The Katha Sarit Sagara or Ocean of the Streams of Story Part 20

CHAPTER XLV.

Then, one day, when king Chandraprabha was in the hall of a.s.sembly, and Suryaprabha was there accompanied by all his ministers, they called to mind Maya a propos of a remark made by Siddhartha, and suddenly the earth cleft open in the middle of the a.s.sembly. Then first a loud-sounding fragrant breeze ascended from the aperture in the earth, and afterwards the Asura Maya rose up from it, looking like a mountain in the night, for his hair gleamed upon his black lofty head like the potent herbs upon the mountain peaks, and his crimson robe resembled the flowing streams of cinnabar. And the king of the Danavas, after having been duly honoured by king Chandraprabha, spake from his seat on a jewelled throne--"You have enjoyed these delights of earth, and now it is time for you to enjoy others; set yourselves now to prepare for acquiring them. Send out amba.s.sadors, and collect your subordinate kings, and your friends and connexions; then we will unite with Sumeru, prince of the Vidyadharas, and we will conquer Srutasarman, and win the sovereignty of the sky-goers. And Sumeru is our ally, considering us as friends, for he received at the outset a command from Siva, to support Suryaprabha and give him his own daughter. When the Asura Maya said this, Chandraprabha sent, as amba.s.sadors to all the kings, Prahasta and the other ministers that travelled through the air; and, by the advice of Maya, Suryaprabha communicated the magic sciences to all his wives and ministers, on whom they had not been bestowed already.

And while they were thus engaged, the hermit Narada arrived, descending from the sky, illuminating the whole horizon with brightness. And after he had received the argha, he sat down and said to Chandraprabha, "I am sent here by Indra, and he sends this message to your Highness--'I have learned that, by the instigation of Siva, you purpose, with the a.s.sistance of the Asura Maya, being all of you deluded by ignorance, to obtain for this Suryaprabha, of mortal frame, the great dignity of emperor of all the chiefs of the Vidyadharas: that is improper, for I have conferred it on Srutasarman, and besides it is the hereditary right of that moon of the sea of the Vidyadhara race. And as for what you are doing in a spirit of opposition to me, and contrary to what is right, it will certainly result in your destruction. Moreover, before, when your Highness was offering a sacrifice to Rudra, I told you first to offer an Asvamedha sacrifice, but you did not do it. So the haughty enterprise you are engaged in, without regard to the G.o.ds, relying upon Siva alone, will not turn out to your happiness.'" When Narada had delivered in these words the message of Indra, Maya laughed and said to him; "Great hermit, the king of G.o.ds has not spoken well. For what he says about the fact of Suryaprabha being a mortal is beside the point; for who was not aware of that fact, when he met Damodara in fight? For mortals who possess courage can obtain all powers. Did not Nahusha and others of old time obtain the dignity of Indra? And as for his saying that he bestowed the empire on Srutasarman, and that it is his hereditary right, that also is absurd, for where Siva is the giver, who has any authority? Besides, did not he himself take away the sovereignty of the G.o.ds from Hiranyaksha, though it descended to him as the elder? And as for his other remark about opposition, and our acting contrary to what is right, that is false, for he violently puts himself in opposition to us out of selfish motives, and wherein, pray, are we acting contrary to what is right, for we are only striving to conquer our rival, we are not carrying off a hermit's wife, we are not killing Brahmans? And what he says about the necessity of first performing an Asvamedha sacrifice, and about contempt of the G.o.ds, is untrue, for when sacrifice to Siva has been performed, what need is there of other sacrifices? [635] And when Siva the G.o.d of G.o.ds is wors.h.i.+pped, what G.o.d is not wors.h.i.+pped? And as for his remark that exclusive attention to Rudra [636] is not becoming, I answer--Of what importance are the hosts of the other G.o.ds, where Siva is in arms? When the sun has risen, do the other luminaries give light? So you must tell all this to the king of the G.o.ds, O hermit, and we shall continue to carry out what we are engaged in, let him do what he can." When the ris.h.i.+ Narada had been thus addressed by the Asura Maya, he said "I will do so," and took back to the king of the G.o.ds that answer to his message. When that hermit had departed, the Asura Maya thus spake to king Chandraprabha, who was apprehensive on account of the message of Indra, "You must not be afraid of Indra; even if he is on the side of Srutasarman in fight, with the hosts of the G.o.ds, out of hostility to us, still we Daityas and Danavas are countless in number, and under the leaders.h.i.+p of Prahlada we are ranged together on your side. And if the destroyer of Tripura [637]

favours us and is active on our side, what other miserable creature in the three worlds has any power? So set about this expedition, heroes." When Maya said this, all those there were pleased, and considered that it was as he said.

Then in accordance with the messages carried by the amba.s.sadors, in course of time all the kings, Virabhata and the others, a.s.sembled there, and all the other friends and relatives of Chandraprabha. When these kings with their armies had been duly honoured, the Asura Maya again said to Chandraprabha, "Perform to-night, O king, a great sacrifice in honour of Siva; afterwards you shall do all as I direct." When he heard this speech of Maya's, king Chandraprabha immediately had preparations made for a sacrifice to Siva. Then he went to the forest at night, and under the instructions of Maya, himself performed devoutly a sacrifice to Rudra. And while the king was engaged in the fire-offering, there suddenly appeared there Nandin the prince of the host of Bhutas. He was honoured duly by the delighted king, and said--"The G.o.d Siva himself sends this command by me, 'Through my favour thou needst not fear even a hundred Indras; Suryaprabha shall become emperor of the sky-goers.'" After he had delivered this message, Nandin received a portion of the offering and disappeared with the hosts of Bhutas. Then Chandraprabha became confident in the future elevation of his son, and after completing the sacrifice, at the end of the fire-offering, re-entered the city with Maya.

And the next morning, when king Chandraprabha was sitting in secret conclave together with the queen, his son, the kings and his ministers, the Asura Maya said to him--"Listen, king, I will to-day tell you a secret long guarded; you are a Danava, Sunitha by name, my mighty son, and Suryaprabha is your younger brother, named Sumundika; after you were slain in the war of the G.o.ds, you were born here as father and son. That Danava body of yours has been preserved by me skilfully embalmed with heavenly drugs and ghee. Therefore you must enter a cavern and visit Patala, and then return to your own body by a charm which I will teach you. And when you have entered that body, you will be so much superior in spirit and strength, that you will conquer in fight the wanderers of the air. But Suryaprabha, who is an incarnation of Sumundika, with this same beautiful body which he now possesses, shall soon become lord of the sky-goers. When king Chandraprabha heard this from Maya, he was delighted and agreed to it, but Siddhartha said this--"O excellent Danava, what ground of confidence have we, if this doubt should arise, 'Why has the king entered another body, has he then died?' And moreover will he forget us when he enters another body, like a man gone to the other world? Who is he, and who are we?" When the Asura Maya heard this speech of Siddhartha's, he answered--"You yourselves must come and see him with your own eyes entering another body, of his own free will, by the employment of a charm. And hear the reason why he will not forget you. A man, who does not die of his own free will, and is born in another womb, does not remember anything, as his memory is destroyed by old age and other afflictions, but whoever of his own free will enters another body, penetrating by the employment of magic the internal organ and the senses, without his mind and intellect being impaired, and pa.s.ses, as it were, from one house to another, that prince among Yogins has supernatural knowledge and remembers all. So do not feel doubtful; so far from there being any reason for it, this king will obtain a great divine body free from old age and sickness. Moreover you are all Danavas, and by merely entering Rasatala, [638] and drinking nectar, you will obtain divine bodies free from sickness." When the ministers heard this speech of Maya's, they all said, "So be it," and consented to his proposal, abandoning their apprehensions out of the confidence they reposed in him. And by his advice, Chandraprabha, with all the kings, went on the next day to the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and the Airavati. [639] There Chandraprabha left the kings outside, and committed to their care the wives of Suryaprabha, and then he entered in company with Suryaprabha, the queen, and the ministers with Siddhartha at their head, an opening in the water pointed out by Maya, and after entering he travelled a long distance, and beheld a heavenly temple, and entered it with all of them.

