Hindoo Tales by Translated by P. W. Jacob

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ADVENTURES OF MANTRAGUPTA.

My Lord, I also, in my anxiety to find you, wandered about like the
others.

Late one evening I came to a wood, a few miles from the city of
Kalinga, and very near a public cemetery. Seeing no dwelling near, I
made myself a bed of leaves, and lay down under a large tree, where I
was soon asleep. About midnight, when evil spirits are wont to roam,
and everything was quiet around me, I awoke, and fancied I heard a
whispering conversation going on among the branches of the tree
immediately above me. Listening very attentively, I was able to
distinguish these words: "We are powerless to resist that vile Siddha
whenever he chooses to command us; could not some person be found
powerful enough to counteract the designs of that vile magician?"

After this the voices ceased, and I thought I could hear a rustling
among the branches as if the speakers were moving from tree to tree.
This strange occurrence greatly excited my curiosity. I said to
myself: "Who are these creatures whose voices I have heard? who can
that magician be, and what dreadful thing is it which he is about to
do?" With these thoughts, I determined if possible to discover the
mystery, and followed, as well as I was able, the direction which the
demons, or whatever they were whom I had heard conversing, had taken.
Guided by the rustling sound which I still heard above me, I made my
way through the darkness, till at last I thought I saw a light in the
distance, and going a little further, I perceived a fire shining
through the thick foliage. Approaching very cautiously, I saw a Siddha
standing near it, his head covered with a large mass of tangled hair,
his body begrimed with the dust of charcoal, and a girdle of human
bones round his waist. He was throwing at intervals handfuls of
sesamum and mustard-seed into the fire, causing flickering flames to
rise up and dispel the surrounding darkness. Before him, in humble
attitude, stood two Rakshas, male and female, whom I supposed to be
those whose voices I had heard in the tree. They said to him, "We
await your commands. What are we now to do?"

"Go," he answered in a stern voice, "immediately to the palace of the
King of Kalinga, and bring here his daughter Kanakalekha." This they
did in an incredibly short time. As soon as she was brought he seized
her by the hair, and disregarding her tears and entreaties and screams
for help, was about to cut off her head with a sword.

Meanwhile I had cautiously crept nearer, and perceiving the danger of
the princess, I made a sudden rush at him, snatched the sword from his
hand and cut off his head.

Seeing this, the two Rakshas approached me, and showing great delight
at the death of their cruel master, said to me: "That wicked man has
for a long time had power over us; we have continually been compelled
to go on his vile errands, and have had no rest night or day. You have
done a truly good deed in killing him; your valour has freed us from
this slavery; he is gone to the kingdom of Yama, where he will receive
the reward of his evil deeds, and we are ready to serve you; say only
what is to be done."

I thanked them for their grateful offer, and said: "I have only done
what every good man would have done under the circumstances; but if
you are willing to serve me, all that I require of you is to carry
this lady again to her father's house, from which she was so cruelly
taken."

The princess hearing this, stood for a moment irresolute, with her
head bent down, her eyes half closed, her eyebrows quivering, her
bosom agitated by hurried breathing and wetted by tears of joy,
restlessly moving one foot, as if scratching the ground, and betraying
the struggle between bashfulness and love by alternate blushes and
paleness. Then, in a low sweet gentle voice, she uttered these words:
"O gracious sir, why do you, having just delivered me from a terrible
death, now overwhelm me in a sea of love whose waves are the
agitations of anxiety driven by the wind of passion? My life, saved by
you, is entirely at your disposal. Take pity on me; regard me as your
own. Let me be your servant, your slave; I would endure anything
rather than separation from you. Come with me to my father's palace;
you need not fear discovery; all my friends and attendants are
faithful and devoted to me; they will carefully keep the secret."

Pierced to the heart by the arrows of Kama, tied and bound by her
looks and words as if with chains of iron, I had no power to refuse,
and turning to the two Rakshas, I said: "I have no choice here.
Whatever this fair lady commands must be done. Take us both,
therefore, to the place from which you brought her."

