay he could ruin a man on whom Lakshmi

would shower her favours. "Brother Sham', replied
the goddess, "What is the good of mere vaunting.
wealth

We both

rule over the destiny of

ask one

of

men.

Let us go and
considered to

them whether you or I am

Shani consented

be the greatest of the gods."

Sribatsa,

and

most powerful, the richest and the

then living, was selected by
man to whom to go and put the

the

noblest of the kings

them as the fittest
question.

They both appeared

in his royal court

and were

"Oh king" said

received by the king in all honour.
Lakshmi or I am
the fearful god, "Tell us whether
Good king Sribatsa knew
not what to say
surely who is there in this world
who does not know Lakshmi to be the greatest and
the best of all the goddesses ? Who does not know

the

greater of the two."

;

Shani

that

was

is

the

But king Sribatsa

angry god. He most humbly
allow him time to answer their

most hated

afraid to offend the

prayed to them to
He most respectfully asked them to come
question.
next
day, when he would reply to their query.
again
He placed a golden throne on his right and a
silver

one on

appeared

in

his left.
his

When

court he

the god and the goddess

stood

up and requested

SRIBATSA AND CHINTA.

them

to take their seats.

on the
sat

silver

throne,

on the golden one.

117

Skani walked up and sat

Lakshmi in her own majesty
Then the king sat upon his

throne and addressing the fearful god thus said, "Oh

god, you can now judge yourself who is the greater
You have sat on the silver throne which
of the two.

my left. You know that a golden throne

the
on
right is more honourable than the throne
placed
on which you have thought fit to take your seat."
The fearful god's anger knew no bounds he

is

placed on

left

the court of king Sribatsa resolving

upon taking

vengeance. He vowed to show something of his great

he determined to see how the goddess of
power
wealth could save him from his terrible anger.
;

[2]
POOR

king Sribatsa fell, and the benign goddess

not save him from the
fearful

Lakshmi could
vengeance

god of evil. Shani took possession

and drove away the goddess of wealth

of the

of his destiny

dear son," said she when parting

with king Sribatsa^ "I have been forced to leave
but I shall be always by you. Shani will not
you,
be able to rule over your destiny very long. I shall

from his door.

"My

soon come back again and make you

prosperous."

happy and

"Mother," replied the king, "let the evil

TALES OF IND.

god ruin me, but still I consider you

and the best of all the gods."

the greatest

Shani the prosperous

and happy kingdom
king Sribatsa was run over
with plague, famine and internal strifes.
Fields

By

the evil influences of

of

were
the

left untilled

houses

villages
rivers

and jungle grew up all around

down for want of repairs,
;

crumbled

were taken possession

high mounds of ruins.

and

by the wild beasts

and
towns became
up,
What had been once a happy
of

and wells were dried

prosperous

became

kingdom,

and

barren

depopulated desert.

King Sribatsa asked

his wife

Chinta to

fly

from

the palace and to go to her father's kingdom,

but
she refused to leave her husband. She resolved to
follow him in weal or in woe.

Finding her resolute,

Sribatsa
asked
her
to
take
all her jewels in a
king
bundle and to follow him, for he had determined to
leave

his

night they

which had been taken

Shani, the god of
fast

as

At the dead

plague-stricken kingdom.
left their capital

all

and

for

evils.

own by the fearful

They fled and ran as
his

they could, to leave a place

misery were dancing

in their

of

from the land

fled

where death and

demonaic merriments.

They came to the side of a great river and

found an old man sitting on a broken boat. There was
no other boat to take them

across

the

river

so

SRIBATSA AND CHINTA.

19

determined to cross in that dilapidated

they
boat and to utilize the services of the old mansaid

"Yes/'

can

"I

he,

but

side of the river,

my

you on the other

not stand more

take

boat will

than the weight of one man. You better wait, give me

then I shall one by
the bundle I shall reach it first,
one take you two on the other bank of the river."

The king consented

contained

all

boat of the old

man

the

old

the boat,

and

but as soon as

the

man,

vanished from their sight.

came

to

soon

know, that

left

bundle

the

put

which

the earthly wealth of theirs on the broken

the

it

was the

boat,

was placed on
the

river,

all

The king and the queen

work of Sham, so they

hoping to

place

it

get

rid

of the evil

influences of the god.

They had not any food for two days, so the

great king, who used to distribute alms freely, had to
beg for his food and ask for alms of some fishermen,
who were fishing in a small streamlet. They gave
him a

fish

cook

it,

fire

and as they had nothing else to dress and

queen Chinta collected some woods, made a

and burnt the

fish.

But

it

the

queen knew not how

husband.

She thought to clean

that

streamlet to have

it

washed.

grew so blackened
to place
it

it

before her

and went to the

But

alas, as

soon as

she placed it into the water,

it flew
away from her
dived
down and disappeared into the water.
hand,

TALES OF IND.

120

The poor queen could not control her feelings and

burst out into tears. The king hastened to his beloved
wife and when he learnt of what had happened, he
asked the queen to leave the place at once,

god was

evil

for

Ihe

there.

[3]
THEY came

to a village, inhabited by
and
the queen found the
king
place very quiet and comfortable, just the place
where they could live happily, if not in luxury and

wood-cutters

at

last

the

The king made

affluence.

friends with the poor men,

queen by her loving conduct drew all the women

towards her. Thus they became the objects of love
and the
of the simple but honest wood-cutters,
the

king with his beloved queen, lived

one of them.

Thus they passed many days

a rich merchant passed
that

rolled

by the side

in

in

that

at

village as

last

one day,

boat along the river

of the village of the

wood-

The boat struck the ground and notwithcutters.

standing all efforts of the merchant and his men
It was all the
it did not move.
doing of the god
of

evil

Brahmin
guised

he

astrologer.

god,

before

appeared

"There

"Oh good
is

the

merchant as a

Sir,"

woman

said the dis-

called

Chinta

SRIBATSA AND CHINTA.

121

touches your boat, it will

move.
Nothing else will be able to move it."
The merchant hastened to the hut in which the
in

this

if

village,

she

unhappy queen used

to come to her rescue.
The men were out

was

also

without the

He prayed
in

Chinta,

absent,

He

to live.

permision

of

was
her

merchant

the

man

the

by

her.

his

in

On

kindness.

for her

wood-cutting,

women were much moved by

of

appealed to her
the

king

unwilling to
But
husband.

go
the

the

piteous appeal
they pressed her to go and help
if

difficulty

account of

that

was

the importunities

possible
of

her

neighbours, she at last agreed to go and accompanied

As soon as she got on
the merchant to his boat.

board the boat,

river.

The

it

moved and

ungrateful merchant

floated

down

the

determined to force

accompany him for he thought if she

were in his boat, there would be no future danger.
Thus Chinta w as not allowed to come down, but was
the queen to

forcibly carried

When
wife

last

you are

my

away.
king returned home, he learnt that

"Oh god of evil," cried he, "At

You have stolen from my

was gone.

his

side

the

victorious.

goddess of happiness and

bliss."

He

left

the village and went in search of his missing wife.

He travelled all over the country, but he found

nowhere any trace

of

hfs

beloved queen.

He was

TALES OF IND.

122

told

that

a merchant in a boat had taken away his

he went down the

wife,

He

bank.

the

all along
boat
that
every
passed,

walking

river,

scrutinized

but found not his darling wife.

At last he came to the

kingdom of Baku, a
and
He had a most
wealth.
power
charming daughter named, Bhodrci, for whom the
king had declared a Shayambara and had sent invitachieftain of great

the chiefs and potentates.

King Sribatsa>
although he was living as a poor wood-cutter, thought
of attending the great assembly in which the beautiful
tions to

all

make her choice

princess would

He was

and stood before the

princes

in

array

she

them,
to

the

but he

not allowed a seat,

their

near

The

tree.

jewelled garb and in their royal

each and every one of

scrutinized

but she passed them

all

and came

place where the disguised

She took the garland

standing.

stood

princess came
she saw the
great assembly,

assembly underneath a

the

of a husband.

round her neck and placed

it

straight

wood-cutter was

of flowers

which was

round that of king

Sribatsa.

There
the

titterings

and hissings

all

over

king Baku felt himself terribly

but he could not prevent his daughter
making her own choice of a husband. He

assembly

humiliated

from

were
;

ordered his ministers to provide the princess and

SRIBATSA AND CHINTA.

her husband with

all

123

the necessaries of

life,

but they

would never be allowed to enter the palace again.

[4]
THE

princess left her father's

palace and went

she had thought

whom

away with the wood-cutter,

fit to make her husband.
They

lived in a house

in

suburb of the city and were provided with all

that they wanted to make them comfortable and

the

happy.

But king Sribatsa was not happy. He could not

be possibly happy without his beloved wife Chinta

by his side. He knew that the Goddess of wealth

was always taking care of him and providing him
with happiness and comfort, he knew that the fearful

God Shani would have

to

knew, he would get back his

happy kingdom;

knowing

full

him soon; he
loving wife and his

leave

well

all

that

would

happen, he could not be happy without his beloved

Chinta. He sent men to watch every river and to
search every boat; he sent emissaries all over the
country with the promise of handsome rewards; he
himself often rode out to see if he could find her out.

At

last

his

men caught

hold

of

a boat and

prevented the merchant to proceed further.

King
Sribatsa was informed and he hastened to the boat.

TALES OF

124

IND.

was the very merchant who forcibly carried

it was the
away
very boat in which
she was kept a prisoner.
The king confiscated all
Yes,

it

the poor queen,

the property of the wicked man and ordered his men

to
search the boat in order to find his beloved

queen.

The man

protection

the

ran to king

Baku and prayed

for

king called for his son-in-law and

in his royal court, he asked for an

when he appeared
explanation.

King Sribatsa then told him all about his sad

he told him how the wicked man carried
history;

away

his

queen and how he had kept her prisoner

in his boat.

King Baku, with all his retinue accompanied by

king Sribatsa, went to the merchant's boat. There
they found the unhappy queen pale and haggard in
the hold of the boat, hand and foot bound in chains.

The queen was soon made

the

palace

merriment

all

free

and was taken to

There were joy and

in

great pomp.
over the city
king
;

Bahu made

to give the king

every

and the queen

possible arrangement
a grand reception, befiitting their high rank.
King Sribatsa passed a few days in the capital
of king Baku and then he proceeded to his own

two loving wives.

Skani, left them and

kingdom accompanied by

The God

of

evil,

his

their

kingdom; there were again prosperity and happiness

SRIBATSA AND CHINTA.

in the vast

125

domain over which the good king

ruled.

Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, again smiled over

land and graced the place where she used

the
to

the

by

God

of misery

his fearful

misery,

destiny of man.

bring a

man

to

quarrelled with
driven out of the land

and was

and vindictive temper*

The moral
wealth

when she

the fatal day,

till

reign,

of jthis tale

is

apparent.

and poverty, with

The preceding
the

power rule over the

shows that vice and sin

equal

tale

lowest depth

Both happiness and

of

misery,

but in this tale

good and virtuous man often suffers the

of
and
wants
of poverty out of the unknowable laws
pangs
misery
of Providence who has made the gods of prosperity and poverty
it is

shown

that even very

equally powerful and strong, with the

both to rule over the destiny of man.

full

and equal authority on

PRAHLADA.

[1]
were

in ancient

time two great tyrants,

named Hiranyakshya and Hiranyakashyapu>

who conquered almost whole of India* They trampled
down all the established institutions and sneered at
the name of religion
Vice and sin were their
favourites

pastimes

debauchery and carnality were their fond

men were the objects of their cruelty and

the gods Were those of their hatred.

The bitterest hatred and the deadliest enmity

they bore for the great Preserver,

Vishnu.

They

would always wage war against him

they would
wreck their severest vengeance upon those who were
;

PRAHLADA.

12J

the temples of Vishnu were blown

were desecrated by the Chanddlas*
all were
Religion and society, Yagma and pujah
of
the
under
the
two
wicked
regime
destroyed
his

off

worshippers

and

his idols

brothers.

But unknowable are the ways of Providence.

Hiranyakshya was killed when he went to fight with
the gods

and the germ

of the poison
in the birth

Hiranyakashyapu grew
This boy was named Prahlada.

He was

as he.
in

creation

were

the incarnation of

his ruling feelings

wicked

of

his

own

kill

son.

None was so good

all that was good

benevolence, affection, love

kindness,

of his great but

which would

he was a thorough contrast

father.

He was
teach him

placed under a tutor with instructions to

hatred towards all that was virtuous and

good. He was to learn all sorts of wickedness

to be taught all the intricate ways of vice and

sin.

should bear the bitterest hatred towards the

God

he was

Preservation and the deadliest enmity towards

worshippers.
different

But

metal.

the

alas,

all

of
his

of a

He

but that which was

refused to learn anything else

he openly
good and virtuous

declared his love for

Vishnu and

He not only refused to be

mend his evil ways and
*

made

boy was

He

his worshippers.

bad, but asked his tutor to

taught his play-mates to be

Chanddlas are the lowest and the most degraded caste.

128

TALES OF IND.

good and kind and

God who was the

good and who so kindly ruled

to love the great

fountain-spring of all
and preserved the great universe.

The

tutor

upbarided him, chastised him, bat

but to no effect. The days of wickedness

him,

were gone and the goodness flourished everywhere.

Vice and Sin fled, giving place to virtue and love.

The

tutor

was alarmed

he

knew

not what to do

the

king would be awfully offended and he was fully

aware that his head would be severed for the obstinacy
of

the

young

Finding

prince.

no other means

of

saving himself from the wrath of the great king, the

poor tutor went to the king, fell upon his knees and

had happened. The king frowned,

the tutor fainted out of fear.
the court trembled

told
all

him

that

all

But the king pardoned him

and ordered a man

to

bring the prince to his royal presence.

[2]
Prahlada came

and does ever goodness

fear the

He

stood calm and majestic, proud

his sublime countenance and lovely
and great
drew
reverence from all those that were
appearance
heart
shook as the
The
king's
great
present.

frowns of

evil

prince majestically
royal throne.

walked up and stood before his

PRAHLADA.

"Prahlada," began the

129

king,

"I

am

told

that

you mind not his lessons.

you disobey
You love Vishnu and worship him who is my greatest
enemy. Perhaps you do not know that I and my
your tutor

Vishnu with

people hate

and

behave properly

their heart.

all

never

utter

Go, boy,

name

the

is

of

"

Vishnu"

Vishnu
"Father," said the young prince,
the source of all good
Hari* is all love. How
;

The king was terribly provoked

none ever dared utter the name of Vishnu before
His own son not only utters but praises his
him.
can

forget

?"

His face
before his very face
his eyes rolled like
a burning furnace
his hairs stood on their end.
"Ungrateful

enemy

greatest

became

him

like

fire-balls,

boy," roared he, "I pardon you for your impudence,

because you are my son, but beware of my anger.
Be careful to mend your ways. If I again hear that

you have uttered the name

of

that

god

for

whom

bear the bitterest hatred, you will not escape,

your life will not be worth a feather."
I

The Prince
king went

retired, the court

to

in

dissolved

no,

and the

complain to his

queen
great anger
outrageous conduct of his wicked son.
She brought the prince before him, kissed him,

against the

carressed him

and then entreated him

Vis /in u -WOT ship.