And in the meanwhile the Vidyadharas descended with troops on those kings, who were remaining there outside the opening; and paralyzing the kings by supernatural arts, they carried off the wives of Suryaprabha, and immediately a voice was heard from the sky--"Wicked Srutasarman, if you touch these wives of the emperor, you shall immediately perish with your host. So guard them respectfully, treating them like your mother; there is a reason for my not immediately slaying you and setting them free; so let them remain as they are at present." And when the kings, Virabhata and the others, saw them carried off, they prepared to die by fighting with one another. But a voice from heaven forbade their attempt, saying, "No harm will befall these daughters of yours, you shall obtain them again, so you must not act rashly, prosperity befall you!" So the kings remained waiting there. In the meantime Chandraprabha was in the temple in Patala surrounded by all his companions, and there Maya said to him, "King, listen attentively to this wonderful thing; I will shew you the supernatural art of entering another body." He said this, and recited the Sankhya and the Yoga doctrine with its secrets, and taught him the magic art of entering another body; and that chief of Yogins said--"This is the famous supernatural power, and the independence of knowledge, the dominion over matter that is characterized by lightness and the other mystic properties. The chief of the G.o.ds, possessing this power, do not long for liberation; in order to obtain this power others endure the hards.h.i.+p of muttering prayers and performing asceticism. Men of lofty soul do not love the pleasures of heaven even when attained. And listen, I will tell you a story in ill.u.s.tration of this."

Story of the Brahman Kala.

In a former Kalpa [640] there was a certain Brahman, of the name of Kala. He went to the holy bathing-place Pushkara and muttered prayers day and night. While he was muttering, two myriads of years of the G.o.ds pa.s.sed away. Then there appeared a great light inseparable from his head, which, streaming forth in the firmament like ten thousand suns, [641] impeded the movement of the Siddhas and others there, and set the three worlds on fire. Then Brahma, Indra and the other G.o.ds came to him and said--"Brahman, these worlds are on fire with your brightness. Receive whatever boon you desire." He answered them--"Let me have no other pleasure than muttering prayers, this is my boon, I choose nothing else." When they importuned him, that mutterer of prayers went far off and remained on the north side of the Himalayas, muttering prayers. When this extraordinary brightness of his gradually became intolerable even there, Indra sent heavenly nymphs to tempt him. That self-restrained man did not care a straw about them, when they endeavoured to seduce him. Then the G.o.ds sent him Death as plenipotentiary. He came to him and said--"Brahman, mortals do not live so long, so abandon your life; do not break the law of nature." When the Brahman heard this, he said--"If the limit of my life is attained, why do you not take me? What are you waiting for? But I will not of myself abandon my life, O thou G.o.d with the noose in hand; indeed, if I were wilfully to abandon my life, I should be a self-murderer." When he said this, and Death found that he could not take him on account of his power, he turned away from him and returned as he came. Then Indra repenting seized that Kala, [642] who had conquered Time the destroyer, in his arms, and took him up to heaven by force. There he remained averse to the sensual enjoyments of the place, and he did not cease from muttering prayers, so the G.o.ds made him descend again, and he returned to the Himalayas. And while all the G.o.ds were trying to induce him there to take a boon, the king Ikshvaku came that way. When he heard how affairs stood, he said to that mutterer of prayers, "If you will not receive a boon from the G.o.ds, receive one from me." When the mutterer of prayers heard that, he laughed, and said to the king--"Are you able to grant me a boon, when I will not receive one even from the G.o.ds?" Thus he spoke, and Ikshvaku answered the Brahman--"If I am not able to grant you a boon, you can grant me one; so grant me a boon." Then the mutterer said--"Choose whatever you desire, and I will grant it." When the king heard this, he reflected in his mind: "The appointed order is that I should give, and that he should receive; this is an inversion of the due order, that I should receive what he gives." Whilst the king was delaying, as he pondered over this difficulty, two Brahmans came there disputing; when they saw the king they appealed to him for a decision. The first said, "This Brahman gave me a cow with a sacrificial fee: why will he not receive it from my hand, when I offer to give it back to him?" Then the other said, "I did not receive it first, and I did not ask for it, then why does he wish to make me receive it by force?" When the king heard this, he said--"This complainant is not in the right; why, after receiving the cow, do you try to compel the man, who gave it, to take it back from you?" When the king said this, Indra, having found his opportunity, said to him--"King, if you hold this view of what is right, then, after you have asked the Brahman, who mutters prayers, for a boon, why do you not take it from him when it is granted?" Then the king, being at a loss for an answer, said to that muttering Brahman--"Revered sir, give me the fruit of half your muttering as a boon." Then the muttering Brahman said--"Very well, receive the fruit of half my muttering," and so he gave the king a boon. By means of that boon the king obtained access to all the worlds, and that muttering Brahman obtained the world of the G.o.ds called Sivas. [643] There he remained for many kalpas, and then returned to earth, and by mystic contemplation obtained independence, and gained everlasting supernatural power.

"Thus this supernatural power is desired by wise men, who are averse to heaven and such low enjoyments; and you have obtained it, O king, so, being independent, enter your own body." When Maya said this to king Chandraprabha, after communicating to him the doctrine of mystic contemplation giving supernatural power, [644] he and his wife and his son and his ministers rejoiced exceedingly.