Bowing down in submission, they lifted us from the ground, carried us
through the air, and placed us while it was yet night in the
apartments of the princess. There she introduced me to her attendants,
assigned me a room in the upper story where I might most easily escape
detection, and appointed them to keep watch so that no one might enter
her apartments without notice. I had thus abundant opportunities of
being with the princess; but though my love daily increased, I made no
further advances to her.

One day some of her women came with tears in their eyes, and bowing
down to my feet, said, with whispering timid voice, "O gracious sir,
our lady is doubly yours, since she was gained by your own valour
when you rescued her from death, and is assigned to you by the
all-powerful God of Love. Do not let her languish in vain. Make her
your wife without delay." With this request I could not refuse to
comply, and taking the hand of the princess, I declared our solemn
union.

For a time we enjoyed the greatest happiness. It was destined,
however, to be of no long duration; our separation was at hand, for
now was the time of spring, when the trees were covered with blossoms
bent down by the eager bees, and the song of birds was resounding
among their branches waved by the soft south wind, bearing perfume
from the sandal groves of Malaya; at which season the king was
accustomed to go with all his court to the sea-shore, and there, in
tents under the shade of lofty trees, to enjoy the cool sea breezes.

My bride of course went with the rest; and as there was no possibility
of concealing me in such a place, I was obliged, though reluctantly,
to let her depart alone, consoling myself by looking forward to her
return.

The royal party had not long been gone, when news was brought to the
city that the king and all his court, thinking only of enjoyment, and
unsuspicious of danger, had been captured by Jayasinha, King of
Andhra, who, sailing with a large fleet, had suddenly landed and taken
them by surprise.

This news caused me the greatest consternation. "Jayasinha," I
thought, "will certainly be captivated by the beauty of the princess;
she will take poison rather than submit to his embraces; and I could
not long survive her, for how could I live without her?"

While perplexed with this thought, and not knowing what to do, I heard
of a brahman just arrived from Andhra, who was full of a strange event
which had lately happened there.

"The King of Andhra," he said, "has long been a bitter enemy of the
King of Kalinga, and having taken him prisoner, was about to kill him,
but he has fallen in love with the princess Kanakalekha, and wishing
to marry her, not only spares her father's life, but treats him with
kindness for her sake.

"An unexpected obstacle to the accomplishment of his wishes has,
however, arisen; the lady has suddenly become possessed by an evil
spirit, whose rage is greatest whenever the king visits her.

"Anxious for her recovery, he has offered a large reward to any one
who shall succeed in driving out the demon, but as yet no one has been
able to effect her cure."

This information filled me with hope, for I was well aware of the
nature of the princess's disease, and knew that no one but myself
could cure it. I was able, therefore, to form a plan for her
deliverance, and quickly decided on the disguise to be adopted. At the
time when I killed the magician, I had taken off his scalp, with all
the mass of tangled hair, and had hid it in a hollow tree. I now went
to the place, and taking out this scalp, fitted it on my own head;
then rubbing over my whole body with dirt and charcoal dust, and
dressing myself in old rags, I was completely disguised as an
ascetic--and when I went into the neighbouring villages I was regarded
as a very holy devotee, and had many applications from persons
wishing for advice or seeking to be cured of diseases. This belief I
encouraged to the utmost, and took care to keep up my credit by means
of various tricks and contrivances.

In this manner I was soon able to collect a number of disciples, glad
to live in idleness on the offerings continually brought to me, fully
believing in my sanctity, entirely devoted to me, and ready to obey
all my commands.

Having got together this troop of followers, I went to the side of a
tank or small lake not far from the city of Andhra, built myself a
hut, and made known that I intended to stay there for a time.

The news of my arrival was soon spread abroad by my disciples, who
were loud in their praises of my miraculous powers, and the wonderful
cures which I had effected; and great numbers of people came from the
city to see me, either from curiosity or from the hope of receiving
some benefit.