*

Hari

"My
is

to

give up
darling boy," said the queen,

another

name

of Vishnu.

TALES OF IND.

130

"Do not offend your father. He is

He can do everything, if he loses

very choleric.
his

temper."

"Dear mother," replied the boy, "how can you ask

me to do it ? Should I be wicked and vicious ? Is

Hari

not
all

all

good,

threw

the

of love

god

happiness,

his tiny

? Is

he not the source of

all bliss ?"

hands round

his

The young prince

mother's neck and

"Mother, mother dear, do not mind the wicked

words of my father. He has gone astray
he has

said,

sold his soul to the

love

god

of

Mother, hear me,

evil.

loving Hari, he will give you eternal bliss."

kissed her dear son,

my

The mother again and again

and

"Dear Prahlada, you do not know your

is a fearful man.
Be careful not to utter

said,

father

he

these words before him."

But the Prince had tasted the ambrosia that

makes man imortal

he had tasted the unknowable

heavenly love that is the living source of the

universe
he had tasted that which is heavenly.
bliss of

How

could he control himself

His heart was

full,

he not only drank

but he began to
eternal
of
the
love,
spring
deep
his feelings

were uncontrollable,

distribute heavenly bliss to all that

sang the sweet name of

name

of his

God

with the song

seat of his worship

He

at the

was

filled

Hari ;
;

to him.

Hari and he danced

of love.
of

came

Soon the

city

every house became the

every man and woman threw

PRAHLADA.

himself at the
salvation

and

feet

of

the

great

131

God Vishnu

for

for eternal bliss.

The great king's anger knew no bounds he

ordered the guards to hasten and to bring the prince
before him in irons.
He held a council of his
;

and

ministers

told

them that the boy

must be

he be allowed to grow up, it would be

killed,
impossible to stop him from spreading mischief through
out the kingdom. They agreed and the executioners
for

if

were called

in.

The Prince was brought and placed

royal throne.
king,

"Did

pernicious

on

his

love.

name

of

knees and

Pray

before the

"Foolish and arrogant boy," roared the

not order you to desist from uttering the

for

Vishnu ?" The young prince

said, "Father,

his

Hari

love

eternal

is

the

and you

fell

God

of

will

be

The king rose up in an indomitable

Take
away the boy," roared he, "Kill him this
rage."
The prince was dragged away.
instant."

blessed."

[3]
A
the

GREAT

fire

was made and

the

virtuous

and

good prince was thrown into that all-devouring

Prahlada clasped his tiny hands and

element.

save me."
loving Hari
into the blazing fire, but not a hair of his
scorched.

prayed,

"Oh my

He

stood

head was

TALES OF IND.

132

The executioners took him on

nearest

the

top of the

threw him hand and foot

mountain and

The young prince

Hari and leaped into the yawning
He came down upon the earth, but not a
gulf below.
scratch was made upon his body.
He was then dragged away to a place where
He was
there were many wild and mad elephants.

bound

the

into

deepest abyss,

name

uttered the

of

thrown before these

their

feet.

huge

fearful beasts to
lo

But,

be trodden under

they came fawning

at

him, played and danced round him and at last one

of them raised him up with its trunk and placed him

on

its

back.

The executioners took him away and threw him

of the deadliest type were
the
servilest of the poisonous
tjiey,
him.
did not touch

where snakes

into the cage

but even-

kept,

kingdom,

They despaired
of

afraid

that they

the

king.

had

failed

of

They
in

They sharpened

prince.

his

death,

but they were

did not dare inform him

executing the condemned

their swords

and

tried

to

him, they adopted a thousand and one

means to kill the young prince, but all in vain. The

behead

Prince had been

saved by

smallest thing of the

him

whom

breast

the

God

Him who

preserves the
could destroy
of love takes on His loving

universe.

Who

PRAHLADA.

The king was

tonished
do.

He

at

He was

informed.

last

he was bewildered

ordered the

finally

133

he

knew

prince

as-

not what to

be brought

to

before him.

Prahlada came and stood before

king stared at him,

He

his fiery eyes.

men

could stand before the god of

fear.
tell

in

his

life

he

evil.

demeanour

staggered at his majesty of

time

his father.

The

but the prince shivered not before

stood, as only good and virtuous

The king

for the first

mind the shiverings

come near him and

felt in his

He

asked the prince to

him who had protected him from death.

father," said the prince, "the

God

of

to

"Dear

gods, the
the
fountain
preserved,
Spring of
all Life, the
good and the loving Vishnu^ whom I love
and worship,has protected me." "Is he so powerful,"

Preserver of

of

all

all

asked the king, "that he can protect you from my

fearful wrath ?"
"Oh father," replied Prahlada,

"Why

do you ask

over the universe,

and perceive,

is

me of his power ? He, who rules

who is the Cause of all that we see

Almighty and Omnipotent."

"Where does he live ?"

"He is every where He
;

is

Omniscient

and

Omnipresent."

The king could not control himself any longer

he stood up in wild rage, and striking the pillar that
;

stood by his throne

roared. "Tell

me,

Oh

arrogant

TALES OF

134

IND.

boy, does your Hart exist in this pillar ?" The boy
knelt down, raised up his loving eyes towards the

heaven and

said,

he must be here

"Yes

father, when

He

is

every where,

in this pillar too."

The king immediately took up a heavy

club

and struck the

pillar with all the strength of a giant.

The pillar trembled from top to bottom and then fell
down in a heap. There issued from the pillar a fearful

body being that of a man and his head

It advanced towards the
king and
took him up on his lap, as if he were a child. The
his

monster,

that of a Hon.*

king struggled, he roard, he foamed, he rolled

mortal pain, but all in vain. The monster thrust
fearful

its

claws into the stomach of the wicked tyrant

and rent

it

off

flung

in

He was

into parts.

torn into pieces and

the throne, from which he spread vice and

sin all over the land.

his

he knew that

Prahlada prayed on his knees;

loving God had at last appeared to

of the

wicked

and

vicious.

rid

the world

The God smiled and

disappeared.
*

This appearance of Vishnu is considered to be one of his

Vishnu is said to have ten incarnations, namely Fish,

incarnations.
Turttle,

Boar,

Human, Lion

(the

one

in

this

tale),

Dwarf,

Parasurdm, (who exterminated the vicious Kkastryas 24 times),

Rama,

Sreekrishna,

taken birth.

and

He

will

Budha and Kalki. The last has not as yet

come as a warrior on the back of a fiery steed

clear the world of all the

wicked and vicious.

THE LOST RING.

[1]
ING Dushmanta was one
rulers

of

ancient

of

India.

the

celebrated

His

victorious

standard was honoured in every part of the country

under

his

benign sway the people were very

happy

and prosperous.

Once on a time he went out hunting and

himself in the deep

forest.

He

left

his

retinue

lost

far

behind and came alone and unattended to the holy

seat of Rishi Kama.
It was an
oasis in a desert,

was a most charming garden in that great forest.

Beautiful flowers were spreading their sweet fragrance

it

all

over the place and gliding creepers with their

TALES OF IND.

136

coloured flowers were shedding their lusture on

many

this Nature's

Panorama.

All

The king was charmed

advanced

to enjoy

real or visionary

He saw
flowery

three

plants

to

the

see

Were

sublimity.

place

But what did he

it.

creatures of the earth

was beauty and

see,

of

they angels

and he

was

it

heaven or

beautiful

one

damsels watering the

was

them

of

exquisitely

her beauty was not of this world

the
of
the
and
the
finest
imagination
greatest poet

beautiful

painter could not reach her charms. Her companions

were addressing her by the name of Shakuntala*
She was the adopted daughter of Rishi Kama ;t

she w-as a wild flower

budded and blossomed in

She had not
asceticism.

the solitude of forest and

seen this world of care and struggle

she had not
seen the field where vice and sin fight with virtue
;

name

Perhaps we need not say that the drama

of

the above

supposed to be one
of the best dramas of the world.
The original tale from which the
great poet Kdliddsa wrote his drama is in the Mahdbharata. This
is

the best in the Sanskrit language

drama has been now

it

is

translated into all European Languages.

the daughter of the celebrated

being Manokd, a songstress of
heaven. When she was born, Manokd left her in the forest, for she
could not take a human being into the celestial region. But she

Rishi

It is

said that Shakuntala,

Viswdmitra,

told Rishi

Kama

bring her up.

all

is

her mother

about the history of the

girl

and asked him to

THE LOST

RING.

137

she was all simplicity

and goodness for supremacy
and innocence.
She was young and full of that beauty and
;

grace which was beyond the power of all description.

Her rising breasts, her flashing cheeks, her rosy lips,
her healthy look reflected the blossoming mind and
heart, that were incased in that charming temple of
Beauty. The flowery plants were her children, the
birds

and beasts were her companions

Nature and Nature lived

she lived in

in her.*

The king found her watering the lovely plants

her beauty
he never saw such beauty in all his life
;

loving heart and her charms

He stood behind a
thrilled through his every nerve.
if he saw her till the
tree and continued to see her

was imprinted on

his

end

of his

life,

his

thirst

for

seeing her would

not

have been satiated.

buzzing beef came flying at her and tried to

upon her most charming face. Perhaps the poor
innocent thing took that face for a smiling lily. She

sit

to drive it away, but it flew round and round

and attempted to sit again. She, having been much
troubled and bothered, entreated her friends to come

tried

to her rescue.
*

The

But they were enjoying

readers

should mark

the

at her

similarity

of

Miranda (Tempest).
was Bhramara, which is not *

embarKalidasa's

Shakuntala, with Shakespear's

t

The

exact insect

bee.

TALES OF

IND.

rassment. "Dear Shakuntala" said

help you out of your difficulty

domain is king Dushmanta.

and grant you protection."

The king found

and excuse
to

to

be a very good opportunity

before
the ladies.
He came up
appear

Shakuntala and

me

am

one,"How can we
The ruler of all this
Pray to him to come
?

this to

"Who

said,

asked protection from

The

ladies were joking

never
they
expected to see the real
king.
They were taken aback, they were ashamed,
they knew not what to do and say. But the king
?

here present."

at their friend

and courtesy revived into them

confidence and courage they were soon all talking,
as if they were old friends.
by

his graciousness

[2]
IT

was no wonder

with

love

beautiful

Dushmanta.
human shape,

so bold and proud

Kama

that Shakuntala would

her

She

never

so graceful,
lot

was

saw
so

in

fall

such

majestic,

to see her old father

with his wrinkled face, his cumbrous hair,

his

Her mind
and grave countenance.*
at
that
was
she
period of
just
blossoming

horse voice

was

just
*

Here again the similarity of Shakuntala and Miranda

apparent. Miranda saw only her old father Prospero,

much

very
so did Shakuntala her father

Kama.

is

THE LOST RING.

life

when

all

139

when

the feelings

hankers

after

bossom.

She

grow keen,
enfolding some one

into

its

mind

loving

and knew

with the king,

love

fell in

the

not why.

The king was

already in love.

They were married

it.

could

help

two guch loving hearts

who could prevent them from

eagerly desire to unite,

doing

Who

When

loving Shakuntala ?

in

Gandharva*

the

Their love was the love of Nature and their

way.

marriage was also

were

no

observed
invited.

marriage of Nature. There

no rites, no formalities

the

ceremonies,
;

no

were present and no friends

relatives

met

They

in

sylvan

flowers

grove,

folliage adorned their marriage altar and birds

sang the bridal music Nature herself blessed their

and

nuptial

couch.

Dushmanta

Oh,

how happy were

they

lost himself in the whirlpool of love

King
and

he forgot that he had a

kingdom with heavy responsibilities he forgot that
he had come to hunt and had left his friends and

concomitant

its

bliss

relatives in the
*

camp

outside.

There are various sorts

of

What

fault

was there

marriage systems, chiefly eight,

amongst the Hindus. The marriage in which no formal ceremony

is held and in which two lovers
privately or before only a few of
their selected friends

selves

husband and

exchange garlands of flowers and call themthe Gandharva. Amongst the

wife, is called

modern Hindus such marriages are not recognised.

is rather condemned as immoral.

Such conduct

TALES OF IND.

140

then of poor Shakuntala ? She was the impersonation

of simplicity and innocence
she never tasted the
;

and romance surely she was

but she never knew what pleasures

intoxicating liquor of love

happy

before,

She was unconsciously carried away,

where she did not know. Her father was absent
from home
her companions, instead of putting
really meant.

obstruction

to

her

helped

pleasures,

her

in

the

She drank deep the eternal spring of love.

They passed a few days in their own sweet

matter.

day and night they were both together

two loving doves cooing in the deepest recess

company
like

bushy tree. Then king Dushmanta remembered

that he had to go back to his kingdom.
But how
would he bid adieu to one who never knew what
of a

parting meant. To Shakuntala there was no outside

she never felt that there was an external
world,

world

except her dear lover and her sweet self.

that the pleasures, in which she had been

She thought

deeply drowned, would

But
it

alas,

Dushmanta 's

was not

all

less

life.

care-worn

king Dushmanta had

painful

removed one

the end of her

life

realities in his

beloved Shakuntala,
as

till

was not a poetic romance,

there were realities,
imagination

hard and painful

So

last

as

of his

to

life.

part

with

his

moment
He
power.

he tried to make the

lay

best

in

his

rings form his finger and

THE LOST RING.

141

"My darling," said he

put it on that of Shakuntala.
as soon as I shall reach my capital, I shall send men

"

You

be my chief queen
every
did
be
Shakuntala
posses
yours."
not understand all that he said but this much she

to take

you

thing that

there.

will

will

understood that her lover would leave her for some

time and she must allow him to go, notwithstanding
She never
the great pain that she felt in doing it.

knew

that

that her
of tears

love produces so

days of happiness

much

She

pain.

felf-

were over and the days

had come.

[3]
King Dushrnanta was gone. What a change
had come over her ? Her birds were not taken care
of,

her flowers were neglected; the creepers were not

for, the plants were not watered.
Every thing

cared

had been changed in that lovely bower;

been snatched away.

its

life

had

Shakuntala was brooding over something

was always absent.
Her mind had flown

she

away

to

repaired.

that distant city,

whereto

Elasticity of her character

her

had

lover

was gone

the

her rising youth had disgirlish sprightliness

appeared. She had lost her heart and her mind had
of

followed the path of the

man who made

her so happy.

TALES OF

142

IND.

One day she was sitting at the door of her father's

cottage, when the fearful Rishi Dttrbasha* came
to

her and told

her

he

that

intended

to

be

her guest.
Again and again the Rishi called
his
words did not reach her ears. She was
her, but
so absent in

mind

that she could

Rishi

was

her.

great

"Arrogant

telling

girl," said he,

not hear what the

He

"You dare

took offence.

niglect Durbdsha,

whom you

think and for

He,
and neglect you."
The angry words of the fearful Risht fell like
thunder they reached the ears of her companions.
in the

thought of others

whom you

pine, shall forget

They came and

fell

at

his

feet

they wept, they

prayed,they entreated him to forgive poor Shakuntala.
She too had become fully conscious of her
position
ness.

"Well,"

on her knees and prayed for forgiveill-tempered Risht was at last moved.

she

The

said

fell

"My words

he,

cannot be retracted.

However, show him some token and he will be able

Shakuntala had the ring of the
on
her
there was a token, so there was
finger
Icing
to recognise you."

no cause

for anxeity.