Then the king, with his son and companions, was led by Maya to a second under-world, and made to enter a splendid city. And there they saw a gigantic hero, reclining at full length upon a beautiful couch, as if asleep, anointed with potent herbs and ghee, awful from the ghastly transformation of his features, surrounded by the daughters of the kings of the Daityas, with their lotus-faces full of melancholy. Then Maya said to Chandraprabha:--"This is your body, surrounded by your former brides, enter it."--The king had recourse to the magic contemplation taught by Maya, and entered the body of that hero, abandoning his own frame. [645] Then the hero yawned slowly, opened his eyes, and rose up from the bed, as if awaking out of sleep. Then a shout arose from the delighted Asura brides, "Happy are we, that our husband, the G.o.d Sunitha, is to-day restored to life." But Suryaprabha and the others were immediately despondent, beholding the body of Chandraprabha lying lifeless. But Chandraprabha-Sunitha, appearing as if risen from a refres.h.i.+ng sleep, saw Maya, and falling at his feet honoured his father. That father too embraced him and asked him in the presence of all,--"Do you remember both your lives, my son?" He said; "I do remember them," and related what had happened to him in his life as Chandraprabha, and also what had happened to him in his life as Sunitha, and he comforted one by one Suryaprabha and the others, and also his queens, mentioning each by name, and also the Danava ladies, his wives in his first life. And he preserved the body, which he had as Chandraprabha, carefully laid by, embalmed by means of drugs and ghee, saying, "It may possibly be useful to me." Then Suryaprabha and the others, tranquil now that they had gained confidence, bowed before him, and joyfully congratulated him.

Then Maya, having conducted all of them in high delight out of that city, led them to another city adorned with gold and jewels. When they entered it, they beheld a lake of the appearance of beryl, filled with nectar, and they all sat down on the bank of it. And they drank that nectarous draught there, more excellent than the water of life, in curiously ornamented cups formed of jewels, which were brought to them by the wives of Sunitha. And by that draught they all rose up, as from a sleep of intoxication, and became possessed of divine bodies, and of great strength and courage.

Then the Asura Maya said to Chandraprabha-Sunitha, "Come, my son, let us go, and see your mother after so long a separation." And Sunitha said "So be it," and prepared to go conducted by Maya, and so proceeded to the fourth under-world with Suryaprabha and the others. There they beheld curious cities made of various metals, and at last they all reached a city built entirely of gold. There, on a pillar composed of jewels adorned with every luxury, they beheld that mother of Sunitha, the wife of Maya, by name Lilavati, surpa.s.sing in beauty the nymphs of heaven, surrounded with Asura maidens, and adorned with all ornaments. The moment she beheld that Sunitha, she rose up in a state of excitement, and Sunitha, after saluting her, fell at her feet. Then she embraced with gus.h.i.+ng tears the son, whom she once more held in her arms after so long an interval, and again praised her husband Maya, who was the cause of her regaining him. Then Maya said--"Queen, your other son Sumundika has been born again as the son of your son, and here he is, Suryaprabha by name. He has been appointed by the G.o.d Siva the future emperor of the Vidyadharas, and is destined to rule over them in the body which he now possesses." When Suryaprabha heard this, and saw her look at him with an eye of longing affection, he and his ministers fell at her feet. And Lilavati gave him her blessing, and said to him--"My darling, you do not require the body of Sumundika, in this you are sufficiently glorious." When his sons were thus triumphant, Maya called to mind his daughter Mandodari, and Vibhishana, and when called to mind, they came. And Vibhishana, welcomed with triumphant rejoicings, said to him--"O prince of the Danavas, if you will listen to my advice, I will give it you. You are among the Danavas singularly virtuous and prosperous, so you ought not to take up a causeless enmity against the G.o.ds. For you will gain nothing but death from your hostility to them. For Asuras have been slain in battle by the G.o.ds, but not G.o.ds by Asuras." When Maya heard this, he said--"We are not forcing on war, but if Indra violently makes war on us, tell me, how can we remain pa.s.sive? And as for those Asuras who were slain by the G.o.ds, they were reckless, but did the G.o.ds slay Bali and others who were not infatuated?" That king of the Rakshasas having, with his wife Mandodari, been addressed with these and similar speeches by Maya, took leave of him, and went to his own dwelling.

Then Sunitha, with Suryaprabha and the others, was conducted to the third under-world to visit king Bali. In that world, which surpa.s.sed even heaven, they all beheld Bali, adorned with chain and tiara, surrounded with Daityas and Danavas. Sunitha and his companions fell at his feet in due order, and he honoured them with appropriate welcome. And Bali was delighted with the tidings related by Maya, and he quickly had summoned Prahlada and the other Danavas. Sunitha and the others honoured them also by falling at their feet, and they, being full of joy, congratulated them, as they bent before them. Then Bali said, "Sunitha became Chandraprabha on the earth, and now is restored to life for us by regaining his body. And we have also gained Suryaprabha, who is an incarnation of Sumundika. And he has been appointed by Siva the future emperor of the Vidyadharas: and by the power of the sacrifice offered by Chandraprabha my bonds have been relaxed. So without doubt we have gained prosperity by recovering these." When Sukra, the spiritual adviser of the Danavas, heard this speech of Bali's, he said, "In truth those who act according to right never fail of prosperity in any matter; so act according to right, and do on this occasion also what I bid you." When the Danavas, the princes of the seven under-worlds, who were a.s.sembled there, heard that, they agreed to it and bound themselves so to act. And Bali made a feast there, out of joy at the recovery of Sunitha.

In the meanwhile the hermit Narada arrived there again, and after taking the argha, he sat down, and said to those Danavas, "I have been sent here by Indra, and he in truth says this to you, 'I am exceedingly delighted at the fact that Sunitha has come back to life; so you must not take up a causeless enmity against me, and you must not fight against my ally Srutasarman.'" When the hermit had thus delivered Indra's message, Prahlada said to him, "Of course Indra is pleased that Sunitha has come back to life, how could it be otherwise? But we at any rate are not taking up causeless hostility. This very day we all took an engagement that we would not do so, in the presence of our spiritual adviser. But if Indra makes himself a partizan [646]

of Srutasarman, and violently opposes us, how are we to be blamed for it? For Suryaprabha's ally, Siva, the G.o.d of G.o.ds, has long ago appointed him, because he propitiated him first. So what have we to do with this matter which has been settled by the lord Siva? It is clear that this, which Indra says, is without cause, and not right." When Prahlada, the king of the Danavas said this to Narada, he blamed Indra by expressing his agreement with it, and disappeared. When he had gone, Usanas [647] said to the kings of the Danavas--"Indra is evidently determined to oppose us in this matter. But, as Siva has decidedly girded up his loins to shew us favour, what is his power, or what will his reliance upon Vishnu do?" The Danavas heard and approved this speech of Sukra's, and taking leave of Bali and Prahlada, went to their own homes. Then Prahlada went to the fourth under-world, his habitation, and king Bali, rising up from the a.s.sembly, retired within. And Maya and Sunitha and the others, Suryaprabha and all, bowed before Bali, and went to their own habitations. After they had eaten and drunk there sufficiently, Lilavati, the mother of Sunitha, came to him and said, "My son, you know that these wives of yours are the daughters of mighty ones, Tejasvati being the daughter of the G.o.d of wealth, Mangalavati of Tumburu; and as for Kirtimati, that wife that you married in your existence as Chandraprabha, her you know to be the daughter of the Vasu Prabhava, so you must look upon these three with an equal eye, my son." After saying this, she commended to him his three princ.i.p.al wives. Then, that night, Sunitha entered his sleeping apartment with the eldest, Tejasvati.

