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INVOCATION

VICTORY to the elephant-headed god, who, reddening the sky with the vermilion dye shaken off by the wind of his flapping ears, seems to create sunset, even when it is not due.

 

[M] (main story line continued)  Thus 狈补谤补惫腻丑补苍补诲补迟迟补, the son of the King of Vatsa, dwelt happily in his father鈥檚 house, after he had won those wives. And one day, when he was in his father鈥檚 assembly hall, he saw a man of heavenly appearance come there, descending from heaven.

And after he and his father had welcomed the man, who bowed before him, he immediately asked him:

鈥淲ho are you and why have you come?鈥�

Then he answered:

鈥淭here is a city in this earth on the ridge of Himavat, called 痴补箩谤补办奴峁璦,^[1] and rightly so called, as being all made of diamond. There I dwelt, as a king of the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉 named Vajraprabha, and my name too was rightly given me, because my body is framed of diamond.

And I received this command from 艢颈惫补 (who was pleased with my austerities):

鈥業f thou remainest loyal at the appointed time to the emperor created by me, thou shalt become by my favour invincible to thy enemies.鈥�

Accordingly I have come here without delay to pay my respects to my sovereign, for I have already perceived, by means of my science, that the son of the King of Vatsa (who is born of a portion of the God of Love, and appointed by the god who wears a digit of the moon), though a mortal, shall be sole emperor over both divisions of our territory.^[2] And though, by the favour of 艢颈惫补, a prince of the name of 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 was ruler over us for a Kalpa of the gods, still he was only lord in the southern division, but in the northern division a prince called 艢谤耻迟补艣补谤尘补苍 was emperor; but your Majesty, being destined for great good fortune, shall be sole emperor here over the wanderers of the air, and your dominion shall endure for a Kalpa.鈥�

When the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补 said this, 狈补谤补惫腻丑补苍补诲补迟迟补, in the presence of the King of Vatsa, said to him again out of curiosity:

鈥淗ow did 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, being a man, obtain of old time the sovereignty over the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉? Tell us.鈥�

Then in private鈥攖hat is to say, in the presence of the queens and ministers鈥攖he King Vajraprabha began to tell that tale.

 

62. Story of 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 and how he attained Sovereignty over the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉 ^[3]

Of old there was in the country of the people of Madra a town named 艢腻办补濒补^[4]; Candraprabha, the son of 础峁単腻谤补辫谤补产丑补, was king of it, whose name expressed his nature, as he delighted the whole world, but he was like fire in that he scorched his enemies. By his wife, named 碍墨谤迟颈尘补迟墨, there was born to that king a son, whose future glory was indicated by his exceedingly auspicious marks.

And when he was born a clear voice sounded from heaven, which rained nectar into the ears of King Candraprabha:

鈥淭his king, now born, named 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, is appointed by 艢颈惫补 as the future emperor over the kings of the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉.鈥�

Then that Prince 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 grew up in the house of his father, who was distinguished by the delightful favour of the enemy of Pura,^[5] and he, being very clever, gradually acquired, while still a child, all knowledge and all the accomplishments by sitting at the feet of a teacher; and then, when he was sixteen years old, and captivated the subjects by his virtues, his father, Candraprabha, appointed him Crown Prince, and he gave him the sons of his own ministers, many in number, 叠丑腻蝉补, 笔谤补产丑腻蝉补, 厂颈诲诲丑腻谤迟丑补, Prahasta and others.