But days passed, and none came from the king

She pined and pined and like a
to take her away.
*

JDurbasha was a great

angry temper.

,
1

Rishi,

notorious for his

hot and

THE LOST

flower faded

torn

RING.

143

Her broken-heart knew

away.

she was so miserable

Her father on returning from pilgrimage was
what had happened in his absence. He was

no consolation
told

not sorry to learn that his beloved Shakuntala had

He thought it
great king.
proper however to send her to her royal husband
without any further delay, for he knew the ways
been married to the

of

kings.

He was

afraid

lest

by long separation

the king might forget the poor girl of the forest.

He

sent her to the king and two of his pupils

despatched to escort her to the city of

were

What silent pleasure did she feel in

the deep depth of her loving heart,when she started to
meet her lover ? but how sorry was she to part with
Hasttnapura*

her beloved companions, with all that was dear and

near to her
What a great struggle it was to her
!

to cut

herself

off

She bade farewell

most

beloved

from
to all

father

her early associations.

and left the holy seat of her
all

in

tears.

Her

kissed her and

birds

and

what had happened.

Yes, she was gone.
the

Life
*

capital

companions

wept upon her breasts her favourite

beasts looked wildly at her, not knowing

of the forest

The

beauty,

was gone.

the

The

Majesty,
wild forest-

King Dushmanta belonged to the Solar Dynasty, whose

was Hastinapura. See the Battle of Kurukshetra.

TALES OF IND.

144

flower had been despatched to the city in order to be

transplanted in the royal garden. The simplicity and
the innocence of Nature had been sent to be mixed

up with the vice and

came

all

They

sin of the world.

and Shakuntala, went

to a river

Fortune was against her as ill-luck would

the ring, that had been presented to her by

to bathe.

have

it,

her loving husband, slipped

lost

in

the

water.

palpitating heart

she

How

her finger and was

eagerly and with what
off

searched for

her efforts were in vain

but alas,

it,

She did not

tell

the

all

young

Rishis what had happened

she fondly hoped that
he, who loved her with all his heart, could by no
;

means

forget her.

They came to the city of Hastinapura. The

young Rishis took her to the royal court and
presented her to the great king. Poor Shakuntala
never saw such royal grandeur she never appeared
;

before so
like

many noblemen and warriors

an Aspen

"Oh

she trembled

leaf.

great king,"

said

the

young

Rishis,

"We

have brought with us Shakuntala, whom you were so

kind to marry when you graced our holy seat.

She

is

the adopted daughter of our preceptor, the

Do kindly receive your
Rishi Kama.

celebrated

wife and permit us to go back to our forest-home."

The king was astonished, the courtiers looked at

THE LOST RING.

145

one another, the assembled people eagerly

see

the

tried

to

The king

Rishi.

the

of

great
daughter
not what to say
he frowned, he felt himself
but by no means he could utter angry
offended,

knew

words to those who wore the holy garb of asceticism.

"Reverend sir," replied he "I am really astonished
to hear

what you have been pleased

remember

that

to say.

ever married any body

do not

lately.

am

whom you have been pleased

was never addressed by me. This

sorry to say that the lady,

to
is

call

the

thing

my

first
is

wife,

time

see her in

wrong with her

my

Perhaps some-

life.

brains."

The young Rishis

themselves very much insulted they prevented

the king from proceeding further and said, "King,
know that we never speak false-hood. You are no

felt

better than a knave to entice a poor girl

of her inocence

and

to take

and

advantage
simplicity."
Poor Shakuntala, with superhuman effort kept her
feelings down. "Brothers" said she to the young Rishts,
"Let us leave this place and go back. You need not
reprove the king.

my destiny." "We
said
one in anger, "For
insult,"

know

have suffered enough

it is all

your foolishness and stupidty." "Come" said the other,

"to remain any longer in this place is sin." They left
the royal court and went back to their forest home.*
*

We

need not say that the strange conduct of the king was

the result of Rishi Durbasha's curse.

10

TALES OF IND.

146

Shakunfald went back broken-hearted.

All her

the days of her happiness were

hopes disappeared,
over.

She gave
her

life

of misery

None was

Damanaka

The boy was her only

would run

joy in

and despair.
so

spirited

inch

every
When he was

birth.

and he was

a lovely boy,

to

birth

named Damanaka.

after

and

bold

bring them to play with.

He was the joy of all the Rishis
the

and

young
his royal

of

only six years

cubs of tigers

the

as

him indicated

of

age he

lions

and

he was the

The Rishis gave him

the
beauty
he
education befitting a great prince
grew up to
be a great scholar, a great statesman and a great
of

all

forest.

warrior.

But many years rolled away and king Dushmanta

never enquired of poor Shakuntala.
She pined
in
in
the
of
solitude
wilderness,
away
brooding over
her

own misery and

At

ring

last the ring

when

it

Shakuntala,

who found

it

disappointment.
was found. A fish devoured the

from the finger of the unhappy

But it was soon caught by a fisherman
fell

stomach.

in its

It

was a very valuable

was a

ring which could adorn

only the fingers of royal potentates. Thus when the

piece of jewellery

poor

fisherman

it

went

to

a jeweller to

sell

it,

he

THE LOST

was handed over

to officials

He was

RING.

147

and was arrested as a

before the

royal court
brought
he was placed before the great king to receive
sentence
he was asked to explain how he had got
thief.

the ring.

The king saw

No

the ring.

sooner he had cast

glance on that fatal ring, than he grew pale and

stunned. The sad tale of Shakuntala flashed into

his

mind he remembered everything, he remembered poor Shakuntala with all her great love, he
his

remembered

that he had married her, he

remembered

had driven her away from his royal presence.

Hundreds of poisonous darts went piercing into his

that he

heart
fold

his great love for her returned with

vehemence

hundred-

remorse stang him to the very

quick.

He

ordered the fisherman to be at once released,

he dissolved his

royal

court,

he

ordered

immediate preparation should be made

to the holy seat of Rtshi Kama.

He encamped
alone
the

in

just

much change.

of

the

him

that
to

go

outside the forest and

went

He came

near

search of his missing

holy-seat

for

love.

great Rishi ;

there had been

The

flowery plants had grown wild

for the want of loving care of Shakuntala ; the

beauty and grace, that he saw when he met her

this lovely

bower, were

all

gone.

in

TALES OF IND.

148

But he saw something strange.

He

found a

boy playing near the Rishi's cottage and dragging

mercilessly a young tiger from one corner to the other.

He

never saw such a lovely and spirited boy

him upon

heart longed to take

him.

He advanced and came

his

lap and caress

his

The boy

him.

to

stranger near gave up the tiger and

rinding
looked at him. "My lovely boy," said the king,

"What
you

is

call

your
the

replied

name.

your name

He

boy,

is

the happy

"My name

father ?"
"

is

Who

do

a wicked

not

is

man whom

Damanaka"

know my

man and

father's

does not love

my

mother."

The

king's

quicker and
is

heart

palpitated

his voice faltered

your mother,

my

child ?"

his

blood ran

when he asked, "Who

"There

is

my

mother

boy and ran towards the door of

issued a lady.
which
the cottage from
Shakuntala saw the king and stood like a statue.

coming," said the

She could not advance a step, she could not utter a

word. He came near her and asked forgiveness
He went on to explain the
for his past conduct.
reason of his strange conduct,

but poor Shakuntala

fainted.

We

need not add that king Dushmanta took his

wife with him to his capital. There were joy and

THE LOST

merriment

all

RING.

over the kingdom.

149

She was given a

reception befitting the queen of Hastinapura.

Her son was named Bharata, and was recognized and honoured as
royal house
*

the

It is

name

the

crown-prince* of the

and Shakuntala, was very very happy.

said that

from the name of

of Bharatabarsha.

this

prince

India

derived

THE BOY DEVOTEE.

[1]
ING Uttyanapada had two

wives,

namely

The former was the

Suruchi and Suniti.

king and the latter

was consequently very much neglected by him.
Suruchi had a son, named Uttyama and Suniti

most

favourite

son

called

the

caressing

Dhruva was
*

boy

in

wife

of

the

Dhruva*
son

of

his

standing by.

One day
favourite

He was

themselves

devotion and love of

but

in this

by incessant meditation

was

boy-

about

five

years

named Praklada, readers have found a

God intuitively manifested
tale they would find a boy who gets them

In a previous tale

whom

the king

and fervent prayers.

THE BOY DEVOTEE.

He grew

of age.

and

lap

anxious

151

get on his father's

as he was doing his

to

by him
But his step-mother was present

to be caressed

brother Uttyama.

the king, though willing, dared not caress the son

He asked him not to come to him,
of his other wife.

but to go to his mother. "Boy," said the favourite

queen, "Do not aspire to sit on the royal throne or

you are not born

and
behave
your position
accordingly.
Your mother is no better than a beggarly woman and
to go to your royal father, because

Know

of me.

you are a beggar's brat." Dhruva, was mere a

he went straight
boy, but he felt the insult keenly
;

to his mother,

fell

darling dear," said

Who

you weep.

on her breast and wept.

Suniti,

"Tell

has become so

me who

has

"My
made

hard-hearted as to

bring tears into your eyes ?" Dhruva in broken

voice and half-suppressed sobs told his mother what
had happened and what her step-mother had said.

"My

poor boy," replied his mother, "Pray to God and

will give you a position higher than that of

and he

the kings of the world."

all

"I

must get at

me how
"What can I

Tell

can make
*

Vishnu.

Hari

"Mother," said the boy,

this high position

by

my own

exertion.

it."
"Well my boy," said Suniti,
advice you ? Pray to ffart*and He
you the Lord of the Creation."
is

to get

one of the names of God

generally

it

means

TALES OF IND.

152

The boy left her mother and went out. He

became pensive and roamed about the town. He met
Narada on the way and asked him where he could
go and get Hari. The great Rishi was astonished
to

find

Soul

the

most

in the lips of

him and

learnt

important

a boy, five years old.

all

about

question

that had

He

the

questioned

in the palace,

happened
and the great determination that the boy had formed
in his

mind.

want

to

"My

dear boy," said the Rishz, "If you

go into the deepest forest and

see Hari,

there in fervent prayers ask him to come to you. He

is sure to come, for Hari cannot remain aloof from

His devotees and lovers/'

DJiruva came back home and told

his

mother

he had resolved to leave the palace and enter

into the forest, so that he might in solitude pray to

that

Hari to come

to him. Suniti, finding the boy resolute,

him.
One day at the dead of night they
accompanied
There
left the city and went into a very deep forest.
the royal queen made a hut out of leaves and Dhruva

went out

to pray.

[8]
was a

deep forest, abounding in trees,

Branches had coplants, creepers and bushes.
been
had
rn ingled
with
branches
creepers
IT

entwining creepers

hardly

the

rays

of

the

sun

THE BOY DEVOTEE.

153

could penetrate into that Nature's Botanical PanoBeautiful birds were singing the music of

rama.

heaven and wild beasts were roaring like thunders

Not a human soul was to be seen any
of the sky.
where,

not a trace of any habitation, where

man

could get protection or shelter.

In this fearful forest,

amongst wild beasts and

poisonous reptiles, boy Dhruva stood kneeling

underneath a tree. His hands were clasped, his eyes
were shut, his mind was bent on fervent prayers,
prayers to great Hart to
him with his loving grace.

come

him and

to

to bless

Days passed and he prayed and prayed, clasping

his tiny hands and raising up his tearful eyes towards
the blue expanse over his head.
Day and night,
continually for days together he prayed and prayed,

but

alas,

none came

prayers. Lions
their tales

to respond to his heart-felt

walked round and round him, wagging

and licking

their tongues

tigers crouched

at him, but dared not come near him,

fearful reptiles rolled
deadly snakes slided past
round him, but there the boy stood, unmoved and

and stared

unconscious of
cried the boy,

come and

let

all

that

lay

around him.

"Oh my

me

lotus-eyed
see you."

How long could the great

the call of such a loving boy ?

God

of

How

"Hart"

beautiful

Hari,

Love withstand
long

He

could

TALES OF

154

remain

IND.

Heaven without coming

in

to such a devotee ?

He came and manifested himself before Dhruva*

He blessed him and asked him why he was>
praying to him and what he wanted. "Oh my Hari"
replied the boy, "Make me something which is far
higher than the kings and sovereigns of this world."
"Well, my darling boy," said the Heavenly Voice.

you want ? Your prayer is granted."

Rishi Narada came to king Uttyanapada and

"Is that 'all

Dhruva had done. He told

God
had
king
appeared to him for his
He had blessed
devotion
and
love
exemplary
him with his celestial grace
He had made him a
far
more
than
being
any man living." "Oh
higher
told

him

all

the

that his son

that

king," said the Rishi, "Your house has been honoured

and glorified by the birth of Dhruva. Go, hasten to

the forest

The world

and honour him.

is

blessed

by

the birth of such a devotee."

The king and

came

the

to

forest

the queen with all the court

where Suniti was living in her

They embraced

the boy, they repeatedly

his pardon for their previous ill-treatment to

poor hut.

begged
him
they kissed him and
;

fell

at his feet

and

cried,

the same as

"Do thou bless us, thy blessings are

those of loving Hari, for thou. art his most beloved*"
*

It is

mentioned that God appeared before Dhruva

Vishnu form.

in

his

THE BOY DEVOTEE.

155

They all came to the capital. The king placed

Dhruva on the throne and retired into a jungle
with his two dear wives. Dhruva ruled for many
years and made his kingdom a land of happiness and
bliss.

SABITRI AND SATYAVAN.

[1]
SWAPATI

ft

Vpj,

was the king

ruler beloved

of

Abani

of all his people.

He was

None was

so

good, just and generous as he.

He had a mpst beautiful and charming daughter,
named Sabitri. Poets say that she was as beautiful

Lakshmi and as accomplished as Saraswati.* Her

heart and mind were as grand as her external appearance.
She was the gem that adorned the royal court
as

of

Abani.
*

Lakshmi

impersonation

and supposed

is

of

the

Goddess

Beauty.

to be the

of

Wealth and supposed to be the

is the Goddess of Fine Arts

Saraswati

embodiment

of all

accomplishments.

SABITRI

AND SATYAVAN,

157

She often went out with her maid, and travelled

over

parts of her father's kingdom.

many

came

Once, she

and there she met

to the holy-seat of Rishts

with a young man, named Satyavan.

She was
much impressed with his beauty, grace and amiability.
She talked with him and she soon fell in love with
him.

who

She despatched one of her maids to enquire

youngman was she returned home leaving
heart behind which was too beautiful to be

the

her

lost.

The maid came and told her that the name of

the youngman was Satyavan
he was the son of
of
Dumetsena
who
had
been driven out
Abanti,
king
of his kingdom and who had been living in this
;

holy-seat

as

some years
learn

an anchorite with his wife

past.

that

Sabitri was very

her lover

his present poverty

it

was

and son

much pleased

of royal parentage

to

as for

did not matter much, for she

was the heir-apparent of her father's kingdom.

She went to her mother and told her that she
had made a choice
living in the

of a

hermitage.*

husband

it

The queen

was Satyavan
told her

royal

husband what she had heard from her

The
*

daughter.
to
with
his
ministers
and
wanted
consult
king
Readers must have marked that in ancient India there was

no seclusion

of

women.