But Suryaprabha, in another chamber, with his ministers, reclined on a couch without any of his wives that night. And the G.o.ddess of sleep did not come to him, who remained continually alone, saying to herself, "What is the use of this unloving man, who leaves his wives outside?" And she would not approach Prahasta out of jealousy, as he was so exclusively in love with the cares of his official duties, but the other ministers around Suryaprabha went to sleep comfortably. In the meanwhile Suryaprabha and Prahasta beheld an incomparable maiden entering, accompanied by a female friend. She was so beautiful that Providence seemed, after creating her, to have placed her in the lower regions in order that the nymphs of heaven, also his creation, might not be eclipsed by her. And while Suryaprabha was debating who she might be, she approached each of his friends, one by one, and looked at them; and as they did not possess the distinguis.h.i.+ng marks of emperors, she left them, and seeing that Suryaprabha possessed them, she approached him, who was lying in the midst of them; and she said to her friend--"Here he is, my friend; so touch him on the feet, wake him up with those hands of yours cool as water." When her friend heard that, she did so, and Suryaprabha ceased to feign sleep, and opened his eyes, and beholding those maidens, he said--"Who are you, and why do you come here?" When the friend of the lady heard that, she said to him--"Listen, king, in the second under-world there is a victorious king named Amila, a chieftain of the Daityas, the son of Hiranyaksha; this is his daughter Kalavati whom he loves more than life. Her father came back to-day from the court of Bali, and said--'I am fortunate in that I have to-day beheld Sunitha once more restored to life; and I have also seen the young man Suryaprabha, an incarnation of Sumundika, who has been brought into the world by Siva as the future emperor of the Vidyadharas. So I will now offer a congratulatory tribute to Sunitha,----I will give my daughter Kalavati to Suryaprabha, for she cannot be given to Sunitha because she belongs to the same family; but Suryaprabha is his son in his birth as a king, not in his birth as an Asura, and any honour paid to his son will be paid to him.' When my friend heard this speech of her father's, her mind being attracted by your virtues, she came here out of a curiosity to see you." When that friend of the lady's said this, Suryaprabha pretended to be asleep in order to discover the real object of her wish. The maiden slowly approached the sleepless Prahasta, and after telling him all by the mouth of her friend, went out. And Prahasta advanced towards Suryaprabha and said--"King, are you awake or not?" And he, opening his eyes, said to him, "My friend, I am awake, for how could I sleep to-day being alone? But I will tell you a strange fact; listen, for what can I hide from you? I saw a moment ago a maiden enter here with her friend; her equal is not beheld in these three worlds. And she departed in a moment, taking my heart with her. So look for her at once, for she must be somewhere hereabout." When Suryaprabha said this to him, Prahasta went out, and seeing the maiden there with her friend, he said to her--"I, to please you, have again woke up my master here, so you, to please me, must once more grant him an interview. Behold once more his form that gives satisfaction to your eyes, [648] and let him, who was overpowered by you as soon as he saw you, behold you again. For when he woke up, he said to me speaking of you, 'Bring her from some place or other, and shew her to me, otherwise I cannot survive.' Then I came to you, so come and behold him yourself." When she was thus addressed by Prahasta, she hesitated to go in boldly, owing to the modesty natural to a maiden, and reflected, and then Prahasta, seizing her hand, led her into the presence of Suryaprabha. And Suryaprabha, when he saw that Kalavati had come near him, said--"Fair one, was this right of you to come in to-day and steal away my heart, as you did, when I was asleep? So, thief, I will not leave you unpunished to-day." When her sly friend heard this, she said to him; "Since her father knew of it before, and determined to a.s.sign this thief to you for punishment, who can forbid you to punish her. Why do you not inflict on her to your heart's content the punishment due for thieving?" When Suryaprabha heard that, he wanted to embrace her, but Kalavati being modest, said, "Do not, my husband, I am a maiden." Then Prahasta said to her; "Do not hesitate, my queen, for the Gandharva marriage is the best of all marriages in the world." When Prahasta had said this, he went out with all the rest, and Suryaprabha that very moment made Kalavati, the maiden of the under-world, his wife.

And when the night came to an end, Kalavati went to her own dwelling, and Suryaprabha went to Sunitha and Maya. They all a.s.sembled and went into the presence of Prahlada, and he, seated in the hall of audience, after honouring them appropriately, said to Maya: "We must do something to please Sunitha on this day of rejoicing, so let us all feast together." Maya said--"Let us do so, what harm is there in this?" And then Prahlada invited by means of messengers the chiefs of the Asuras, and they came there in order from all the under-worlds. First came king Bali accompanied by innumerable great Asuras. Close behind him came Amila and the brave Duraroha and Sumaya, and Tantukachchha, and Vikataksha and Prakampana, and Dhumaketu and Mahamaya, and the other lords of the Asuras; each of these came accompanied by a thousand feudal chiefs. The hall of audience was filled with the heroes who saluted one another, and after they had sat down in order of rank, Prahlada honoured them all. And when the time of eating arrived, they all, with Maya and the others, after bathing in the Ganges, went to a great hall to dine. It was a hundred yojanas wide, and had a pavement of gold and jewels, and was adorned with jewelled pillars, and full of curiously wrought jewelled vessels. There the Asuras, in the company of Prahlada, and with Sunitha and Maya, and with Suryaprabha accompanied by his ministers, ate heavenly food of various kinds, containing all the six flavours, solid, liquid, and sweetmeats, and then drank the best of wine. And after they had eaten and drunk, they all went to another hall, which was made of jewels, and beheld the skilful dance of the Daitya and Danava maidens. On that occasion Suryaprabha beheld the daughter of Prahlada, named Mahallika, who came forward to dance by order of her father. She illuminated the world with her beauty, rained nectar into his eyes, and seemed like the moon-G.o.ddess [649] come to the under-world out of curiosity. She had her forehead ornamented with a patch, beautiful anklets on her feet, and a smiling face, and seemed as if all made of dancing by the Creator. With her curling hair, her pointed teeth, and her b.r.e.a.s.t.s that filled up the whole of her chest, she seemed as it were to be creating a new style of dance. And that fair one, the moment she was beheld by Suryaprabha, forcibly robbed him of his heart, though it was claimed by others. Then she also beheld him from a distance, sitting among the Asura princes, like a second G.o.d of Love made by the Creator, when the first G.o.d of love had been burnt up by Siva. And when she saw him, her mind was so absorbed in him, that her skill in the expression of sentiments by gesture forsook her, as if in anger at beholding her want of modesty. And the spectators beheld the emotion of those two, and brought the spectacle to an end, saying, "The princess is tired." Then Mahallika was dismissed by her father, looking askance at Suryaprabha, and after she had bowed before the princes of the Daityas, she went home. And the princes of the Daityas went to their respective houses, and Suryaprabha too went to his dwelling at the close of day.