In a very short time wonderful stories about me were brought to the
Raja. "There is now a very holy devotee sleeping on the ground near
the lake; he is possessed of the most marvellous knowledge. There is
no question which he cannot answer, no difficulty which he cannot
solve. His power of healing is beyond belief; a few grains of dust
fallen from his feet, when sprinkled on the head of the sick, are more
efficacious than any medicine; and water in which his feet have been
washed has cured in a moment diseases, and driven out evil spirits
which have resisted for a long time all the efforts of physicians and
exorcists. Yet with all this he is exceedingly kind and
condescending, and free from pride."

The king, hearing all this, thought: "This is just the person I am in
need of; no doubt he will be able to cure the princess." He therefore
determined to apply to me; but so great was his respect for my dignity
and supernatural powers, that he did not venture to send for me, but
came several times to see me, distributing each time money among my
followers, before mentioning his request that I would drive out the
evil spirit from the princess.

After hearing his statement, I looked very grave, and appeared for
some time to be wrapped in profound meditation. At last I said: "Sir,
you have done very right to apply to me; I will undertake that the
lady shall be cured, but it would be useless for me to see her at
present. The case is a very peculiar one, and the cure requires much
thought and consideration; wait therefore for three days, then come
again, and I will tell you what is to be done." On receiving this
answer, the king went away very well satisfied.

That night, as soon as it was dark, telling my followers on no account
to disturb me, I went, as if for private meditation, to one side of
the tank, at some distance from the steps, and there dug a large hole
in the bank sloping upwards, with the opening partly under water and
concealed by loose stones above; taking care to throw the excavated
earth into the tank.

On the third day, at dawn, I rearranged my dress as before, and having
worshipped the all-seeing sun as he rose, returned to my followers.

I had not long been settled in my usual place when the king made his
appearance, and bowing down to my feet, he awaited my pleasure.

Having kept him a short time in suspense, I thus addressed him:
"Success does not come to the careless, but all advantages are
attainable by the energetic; being devoted to your service, I have
given my whole mind to the consideration of this difficult affair, and
can now point out a certain way to success.

"The evil spirit by whom the princess is possessed cannot bear the
sight of you in your present form, and therefore breaks out into fury
when you appear. If your body can be changed, he will no longer be
offended, and will immediately depart; there is no other way by which
he can be driven out. I have therefore so prepared this lake that if
you bathe in it in accordance with my directions, you will acquire a
new and beautiful body acceptable to the lady, and she will no more be
troubled with the evil spirit.

"You must therefore come here at midnight, and having stripped
entirely, swim out into the middle of the tank, and there float on
your back as long as possible. Presently a rushing noise will be
heard, and the water will be troubled, and dash against the bank. As
soon as the commotion has subsided, come forth; you will find that
your body has become younger, stronger, and improved in every respect;
and when you return to the palace there will be no further difficulty
or obstacle on the part of the princess, who will immediately undergo
a change in her feelings, and will long for your society as much as
she now abhors it. All this is quite certain; you need not have the
smallest doubt; but if you think proper, before deciding, consult your
ministers, and be guided by their advice. If they consent, first
worship the gods and propitiate them with offerings, make large
donations to the brahmans and the poor, and come here to-night at the
appointed time. That there may be no danger from alligators or
concealed enemies, let the tank be thoroughly dragged with nets by a
hundred fishermen, and place a line of soldiers all round it with
torches in their hands a few steps from the water; with these
precautions no possible harm can happen to you."

The enamoured king, very anxious for the expulsion of the supposed
demon, and fully believing that I had the power to perform what I had
promised, went away well pleased, and immediately consulted his
ministers. They seeing how eager he was, and not anticipating any
possibility of danger, readily approved of the proceeding.

Having obtained their consent the king returned to me, and finding
that I was about to depart, earnestly entreated me to stay, saying
that half the pleasure of success would be taken away if I were not
there to witness it; but I answered that there were urgent reasons for
my immediate departure, and that I had already remained longer than I
had intended to do, solely on his account. I assured him that I had so
prepared everything that my presence was now quite unnecessary, that I
was about to disappear from the world, and that he would see me no
more. Finding me quite determined, he took leave of me with many
expressions of respect, and went back to his palace to give orders for
the performance of all that I had directed.