They were not married

a free hand in making choice of their husbands.

early

and they had

TALES OF IND.

158

especially with the Rishi

was not

willing to give

Narada
his

away

;* for personally he

charming daughter

to an anchorite boy.

Fortunately one day Narada appeared in his

court and the king was spared the trouble of
hunting

him

the

for

out,

great Rishi used to be always on

the move.

King Aswapati told him all that

and
the resolve that his daughter
happened
made to marry the boy of the forest. "Oh king/'
Narada, "Give up the idea of this marriage.

had

had
said

You

cannot marry your daughter to Satyavan"

The
anxious
and
asked
the
reason.
king
grew
said

"Satyavan"
he

you,

Surely he

India.

beautiful

the

Rishi,

"is

as

well-born

is

the

and

accomplished

a sad

fatality,

fittest

match

daughter,

for

your

but

alas,

hangs over his head.

die just a year after from this date."

fatality,

will

Who
to a

man

as

as well-educated as any other prince in

is

He

could possibly marry his beloved daughter

who is destined to die within a year ? Both

king and the queen tried their utmost to induce

Sdbitri to give up the idea of this marriage, but she
was resolute. Love rose above all other considerations.
the

She determined
well that she
*

In fact

to marry Satyavan, knowing full

was running a great risk by doing it.

Narada was a match-making

he was also a quarrel'breeding Rishi.

Rishi.

It is

said that

SABITRI

AND SATYAVAN.

159

Her parents had to yield. Her marriage was

solemnized and she left the capital and went to live
with her husband in his forest-abode.

The

royal

Princess went away to become a holy Sanyasini*

[2]
THERE
happy

in that

miserable hut she lived the most

She nursed her old and broken down

life.

father and mother-in-law

she cooked their meals, she

the works of that happy household. Thus a

year past and at last the fatal day came. Satyavan
knew nothing of it, but Sabitrt never forgot the
did

all

fell
from the great Rishi. She
the day to a minute and resolved to be by
her dear husband's side at the fatal moment,

dreadful words that

calculated

Satyavan was hastening out into the forest to

fire-woods and fruits Sabitri glided past her

collect

and came to

father-in-law

entreated she,
forest."

whim

me

"Allow

his

to

asked him

go,

said,

am

accompany you

Lord,"
to the

"Well," replied Satyavan smiling

Could you walk into a forest full of thorns
!

shall

be back

in

she would have no refusal.

"My

"What a

and weeds

and

side.

to

allow her to

"Come then you

;

no time."

will

never again wish to

sure."
*

It

But, no,

She most entreatingly

go.
Satyavan smiled

means a female anchorite.

160

TALES OF IND.

hands, and merrily

they went and disappeared into the wilderness of the
great forest. They gathered various sorts of fruits

They clasped each

other's

and S&bttrfs basket grew more than

They then

full.

plucked various sorts of wild flowers and the wife

decorated the husband and the husband the wife.
;

Oh how happy were

they

how and

rolled

sun

the

Time flew they knew not

down the western horizon,

sweet darling," said Satyavan, "it has already

become evening, let us hasten home. But look,

"My
I

have forgotten to collect the fire-woods altogether."

He at once got upon a tree and began to gather

dried twigs.
dear,

But he soon

suddenly

cried,

not know what

Oh,
down," replied Sabitrt with
is

it

will

his

make you all right."

He came down and
head on her

restless

"Sdbitri,

wife

my

have got severe head-ache.

lap,

am

dying

difficulty,

"A

do

"Come

!"

little

rest

on the grass resting

but he soon became very
lay

he rose up and kissed his beloved wife and

dead. In the deep forest, amongst all sorts of wild

beasts, Sabitri sat with the corpse of her husband
fell

Night slowly and

silently

with her sable cloth

The messengers

to envelope the world

began
was darkness.

all

of

Yama* came

to take

away the

soul of the dead Satayvan, but they found the

*

Yama

is

the

Hindu

Pluto.

body

AND SATYAVAN.

SABITRI

in

enveloped

celestial

fire.

l6l

was

lady

sitting

on

whose laps the head of the dead man rested. The

lire was issuing forth from the wonderful being,

and none could dare approach her.* The messengers

of Death fled in dismay and reported to their king all
that they

had seen

in the forest.

Yama himself went to see what the matter was.

He saw Sdbitri sitting with the head of her dead
husband on her
it

to

difficult

The

lap.

go

near

king of Death found

terrible

He

her.

stood aloof and

"Good and great Sabitrz" said

"Your husband is dead. None lives for ever in

addressed her.

world.

him

Give up your husband, so that

to the other world.

What

is

instantly took the

might take

the good of remain-

ing with one who is no more ?"

rose and left the corpse.

Yama

he,
this

Sdbitri silently

soul out of the

the dead Satyavan and hastened away. But

body

of

when he

had gone some distance, he heard foot-steps behind

he looked back and found Sabitri following him.f
;

"My good

girl," said

going with

Oh God,"
*

wife

is

f
\

me

the Black King,f

No

said Sabitri,

Evidently
a goddess

all

this

whom

"A

man goes

wife

means that a

is

are

there."

bound

you
"But

to follow her

chaste, faithful

and loving

even Pluto dares not touch.

The latter portion

Yama is supposed
I I

living

"Where

of this tale appears to be allegorical.

to be very dark.

TALES OF IND.

62

-V^^- -^XV*^-"

~^^,

~*^J~*~*J

.^N^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^X^

husband wherever he goes."

"This

is

quite a different case.

and you are

my good

girl,

thing you

said

Yama,

Your husband

is

dead

living
you cannot follow him. No,
back
home. I shall grant you any
go
;

but allow

ask,

your husband."

"But,"

me

go with the Life

to

"Oh kind God,"

replied she, "If

of

you

are so pleased,
grant a son to my father, who had
no sons." "Yes, it is granted," cried Yama and

hastened away.
But he soon found that Sabitri was following

him as before. "Again are you coming ?" said he,

"Ask from me any thing you like, except the life of
Satyavan, and allow

me

to

go away."

"If

you are

so pleaseed" said she, "Grant sight to my father-in"Granted" cried Yama and

law who is blind."

walked

hastily away.

But
darkness

still

The king of
and
bewildered
confused.
really
said he, "You cannot follow your

Sabitri was at his back.

became

"My good girl,"

husband any further.

entreat you to

Ask from me any thing you

go.

allow
like

me

to

except the

your husband." "If you so please," replied

"Grant
she,
my father-in-law his lost kingdom." "Go
is
home, it
granted," said Yama and he began to run
life

of

to get rid of the tenacious girl that

like a

up

to

shadow.

But Sabitri ran too

was following him

she soon came
;

him and followed him as a shadow follows a man.

AND SATYAVAN.

SABITRI

The king was

really bewildered.

163

am ready

"I

"Whatever you ask, but allow

me to go to my own city. Ask anything you like
except your husband's life." "If you so please," replied
you," said he

to give

me one hundred

sons from Satyavan"

"Granted," bawled out the king and ran. But Sabitri
was still at his back. Yama at last halted, turned

"Grant

she,

back and addressed Sabitri

are

do what

trying to

husband

is

is

dead and there

thus,

"My

dear
I

is

girl,

you

your
impossible.
not the least chance of
say,

your getting him back or following him where he is

"Oh great God," replied she, "I have no
going."

mind

go with you

to

prayer that

Satyavan.
false

but

I
I

shall

one

get

know your words would never be

do not understand how I shall get sons

from Satyavan

whom you

are taking

The king of darkness

was much pleased with the
of Sabitri.

have granted my
hundred sons from

but you

away with you."

stared in dismay

"Most excellent

but he

intelligence and fidelity

girl," said he, "You are

a goddess. Your love and faith towards your

husband is more than exemplary. As a reward to your
really

great character,

never done before.

shall for

Go
*

back,

once do an act which was

your husband is saved."
*
*

Sabitri hastened back to the forest

the

head of her husband and placed

it

she took up

on her

lap.

TALES OF IND.

164

Satyavan soon opened

all
fell

around.
asleep

were

tired

his eyes

"Sabitri" said
?

Is

and

he,

and saw darkness

"How

is

it

that

"Yes," replied she, "You

night ?"
did not think it proper to disturb

it

you."

They soon

started for home,

where

their parents

were very much anxious for them. What was their

joy when they saw their son \vith his wife safe at

home

We

need not mention that

all

was granted
King Aswapati

that

by king Yama was duly received.

got a son, the old king of Abanti got back his sight
and his lost kingdom, and Sabitri her one hundred
sons.

DEBJANI.
[

HE

great Rtshi

Danavas.

Sukra was the Preceptor of the

a most charming daughter,

He had

named Debjani. She was

the fairies

as learned

as

as fair as the fairest

of

her great father and as

accomplished as the beautiful Goddess of Learning.

She lived in the forest-home of her father as a lily,

blossomed

in

the

wilderness

of

Nature

she cast a

halo of joy wherever she went.

She loved Kacha, one

he did not love her in the

of her father's pupils

way

she did.

He had

but
the

highest admiration,the greatest respect and a brother's

affection

for

her,

but nothing more.

Now Kacha

66

TALES OF IND.

was the son

of Brihaspati, the great Preceptor of

the gods.
He was sent in disguise to learn from
the Preceptor of the Danavas what he had to teach

and what he taught the demons. He went and

became a pupil of great Sukra and learnt from him
all

the

that he

Thus years passed on, till

boy was no other

had to teach.

Danavas came

to learn that the

than the son of Brihaspati.

to murder him.

They

at

once resolved

When
tutor's

one day Kacha went to the pasture with his

cows, the Danavas set upon him and killed

Night drew on, and Kacha did not return

home. One by one all the cows came back to the

him.

Asrama*

was no Kacha with them.

much
anxious for him, more
Debjani grew very
but

there

than ten thousand times, she eagerly went out of her

father's cottage to see if Kacha \vas returning but
;

night

Kacha

became mid-night, still

on,
not return home. She went to her father

rolled

did

soon

it

and burst into tears. "My dear girl," asked the

Rtshz, "Has any body offended you ?
Why are
?"
him
what
had
She
told
happened.
you weeping
"Well," said Sukra, "You need not be anxious for
If he is dead, still I can give him life again."
him.
He immersed himself for a while in Yoga and then

An Asrama means

the holy seat of a Rishi.

167

DEBJANI.

called out thrice the

boy appeared

name

Kacha instantly
the Asrama.

of

at the gate of

the

The Danavas were disappointed they dared

not openly kill Kacha, for they knew he was the
most favourite pupil of the great Rishi. They knew
;

Debjdni madly loved the boy, and the old

Rishi' s love for his daughter, knew no bounds.
They
resolved to murder the boy secretely and to do
that

also

something which would

giving him life again.

When Kacha

gather flowers for Debj&ni, he

by the Danavas and killed.

and cooked

it

the

prevent

went out

was again

set

They dressed

they invited the

Rishi from
to

upon

his flesh

Preceptor to the

and gave him drink. The Rishi, being drunk

and not knowing what he w as eating, made the best
feast

possible dinner on the

flesh

of

his

most favourite

pupil.

Kacha did not return home Debjdni went to

when he returned from the demon-feast
and told him that Kacha had not come back.
"Father," said she sobbing, "The wicked Danavas
;

her father

must have again

back,

killed him.

shall kill myself,

If

you do not bring him

for without

Kacha

cannot

live."

The
his

great Rishi was horrified

F0-tf-insight* that he
*

Read a

brief

to

learn

through

himself had eaten up his

account of Yoga

in the

Appendix.

TALES OF IND.

l68

However, he gave life to Kacha in

stomach and taught him the great Mantrap of
"Kacha" said the Rishi, "I have
reviving life.
favourite boy.*

his

taught you the great secret I shall now render open

my stomach. Come out and give me life by the
So it was done. Kacha came
help of the Mantra"
;

out

of

his

tutor's

Kacha thought
to

to

him by

for

him to

life

Mantra.

uttering the

return

stomach and gave

that

He

heaven.

it

was high time

got

permission

from

his

Preceptor to go and went to Debjani to bid her

She would not allow him to go. She

farewell.

offered

her

hand

she gave vent to all

she expressed the great love

to

him,

her pent up feelings,

"Debjani" said Kacha, "You

my Preceptor and therefore you

that she bore for him.

are the daughter of

a sister to

are

me.

cannot marry you. You are

must excuse me."

a sensible and learned girl,j you

*

It

is

said that

after

this

sad occurrence Sukra issued an

and calling it a great sin. Since then

drinking has become a religious sin and a moral vice in India.
t Mantras are some peculiar letters and words uttered, in a

edict prohibiting drinking

peculiar way. It is said there are various sorts of Mantras to

produce various wonderful and miraculous results.
Readers must have marked that the women of ancient India
|

used to get education of a very high order.

Khana, and Lilabati

were great mathemeticians and astronomers. When Sankaracharya,

the greatest of the Hindu
Reformers went to the
great

169

DEBJANI.

Debjant took offence. When a woman's pride and

ten
vanity are wounded, she becomes furious as
in
him
left
and
her
lover
furies she cursed
great
;

rage.

[2

Danava king
who ruled over the demon-sovereignty when great
Sukra was stopping in their kingdom. The king
had a most beautiful daughter, named Sharmistha ;*
Brishaparba was the name

She was

beautiful,

but proud

of the

accomplished, but

way-ward but she was very dutiful and religious.

outwardly
Debj&ni and Sharmistha, were friends
the
they expressed
greatest friendship for each
;

Manduk

Philosopher

found

it

Missra to defeat

easy to defeat him,

him

but not his wife.

Philosophy, he

in

She was so learned

that Shankardchd-rya took six month's time to prepare himself to

debate with her.

We

we should mention here

think

readers will find

some

which they have found

that

this

in

difference in the demon-character

in the first tale in this

Book.

tale

the

from that

Originally the

bad Elements were allegorically called the Ddnavas,or the demons

but

is

it

evident

that

the later

writers

forgot

its

original

use

and began to use

people,

from

whom

it with
regard to aboriginal tribes, i. e. non-aryan
they christened as Ddnavas. It would be apparent

this tale that

king Brishaparba and Princess Sharmistha, are

not allegorical characters,

aryan

tribe.

but

a king and a princess of the non

TALES OF IND.

other

was

but

never agreed. Debjani

Sharmistha for her wealth and

inwardly they

jealous

of

The Princess was

jealous of the ascetic's

her
daughter
great learning and high social
honour.
However, they were too sensible to quarrel
position.

for

and passed the time in amity and friendship.

Once they all went to bathe in a beautiful

lake.

Sharmistha went with her innumerable maids and she

invited her Preceptor's

They

daughter to accompany her.

went and amused themselves in the crystal

all

water of the beautiful Sarobara*

disturbed in their
to the

But they were

merry pastime
they hastened
bank where they left their clothes and hurriedly
;t

dressed themselves.

In the confusion

that

followed,

Princess put on the cloth of Debjani, for which

she took terrible offence.
Sharmistha was a Sudra

the

and Debjani was a Brahmin ;J a lady of her caste

could reasonably take offence for the act done by

Danava

the

princess.

"Oh proud and arrogant

girl,"

Sarobara means a beautiful lake.