And when the night came, Kalavati again came to visit him, and he slept secretly within with her, with all his followers sleeping outside. In the meanwhile Mahallika also came there, eager to see him, accompanied by two confidantes. Then a minister of Suryaprabha's, named Prajnadhya, who happened at that moment to have his eyes forsaken by sleep, saw her attempting to enter. And he, recognising her, rose up and said--"Princess, remain here a moment until I enter and come out again." She alarmed, said--"Why are we stopped, and why are you outside?" Prajnadhya again said to her--"Why do you enter in this sudden way when a man is sleeping at his ease? Besides, my lord sleeps alone to-night on account of a vow." Then the daughter of Prahlada, being ashamed, said, "So be it, enter," and Prajnadhya went inside. Seeing that Kalavati was asleep, he woke up Suryaprabha and himself told him that Mahallika had arrived. And Suryaprabha, hearing of it, gently rose up, and went out, and beholding Mahallika with two others, he said--"This person has been supremely blessed by your arrival, let this place be blessed also, take a seat." When Mahallika heard this, she sat down with her friends, and Suryaprabha also sat down, with Prajnadhya by his side. And when he sat down, he said--"Fair one, although you shewed contempt for me by seeming to look on others in the a.s.sembly with respect, nevertheless, O rolling-eyed one, my eyes were blessed as soon as they beheld your dancing as well as your beauty." When Suryaprabha said this, the daughter of Prahlada answered him--"This is not my fault, n.o.ble sir, [650] he is in fault, who made me ashamed in the hall of a.s.sembly by putting me beside my part in the pantomime." When Suryaprabha heard this, he laughed and said--"I am conquered." And then that prince seized her hand with his, and it perspired and trembled, as if afraid of the rough seizure. And she said--"Let me go, n.o.ble sir, I am a maiden under my father's control,"--then Prajnadhya said to that daughter of the chief of the Asuras, "Is not there not such a thing as the Gandharva marriage of maidens? And your father, who has seen your heart, will not give you to another, moreover he will certainly do some honour to this prince here; so away with timidity! Let not such a meeting be thrown away!" While Prajnadhya was saying this to Mahallika, Kalavati woke up within. And not seeing Suryaprabha on the bed, after waiting a long time, she was terrified and apprehensive and went out. And seeing her lover in the company of Mahallika, she was angry and ashamed and terrified. Mahallika too, when she saw her, was terrified and angry and ashamed, and Suryaprabha stood motionless like a painted picture. Kalavati came to his side, thinking--"Now that I have been seen, how can I escape, shall I display shame or jealousy?" And she said with a spiteful intonation to Mahallika--"How are you, my friend, how comes it that you have come here at night?" Then Mahallika said--"This is my house; as you have arrived here from another mansion of the under-world, you are to-day my guest here." When Kalavati heard that, she laughed and said--"Yes, it is clearly the case that you entertain with appropriate hospitality every guest, as soon as he arrives here." When Kalavati said this, Mahallika answered--"When I spoke to you kindly, why do you answer in such an unkind and spiteful way, shameless girl? Am I like you? Did I, without being bestowed in marriage by my parents, come from a distance, and in a strange place sleep in the bed of a strange man alone at night? I came to see my father's guest, as he was going away, in accordance with the duty of hospitality, a moment ago, accompanied by two female friends. When this minister entered, after first reproaching me, I guessed the real state of the case; you have now of yourself revealed it." When thus addressed by Mahallika, Kalavati departed, looking askance at her beloved with an eye red with anger. Then Mahallika too said to Suryaprabha in wrath, "Now I will depart, man of many favourites," and went away. And Suryaprabha remained in heartless despondency, as was reasonable, for his heart, devoted to his loved ones, went with them.

Then he woke up his minister Prabhasa, and sent him to discover what Kalavati had done, after she had separated from him in anger; and in the meanwhile he sent Prahasta to find out about Mahallika, and he remained with Prajnadhya awaiting their report. Then Prabhasa returned from investigating the proceedings of Kalavati, and being questioned, he said as follows: "From this place I went to the private apartment of Kalavati in the second under-world, concealing myself by my science. And outside it I heard the conversation of two maids. The one said, 'My friend, why is Kalavati distressed to-day?' Then the second said--'My friend, hear the reason. There is at present in the fourth under-world an incarnation of Sumundika, named Suryaprabha, who in beauty surpa.s.ses the G.o.d of Love; she went secretly and gave herself to him. And when she had repaired to him to-day of her own accord at night-fall, Mahallika, the daughter of Prahlada, chose to come there too. Our mistress had a jealous quarrel with her, and was in consequence preparing to slay herself, when, she was seen by her sister Sukhavati and saved. And then she went inside, and flinging herself down on a bed, she remained with that sister, who was despondent when she had learnt by enquiry what had taken place.' When I had heard this conversation of the two maids, I entered the apartment, and beheld Kalavati and Sukhavati, who resembled one another exactly."

While Prabhasa was saying this to Suryaprabha in private, Prahasta also came there, and being questioned, he said as follows--"When I arrived from this place at the private apartment of Mahallika, she entered despondent with her two intimate friends. And I entered also invisible by the employment of magic science, and I saw there twelve friends like her; and they sat round Mahallika, who reclined on a sofa ornamented with splendid jewels; and then one said to her, 'My friend, why do you seem to be suddenly cast down to-day? What is the meaning of this despondency when your marriage is about to come off?' When the daughter of Prahlada heard that, she answered her friend pensively, 'What marriage for me? To whom am I betrothed? Who told you?' When she said that, they all exclaimed, 'Surely your marriage will take place to-morrow, and you are betrothed, my friend, to Suryaprabha. And your mother, the queen, told us to-day when you were not present, and ordered us to decorate you for the marriage ceremony. So you are fortunate, in that you will have Suryaprabha for a husband, through admiration for whose beauty the ladies of this place cannot sleep at night. But this is a source of despondency to us--What a gulf there will now be between you and us! When you have obtained him for a husband, you will forget us.' When Mahallika heard this from their mouth, she said, 'Has he been seen by you, and is your heart attached to him?' When they heard that, they said to her--'We saw him from the top of the palace, and what woman is there that a sight of him would not captivate?' Then she said, 'Then I will persuade my father to cause all of you to be given to him. [651] So we shall live together, and not be separated.' When she said this, the maidens were shocked, and said to her, 'Kind friend, do not do so. It would not be proper, and would make us ashamed.' When they said this, the daughter of the king of the Asuras answered them, 'Why is it not proper? I am not to be his only wife: all the Daityas and Danavas will give him their daughters, and there are other princesses on the earth whom he has married, and he will also marry many Vidyadhara maidens. What harm can it do to me that you should be married among these? So far from it, we shall live happily in mutual friends.h.i.+p; but what intercourse can I hold with those others who will be my enemies? And why should you have any shame about the matter? I will arrange it all.' While these ladies were thus conversing, with hearts devoted to you, I came out at my leisure and repaired to your presence." When Suryaprabha had heard this from the mouth of Prahasta, he pa.s.sed that night in happiness, though he remained sleepless in his bed.