Accordingly, a large number of fishermen with nets were engaged, by
whom the lake was thoroughly dragged, and large donations were made to
the brahmans and the poor. Towards evening, soldiers with torches were
placed, all round the tank, and at midnight the king, attended by a
numerous retinue, and followed by a great crowd anxious to witness the
expected miracle, came to the steps leading down to the water, and
having undressed there in a tent which had been pitched for that
purpose, plunged in and swam out to the middle.

Meanwhile I had said to my followers: "I have no further need of you;
I am about to retire to a lonely place to practise meditation; you may
now leave me; go, and my blessing be upon you." Well satisfied with
the gifts they had received, they departed; and when they were gone I
slipped unobserved into the lake, and entered the hole which I had
prepared. There I remained till I heard the noise of the crowd who
came with the king, and perceived him floating on the surface. Diving
cautiously under him, I pulled him down, strangled him, and dragged
the body into the hole; then swimming to the steps, I boldly came
forth, to the astonishment of the attendants, who, though they had
expected a miracle, were scarcely prepared for such a great change. No
one, however, doubted that I was really their sovereign, and having
dressed and mounted an elephant, I entered the city, escorted by the
soldiers and followed by a great crowd of people, who had come forth
from curiosity, and were loud in their praises of the pious man who
had wrought such a miracle.

That night I was unable to sleep. In the morning I summoned all the
ministers and counsellors, and said: "Behold the power of piety and
penance. That holy man has performed a great miracle, and bestowed on
me this new body, which you see, by means of the tank which he has
consecrated, and through the favour of the gods, whom he had long
propitiated; after such a manifestation, who shall doubt their power?
Let the faces of all unbelievers be bowed down by shame; let a great
and solemn festival be made with song and dance in honour of Brahma,
Siva, Yama, and the other deities, the rulers of the world, and
distribute much money among the poor."

This speech was received with great approbation, and all,
congratulating me and praising the gods, performed the duties imposed
upon them.

After this I went to the women's apartments, and there the first
person whom I met was a very devoted servant of the princess, who had
been especially attentive to me. She, not imagining what had occurred,
would have let me pass without especial notice; but I called her, and
said: "Have you never seen me before?"

Then indeed she opened her eyes wide with joy and astonishment,
saying: "Can it be possible? is not this a delusion? Tell me what it
all means."

I gave her a brief account of what had happened, and sent her to
prepare my wife. How glad she was to see me you may well imagine.

So well did we manage, that the secret was kept, no suspicion even
arose, and all the people were rejoiced at the favourable change, not
only in the person, but in the temper and disposition of their
sovereign.

In due time I was publicly married to the princess, and reinstated her
father in his kingdom.

I have now come here with an army to assist the King of Anga, and have
thus obtained the great happiness of seeing you again.

The prince, having heard this story, said "Your cleverness has indeed
been great, and your personation of the Siddha wonderful. May you
long continue to possess such wisdom and prudence, combined with wit
and cheerfulness." Then, looking at Visruta, he said: "It is now your
turn;" and he forthwith began:--

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ADVENTURES OF VISRUTA.

My Lord, as I was wandering one day in the forest of Vindhya, I met
with a very handsome boy, standing by the side of a well, crying
bitterly. When I asked what was the matter, he said: "The old man who
was with me, when trying to get water from this well, fell in, and I
am unable to help him. What will become of me?"

Hearing this, I looked down the well, which was not very deep, and saw
the old man standing at the bottom, the water not being sufficient to
cover him. By means of a long and tough stem of a creeper, I pulled
him up safely; then using it again as a rope, with a cup made from
the hollow stem of a bamboo, I drew water for the poor child, who was
half dead with thirst; and finding that he was suffering from hunger
also, I knocked down some nuts from the top of a high tree with a
well-aimed blow of a stone.

The old man was very grateful for my timely assistance; and when we
were all comfortably seated in the shade, he gave me, at my request, a
long account of the circumstances which had brought him there,
saying:--

"There was formerly a King of Vidarba remarkable for wisdom and
justice, learned in the Scriptures, a protector of his subjects (by
whom he was much beloved), a terror to his enemies, wise in political
science, upright and honest in all his actions, kind to his
dependents, grateful for even small services, and gracious to all.
Having lived the full age of man, he died, leaving a prosperous
kingdom to his son Anantavarma, a young man of great abilities, but
caring more for the mechanical arts, music, and poetry, than for his
duties as a ruler.