It is

said that the cause of

clothes

their

was the approach

the

ladies'

of Shiva,

hastening towards

who was passing by

the

lake.
J

into

We

believe readers are aware that the

four principal castes,

and Sudra.

The

last

is

Hindus are divided

namely, Brahmin, Kshatriya, Baishya

the

servant caste and was

We

originally

need not say that they

were the most hated, specially by the Brahmins.

recruited from

the non-aryan tribes.

DEBJANI.

cried Debjdni,

"How

dare you wear

cloth

my

The

Do

you not know whose daughter I am."

retorted and there was a great quarrel between the

Princess

Princess with the help of her maids

threw Debjani into an well and there they left her to
die a most painful death.

At

two.

last the

But Debjdni was not to die then. The great

king Yayati* came to hunt and went to the well for
water, in which poor

her and

Debjani was

lying.

He saw

her up from her

painful situation. She caught hold of his out-streached
hand and came out of the well. "My Lord," said

immediately tried to

lift

"You

have accepted my hands, you have

become my husband. I cannot take any
other husband."
The king was much pleased with
her exquisite beauty and great learning
he agreed
to marry her, and married her then and there in
she,

therefore

Gandharva way. "My sweet darling," said the

king "As soon as I shall return to my capital, I shall

the

send men to fetch you."

Debjani returned home and told her father all

had happened and all that wicked and proud
Sharmistha had done. She wept and would not be

that

consoled.

much

When

her fond father pressed her very

what she wanted, she sobbed and said,

"Father, nothing but Sharmistha's becoming my
to say

He was

a king of the Lunar Dynasty.

TALES OF IND.

72

me

maid-servant, would satisfy

she had done me."

The Preceptor

He

king.

told

him

Ddnavas

the

of
in

the

for

gross

called

great anger what

insult

for the

his

daughter
threatened to curse the king with all
his people and then to leave the kingdom for good.
Brishaparba apologised for the misconduct of his

He

had done.

daughter

pardon

any

he

him.

fell

punishment

"I shall

his

knees and entreated him to

except

his

"King," said the

kingdom.
daughter

on

He humbly prayed

shall

it,"

him and

leaving

his

me your
my Debjams maid."

Rishi,

make her

make her do

to be inflicted with

"Give

and hastened

said the king

to the palace to bring her to the Rishi's cottage.

When

the king told his

Rishi wanted of

you and

her,

for the sake of

daughter what the great

she gently said, "Father, for

my

race,

shall

the maid-servant of Debjani.

I know
her
old
her
do it.
let
satisfy
grudge,
to suffer every indignity for the

She went

to

the

good

glady become
she wants to
I

of

am

prepared

my

parents."

Rishi's cottage and thenceforth

remained as the obedient and humble servant

of the

daughter of great Sukra.

A few days after, king Yayati sent his men to
the Rishi s Asrama to take away his bride. Debjani
left

her

forest-home

for

the

royal

palace

Hastincipura,) and Sharmisthd accompanied

her.

at

DEBJANI.

173

[3]
,BOTH king

when they

met,

and princess Sharmistha

Yayati

fell in

love with each other

king was

afraid of his wife

an

hand.

but the

Debjani
However, they secretely met and
time most happily for years, till three

iron

passed their
sons were born to Sharmistha.
to

ruled him with

two princes and they

all

Debjani gave

birth

lived happily for

many

years.

One day Debjam went to see her maid

she saw the
Sharmisthci in her own quarters
of
her
who
was
named
Puru
sons,
youngest
playing
with some boys. Debjdni never knew that Sharmistha
had a son, how could she get a son when she had
;

no husband
of

the boy

But she was struck with the appearance

she went to him and asked him the

name of his father. "My father !" said the child,

"You know him not He is king Yayati" Debjdni 's
!

countenance flashed
indignant feelings
the

happy woman

mother

said, "My
whom you call

cried the child,

"Why,"

We

!"

no bounds

weeping

suppressed her
sweet child, who is

but she

fire,

and

"Queen Sharmistha

need not

she at once

your mother ?"

is

my

say,

Debjani's anger knew

left

the

to her great father.

palace and

went

Soon the news reached

TALES OF IND.

174

the

king

he hastened

in pursuit of her, so that

might appease her great anger.

the great

afraid of

Sukra and

He was

his curses

he

terribly

was

he

perfectly aware that as soon as the great Rishi would

hear the complaints of his daughter he would be sure

shower upon him the bitterest curses.

As he apprehended, when the great Rishi
heard from his weeping daughter that the king had

to

behaved most
his eyes rolled

and had neglected her

hairs stood upon their end

faithlessly

and

out of anger.

his

"You have become

faithless

to

my

daughter," said the Rishi "on account of the cravings

which you perhaps take pride. Let

age overtake you and teach you
dotage
there is nothing to be proud of."*
What could be severer punishment than this ?
of your youth of

of the old

Is

not more than death to one

who

is

in

his

prime
suddenly find himself in old age ? The
he
king fell en his knees and prayed for mercy
he expressed
most humbly craved for pardon
of

it

life

to

and repented for what he had

done. Debj&ni was moved to see the humiliation
she felt the greatest possible
of her husband
saw
his beautiful figure and graceful
when
she
pain
his great

regret

Even now the Hindus are

Brahmins.

Perhaps

faculties could defacto

in

terribly afraid

times gone by the Rishis

perform what they said.

of the curses of

by their Yoga

175

DEBJANt.

old

into the decrepit

youth turn
loved him,

Really she

age.

her rashness
for
she repented
entreated her father to save her dear husband.

dear daughter,"

However,

if

said the Rishi,

any

"It

now

is

and

"My

too late.

of his children wilfully take

upon

has overtaken him, he can

and
his
youth
enjoy it as long as he wishes.''
get back
The king returned to his capital, and called his
old age that

himself the

sons

five

to

any

him,

two

of

Debjdni and three

He asked them one

Sharmistha.

after

another,

of
if

them was

willing to take upon himself the old

had suddenly overtaken him. Each and every
them refused to suffer for their father, except

of

age that

one

of

Puru, the youngest son of Sharsmistha. "Father,"

said he, "I am bound to obey you. I have got my life
from you and what is more glorious than to give that
life for

your benefit. Give

me

your old age and

shall

be very happy to see you again as you were before."

So

man

youth

It

it

in his
in

Puru became

was done.

a decrepit old

worst dotage and the king enjoyed his

luxury and pleasure.

But soon Yajati repented for his love of pleasure.

pained him to see his dear son suffer the worst

possible pains for

Puru

his

cupidity.

He

took back the

he placed him on the throne as

his successor and then he finally retired into the

old age from

forest with his

two wives

to meditate

and

to pray.

BILWAMANGALA.
1

was

in ancient time a very rich

youngwhose
name was Bilwamangala. He
man,
was brought up in luxury and afluence, in flattery
and indulgence.
He was surrounded by low

fHERE

and

companions

women

bad

his

life

was

continual stream of debauchery and carnality.

At

last

he

fell

in

love

with a woman,

named

She was beautiful, accomplished and

she
was
she
young
intelligent, clever and sharp
understood human nature thoroughly well and knew
Chintamani.
;

how

to

mould and control

it.

She gradually spread

youngman and ruled

a wonderful influence over the

him with an iron hand.

enticements

He

he forgot

lost himself in her

himself with

magic

her satanic

BILWAMANGALA.

\viles

he put himself

in

177

her hand to be

played like

doll.

Money went away like water costly things and

valuable jewellery were heaped at her feet
finally
;

left

Bilwamangala

his

home and remained day and

Again and again his old father sent

bring him home, his poor mother wept and

night with her,

men

to

his
wept, till she became almost blind
entreated and his relatives prayed, but all
;

He

did not and could

some

where

not

leave

unknowable

friends
in vain.

Syren's house

the

infatuation

kept

him

chained.

At

last his old father died,

and died

of a broken-

Men were

heart for the misconduct of his wild son.

sent to bring

Bilwamangal& home

father's last rites,

to

perform

his

but he did not come. Without him

Sr&ddha ceremony* could not be performed

so his relatives went to Chintamani and appealed to
her to allow him to go at least for a day to save the
the

spirit of

the

dead man from the eternal

hell-fire.

she pressed him to go

Chintamani was moved
and when he refused to go, she positively drove him
;

out of her house,

*
It is a ceremony performed on the loth day after death for
Brahmins and a month after for other castes in honour of the

departed

spirit.

It is

further said that unless this

Sraddha ceremony

performed by the son, the soul of the parents cannot

world and go to heaven.

is

12

leave this

TALES OF

178

IND.

Being forced to leave her for a few hours, hewent home with a sorrowful heart. As quick as
he went through the ceremony
second moment he tried to slip out and

possible

every

to

fly

Chintamani's house. But notwithstanding all efforts

he could not leave his house before evening. When
he lett his house and hastened towards his lady-love ;
it

was already

night,

was a dreadful night the sky was full of

black clouds, lightning was flashing from one corner
fearful thunder was
of the horizon to the other,
IT

roaring, shaking the earth

was

like

falling

torents,

storm had burst

all

to

its

very centre

rain

a great and tremendous

over the

Trees were

earth.

birds were
uprooted and houses were shattered
crushed into atoms and beasts were killed in
;

hundreds.

No

living creature

was

safe in the furious

storm that was raging outside. Mad Bilwamangala

rushed out of his house to hasten to his love and was

knocked about
river side, across

in

the storm, as he ran towards the

which lay the house

He was mad he forgot in

bore for the woman that the
;

in

a mortal

fight.

of

Chintamani.

the fervor of love that he

elements were engaged

More than hundred times

he.

BILWAMANGALA.

lost his footing

severe bruises

179

by the force of the wind and got

all over the body.
But nothing could

prevent him from

the river, which

proceeding

he came at

was roaring and foaming

to

last

in

mad

fury.

How

to cross

it

He saw something

the river, he thought it to be a peice of

jumped into the river to catch hold of it.
in

floating

wood and
He was

he floated resting on it and was carried

the
by
strong current, where he knew not.

successful,

away

However, luck was not against him, somehow or

other he reached the opposite shore and ran towards
the house of the

woman who had made him mad.

Her house was surrounded by a high

door was locked from
called her out,

but his

inside,

voice was

tremendous roars of the

tried to scale the wall,

wall

her

he again and again

furious

drowned
storm.

in

He

the

then

and ran round and round the

house to find out, if there were any means to do

At last he saw something hanging from the wall

it.

Oh, he was so happy, he thought it to be a piece of

rope and immediately caught hold of it. He dragged
himself by its help up on the top of the wall then he
;

jumped down
house.

into

the yard and

rushed into the

TALES OF

180

IN O,

[3]
CHIN TAMANI was astonished
T

at

that

come

dreadful

could

Bilwamangala
he manage to

could he venture out in the great storm

What a nausiatfearfully raising outside ?

ing stink that was

Chint&mani"

"Who
to

How

How

was

that

hour.

to find

told

coming out

said

the

life

in

she,

fearful

this

"Beloved

have come."

"I

youngmart,

you to come/' replied

risk

him

of

"Who

told

you

"Oh
know how

storm ?"

your
Chint&marti" exclaimed he, "You do not

"But how could you manage to

asked she, "And scale the wall ?'
BilwaMctng&ld told her what he had done and how
he had been able to come to her.

much

love you."

cross the

river,"

By the time the storm much abated Chtntamant

knew that there was no rope any where hanging from
she was very much curious to learn how
her wall
;

he had managed to scale it. She came out with a

light and accompanied by Biltcantangala she went ta
that portion of the wall where he said the rope was
hanging.
the

said

snake

But what was her horror when she found

rope to be nothing else but a most deadly

She

wildly

stared

could not utter a word.

river

at

Then

youngman and

the

she

ran

towards the

which passed by just below her house to see

what other horrible thing he got hold

of to

cross the

B1LWAMANGALA

Oh

river.

wood

it was
not a piece of
horror of horrors
was a dead body, a rotten and putrid
!

it

mad young man

corpse which the

cross the

exclaimed she,

"Btlwamangala"

how good

it

you had dedicated your

God

caught hold of to
she saw it, she burst

that you really love me, but

of your great love. Oh,

if

When

furious river.

into tears.

know

l8l

am

"I

now

not worthy

would have been

unknowable love to

this

!"

The word went

youngman's heart
astonishment

into the very depth of the

he stood a few seconds in mute

he said, "Yes, Chintamani, you

then

are right."

He immedcately

left

the place, and though she

ran after him and tried to prevent him from going,

yet he went away and never returned to see her, for
whom he was once mad.

He went away and became

rolled

on and

a hermit

Bilwamangala became one

years

of

the

greatest devotees.*

There

is

another tale which

the incidents were

not

the

same.

is

almost akin to
leper

it, though
Brahmin once saw a

most charming woman for whom he grew mad.

wife finding him melancholy pressed him to
of his
if

misery.

At

he did not gat her.

last

her the cause

he told her that he would commit suicide

The

became her maid-servant

His most lovinr

tell

loving wife
to

make

went

her

to

the

woman and

husband happy.

Soon

TALES OF IND.

182

^he made her so

much

her that

pleased with

what favour she wanted from

her

she asked

"Oh Lady," said she, "H

my husband to come to you one
her.

YOU are so very kind, allow

She heard from the poor wife all that had happened
He prepared for him a
and agreed to allow him to come.
dty."

best

dinner and

placed two glasses by

water and other with

crystal

Bramhin

the

at

there was

in

is

"You

see,

said she,
crystal

the
it

"You

that

mudy

other glass

is

one

side,

water.

"Why

Sir,"

water instead of the

?''

full

The

time of drinking, drank from the glass,

the water of the holy Ganges.

woman, "You drink

that

his

mudy Ganges

in

of

leper

which

asked the

crystal

water

"Well," replied the poor Bramhin.

the water of the holy Ganges,"

neglect the holy water at

"Why

home and come

then Sir/
to

drink

She meant by the holy water his wife and

water herself.
Her words went deep into the man's

water here

?'*

by the crystal
heart he at once rose and
;

a most loving husband.

left

her house and thenceforth

became

IIARISIICHANDRA.

[1]
ING Harishchandra was one

of

the

most

celebrated rulers of the Solar Dynasty.

He

was as powerful as mighty, as virtuous as good

none there was so charitable and such a supporter of
;

learning

and

religion

goodness and love

as

of one of the most powerful

But

he.

of religion

with

all

his

he incurred the anger

and

terrible Ris/iis.

Viswamitra was a great Rishi ; he was. originally

not a Brahmin.
Perhaps we need not say that in
those

study

ancient days Brahmins only

religion

permitted to

and

philosophy,

be Rishis and ascetics,

were allowed to
they only were
but Viswamitra

TALES OF IND.

184

broke through the rule

he studied

Yoga and

and

Vedas

himself up to a
practised
finally
He
position higher than all the Rt'shis of the period.
was as high-spirited and hot tempered as he was

learned

raised

he was as mighty as he was religious

people were afraid of him

the

chiefs

great

and

potentates feared his frowns.

He
all

lived

in

habitations,

a great
but his

away from
hermitage was a very

forest,

far far

surrounded by charming gardens and

enchanting groves. Fragrant flowers smiled at every
step and many-coloured creepers playfully entwined

beautiful place,

his simple

He

hut.

meditations,

lived in solitude

adoring

blossomed round

the

gods

with

and

in his

flowers

own
that

his cottage.