In the morning he went to the court of Prahlada, the king of the Asuras, with Sunitha and Maya and his ministers, to visit him. Then Prahlada said to Sunitha after showing him respect--"I will give to this Suryaprabha my daughter Mahallika, for I must shew him some hospitable entertainment which will be agreeable to you." Sunitha received with joy this speech of Prahlada's. Then Prahlada made Suryaprabha ascend an altar-platform, in the middle of which a fire was burning, and which was adorned with lofty jewelled pillars illuminated by the brightness of the flame, and there gave him his daughter, with splendour worthy of the imperial throne of the Asuras. And he gave to his daughter and her bridegroom heaps of valuable jewels, obtained by his triumph over the G.o.ds, resembling the summit of mount Meru. And then Mahallika boldly said to Prahlada--"Father, give me also those twelve companions whom I love." But he answered her--"Daughter, they belong to my brother, for they were taken captive by him, and I have no right to give them away." And Suryaprabha, after the marriage feast was ended, entered at night the bridal chamber with Mahallika.

And the next morning, when Prahlada had gone to the hall of a.s.sembly with his followers, Amila, the king of the Danavas, said to Prahlada and the others--"To-day you must all come to my house, for I intend to entertain there this Suryaprabha, and I will give him my daughter Kalavati, if you approve." This speech of his they all approved, saying, "So be it." Then they all went in a moment to the second under-world, where he dwelt, with Suryaprabha, Maya and others. There Amila gave by the usual ceremony to Suryaprabha his daughter, who had previously given herself. Suryaprabha went through the marriage ceremony in the house of Prahlada, and surrounded by the Asuras who had feasted, spent the day in tasting the enjoyments which they provided for him.

On the next day, Duraroha, a prince of the Asuras, invited and conducted them all to his own under-world, the fifth. There, by way of hospitality, he gave to Suryaprabha his own daughter k.u.mudavati, as the others had done, in the prescribed manner. There Suryaprabha spent the day in enjoyment with all these united. And at night he entered the apartment of k.u.mudavati. There he spent that night in the society of that lovely and loving woman, the beauty of the three worlds.

And the next morning, Tantukachchha invited and conducted him, surrounded with his companions, headed by Prahlada, to his palace in the seventh under-world. There that king of the Asuras gave him his daughter Manovati, adorned with splendid jewels, bright as molten gold. There Suryaprabha spent a highly agreeable day, and pa.s.sed the night in the society of Manovati.

And the next day, Sumaya, a prince of the Asuras, after presenting an invitation, conducted him with all his friends to his under-world, the sixth; there he too gave him his daughter by name Subhadra, with body black as a stalk of durba gra.s.s, like a female incarnation of the G.o.d of Love; and Suryaprabha spent that day with that black maiden, whose face was like a full moon.

And the next day, king Bali, followed by the Asuras, in the same way led that Suryaprabha to his own under-world, the third. There he gave him his own daughter named Sundari, with complexion lovely as a young shoot, and resembling a cl.u.s.ter of madhavi flowers. Suryaprabha then spent that day with that pearl of women in heavenly enjoyment and splendour.

The next day, Maya also in the same way re-conducted the prince, who was in the fourth under-world, to his own palace, which possessed curiously adorned jewelled terraces, was constructed by his own magic power, and on account of its refulgent splendour seemed to be new every moment. There he gave him his own daughter, named Sumaya, whose beauty was the wonder of the world, who seemed to be his own power incarnate, and he did not think that she ought to be withheld from him on account of his being a mere mortal. The fortunate Suryaprabha remained there with her. Then the prince divided his body by his magic science, and lived at the same time with all those Asura ladies, but with his real body he lived princ.i.p.ally with his best beloved Mahallika, the daughter of the Asura Prahlada.

And one night, when he was happy in her presence, he asked the n.o.ble Mahallika in the course of conversation--"My dear, those two female friends, who came with you, where are they? I never see them. Who are they, and where have they gone?" Then Mahallika said--"You have done well to remind me. My female friends are not two only, but twelve in number, and my father's brother carried them off from Indra's heaven. The first is named Amritaprabha, the second Kesini, these are the auspiciously marked daughters of the hermit Parvata. And the third is Kalindi, and the fourth Bhadraka, and the fifth is the n.o.ble Kamala with beautiful eyes. These three are the daughters of the great hermit Devala. The sixth is named Saudamini and the seventh Ujjvala, these are both of them daughters of the Gandharva Haha. The eighth is by name Pivara, the daughter of the Gandharva Huhu. And the ninth is by name Anjanika, the daughter of the mighty Kala. And the tenth is Kesaravali, sprung from the Gana Pingala. And the eleventh is Malini by name, the daughter of Kambala, and the twelfth is Mandaramala the daughter of a Vasu. They are all heavenly nymphs, born from Apsarases, and, when I was married, they were taken to the first under-world, and I must bestow them on you, in order that I may be always with them. And this I promised them, for I love them. I spoke too to my father, but he refused to give them, out of regard for his brother." When Suryaprabha heard this, he said to her with a downcast expression--"My beloved, you are very magnanimous, but how can I do this?" When Suryaprabha said this to her, Mahallika said in anger--"In my presence you marry others, but my friends you do not desire, separated from whom I shall not be happy even for one moment." When she said this to him, Suryaprabha was pleased and consented to do it. Then that daughter of Prahlada immediately took him to the first under-world and gave him those twelve maidens. Then Suryaprabha married those heavenly nymphs in order, commencing with Amritaprabha. And after asking Mahallika's leave, he had them taken by Prabhasa to the fourth under-world and concealed there. And Suryaprabha himself went there secretly with Mahallika, but he went to the hall of Prahlada, as before, to take his meals.

There the king of the Asuras said to Sunitha and Maya--"Go all of you to visit the two G.o.ddesses Diti and Danu." They said "So be it,"