And while he was bearing with them the burden of a crown prince鈥檚 duty, one day a great Asura of the name of Maya came there, and Maya went up in the assembly hall to King Candraprabha, who welcomed him, and said to him, in the presence of 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补:

鈥淜ing, this son of yours, 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, has been appointed as the future emperor of the kings of the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉 by 艢颈惫补; so why does he not acquire the magic sciences that will put him in possession of the dignity? For this reason I am sent here by the god 艢颈惫补. Permit me to take him and teach him the right method of employing the sciences, which will be the cause of his obtaining the sovereignty of the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉. For he has a rival in this business, a lord of the sky-goers, named 艢谤耻迟补艣补谤尘补苍; he too has been appointed by 艢颈惫补. But this prince, after acquiring the power of the sciences, shall conquer him with our help and become emperor over the lords of the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉.鈥�

When Maya said this, King Candraprabha said:

鈥淲e are fortunate; let this auspicious one be taken by you wherever you wish.鈥�

Then Maya took leave of the king, and quickly carried off to 笔腻迟腻濒补 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 and his ministers, whom the king permitted to depart. There he taught the prince ascetic practices of such a kind that by means of them the prince and his ministers quickly acquired the sciences. And he taught him also the art of providing himself with magic chariots, so that he acquired a chariot named 叠丑奴迟腻蝉补苍补.

Then Maya brought 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, mounted on that chariot, with his ministers, having acquired the sciences, back to his own city from 笔腻迟腻濒补.

And after he had led him into the presence of his parents he said to him:

鈥淣ow I depart, enjoy here all the enjoyments given by your magic knowledge until I return.鈥�

After saying this the Asura Maya departed, after having been duly honoured, and King Candraprabha rejoiced in his son鈥檚 having acquired the sciences.

Then 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, by virtue of the sciences, was continually roaming through many countries in his chariot, with his ministers, to amuse himself. And wherever any princess beheld him she was immediately bewildered by love and chose him for her husband. The first was the virgin daughter of the King of 罢腻尘谤补濒颈辫迟墨, who was called 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦; her name was 惭补诲补苍补蝉别苍腻, and she was the first beauty of the world. The second was 颁补苍诲谤颈办腻惫补迟墨, the daughter of 厂耻产丑补峁璦, the emperor of the western border, who had been carried off by the Siddhas and left somewhere else. And the third was the famous daughter of 碍耻尘产丑墨谤补, the king of the city of 碍腻帽肠墨, 痴补谤耻峁嘺蝉别苍腻 by name, remarkable for her beauty. And the fourth was the daughter of King Paurava, sovereign of 尝腻惫腻峁嘺办补, 厂耻濒辞肠补苍腻 by name, with lovely eyes. And the fifth was the daughter of King Suroha, the lord of the land of China, 痴颈诲测耻苍尘腻濒腻, with charming limbs, yellow as gold. And the sixth was the daughter of King 碍腻苍迟颈蝉别苍补, ruler in the land of 艢谤墨办补峁囜弓丑补, surpassing in beauty the Apsarases. And the seventh was 笔补谤补辫耻峁ａ弓腻, the daughter of King Janamejaya, the lord of the city of 碍补耻艣腻尘产墨, a sweet-voiced maid.

And though the relations of these maidens, who were carried off by a surprise, found out what had happened, still, as the prince was confident in the might of his supernatural science, they were pliant as canes. These wives also acquired the sciences, and 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 associated with them all at the same time, taking many bodies^[6] by his magic skill. Then he amused himself in the company of these wives, and of the ministers Prahasta and others, with roaming in the air, with concerts, drinking-parties and other amusements.

Possessing heavenly skill in painting, he drew the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补 females, and in that way, and by making sportive, sarcastic speeches, he enraged those charmers, and he was amused at their faces, furrowed with frowns, and with reddened eyes, and at their speeches, the syllables of which faltered on their trembling lips. And that prince went with his wives to 罢腻尘谤补濒颈辫迟墨, and roaming through the air sported in the gardens with 惭补诲补苍补蝉别苍腻.