His holy-seat was so charming that some

fairies

took pleasure to come to his gardens and play there

with his beautiful flowers. Whenever the great Rishi

went

the morning to gather flowers to worship his

gods, he found that merciless havock had been made
He
in his garden over his most favourite flowers.

knew

in

not

who

could

dare

pluck his flowers and

destroy the beauty of his garden. Every day he

wondered and every day he found that some body
had come to his garden and topsy-turvied it in erery
possible way.

arranged

that

To

find out the mischief-makers he so

next time, whoever they might be,

if

HARISHCIIANDRA.

they at

all

would come, they would be caught

in

the

net of creepers that were all around the garden.

The fairies as usual came at the dead of night

and went

play

in

their old haunts.

immediately caught

in

the

to

They were

net and

although they
struggled much, they could not get out of the mess of

Oh, how piteously they looked at each

how
other,
they exerted all their strength to break
assunder the dreadful creepers, how much they
creepers.

wished to get out of the fearful garden and to be

far away from its most fearful master,
but all their

were

efforts

in

vain.

When

they

found they had

been imprisoned and there was no hope of escape,

Alas, they were but
they all burst into tears.

women

they were terribly afraid of incurring the

of

Rishi Visw&mitra.

anger
Their lamentations and piteous cry reached the
ear

of

king

Harishchandra^

who came

out for

fallen
hunting.
Fearing that some
on some helpless women, he hastened to their help.
He found that some fairies had been imprisoned in
he never paused to think of
the net of creepers,

mishap, had

imprisonment, his galantry rose

he immediately took out his
feelings,

the cause of their

over

all

his

weapon and
from

the

liberated

depth

of

them
their

all.

heart

They thanked him

and

fled

to

their

mountain-homes, resolving never to set foot again

in

TALES OF

l86

IXD.

the garden of the fearful Rishi.

King Harischandra,
never dreaming that this small incident would be the
cause of his future ruin and misery, returned to his

capital after his hunting excursion all over the forest.

[2]
THE
morning

to

great
see

Rishi

Viswamitra

went

who had been caught

in

in

the

the

net

but to his great disappointment and

found that some body had cut assunder
he
displeasure

set

all his

in

him,

by

creepers and set free those that were caught

the

bounds,

net.

The

fire

great Rishfs anger knew no

flashed from his eyes.
"Who is the

arrogant man," exclaimed he, "that dares interfere

with the works of Vtswamitra."

He soon found that the great king Harishchandra

to his holy seat and set free the fairies whom

came

he had a mind to punish for their impudent interference with his garden. "Well," said the Rishi, "It

seems that the man has become very arrogant and

proud of his wealth and high position. He will soon
learn

what

it is

to offend

upon taking vengeance,

Viswamitra"

He

resolved

he determined to teach the

proud king a severe lesson who had

unwittingly

incurred his displeasure.

He

holy seat and appeared in the court

of the great king. He was received with all the honour
left his

HARISHCHANDRA.

187

exalted position
the king remained
before
the
Risht
and
him with folded
asked
standing
hands what he could do to serve the great man.

due to

his

"Well, king Harishchamlra" said the Ris/ii, "You

to serve me
They say you are a very religious

want

man and have

But will
the highest respect for us.
reverend
?"
and
be
able
to
"Great
me
you
satisfy
Sir,"

replied

possessions,

the

"My

king,

consider

life,

this

all

my

wealth,

my

nothing before the

men like you." "Well," said Viswamif ru<

"Promise me then that whatever I shall ask, you will
at once grant me."
The king folded his hands and
pleasure of

most humbly said, "I promise, Oh Sir, to grant you

whatever you would want." The Rishi smiled and
then turning round to the assembly said, "Gentlemen, you have heard the promise solemnly made by

Then he faced the king and said, "Give

king."
me your kingdom with all that you possess."
The assembled people stared at one another,

this

became grave and the commanders shook

for the king was the most beloved of
all.
But king Harishchandra left his throne and
came near the Rishi he again folded his hands and
said, "Oh great Rishi, my people are happy to get
ministers

their arms,

you as

their

kingdom
is in

the

is

king

yours with

and

ruler.

all its

From

regalia;

palace, every thing that

to-day

this

every thing that

hencepossess,

TALES OF IND.

l88

Bless me,

forth all belongs to you.

retire

into

the

"Yes," said the great Riski, "I praise your

jungle."

nobleness,

admire your charitable feelings.

You

can go."

King Harishchandra with

and

their son

live far

Rohitashwa

away from

their

left

his

good wife Saibya

the palace and went to

capital

they went to the

holy pilgrimage of Benares and there they lived as

best they could in their self-imposed poverty.
But
the heartless Rishi was not satisfied by making the

good king a poor man.

him.

appeared before
"I

forgot

to

tell

you

He

soon followed him and

"ffarisAchandra" said

when

you

me your kingdom, that no Dana*

without the Dakshina.^ Where is
Give

it

what

to

he

he,

nobly gave

is

acceptable

my Dakshina ?
Poor Harishchandra knew not

me."

to

do

so

had nothing to give to the great

a week's time to procure the

He asked

Rishi.

sum and to pay it to him. "Well," said

Visw&mitra, "I allow you the time, but take care to
pay me on the promised day."

required

'

Ddna means

things bestowed upon a Brahmin,

cash
(i. e. something

Dakshina, means the coin,

things bestowed), which one

any thing on a Brahmin.

is

bound

to give

besides the

when he bestows

HARISHCHAN'DRA.

lS()

[3]
A WEEK

was a very

time to procure the

the last day came, but still no money
required sum
had been procured. "Saibyb" exclaimed the king,
"We became poor to earn virtue, but alas, luck is
short

To bestow things upon a Rishi asked

him
is
a
by
great virtue indeed, but without the
the
bestower secures nothing. So all that
Dakshind
against us

we

did

was done

for nothing."

the good queen, "I

some one and get money

it was the crudest cut of
his face

"My

belong to

still

to

Lord/' replied

you.

Sell

me

pay the Dakshina"

all

to

Oh,

The king turned away

and supressed the tears that were rushing

into his eyes.

But the

Rishi was at their door

terrible

no mercy, no heart, no

Dakshinb

cried

?"

not wait."

he,

Well, he

feeling.

"Where

"Come, look sharp,

he had
is
I

my
can-

might curse, he might do a

The king grew desperate,

he came out with his wife and child he prayed
for half an hour's time.
"Oh great Rishi!' said he,
thousand other mischiefs.

"I

am

sorry

to

procure the sum.

I

say

for

have not been able to

However, kindly wait

have determined to

money

that

you."

Rishi, "I shall wait."

sell

my

half an hour.

dear wife and get the

"Very well," replied the cruel

TALES OF IND.

King Harishchandra took his wife to the marketplace and the great queen of a Royal house was placed
before the public gaze.
He again and again called
out for a customer, but none appeared to purchase

an old Brahmin came to

the poor queen.

At

him and wanted

to inspect the

last

woman whom

he had

put to sale. The king pointed out to him his most

beloved wife, whom the man began to stare and
to cut

yokes at

in

an outrageous

manner.

king with a super-human

effort controlled

and

with

settled

the

price

him.

We

The

his

temper
need not

attempt to describe the feelings of poor Saibya,,

well, she was a woman with unmatched patience and
fortitude, or else

who

could stand the sufferings that

she had to undergo ?

"My dear husband,"

sobbed the queen, "Take

he is mere a child. From

away my Rohitashwa^
become his mother and

to-day you

said the old

"I

father

both."

never knew that a

Brahmin,
purchases a cow, does not purchase
I have
the calf with it.
purchased the woman by
I am not
going to be cheated
paying ready-money.
"Well,"

man when he

out of the boy,''

He

ordered the poor queen to

follow him with her son and then majestically walked

away from the market-place.

The
it

was

queen did not fetch much money;

below the amount that would be required

sale of the

far

HARISHCHANDRA.

to be given to the

great Rishi.

to

raise

he-

The king determined to sell

money
he was ready to be made an ever-lasting

balance of the
himself

How

provided the money for the Dakshina was

He again and again offered himself
forthcoming.
slave

for

but there was no customer.

sale,

At

last

Chandala who was in charge of the burning ghat*

came to him and agreed to purchase him. "Yes,"
}

me in burning
and hearty and may
A price was soon settled, and the
suit me well."
king was paid the money. He went with it to the
great Rishi and told him that he had brought the
said he, "I require a

You

dead bodies.

sum

for the

am now

man

for helping

look

Dakshina.

well-satisfied."

hale

'Well said Viswamitra,

He

then

left

the

"I

king to

and went away. The king accompanied the

Chanddla and became the help-mate of the man who

his fate

was the custodian

remains of men,

of

the

women and

place,

where

children

the

last

were burnt

to-

ashes.

It

means

the

place

where

the

dead

bodies are burnt.

These places are always in the charge of Chandalas, which is

the most degraded and hated caste amongst the Hindus. These

men

help the friends of the deacesed to burn the body for a

consideration.

small

TALES OF 1ND.

192

THE

old Brahmin,

who purchased

was a miserly demon and a

the poor queen,

heartless ruffian.

man

He was
woman of

without any feelings for any man or

He loved money and money was the god
of his adoration.
He purchased the poor queen by
a

the world.

paying money he, therefore, forced her to labour like

a beast of burden and treated her most cruelly, Her
;

life at

his

house was an unbroken chain of misery and

persecution.

But Saibya suffered

all in

Rohit&shiea*

She had

lost

silence.

She

her most beloved

starved herself in order to feed

her dear husband, she had

her kingdom, she had lost all her earthly comforts, she had become the slave of a very cruel and
lost

heartless

man, but there was her lovely Rohitcishwa

by her side to comfort and console her he was the

only light in her life of misery and pain.
But alas, Misery had taken her for her own
;

One day when

boy went out to play with his

he came crying
mates, a deadly snake bit him
home and soon became pale, for the deadly poison
spread all over his body. Oh, how the poor mother
the

cried

dying son on her

with her

lap,

how

she

prayed for help how she piteously w ept, but alas,

None pitied her and
hone came to her rescue
r

HARISHCHANDRA.

193

none said a word of sympathy for her great affliction.

But the cruel Brahmin upbraided her for her loud
lamentations and drove her out of his house.

Rohit&shwa breathed
weeping mother it was
;

tempestuous
Nature was

his

on the lap of his

very dark and very

last

night,

human being could stir out,

her furious mood. The corpse that

not a
in

the sweet thing

lay on her lap, was to be burnt
that was the joy and object of love and caress, was
to be placed on the funeral pyre to be burnt to
;

ashes

no

amount

would help her

of weepings and lamentations

She took up the boy and went

weeping to the burning Ghat.

But, alas, even the poorest of the

money

poor requires

to burn or bury the last remains of those that

once were dear and near to them. The thought never

in her great bereavement she
occurred to her
forgot
;

that

she

would require money

to

destroy the last

semblance of her dearest boy. She came to the

G/idt, it was dreary and dark a solitary Chandal was
;

sitting

on the bank of the

Even

own thoughts.
human beings had
rose up

the

river,

his thoughts to

when he heard

immersed

most degraded
dwell

in

of

upon

wailings behind him.

his

the

He

Pity and

sorrow no longer arose in his breast for the sad

and most painful bereavements of others so many
;

men, women and

'3

children

he had burnt,

so

many

TALES OF IXD.

bereaved parents, relatives and friends he had seerr r

that no longer any emotion stirred into his mind.
He came near Saibya and damanded the usual fee.

where would she get

Alas,

When
spare
the
more.
wept

to

When
the

mother.
fell

came with

the Chandal

dead body,

The

it

she had not a pice

it,

money was demanded, she

the

his

light

to

recognition

was instantaneous. Saibya

on the breast of her husband and sobbed

"Oh, look at

my

see

on the face of the bereaved

fell

Rohitaskma

he

is

no more."

out,

We

need not describe the scene, it was heart-rending.

When the bereaved parents, when the most
unfortunate king and his most unhappy queen, were
bewailing over the corpse of their most beloved son,

Rishi
said he,

Viswamitra appeared on the scene. "King,"

a
\ou grew very proud and arrogant, and that

reason why I made you come so low and why

But you have
have
suffered unbearable woes.
you
come out of the trial victorious. You have by your
is

the

most noble deed secured a name which

lusture

me,
it is

to

generations

shall revive

it.

to come.

Go back

will give
child to
the
Bring

to your kingdom,

yours."

The Rishi gave

life to the corpse of the dead

the
Next
king and the queen with their
day
prince.
son started for their capital. There was joy and

HARISHCHANDRA.

merriment

all

over

the

kingdom

and they

very very happy.

King Harishchandra and queen Saibyd

many years. None there was in their kingdom
\

for

who had any

wants.

Poor men had only

to

come

at

Royal palace and point out their grievances

religious men had only to send words to his court

the

and

all

their

demands were

supplied.

the people that lived under the benign

Harishchandra.

Happy wonrule

of

king

PARASURAMA.

[1]
GREAT
and

hero rose from the

seven

thrice

conquered the Kshatryas^

ful

warrior-caste

of

who were

most celebrated Rishis

of

Brahmins

defeated

and

the most power-

the ancient Hindus.

was Parasurama, the son

the

rank c
he

times

This hero

Jcimadagn^ one

of ancient India.

of

Away

from the noisy world the old Rishi lived in the

solitude of a great forest, adoring the unknowable

ONE and

meditating upon His wonderful Creation.

Thus years after years rolled away in studying the

Vedas* and practising the Yoga.

*

The Vedas

are

the

At

last the

Rishi

most holy and ancient books of the

of God.
Rik, Yayu,

Hindus, and are considered to be the words

PARASURAMA.

came

out

of

his

solitary

over the country,

Raja Prasanajit.
daughter,

abode and travelled

all

he came to the kingdom ot

The king had a most charm in^
till

named Renuka, whom the Rishi saw and

The mighty Ruler dared not

thought of marrying.

him

he gave away his daughter to the asa ti<

who
took her away to his forest-home.
Brahmin,
Princess Renuka was virtuous and good she

refuse

was a most

faithful wife

and a

dutiful

help-mate ot

She never complained for the greaf

came upon her life she was never sorry

her husband.

change that
to live

the

princess.

another

an ascetic, though she was a great

She lived happily for years till one after
sons were born to her, the

five

hero of this

of

life

last

being the

tale.

Once on a time

princess Renuka went to bathe

flowed by the side of their hermitage.

in the river that

She

met

on

Mirtikabati
frail,

her

and

way

prince

Chittraratha

of

human heart is so weak, so

she, who had renounced all

alas,

so unknowable, that

pleasures and luxuries of a royal palace for the rigid

asceticism of the forest through her strong sense of
duty, fidelity

and

chastity, allowed

to arise into her

mind

the

and

hermitage

Sdhm and
mean

unworthy thoughts
She came back disturbed to

her

husband

Athurbz, these are the four Vedas.

the whole of

Hindu Theology.

perceived

her

But the Vedas often

TALES OF IND.

198

Seeing that she had

agitations.

and

lost the lusture of sanctity,

fallen

from perfection

Jamadagnt reproved

her and was exceedingly angry.