and immediately Maya, Sunitha and Suryaprabha left the lower world, accompanied by the Asuras in order of precedence, and ascended the chariot Bhutasana, which came to them on being thought of, and repaired to the hermitage of Kasyapa situated on a ridge of mount Sumeru. There they were announced by hermits who shewed them all courtesy, and after entering they beheld in due order Diti and Danu together, and bowed their heads at their feet. And those two mothers of the Asuras cast a favourable look upon them and their followers, and after shedding tears and kissing them joyfully upon their heads, [652] and bestowing their blessing upon them, said to Maya: "Our eyes are to-day blessed, having seen this thy son Sunitha restored to life, and we consider thee one whose merits have procured him good fortune. And beholding with heart-felt satisfaction this prosperous Sumundika, born again in the character of Suryaprabha, possessed of heavenly beauty and of extraordinary virtue, destined to be successful and glorious, abounding in unmistakeable marks of future greatness, we openly adore him here with our bodies. Therefore rise up quickly, darlings, and visit Praj.a.pati here, our husband; from beholding him you shall obtain success in your objects, and his advice will be helpful to you in your affairs." When Maya and the others received this order from the G.o.ddesses, they went as they were commanded, and beheld the hermit Kasyapa in a heavenly hermitage. He was like pure molten gold in appearance, full of brightness, the refuge of the G.o.ds, wearing matted locks yellow as flame, irresistible as fire. And approaching, they fell at his feet with their followers, in order; then the hermit gave them the customary blessing, and after making them sit down, out of delight at their arrival said to them--"I am exceedingly glad that I have beheld all you my sons; thou art to be praised, Maya, who, without diverging from the good path, art a treasure-house of all sciences; and thou art fortunate, Sunitha, who hast recovered thy life though lost, and thou, O Suryaprabha, art fortunate, who art destined to be the king of the sky-goers. So you must all continue now in the path of righteousness, and hearken to my word, by means of which you will obtain the highest fortune, and taste perpetual joys, and by which you will not again be conquered by your enemies; for it was those Asuras, that transgressed law, that became a prey for the discus of the vanquisher of Mura. And those Asuras, Sunitha, that were slain by the G.o.ds, are incarnate again as human heroes. He who was thy younger brother Sumundika, has been born indeed now as Suryaprabha. And the other Asuras, who were your companions, have been born as his friends; for instance, the great Asura, named Sambara, has been born as his minister Prahasta. And the Asura, named Trisiras, has been born as his minister named Siddhartha. And the Danava, named Vatapi, is now his minister Prajnadhya. And the Danava, named Uluka, is now his companion named Subhankara, and his present friend Vitabhiti was in a former birth a foe of the G.o.ds, named Kala. And this Bhasa, his minister, is an incarnation of a Daitya by name Vishaparvan, and his minister Prabhasa is an incarnation of a Daitya named Prabala. He was a great-hearted Daitya with a frame composed of jewels, who, when asked by the G.o.ds, though they were his enemies, hewed his body to pieces, and so pa.s.sed into another state of existence, and from that body of his all the jewels in the world have originated. The G.o.ddess Durga was so pleased at that, that she granted him a boon accompanied by another body, by virtue of which he has now been born as Prabhasa, mighty, and hard to be overcome by his enemies. And those Danavas, who formerly existed under the names of Sunda and Upasunda, have been born as his ministers Sarvadamana and Bhayankara. And the two Asuras, who used to be called Vikataksha and Hayagriva, have been born as his two ministers here, Sthirabuddhi and Mahabuddhi. And the others connected with him, these fathers-in-law, ministers and friends of his, are also incarnations of Asuras, who have often vanquished Indra and his crew. So your party has again gradually acquired strength. Be of good courage; if you do not depart from the right, you shall obtain the highest prosperity." While the ris.h.i.+ Kasyapa was saying this, all his wives, the daughters of Daksha, headed by Aditi, arrived at the time of the mid-day sacrifice. When they had given their blessing to Maya and the others, who bowed before them, and had performed their husband's orders for the day, Indra also came there with the Lokapalas [653] to visit the sage. And Indra, after saluting the feet of Kasyapa and his wives and after having been saluted by Maya and the others, looking angrily at Suryaprabha, said to Maya,--"This is the boy, I suppose, that is desirous of becoming emperor of the Vidyadharas; how is he satisfied with so very little, and why does he not desire the throne of heaven?" When Maya heard this, he said, "The throne of heaven was decreed to you by Siva, and to him was appointed the sovereignty of the sky-goers." [654] When Indra heard this, he said with an angry laugh--"This would be but a small matter for this comely shape of a youth who is furnished with such auspicious marks." Then Maya answered him--"If Srutasarman deserves the sovereignty of the Vidyadharas, then surely this shape of his deserves the throne of heaven." When Maya said this, Indra was angry, and rose and uplifted his thunderbolt, and then the hermit Kasyapa made a threatening noise of anger. And Diti and the other wives became enraged, and their faces were red with anger, and they loudly cried, "Shame!" Then Indra, afraid of being cursed, withdrew his weapon, and sat down with bowed head. Then Indra fell at the feet of that hermit Kasyapa, the sire of G.o.ds and Asuras, who was surrounded by his wives, and after striving to appease him, made the following representation with hands folded in supplication: "O reverend one, this Suryaprabha is attempting to take away from Srutasarman the sovereignty of the Vidyadharas, which I bestowed on him. And Maya is exerting himself in every way to procure it for Suryaprabha." When Praj.a.pati heard that, he said, seated with Diti and Danu,--"Thou lovest Srutasarman, O Indra, but Siva loves Suryaprabha, and his love cannot be fruitless, and he long ago ordered Maya to do what he has done. So, what is all this outcry that thou art making against Maya, what offence has he committed herein? For he is one who abides in the path of right, wise, discreet, submissive to his spiritual superior. The fire of my wrath would have reduced thee to ashes, if thou hadst committed that sin, and thou hast no power against him; dost thou not recognise his might?" When that hermit with his wives said that, Indra was abashed with shame and fear, and Aditi said--"What is that Srutasarman like? Let him be brought here and shown to us." When Indra heard this, he sent Matali, [655]

and had brought there immediately that Srutasarman, the prince of the sky-goers. The wives of Kasyapa, when they had seen that Srutasarman, who prostrated himself, looked at Suryaprabha and said to the hermit Kasyapa--"Which of these two is the richer in beauty and in auspicious marks?" Then that chief of hermits said, "Srutasarman is not even equal to his minister Prabhasa, much less is he equal to that incomparable one. For this Suryaprabha is furnished with various heavenly marks of such excellence, that, if he were to make the attempt, he would find even the throne of Indra easy to obtain." When they heard that speech of Kasyapa's, all there approved it, and said--"So it is." Then the hermit gave Maya a boon in the hearing of great Indra--"Because, my son, thou didst remain undaunted, even when Indra lifted up his weapon to strike, therefore thou shalt remain unharmed by the plagues of sickness and old age, which are strong as the thunderbolt. Moreover these two magnanimous sons of thine, who resemble thee, shall always be invincible by all their enemies. And this son of mine Suvasak.u.mara, resembling in splendour the autumn moon, shall come when thou thinkest of him, and a.s.sist thee in the night of calamity. When the hermit had thus spoken, his wives and the ris.h.i.+s and the Lokapalas in the same way gave boons to them, to Maya and the rest, in the a.s.sembly. Then Aditi said to Indra--"Desist, Indra, from thy improper conduct, conciliate Maya, for thou hast seen to-day the fruit of discreet conduct, in that he has obtained boons from me." When Indra heard that, he seized Maya by the hand and propitiated him, and Srutasarman, eclipsed by Suryaprabha, was like the moon in the day. Then the king of the G.o.ds immediately prostrated himself before Kasyapa his spiritual guide, and returned as he came, accompanied by all the Lokapalas; and Maya and the others, by the order of that excellent hermit, departed from his hermitage to meet success in their proposed undertaking.

CHAPTER XLVI.