And having left his wives there he went in the chariot 叠丑奴迟腻蝉补苍补 and, accompanied by Prahasta only, visited the city called 痴补箩谤补谤腻迟谤补. There he carried off the daughter of King Rambha before his eyes, 罢腻谤腻惫补濒墨 by name, who was enamoured of him and burning with the fire of love. And he came back to 罢腻尘谤补濒颈辫迟墨 and there carried off again another maiden princess, by name 痴颈濒腻蝉颈苍墨. And when her haughty brother 厂补丑补蝉谤腻测耻诲丑补 was annoyed at it he paralysed him by his supernatural power. And he also stupefied 厂补丑补蝉谤腻测耻诲丑补鈥檚 mother鈥檚 brother, who came with him, and all his retainers, and made his head shorn of hair, because he wished to carry off his beloved ones. But though he was angry he spared to slay them both, because they were his wife鈥檚 relatives, but he taunted them, who were downcast on account of the overthrow of their pride, and let them go. Then 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, surrounded by nine wives, having been summoned by his father, returned in his chariot to his city 艢腻办补濒补.

And the King 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦 sent from 罢腻尘谤补濒颈辫迟墨 an ambassador to 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补鈥檚 father, King Candraprabha, and gave him the following message to deliver:

鈥淵our son has carried off my two daughters, but let that be, for he is a desirable husband for them, as he is a master of supernatural sciences, but, if you love us, come here now, in order that we may make a friendship based upon the due performance of marriage rites and hospitality.鈥�

Thereupon King Candraprabha rewarded the messenger and determined that he would quickly start for that place on the morrow. But he sent Prahasta as an ambassador to 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦, in order to make sure of his sincerity, and gave him 叠丑奴迟腻蝉补苍补 to travel in. Prahasta went quickly and had an interview with King 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦 and questioned him about the business, and was informed, and highly honoured by him,^[7] and promised him, who smiled graciously, that his masters would come early next morning, and then he returned in a moment to Candraprabha through the air. And he told that king that 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦 was ready to receive him. The king, for his part, being pleased, showed honour to that minister of his son鈥檚. Then King Candraprabha, with Queen 碍墨谤迟颈尘补迟墨, and 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, with 痴颈濒腻蝉颈苍墨 and 惭补诲补苍补蝉别苍腻, mounted that chariot 叠丑奴迟腻蝉补苍补 and went off early next day with retinue and ministers. In one watch only of the day they reached 罢腻尘谤补濒颈辫迟墨, being beheld, as they passed through the air, by the people with eyes the lashes of which were upraised through wonder. And descending from the sky they entered the city side by side with King 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦, who came out to meet them. The beautiful streets of the town were irrigated at every step with sandalwood water, and seemed to be strewed with blue lotuses by means of the sidelong glances of the city ladies. There 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦 honoured his connection and his son-in-law, and duly performed the marriage ceremony of his daughters. And King 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦 gave at the marriage-altar of those daughters a thousand loads of pure gold and a hundred camels laden with burdens of ornaments made of jewels, and five hundred camels laden with loads of various garments, and fifty thousand horses, and five thousand elephants, and a thousand lovely women adorned with beauty and jewels. And, moreover, he gratified his son-in-law 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 and his parents with valuable jewels and territories. And he duly honoured his ministers, Prahasta and others, and he made a feast at which all the people of the city rejoiced. And 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 remained there in the company of his parents and his beloved wives, enjoying delights, consisting of various dainties, wines and music.

In the meanwhile an ambassador arrived from Rambha, in 痴补箩谤补谤腻迟谤补, and in the hall of assembly delivered this message from his master:

鈥淭he Crown Prince 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, confiding in the might of his sciences, has insulted us by carrying off our daughter. But to-day we have come to know that he has undertaken to be reconciled to King 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦, whose misfortune is the same as ours. If in the same way you agree to be reconciled to us, come here also quickly; if not, we will in this matter salve our honour by death.鈥�

When King Candraprabha heard that, he honoured the ambassador, and said to him:

鈥淕o to that Rambha and give him this message from me:

鈥榃hy do you afflict yourself without cause? For 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 is now appointed, by 艢颈惫补, the future emperor of the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉, and inspired sages have declared that your daughter and others are to be his wives. So your daughter has attained her proper place, but you, being stern, were not asked for her. So be appeased, you are our friend; we will come to your residence also.鈥欌��

When Prahasta received this message from the king he went through the air and in a single watch he reached 痴补箩谤补谤腻迟谤补. There he told his message to Rambha, and having been gladly received by him he returned as he came and reported it to King Candraprabha. Then Candraprabha sent his minister 笔谤补产丑腻蝉补, and had King Rambha鈥檚 daughter 罢腻谤腻惫补濒墨 conducted to him from 艢腻办补濒补. Then he departed in the air chariot with 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, being dismissed with great honour by King 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦 and all others. And he reached 痴补箩谤补谤腻迟谤补, which was full of people awaiting his arrival, and was met by Rambha, and entered his palace.