"One day, one of his father's old counsellors in private addressed him
thus: 'Sire, your majesty, with the advantage of royal birth, has
almost every good quality that can be desired; your intelligence is
very great; your knowledge superior to that of others; but all this,
without instruction in political science and attention to public
affairs, is insufficient for a king; void of such knowledge, he is
despised, not only by foreigners, but by his own subjects, who,
disregarding all laws, human and divine, at last perish miserably, and
drag down their sovereign in their fall. A king who has not political
wisdom, however good his eyesight may be, is regarded by the wise as a
blind man, unable to see things as they are. I entreat you, therefore,
to give up the pursuits to which you are so devoted, and to study the
art of government. Your power will then be strengthened, and you may
long reign over a happy and prosperous people.'

"To this exhortation the young king appeared to listen attentively;
and said: 'Such is the teaching of the wise; it ought to be followed.'

"After dismissing the old counsellor, the king went into the women's
apartments, and began to talk to them of the exhortation which he had
just received. His observations were attentively listened to by one of
his constant attendants, who determined, if possible, to turn the
king's thoughts in another direction, and prevent him from being
influenced by the good advice which had been given. This man had many
accomplishments; he was skilled in dancing, music, and singing; quick
at repartee; a good story-teller; full of fun and jokes; but devoid of
honour and honesty; false, slanderous, a receiver of bribes, a bad man
in every way; yet, from his wit and humour, very acceptable to the
king, whom he now thus addressed: 'Wherever there is a person of
exalted position, there are always clever rogues ready to prey upon
him, and, while degrading him, to accomplish their own base purposes.
Some, under the guise of religion, will tell him: "The happiness of
this world is shortlived and fleeting; eternal happiness can only be
obtained by prayer and penance;" and so they persuade him to shave
his head, wear a dress of skins, gird himself with a rope of sacred
grass, and, renouncing all pleasures and luxuries, to betake himself
to fasting and penance, and give away his riches to the poor, meaning,
of course, themselves; some of these religious impostors will even
persuade their dupes to renounce children, wife--nay, even life
itself.

"'But suppose a man to have too much sense to be deluded in this way,
they will try a different plan; to one they will say: "We can make
gold; only furnish us with the means, and your riches shall be
increased a thousandfold;" to another: "We can show you how to destroy
all your enemies without a weapon;" to another: "Follow our advice,
and, though you are nobody now, you shall soon become a great man."

"'If their victim is a sovereign, they will say to him: "Four
branches of study are said to be proper for kings--the vedas, the
puranas, metaphysics, and political science;--but the first three are
of very little advantage; they may safely be neglected, and he should
give up his mind to the last only. Are there not the six thousand
verses composed for the use of kings, and containing the whole
science? Learn these by heart, and you will be prepared for all
emergencies." So then he must set to work to learn all these crabbed
rules. He must; according to them, distrust every one, even wife or
son. He must rise early, take a very scanty meal, and immediately
proceed to business.

"'First he must go over accounts, and balance income and expenditure;
and while his rascally ministers pretend to have everything very
exact, they have forty thousand ways of cheating him, and take good
care of themselves.

"'Then he must sit in public, and be tired to death with receiving
frivolous complaints and petitions, and will not even have the
satisfaction of doing justice; for, whether a cause be just or not,
his ministers will take care that the decision shall be according to
their own interests.

"'Then he is allowed a short time for bathing, dressing, and dining;
if, indeed, the poor wretch can venture to dine, with the constant
fear of poison in his mind.

"'After this he must remain a long time in council with his ministers,
perplexed with their conflicting arguments, and unable to understand
even the half of them; while they, pretending to act impartially, get
everything settled as they had previously agreed and by twisting and
distorting the reports of spies and emissaries, manage to serve
themselves and their friends, and to get credit for putting down
disturbances which they themselves had excited.

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