Then Maya and Sunitha and Suryaprabha, all of them, left that hermitage of Kasyapa, and reached the junction of the Chandrabhaga and Airavati, where the kings, the friends and connexions of Suryaprabha, were awaiting him. And the kings who were there, when they saw Suryaprabha arrived, rose up weeping in despair, eager to die. Suryaprabha, thinking that their grief arose from not seeing Chandraprabha, told them the whole occurrence as it happened. Then, as they still remained despondent, he questioned them, and they reluctantly related how his wives had been carried off by Srutasarman. And they also told him how they were preparing to commit suicide through grief at that outrage, when they were forbidden by a heavenly voice. Then Suryaprabha in wrath made this vow--"Even if Brahma and all the other G.o.ds protect Srutasarman, I will certainly overthrow him, a villain who carries off the wives of others, addicted to treacherous insolence." And having made this vow, he appointed a moment fixed by the astrologers on the seventh day, for marching to his overthrow. Then Maya, perceiving that he was determined, and had made up his mind to conquer his enemy, again confirmed him with his speech, and said to him--"If you really have made up your mind, then I will tell you this; it was I that on that occasion carried off your wives by magic, and I placed them in the under-world, thinking that thus you would set about your victorious expedition in an impetuous manner, for a fire does not of itself burn so fiercely, as it does when fanned by a breeze. So come, let us go to the under-world; I will shew you those wives of yours." When they heard that speech of Maya's, they all rejoiced, and they entered again by the same opening as before, and went to the fourth under-world, Maya leading the way. There Maya brought those wives of Suryaprabha's out of a dwelling-house, and delivered them over to him. Then Suryaprabha, after receiving those wives, and the others, the daughters of the Asuras, went by the advice of Maya to visit Prahlada. He, having heard from Maya that Suryaprabha had obtained boons, and being desirous of proving him, took up his weapon, and said with feigned anger as he bowed before him,--"I have heard, wicked one, that you have carried off the twelve maidens captured by my brother, so, I will slay you now; behold me." When Suryaprabha heard that, he said to him, without changing countenance,--"My body is at your disposal; punish me, for I have acted improperly." When he said this, Prahlada laughed and said to him--"As far as I have tested you, you have not a drop of pride in you. Choose a boon, I am pleased with you." When Suryaprabha heard this, he consented, and chose as his boon devotion to his superiors and to Siva. Then, all being satisfied, Prahlada gave to Suryaprabha a second daughter of his, named Yamini, and that prince of the Asuras gave him two of his sons as allies. Then Suryaprabha went with all the rest into the presence of Amila. He too was pleased on hearing that he had obtained the boons, and gave him Sukhavati his second daughter, and two of his sons to help him. Then Suryaprabha remained there during those days, accompanied by his wives, inducing other kings of the Asuras to make common cause with him. And he heard, in the company of Maya and the others, that the three wives of Sunitha and his own wives, the daughters of the kings, had all become pregnant, and when asked what they longed for, they all said, to see that great battle, and the Asura Maya rejoiced at it, perceiving that the Asuras, who were slain in old time, had been conceived again in them--"This," said he, "is the cause of their desire."

So six days pa.s.sed, but on the seventh Suryaprabha and the others, with their wives and all, set out from the under-world. Delusive portents, which their rivals displayed to impede them, were dissipated by Suvasak.u.mara, who came when thought of. Then they anointed Ratnaprabha, the son of Chandraprabha, king of the earth, and ascended the chariot Bhutasana, [656] and went all of them, by the advice of Maya, to a wood of ascetics on the bank of the eastern Ganges, the dwelling of Sumeru the king of the Vidyadharas. There Sumeru received them with all honour, as they had come on a friendly visit, having been told the whole story by Maya, and remembering the previous command of Siva. And while Chandraprabha and the others were in that place, they summoned each of them all their own forces, and also their relations and friends. First came those princes, the sons of the fathers-in-law of Suryaprabha, who had acquired from Maya the required sciences, eager for the fray. They were sixteen in number, headed by Haribhata, and each was followed by a force consisting of a myriad of chariots, and two myriads of footmen. After them came the Daityas and Danavas true to their agreement, brothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, friends and other connexions of Suryaprabha.

Hrishtaroman, and Mahamaya, and Sinhadanshtra and Prakampana, and Tantukachehha and Duraroha, and Sumaya, and Vajrapanjara, and Dhumaketu, and Pramathana, and the Danava Vikataksha, and many others came from as low down as the seventh under-world. One came with seven myriads of chariots, another with eight, another with six, and another with three, and the least powerful of all with one myriad. One brought three hundred thousand footmen, another two hundred thousand, another one hundred thousand, and the pettiest potentate of all fifty thousand. And each brought a corresponding number of horses and elephants. And another innumerable host came belonging to Maya and Sunitha. And Suryaprabha's own countless army also arrived, and those of Vasudatta and the other kings, and that of Sumeru.

Then the Asura Maya addressed this question to the hermit Suvasak.u.mara, who came to him when thought of, in the presence of Suryaprabha and the others--"Reverend sir, we cannot review this army here because it is scattered; so tell me where we could get a view of the whole army at once extended in long array." The hermit answered--"Not more than a yojana from here there is a place called Kalapagrama; go there and behold it drawn up in line." When the hermit said that, all the princes went with him and Sumeru to Kalapagrama. There they made the armies of the Asuras and the kings take up their positions, and going to an elevated spot they reviewed them separately. Then Sumeru said--"Srutasarman has the larger force, for he has under him a hundred and one chiefs of the Vidyadharas. And every single one of those chiefs is lord of two and thirty kings. Never mind! I will draw away some and make them join you. So let us go in the morning to the place named Valmika. For to-morrow is the eighth lunar day of the black fortnight of Phalguna, which is a high day. And on that day there is produced there a sign to show the future emperor, and for that reason the Vidyadharas are going there in a great hurry on that day.

When Sumeru gave that opinion with regard to the army, they spent that day in accordance with the law, and went on the morrow to Valmika in chariots with their army. There they encamped with shouting forces on the southern plateau of the Himalayas, and beheld many Vidyadhara kings that had arrived. And those Vidyadharas had lighted fires there in fire-cavities, and were engaged in sacrificing, and some were occupied with muttering prayers. Then, where Suryaprabha made a fire-cavity, the fire burst forth of itself, owing to the power of his magic science. When Sumeru saw it, he was pleased, but envy arose in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of the Vidyadharas at the sight; then one said to him--"For shame, Sumeru! why do you abandon your rank as a Vidyadhara, and follow this inhabitant of earth named Suryaprabha?" When Sumeru heard this, he angrily rebuked him. And when Suryaprabha asked his name, he said--"There is a Vidyadhara of the name of Bhima, and Brahma loved his wife at will; from this connexion he sprang. Since be sprang from Brahma in a secret way, he is called Brahmagupta. Hence he speaks in a style characteristic of his birth."

After saying this, Sumeru also made a fire-cavity. And in it Suryaprabha sacrificed with him to the G.o.d of Fire. And in a moment there suddenly rose from the hole in the ground an enormous and terrible serpent. In his arrogance, that chief of the Vidyadharas, named Brahmagupta, by whom Sumeru was blamed, ran to seize it. That serpent thereupon sent forth a hissing wind from its mouth, which carried Brahmagupta a hundred feet, and flung him down with su