There Rambha, having performed the great feast of the marriage ceremony, gave his daughter countless stores of gold, elephants, horses, jewels and other valuables. And he gratified so lavishly his son-in-law, 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, that he forgot all his own luxuries. And while they were remaining there, delighted with feasts, an ambassador came from the city of 碍腻帽肠墨 to Rambha.

Rambha, having heard his message, said to King Candraprabha:

鈥淜ing, the lord of 碍腻帽肠墨, named 碍耻尘产丑墨谤补, is my elder brother; he has today sent me a trustworthy messenger to speak this speech:

鈥槼�奴谤测补辫谤补产丑�� first carried off my daughter, then yours. And now you have made friendship with him and his father, as I hear, so bring about my friendship also with them. Let them come to my house, that I may with my own hand give my daughter 痴补谤耻峁嘺蝉别苍腻 to 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补.鈥�

So grant this request of my brother鈥檚.鈥�

When Rambha made this request Candraprabha granted it, and sent Prahasta and had 痴补谤耻峁嘺蝉别苍腻 brought quickly from the city of 艢腻办补濒补 to her father, 碍耻尘产丑墨谤补. And the next day he and 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 and Rambha, and 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦 and all, with their attendants, went to the city of 碍腻帽肠墨. And after they had been met by 碍耻尘产丑墨谤补 they entered the city of 碍腻帽肠墨, as it were the girdle of the earth, full of many jewels and adorned with excellences.^[8] There 碍耻尘产丑墨谤补 bestowed his daughter on 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, with the usual ceremonies, and gave much wealth to the young couple.

And when the marriage had taken place, Prahasta, after taking food, said to Candraprabha, who was all joyfulness, in the presence of all:

鈥淜ing, in the country of 艢谤墨办补峁囜弓丑补 I had an interview with the king of that land^[9]; there King 碍腻苍迟颈蝉别苍补, whom I thus happened to see, said to me:

鈥楲et 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 come to my house with that daughter of mine whom he has carried off. I will perform the ceremony for him according to rule. If he refuses I will abandon the body, distracted by love for my daughter.鈥�

This is what he then said to me, and I have now mentioned it on the proper occasion.鈥�

When Prahasta said this King Candraprabha answered:

鈥淕o, then, take 碍腻苍迟颈尘补迟墨 to him; we will go there also.鈥�

When the king said this to him Prahasta went off that moment through the air and did as he had commanded. And next morning Candraprabha and all, with 碍耻尘产丑墨谤补, went to the land of 艢谤墨办补峁囜弓丑补 in the air-travelling chariot. There King 碍腻苍迟颈蝉别苍补 came to meet them, and making them enter his palace performed the auspicious ceremony of his daughter鈥檚 marriage. Then he gave to 碍腻苍迟颈尘补迟墨 and 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 an endless quantity of jewels, which excited the wonder of the kings.

While they were all remaining there, enjoying all kinds of pleasure, a messenger came from 碍补耻艣腻尘产墨 and said:

鈥淜ing Janamejaya sends this message to your honours:

鈥楳y daughter, of the name of 笔补谤补辫耻峁ａ弓腻, has been carried off by someone lately. And I have found out to-day that she has come into the power of 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, so let him come with her to my house without fear. I will perform the marriage ceremony according to rule, and so dismiss him with his wife; otherwise you will be my enemies and I shall be yours.鈥欌��

Having thus delivered his master鈥檚 message, the ambassador remained silent. Then King Candraprabha said to them apart:

鈥淗ow can we go to the house of that king who sends such haughty messages?鈥�

When the king鈥檚 minister, named 厂颈诲诲丑腻谤迟丑补, heard that he said:

鈥淒o not entertain wrong notions, King, for he is justified in using such language. For that king is very generous, learned and sprung of a noble race, a hero, one who has offered the 补艣惫补尘别诲丑补 sacrifice,^[10] ever unconquered by others. How can he have spoken anything unbecoming in speaking according to facts? And as for the enmity which he threatens, he does that now on account of Indra. So you must go to his house, for he is a king faithful to his engagements. Nevertheless, send someone to find out his intentions.鈥�

When they heard this speech of 厂颈诲诲丑腻谤迟丑补鈥檚 they all approved it. Then King Candraprabha sent Prahasta to sound Janamejaya, and honoured his messenger. And Prahasta went, and after making an agreement with the King of 碍补耻艣腻尘产墨 brought a letter from him and satisfied Candraprabha.

The king quickly sent that Prahasta, and had 笔补谤补辫耻峁ａ弓腻 conducted from 艢腻办补濒补 to Janamejaya. Then Candraprabha and the other kings, preceded by 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补,^[11] with 碍腻苍迟颈蝉别苍补, went to 碍补耻艣腻尘产墨 in the chariot. There the King Janamejaya courteously honoured his son-in-law, and his connection, and all the others, by advancing to meet them, and other ceremonies. And after he had performed the ceremony of the marriage rite he gave five thousand elephants and one hundred thousand excellent horses, and also five thousand camels laden with full burdens of jewels, gold, precious apparel, camphor and aloes-wood. And he made such a feast that even the realm of Yama^[12] was exclusively engaged in dancing and music, a feast in which excellent Br膩hmans were honoured and all kings gratified.

And in the meanwhile the heaven there suddenly became red, as if indicating that it would soon be dyed crimson with blood. And the sky suddenly became full of confused, hurtling noises, as if terrified at beholding a hostile army coming in the air. And a mighty wind immediately began to blow, as if exciting the inhabitants of earth to war against the wanderers of the air. And immediately a great 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补 army was seen in the air, illuminating with brightness the circle of the horizon, loud-shouting, impetuous. And in the midst of it 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 and the others beheld with astonishment a very handsome, heavenly youth.

And at that moment the herald of the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉 proclaimed with a loud voice, in front of that youth, whose name was 顿腻尘辞诲补谤补:

鈥淰ictory to the Crown Prince 顿腻尘辞诲补谤补, son of King 膧峁Ｄ佱笉丑补! O mortal, dweller on the earth, 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, fall at his feet. And do homage, O Janamejaya; why have you given your daughter to an undeserver? Propitiate, both of you, this god at once, otherwise he will not be appeased.鈥�

When 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 heard this, and saw that army, he was wroth and, seizing his sword and shield, he flew up into the heaven by his science. And all his ministers flew up after him, with their weapons in their hands, Prahasta, and 笔谤补产丑腻蝉补, and 叠丑腻蝉补, and 厂颈诲诲丑腻谤迟丑补, and 笔谤补箩帽腻岣峢测补, and Sarvadamana, and 痴墨迟补产丑墨迟颈 and 艢耻产丑补峁卥补谤补. And the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉 fought a great fight with them. And on one side 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, and on the other 顿腻尘辞诲补谤补 advanced, not slaying their enemies with their swords, but receiving their weapons on their shields. Those men, few in number, and those air roamers, a hundred thousand in number, found equality in battle, fighting with one another. And all sword-blades there flashed red with blood, falling on the heads of heroes, like the glances of the God of Death. And the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉 fell on the earth, with their heads and their bodies, in front of Candraprabha, as if imploring protection out of fear. 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 shone in the world with the glory of the 痴颈诲测腻诲丑补谤补蝉 which he had seen. The sky was red with blood, as if with vermilion shed abroad. And 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 at last reached, and fought face to face with, 顿腻尘辞诲补谤补, who was armed with a sword and a shield. And as he fought he broke through his enemy鈥檚 guard by a skilful management of his weapons, and laid him on the earth, having cleft his shield with his sword. And while he was preparing to cut off the head of his struggling foe, 痴颈峁ａ箛耻 came and made a threatening sound in the sky. Then 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, having heard that sound, and having beheld Hari, prostrated himself, and out of respect for the god spared to slay 顿腻尘辞诲补谤补. Hari carried him off somewhere as his votary and saved him from death, for the adorable one delivers in this world and the next his faithful followers. And the troops of 顿腻尘辞诲补谤补 fled in different directions. 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, for his part, descended from heaven to his father鈥檚 side. And his father, Candraprabha, welcomed him on his returning unwounded with his ministers, and the other kings praised him now that his valour had been seen.