There came her sons from the wood,
as he entered the cottage, was
father to put his mother to death.

commanded by his
Amazed they stood

how

could they commit such

and horrible crime ?

silent,

At

last

came Parasurama. "Son/'

Bis/it, "Kill thy

mother

and each,

an unnatural

said the angry

she has sinned."

replied the son, "I must obey your

"Father,"

command."

took up his axe and beheaded Renuka.

said Jamadagni, "You have obeyed my

He

"Well,"

command

and done an act hard to perform. I am pleased with

you and willing to grant you whatever blessings you

demand."

"If you so
and advice me what

"Father," said Parasurama,

please, restore

my

mother

to life

to do to expatiate the great crime

committed by
he, "I restore
visit all

the

killing

mother."

my

your mother

Parasurama

sin that

have

"Son," replied

and advise you to

expatiate the sin that you

to life

holy places to

have committed under

and

my command."

of his father
hermitage
&
and went away to travel over the country. Herein his absence the mighty king Kirtamryya came to
his

father's

honour.

left

holy-seat

the

and was received

in

great

But the proud king, instead of requiting

PARASURAMA,

199

the hospitality of the Ris/ii, took away by force the

calf of the milch-cow of the holy hermitage.
When Parsurama returned, he was told what

He was

had happened.

man

of high spirit,

he

was a giant in physical strength and a great warrior

in arms he at once took up his axe and went to
;

kill

most impudent conduct. Thenbetween the two, but at last lin-

the king for his

was a great fight

king fell. Parasurdma struck
it

off his

head and took

to his father.

The sons

of

Kirtaviryya determined to revenge

their father's death.

They came with a

large army
and surrounded the holy hermitage of the old Rishi.
Unfortunately Parasurdma was absent from home
;

thus they unopposed destroyed the holy-seat of the

Rishi, killed him whom they could lay hand upon

When

and slew the pious and unresisting sage.

Parasurdma

returned

cruelly murdered and

home he found
his

hermitage

his

father

mercilessly

destroyed.

He
father

When
body
all

silently performed the last obsequies of his

and placed his body on the funeral pile.
the fire blazed in great fury over the dead

Parasurdma in the name of

was holy made a vow facing the fire that he

of the o\d Ris/ii,

that

would

kill

all

the

sons of

would exterminate the whole

Kirtaviryya,
of

nay he

the Kshatriya

race

TALES OF IND.

200

from the face of the earth to revenge his father's foul

murder.

With the
fearful

terrible

axe on his shoulder and his

bow and deadly arrows on

his fathers hermitage

was a

his

and came out

back he

of

the

left

forest-

he killed all the

carnage he began
sons of Kirtaviryya, nay each and every one of
It

his
kill

fearful

royal house.

He

then

left

Kshatriyas.
exterminated the Kshatriya
the earth, and
big tanks.

the place and went to

Thrice

other

race

seven

times

he

from the face of

up with Kshatriya blood seven

There on the banks of these bloody tanks
filled

he performed his father's

Sraddha ceremoney and

his last obsequies.

He
his

then went to king

fearful

Janaka and left with him

Thence he retired to the holy

bow.*

mountains and passed

his time

in

prayers.
*

See Ramayana.

meditations and

BISHAYA.

[1]
ISHAYA

was a most

Princess of

and accomplished
the Lunar Dynasty.
She was the
beautiful

only daughter of her father and consequently the

She
heir-apparent to the throne of his kingdom.

was the joy of her parents and beloved

She was intelligent and learned
people.

of all their
;

she had

great rank and

the high and responsible duties which sooner or later
she would be called upon to perform.

received the education befitting her

But education, learning or accomplishments have

no hold on one's heart. Sense of duty, intelligence,

202

TALES OF IND.

prudence or
control

name

the

by

all

the higher faculties of

mind cannot

unknowable emotion which

the

of love.

It

blossoms up

known
mind

is

in one's

so suddenly as to take him by surprise

it
ignites as
as
in
It
and
blazes
quick
gun-powder
up
great fury.
never pauses to think who and what is the object of
;

its

love

it

loves

knowing why

it

with a young

Chandrahdsha.

up

to love without

Princess Bishayd

man of his father's

He was an orphan

fell

love

in

named

court,

brought

boy,

was handsome, educated and

He was greatly loved by the king

but

in charity

and madly continues

does.

accomplished.

he

and he was a favourite

of all the court.

Wherever the

king went, Chandrahasha was sure to be by his

The king loved him and he loved the king.

He saw

the princess

more than once

side.

he had

talking with her and the pleasure of

but he had no
to many places
her
accompanying
the
for
He
had
love
her.
highest admiraparticular

the

honour

of

and the greatest respect for her, but not that

unexplainable love which a young man feels for a
young woman. He never knew, and the thought
never occurred to him, that the princess had any

tion

other feelings for her than the ordinary sympathy and

affection

knew

for

one

whom

her father loved.

that he had occupied her heart

sole object of her adoration.

He

never

and become the

BISHAYA.

203

Although no body knew it, the companions and

maids of the princess knew the state of the feelings
of their mistress.

She did never hid

and often

told

them that

if

their

all,

The maids thought

acquaint the queen with the state

for the matter was a
feelings

duty to

of her daughter's

very serious one

n<

she openly

she would marry at

she would marry Chandrahasha.

it

she

it,

tried to put a veil over her loving heart,

she being the heir-apparent could

no
means
by
marry the unknown young man. Thr
queen told the kingwhpt had happened. "Well," said
he, "It

is

She cannot by
man.
She
is sensible and
young
convince her of her folly and induce her

a serious matter no doubt.

any means marry

educated,
to give

this

up the idea."

"My

Lord," replied the queen,

is.
Before it education,

"You know not what

love

cleverness, intelligence,

all fly

storm.

She cannot be induced

as dust

does

before a

to forget love. Separa-

the only remedy to cure this disease therefore

remove the young man from her presence." The

tion

is

king held a council of his ministers and discussed

tin-

to the proposal
went
further
and said that
but
they
queen,
he ought to be killed
for if he be sent away who
would prevent him from coming secretely to tin-

matter.
of

They unanimously agreed

the

Princess

innocent

But was

youngman

it

not very cruel to

for

no

fault of his

kill
!

most

The king

TALES OF

204

really

loved

through

him

he agreed to the foul deed only

of duty, but he positively

sense

his strong

declined to have the deed

when he would be
ft

IND.

done

in

in his capital.

presence or
be done at all,

his

If it

should be done as secretly as possible.

[2]
THE

king and the queen with

out on a hunting-excursion.
left

all

their staff

went

solitary minister

was

behind to administer the State and to do what he

would be instructed
Chandrahasha.

to

do by the king as regards

The young man was ordered

to

accompany the royal suite, but Princess Bishaya

was left in the capital. None knew the secret plot
that was laid to remove the poor and innocent young

man from

this world, for not loving, but

another.

by
Chandrahasha never dreamt that

aimed

being loved

Bishaya knew nothing

his

life

of

it,

and

had been

at.

The king

left

the capital and went to a distant

There he encamped and passed a few days

hunting. One day he asked Chandrahasha to

forest.

in

appear before him and when he came and saluted

him in due respect he addressed him thus. "I am
entrusting you

with a most important State paper.

Take horse immediately and

deliver

it

to the minister

BISHAYA.

in

charge of the State."

his joy

flattered,

205

Chandrahasha was greatly

He had been

knew no bounds.

honoured with the royal confidence and had been made

an agent to carry moat important and confidential
State papers to the royal court. He immediately took
horse and rode as fast as the horse

He covered
But

could carry him.

miles in minutes and flew like a whirlwind.

his horse

broke down when he had come

The poor

almost at the gate of the city.

not go a step further unless

some

the

tree,
fell

to

to tak-

halt

he

sat at the foot of a tret-.

and he

brute could

was allowed

Chandrahasha was forced

rest.

down from his horse and

He was very much fatigued

got

to

it

as

he lay half-reclined

came upon him

the all-assuaging Sleep

deep slumber.

into a

Princess Btshaya was left behind in the palace

and she knew not that a secret plot had been
arranged to remedy the disease that had taken

She was melancholy

possession of her loving heart.
she was not happy, she did not get any pleasure
Is it because
in any thing, but she knew not why.

her parents had gone

were absent from her ?

away

Is

it

because they

Is it because they did not

allow her to accompany them ? No, she
was happy in her own pleasure from her childhood.

care

to

Her beloved companions were

all

by her side

the pleasures and luxuries were at her

disposal

all

the

206
-~

TALES OF

~~

^v~^ ^

-~-

*-

IXD.
s^~^

whole kingdom was at her feet, why, she had no

wants to feel and no grievance to make. But she
was not happy the fragrant flowers that were her joy,
;

the sweet songs that were

her favourites, the plays

and games that were her amusements, did not and

could not please her
something was wrong somewhere. She felt a vacuum in the innermost depth of
;

her heart and she tried not to feel

means but without any

and with him her

avail.

it

by every possible
Chandrah&sha was gone

her pleasure, her happiness.

she tried to get rid
of the feelings, she attempted to be merry,
but alas,
all in vain
She sang, she danced, she played, but

She smiled

at her

joy,

own weakness,

no,

was always before

made her melancholy morose and

the sweet face of her lover

her eyes,

unhappy.
restless

and

it

Nothing gave her pleasure, she grew so

She avoided her companions and passed hours

in silent meditations.

the thoughts of love.

Nothing

is

so pleasureable as

Her companions marked the

change that had come upon her they tried all possible
to amuse her and to while away her time.
They induced her to go out and play in gardens
;

means

and groves

they took her to many places, hoping to

cheer her up by new scenes and new pastimes.
In one of these excursions Princess Bishaya came
;

with her maids to the garden where the young man fell
She tried to be happy with her companions
asleep.
;

BISHAYA.

207

she attempted to be merry with the song and d

that were got up for her, but alas, nothing could

She slipped out of their company and

please her.
to the most solitary corner of the garden. There
she walked alone in her own thoughts, dreaming of
Chandrahasha and his sweet face. But was she really

went

dreaming
very

She stood amazed

object

of

her love,

to find before her the

peacefully sleeping and

reclining on the trunk of a tree. She came

him and saw a packet underneath his breast-plate.
What is greater than curiosity in a woman's heart
:

She

carefully took

up without disturbing her ION

and read the short lines it contained.

she opened it
It ran as follows,
(poison) to

it

"Give without

least delay Bisha

the
bearer
of this."
The
Chandrah&sha,

Her head
was signed by her own father
reeled and she would have fallen, if she did not

letter

place herself on

her

self-control

But soon she regained

determined to save
her

the tree.

and

She took up a pin from her hair and with

pin and with the collyrium that was in her

lover.
this

beautiful

hand

eyes, she carefully

and added the

Thus

(poison).

it

immitated her father's

Yd

letters

became

letter,

Bisha the poison.

placed it back where

young man

after

Bishaya the

She

instead of

the

just

it

Bisha

princess,

carefully foldrd

was and

left

to sleep quietly at the foot of the tree.

the

20$

TALES OF IND.

But soon Chandrahasha got up and hastened

to

the

He

palace.

duly

delivered the letter to the

He was

minister in charge.

astonished to

find that

he had been ordered to bestow the royal Princess on

But he thought that the king must
the young man.
have changed his mind and as he was accompanied by
all

the

ministers, they

must have found some strong

reasons to advice him to give away the princess to

Chandrahasha. So he made no delay the very next
morning he married the princess 10 Chandrahasha in
;

due form and

in all solemnity.

What was

astonishment when he found on

capital that the

young man

his

whom

to

the king's

return

to

poison to be given had become his son-in-law

was awfully annoyed, but there was no help
done and could not be undone.
;

He

reproved the

minister,

but he

it

in

very clear

He
was

showed the

king the letter in which Bishaya and not Bisha

written

the

he ordered

was

The king thought

letters.

the
Chandrahasha must have secretly opened
but the princess
letter and made the alteration
;

appeared before her royal father, fell on her knees

and said, "Father, if any body is to be punished for
1

The king pardoned her

and Bishaya and Chandrahasha became very happy.;
the act,

it is I

for

did

it."

THE DANAVA KING.

HERE

rose from the

ranks of the vicious and

wicked Ddnava kings a Ruler as mighty in

virtuous and noble in deeds, as good,

arms, as

generous and charitable, as the king of the gods or

the great Preserver himself. His compeers conquered
the heaven and earth by their might, but

king Bali

conquered them by his goodness, by his exemplary

character, by his great charity,
generosity and
nobleness.* Rishis were respected and honoured,
*

Taraka, Betra, Shambhu,

Rdvana,
these

(see the

(see Battle of

Ddnava kings were powerful and

but here

is

Gods and demons),

Monkey War), Hiranyakashipu,

a contrast.

great in

(see Prahlad) all

their

wickedness

210

TALES OF IND.

learning was encouraged by endowments and grants,

Brahmins were enriched and the poor were supplied
with all their wants. His brother kings, his mighty
predecessors,his great ancestors, conquered the lands,
the cities, the

kingdoms

of the world

and the

blissful

and happy sovereignty of heaven, but king Bali won

the heart of both man and god.
>f

Gods and Goddesses lost all hold over the heart

men and women began to worship
humanity
;

The
king Bali instead of gods and goddesses.
sovereignty of heaven over the earth was gone.
Well, it went further. The goodness of Batzrose over
of the celestial

that

to leave their

began

kingdom
gods and goddesses
happy homes and to emigrate
;

and loving kingdom

to the blissful

of

the

Danava

king.

Indra, the king of the gods, lost his sovereignty

over the earth and found it difficult to retain his
hold

over his

own kingdom

never in such a

Danavas

tried

crisis.

to

In

conquer

He was
when
the
days
and
kingdom
empire,

of

heaven.

olden

his

with arms, he gave them

he fought with them for years and kept them
he struggled to retain
at bay at the gate of heaven,

he

defended himself

battle,

but here in the case of king Bali

possesions,
he was thoroughly helpless.
he could do nothing
When he fought with the Ddnavas his gods stood
his

THE DANAVA

211

KING.

by him as men there was not a single dissentient

voice, there was none who went over to the enemy's
;

now

but

camp,

not one, but hundreds went over

good and generous king Bali.

Indra repaired to Baikuntha* and prayed

to the

to

the great Preserver to save his Empire or to allow

him to retire, so that Bali might be placed on tlu

throne of heaven.

earth.

son," said the great God,

be made the Ruler of heaven and

"My

"A Danava cannot

soon go down to the world and do

shall

the needful to put you at rest."

Vishnu

heavenly throne and took birth

of Aditi, the wife of the great Risht

left his

womb

in the

He

Kashyapa.

incarnated

himself

to

save

the

gods over the heaven and the earth.

sovereignty of

[2]
THE boy
was a

dwarf,t
in

intelligent
for he

the

that

was born

small

very

mastered the Vedas

of

ceremony
Baikuntha

Dwarf was the

is

in

the

before

Rishi Kashyapa

stature

He appeared

look.

to great

to

but

very

be a prodigy,

he went through

holy-thread. \

He was

the

the seat of Vishnu.

fifth

incarnation of Vishnu.

See the note

in

Prahldda.
J

The ceremony

a ceremony

in

of holy-thread

is

a sort of Baptismal.

It is

which the boy begins to wear a thread round his

212

TALES OF IND.

beloved of

all

the

/toto and

the favourite

of

all the-

ladies.*

He grew up and

the time for his Braamacharya

Rishi Kashyapa solemnised the ceremony
due form and as the boy would have to maintain

came.
in

himself by begging alms, he was sent out to make a

beginning at the palace of the most kind, generous

and charitable king Bali.

The little man went
court

of

the

great

and went

and

Danava

at

appeared

the

None came

king.

were
disappointed
in the court of king Bali.
When the boy appeared, the king received him
in great honour and asked him what he could do for
there

back

riches

showered over the needy

"Oh, generous king," said the boy, "Do you

promise to grant me what I shall ask from you ?"
"My good sir," replied the king, "I have made a vowhim.

not to refuse any body.

the

vow

want.

"Then,
neck,

therefore,

have never broken through

you can safely ask

and which, being the emblem

and enters upon his

to be very holy,
this

cereomny which

is

called

cultivate all moral virtues

many

and

of

a Brahmin,

student-life.

Brahmacharya,

preparation to be a Brahmin, he
*

me what you

Know for certain that it shall be granted."

Oh king," said the boy, "Give me land that

is

considered

is

From
i.e.

the day of

the

life

for

to observe strict celebacy, to

to practise rigid studious habits.

Celebacy was not the strict rule for a Rishi.

Rishis who were married.

There were

THE DANAVA KING.

would be covered by
and the court smiled
thought

him mad

"My good

boy,"

my
at

they
said the
;

three

boy's
took him
king,

The king
demand they

feet."

the

for

"Ask

an

idiot.

riches,

;i>k

kingdom, sovereignty or whatever you will, but the

small piece of land that you demand will do you no
good."

"No, king," replied the boy, "I want nothing

me whether you agree to give it to me or

Tell

else.

not."

The king smiled and was at the

replying in the affirmative, when Sukra,

point of
the great

Preceptor of the Danavas, rose and said, "King, do

not argee to grant the land asked for by this Brahmin
It will be your ruin and with you the ruin of
boy.
the

Danavas.

Vishnu himself.

Know
He

then, he

is

no other than great

has come

in
this shape to
delude you and to take out of your hands the great

sovereignty you have been able to acquire."

The king could not believe what was told to him.

Who

could believe that the

little

man

before him was

Although it was said by

he thought that the gn-.it
Rishi could by no means be correct, at least in his

the

great

God

himself

his great Preceptor,

this surmise.

still

TALES OF

214

IND.

[3]
"GREAT Preceptor," said king Bali, "If
be really Vishnu and has come to delude
to'

take

away my

possessions,

still

this

boy

me and
but

cannot

grant him what he asks, for it is the solemn vow

of my life."
Then he turned towards the boy and

"My gentle sir, I agree to grant you the land

ask
from me." "Oh king," replied the boy,
you
"I thank you for your
Come, bestow it
generosity.
on me in due form."* But where was the great
said,

Preceptor who was required to perform the ceremony

of bestowal ?
Rishi Sukra had great love for king

Bali and the Danava

king
to

in his face

race.

He saw

ruin staring the

he determined to make a

save king Bali and the Danavas.

into the water-pot

and stopped

holy-water might not

fall

absolutely necessary for the

its

last effort

He

entered

mouth, so that the

from the pot

for

it

was

of bestowal.

ceremony
was not found, the boy told
the king that he would himself perform it and officiate
for his absent Preceptor.
The king sat on a holy

When

the Preceptor

seat and tried to get water from the pot, but without
avail.
*

"Oh

king,"

said the boy, "take one of these

In this ceremony the bestower takes up holy water in the

palm of his hands and utter some verses dictated by the Preceptor
in honour of the great God.

THE DANAVA KING.

Kusha

215

grasses and clean the mouth of the pot."

The

he sent a Kusha grass

king did as he was ordered
the
mouth
of
the
through
pot and it struck one of
the eyes of the great Rtshi, who was there to prevent
;

the

and

water from coming out. He was made blind

pain and sorrow he fled from the place.

in

The ceremony was performed. "Oh king," said

"Show me the land that you would give
me." "My good boy," replied the king, "Make your
own choice. I am the lord of both heaven and

the boy,

you can select the place that you want."

At once the boy transformed himself into the

earth

mighty, unknowable, and undescribable God which

he was. He covered heaven with one foot and the
earth with the other.

earth

my

and heaven

"Bali;' said he,

what

else

"I

have taken

you would give

me

for

third foot".

The good and great Bali stood firm he was

unmoved he was unchanged. "Great and mighty
God," said he, "Where is your third foot that you
demand land for it?"
"Well," said the great
;

And a mighty leg issued

Preserver, "Here it is."
"Bali" said Vishnu,
from the centre of his body.
"show me the land for it." "Here it is," said the king
and took
tions

all

it

on his own head.

There were acclama-

over the universe and loud and continual

cheerings for the great deed done by the

Ddnava

king.

TALES OF IND.

216

Well, he had given to the great

of

eignty

heaven and earth

infernal

his

sover-

he had given up
where should he

well,

himself too to hold his third foot,

now go,
command

God

now do without the

He was sent to the
of his great Master ?
on
refuse of men and
there
to
live
regions,
what

could

he

Gods."*
*

He was

It is

said that Vishnu gave Bali a chance to live in heaven.

he agreed to be accompanied by one hundred

But king Bali preferred
live in heaven.
the infernal regions to going to heaven with one hundred

told that

if

fools, he could go and

living in
fools.

A.PPENDIX.
[

GITA,

Gita

is

WHAT

It

contains the instructions that were

Srikrishna to

Kurukshetra, when the

fight with

IT IS.

an episode of the great Sanskrit Epic

Mahabharata.
given by

A]

at

the

and

field

We

friends.

erf

declined to

latter absolutely

relatives

his

Arjuna

need not

(it has been done by greater

men)
really a part of the great Epic or an

discuss the point,

whether Gita
sifter

is

addition,

whether the instructions

contained

were really given by Srikrishna or they are

from the imagination of the author and whether

in

it

Srikrishna had at
of

the

all

anything to do with this part

These instructions were said

Epic.

been delivered by him

Mah&bharta] himself

the

great

to havii

author of

made Srikrishna

the

the>'

speaker

the general belief of the Hindus from

to
generation
generation, and reviewing the life of
Srikrishna one would find that the justification of
of

Gita

it

is

any events of

his eventful life lies only in the

rines preached in the Gita.

doc-

When

the two armies

in

encamped

the

field of

and stood

inj^attle array, Arjuna asked his friend

Srikrishna to place his chariot in such a position

battle

as to allow him an opportunity to see the contending

Krishna did as requested and then Arjuna
armies.

exclaimed.

"Seeing

these

kinsmen,

standing here desirous to engage

in battle,

Krishna,

my

limbs

droop down, my mouth is quite dried up a tremor

comes on my body and my hairs stand on end my
bow slips from my hand my skin burns intensely.
;

am

unable too to stand up my mind whirls round

as it were. I see adverse omens and I do not
I

perceive any good to accrue after killing my kinsmen

I
do not wish for victory, nor
In the battle.
nor
Even those for whose
pleasures.
sovereignty,

sake we desire sovereignty, enjoyments and pleasures

are standing here for battle, abondoning life and
wealth
preceptors, father, sons, as well as grand;

father,

maternal

uncles,

father-in-law,

brothers-in-law as also other relatives.

not wish to

kill,

though they

kill

me.

grand-sons,

These I do
Even for the

sake of sovereignty over the three worlds, how much

less than for this earth alone ?
Alas, we are engaged
in

committing a heinous
efforts

fnaking
9f

the

Tell

greed

me what

disciple."

for
of
is

killing

the

sin,

our

we

are

kinsmen

out

seeing that

own
of

sovereignty.
pleasures
assuredly good for me, I am your

Ill

This

is

a nice picture of the

A rJuno's

frame of

mind who was expected to tread down every sort of

religious and moral virtues and to commit all sorts of
recognised sins and vices to win the battle. Had not
Srikrishna put forth some thoroughly new doctrines
justified the acts on moral grounds, no sane man

and

would have been willing to win the battle

moral and mental a sacrifice.

at

such

To Arjuna

the great king of Dwarka replied,

grieve for those who deserve no grief. Learned
Never
grieve not for the living, nor the dead.

"You

men
did

nor you,

exist,

nor

these

rulers

of

men,

nor will any one of us ever hereafter cease to be.

He who thinks it to be the killer and he who thinks
it

to

not

be

killed,

killed.

It

know nothing.
not born, nor does

both
is

Therefore knowing

it

to be such,

It kills
it

not, is

ever die.

you ought not to

grieve."

This
builds

up

is

the stand-point

his

new

upon which Srikrishna

Philosophy.

He

says,

this

world

nothing but a shadow of an invisible world-,

behind the visible shadow stands a world that

is

"everlasting
firm

is

unchangeable, all pervading, stable,

If that be the case, "Your actions

and eternal."

cannot have any effects whatever over this invisible

universe. You can do whatever you like, but that will
not do harm or do good to that wonderful world. You
feel sorrow, for

you think and believe

that your actions

IV

will

have

sort.

You are mere a shadow."

Then Srikrishna goes on

mind

effects

on the world,

no,

to

nothing of the

say,

"He whose

deluded by egoism thinks himself the doer

of actions, which is every way done
by the qualities
is

All beings follow Nature.

That, O son
Kunti, which through delusion you do not wish to
The Lord, O Arjuna,
do, you will do involuntarily.

of Nature.
of

is

seated

*in

the

region

of

the

heart of

all

beings,

turning round all beings, as though mounted on a

machine, by his delusion." All this means in plain
words that you do nothing ; you are really a shadow.
Some body else i.e. God, acts and you by your
egoism think that you act, which is not the case.
this

This delusion produces pain and misery.

mental delusion could be removed ?

How
By

knowledge^ and the effect of knowledge is devotion.

Srikrishna says, "The wise who have obtained
devotion

repair

to

that

seat

where

there

is

no

Then he goes on, "When your mind

stand firm and steady in ccntemplation, then will
you acquire devotion."
This mental delusion is the very root of egoism
unhappiness."

will

in the

human mind.

idea that one

exists.

therefore a most
this delusion,

This produces in the mind the

is needless to say that it is

It

difficult

which

is

idea of self r existence.

task for a

in fact

man

to get rid of

nothing else

but the

V
can be done away with by
the effect of which would be

Srikrisna said that

it

acquiring knowledge,
devotion.
Then he went on to mention various ways

and means

we need

knowledge and devotion, which

not mention here.
The key-note of his
of acquiring

Philosophy was told

in

"He

a few words when he said,

who

regardless of the fruits of actions, performs tinactions which ought to be performed is the Devotee."

So you

are to act, but without a mind.

be no good or bad, virtue or

to

you there

He

himself said, "Actions defile

will

no attachment

To

case

In that

me

for

not,

sin.

ha\<-

for the fruits of actions."

a man, whose
of

this

mind (which

is

visible

is

the

centre

of

destroyed and

world)
perception
sees not this world but the real world that exists

who

acts

are without any permanent results

behind,

all

they are

mere shadows.

every

He

sky which
takes various shades, shapes and

moment

is

like

the

colours, but does r\Q\.feel whatsoever.

Only he can be such a man who always sees

clearly before him the invisible but real world.
In

the

ments

Gita

it

is

mentioned,

that

all

of Srikrishna failed to convince

the visible universe,

unreality

of

obliged to

show him the

the

arguthe

Arjuna

and then he was

which when

invisible world,

seen by Arjuna at once drove out of his mind the

delusion, and made him see at once the unreality
of this world.

Srikrishna

said,

"With God and God

VI

only,

Arjuna, seek shelter

favour you will

obtain

the

in

every

way

by

his

highest tranquility, the

eternal seat."

The summary
following
of an
is

whole thing would be the

This world is unreal and a mere shadow

invisible

of the

world that

lies

behind

ft

that world

unchangeable, firm and ever-lasting, therefore the

changes,

the

pain

and pleasure,

virtue

and

sin,

good and bad, are all sentimental creations of humanmind that mind has the delusion which makes man
;

believe that he really exists and acts, whereas he does

not exist and act at

Drakes

and

man

sin.

all

that this idea of self existence

and pleasure, good and bad, virtue

That man wants to get rid of this sentifeel pain

mental and self-created unhappiness and misery. In

that case, he is to destroy this delusion from his

mind

this

can be effected by knowlege and devotion.

to acquire knowlege and

but the simplest of the means is to entirely
depend upon God and God alone and to act without
any attachment for the fruits of action. If a man

There are many means

devotion,

be fortunate to bring himself to

this state,

he enjoys

perfect bliss, and actions however bad, wicked and

horrible to general eyes, defile him not, and acts

however good, noble and virtuous raise him not.

would ask our readers to mark the character of

We

Srikrtshna.
of perfection.

He seems

to

have reached

this

sort

Vll

[B]
YOGA,

From

WHAT

IT

IS.

summary of Gttd in the Appendix A,

must have got an idea of the Philosophy
on which the Hindu Religion is based. Surely there
the brief

readers

are different schools

fact

Hindu Phelosophy, but

agree in saying that this world

all

they

of

is

in

unreal

and that God only is raL If a man wants salvation

and perfect bliss he must go up to him and mix
himself up with that great SOUL. Salvation means
destruction of individual soul and unification of that
soul with the

means

various

is

It

There are mentioned

great SPIRIT.
to

effect

the scientific

Yoga.
says that

man can

specified

actions

this,

way

one
of

of

doing

which
it.

is

Yoga

get salvation by performing some

and by practising some defined

It is said that Rishi Pdtonjali was the

founder of this School of Philosophy, but evidently
as time went on other Rishis made many novel and

formula?.

new

innovations of Yoga practices. But the aim of

of them was the same.

all

Rishi Pcitonjali divided the Yoga into eight

one after another of which

different steps or stages,

is

to be

means

practised.

practising

performing

all

They

are as follow,

self-control.

moral

duties,

(2)
(3)

(i)

Jatna

Niyama means
Ashana

means

viii

practising particular

means

modes

of sitting, (4)

practising particular

modes

Pranaydm,

of breathing, (5)

Proty&h&r means.practising the restraint of thoughts,

(6) Dkcina means meditation and perception of Spirit
(7)

Dharana means
means

S/ia mcidhi

When

Niyama and

to practise

the

of

idea,

(8)

unity with the great Spirit.

perfects himself in Jama, then he is

man

retention

final

on

he

reaches the

reaches the state of

Samddhi he

so

till

last stage.

When

man

he acquires as he goes on
gets
practising Yoga step by step, innumerable miraculous
and wonderful powers. In many of the tales in
but

salvation,

this

readers

book,

performed by Rishis.

have
It is

found

that a

all

acts

said they acquired these

powers by practising Yoga.

man who

miraculous

further mentioned

It is

has become a perfect adept in

the attributes of God.

It is

Yoga

deeply to

possesses
be regreted that this scientific process of acquiring
salvation was kept a great secret and was taught to
only a favoured few. Thus at the modern time we
try, who has
who knows how to

find hardly

any man, although many

become a

perfect adept in

practise

it.

in the book,

of India

We

find the

it

Yoga processes described

but hardly there

who can comprehend

can explain them to others.

or

is

all

man

in

any part
and

the passages

PK
2141
E8G54

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