And while they were all engaged in joyfully talking over the combat another ambassador, belonging to 厂耻产丑补峁璦, arrived there. And he came and delivered a letter in the presence of Candraprabha; and 厂颈诲诲丑腻谤迟丑补, opening it, read it out in the assembly. It ran as follows:

鈥淭he august King Candraprabha, the pearl-jewel of a noble race, is thus respectfully solicited by King 厂耻产丑补峁璦 in the Concan. We have learned that our daughter, who was carried off by some beings in the night, has come into the hands of thy son, and we rejoice thereat. Make an effort, thou and thy son 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, to come with her to our house, without raising any objection, in order that we may behold our daughter returned, as it were, from the other world, and perform for her at once the ceremony required for marriage.鈥�

When this letter was read by 厂颈诲诲丑腻谤迟丑补, the King Candraprabha, consenting, welcomed the messenger and rejoiced. And he quickly sent Prahasta to the western border and had 厂耻产丑补峁璦鈥檚 daughter, 颁补苍诲谤颈办腻惫补迟墨, conducted into her father鈥檚 presence. And the next morning they all went, with 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 in front, and in company with Janamejaya, in the chariot to the western border. There King 厂耻产丑补峁璦, pleased at recovering his daughter, showed them much honour, and celebrated his daughter鈥檚 marriage festival. And he bestowed on 颁补苍诲谤颈办腻惫补迟墨 jewels and other gifts in such liberal profusion that 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦 and the others were ashamed at what they had given. Then, while 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 was remaining there in the house of his father-in-law, there came from 尝腻惫腻峁嘺办补 also an ambassador belonging to King Paurava.

He delivered to Candraprabha this message from his master:

鈥淢y daughter 厂耻濒辞肠补苍腻 has been carried off by the fortunate Prince 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补: that does not grieve me; but why should he not be brought with her to my house, in order that we may perform the marriage ceremony?鈥�

When King Candraprabha heard that he honoured the messenger in his joy and had 厂耻濒辞肠补苍腻 escorted by Prahasta into the presence of her father. Then they, 厂耻产丑补峁璦 and all, in the company of 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, went to 尝腻惫腻峁嘺办补 in the chariot, that came as soon as it was thought of. There Paurava performed the joyful marriage ceremony, and bestowed jewels liberally on 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 and 厂耻濒辞肠补苍腻, and honoured the kings also. And while they were remaining there in delight, entertained by the king, Suroha, the King of China, also sent an ambassador. That king, like the others, requested, by the mouth of the ambassador, that, as his daughter had been carried off, they would come with her to his palace.

Then King Candraprabha was delighted, and he had the King of China鈥檚 daughter, 痴颈诲测耻苍尘腻濒腻, also conducted by Prahasta to her father鈥檚 house. And on the next day Candraprabha and all went, including Paurava, together with 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 and his retinue, to the land of China. There the king came out to meet them, and led them into his own treasure-chamber, and there performed the marriage ceremony of his daughter. And he gave to 痴颈诲测耻苍尘腻濒腻 and 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 an immense quantity of gold, elephants, horses, jewels and silk garments. And, being invited by Suroha, Candraprabha and the others continued there for some days in various enjoyments. And 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补, who was in the prime of youth, was adorned by that 痴颈诲测耻苍尘腻濒腻,^[13] as the rainy season, when the clouds abound, is adorned by the lightning garland.

Thus 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 and his relatives, accompanied by his various charmers, enjoyed delights here and there in the houses of his fathers-in-law. Then he took counsel with 厂颈诲诲丑腻谤迟丑补 and his other ministers and dismissed one by one to their own lands 痴墨谤补产丑补峁璦 and the other kings, with numbers of horses, and then took leave of that King Suroha, and, accompanied by his daughter, with his own parents and followers ascended that chariot 叠丑奴迟腻蝉补苍补 and went triumphant to his own city of 艢腻办补濒补. In that city great rejoicing took place on account of his arrival; in one place there was the occupation of dancing, in another the delight of music; in one place the amusement of drinking, in another the toilet rites of fair-eyed ladies; in another the voice of bards loud in the praise of him who had obtained what he desired. Then he had brought his other wives, who had remained in their fathers鈥� houses, and with the stores of elephants and horses bestowed by their fathers, that were brought with them, and with the innumerable camels bowed down with burdens full of various jewels, he displayed in sport the wealth obtained by the conquest of the world, and aroused the wonder of his subjects.

Then 艢腻办补濒补, inhabited by that fortunate one, appeared glorious, as if the chiefs of the gods, of the followers of Kuvera and of the snakes,^[14] had made in it many deposits of much wealth. Then 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 dwelt there with 惭补诲补苍补蝉别苍腻, enjoying the pleasures he desired, happy in that all blessings were fully bestowed upon him, in the society of his parents, with his ministers, accompanied by his other wives, expecting every day Maya, who had made a promise to return.

[Additional note: A艣vamedha (horse-sacrifice)]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

I.e. diamond-peak.

[2]:

For ubhayavedyeka the Petersburg lexicographers read ubhayavedyardha.

[3]:

This story, with the usual sub-stories introduced, stretches to the end of Book VIII, p. 121.鈥攏.m.p.

[4]:

Identified by General Cunningham with the Sa峁単ala of Alexander (Ancient Geography of India, p. 179 et seq.).

[5]:

I.e. 艢颈惫补.

[6]:

This division of personality (办腻测补-惫测奴丑补) is more usually practised by the gods. In the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 (iii, 305) S奴rya impregnates Kunt墨 without destroying her virginity by transferring a portion of his own energy by means of his yoga power. See the note at the end of the next chapter.鈥� n.m.p.

[7]:

I read 产辞诲丑颈迟补岣�.

[8]:

碍腻帽肠墨 means 鈥済irdle,鈥� 驳耻峁嘺, 鈥渆xcellence鈥� and thread.鈥� The last clause might be translated 鈥渕ade of threads.鈥�

[9]:

The D. text reads prabhraman gatav膩n aham; thus Prahasta says: 鈥淜ing, in the course of my wandering I arrived in the country of 艢谤墨办补峁囜弓丑补.鈥� See Speyer, op. cit., p. 116.鈥攏.m.p.

[10]:

See note at the end of this chapter.鈥� n.m.p.

[11]:

I read 厂奴谤测补辫谤补产丑补 for 厂奴谤测补肠补苍诲谤补.

[12]:

What Yama, the judge of the dead, is doing here seems hard to understand. The D. text clears the difficulty by its reading of v膩dyanrittaikamaya峁� lokamahotsavam, which simply means that 鈥渉e gave a great festival to his guests which entirely consisted of music and dancing.鈥� See Speyer, op. cit., p. 116.鈥攏.m.p.

[13]:

痴颈诲测耻苍尘腻濒腻 means 鈥済arland of lightning.鈥�

[14]:

The D. text reads... 产丑耻箩补驳补-苍补驳补谤补颈岣� instead of... 产丑耻箩补峁単补-惫补谤补颈岣�; thus we get a better meaning:

鈥�... appeared, by its great wealth and heavy treasures, as if it were made up of the cities of the gods, of Kubera, and of the Snakes, put together.鈥�

See Speyer, op. cit., p. 116.鈥� n.m.p.