Hindoo Tales Part 12

To this the king graciously a.s.sented, and I was received into the palace, where I soon found means of letting the princess know of my disguise, and was taken into her apartments as one of her immediate attendants.

Thus our wishes were gratified, and we enjoyed uninterrupted intercourse with each other. But more was yet to be done, and when the time was nearly arrived at which it had been arranged between me and the old brahman that he was to come to fetch me, I said to my darling: "To-morrow, as you know, there will be a procession to a certain holy place near the river; you and your attendants will join in it and have an opportunity of bathing there. While we are in the water, I will scream out, as if drowning, and, diving underneath the surface, will come up among the bushes a long way off, without being seen. Do you appear greatly distressed at my death; but fear nothing, I shall soon come to you again."

Accordingly, the next day, while bathing in the Ganges, I made it appear as if I were accidentally carried out of my depth and drawn in by one of the eddies of the river, and screamed out loudly for help.

My cries and screams and subsequent disappearance caused a great commotion, and long search was made for my body; but of course in vain, for I had dived under, and come to the surface un.o.bserved among the thick bushes at the place which had been agreed upon. There, having gone on sh.o.r.e, I soon found the old brahman, who was waiting for me with a suit of men's clothes, and, putting them on, I walked quietly with him into the town.

The next day, as if he had heard nothing of the loss of his pretended daughter, he went to the king, accompanied by me, and said "My lord, I have returned from Oujein, and have brought with me this young man, the intended husband of my daughter, with whom I am much pleased, and whom I can confidently recommend to your favour, for I have heard an exceedingly good report of him there. He is not only very learned in the vedas and commentaries, advanced in science and arts, well instructed in politics and history, clever in reciting stories and poetry, but is a bold and skilful rider, a good archer and swordsman.

There is scarcely anything that a young man should know, with which he is not familiar; and, with all this, he is free from conceit, good-tempered, gentle, and kind; in short, he seems to me almost perfect, and more fit to marry a princess than the daughter of such a man as I am. When I have seen my child happily married to him, I shall not trouble them with my society, but withdraw from the world, and end my days in a hermitage. I have now come to take back my daughter, with the most humble and heartfelt grat.i.tude for the gracious protection which you have so kindly afforded her." With these words he bowed himself to the ground in humble obeisance.

On hearing this the king was greatly perplexed, and obliged to admit that the girl had been drowned while bathing, and that her body had not been found.

Then the old man began to tear his hair, beat his breast, and show signs of the most extravagant grief, calling on the king to restore his dear daughter, and reproaching him with having caused her death.

In vain did the king make him large offers of compensation; he refused them all, declaring it to be his firm intention to put himself to death at the gate of the palace, and so cause the sin to fall on the king's head.[9]

He, despairing of finding any other way of appeasing the old man, after some consideration and consultation with his ministers, said to him: "You have told me that your intended son-in-law is a young man of rare abilities, and more fit to be the husband of a princess than of your daughter, and his appearance is very prepossessing; I offer him then my daughter in the place of yours. Will this satisfy you?" Then at last the old man professed to be contented; I was treated with much honour, in due time became the husband of the princess, and reached the summit of my wishes.

After a time, an army was sent by my father-in-law to the a.s.sistance of the King of Anga, and, thinking of the possibility of meeting you here, I solicited and obtained the command of it, and my hopes have been fulfilled, since I have now the great pleasure of seeing you.

Having heard this story, the prince remarked: "You have done no deeds of blood, but have gained your ends by gentleness and ingenuity. This is the way approved of by the wise." Then turning to Mitragupta, he said "It is now your turn," and he immediately began his story thus:--

ADVENTURES OF MITRAGUPTA.

My lord, I set out on my travels in search of you, like the rest, and arriving one day at Damalipta, I saw a great crowd collected in a large park outside the city. While looking about me to find some one of whom I might inquire what this festival was, I espied a young man, sitting alone in an arbour, amusing himself with playing on a lute.

Going up to him, I asked "What is this concourse of people? Why do you sit here alone, away from the others?"

He answered: "A long time ago, the king of this country, having no children, made many prayers and offerings to the G.o.ddess Durga, in the hope of propitiating her. At last she appeared to him in a dream, and said: 'Your prayer is granted; your wife shall bear twins--a daughter who must be your successor, and a son who must be subject to her and to her husband when she marries. Further, it is my will and pleasure that, beginning from her seventh year, you shall make, every month when the moon is in the constellation Krittika (or the Pleiades), a great festival, to be called the Festival of the Ball Dance, at which she shall publicly exhibit her skill before the people. I also will, that in reference to a husband, she shall have free choice without any pressure on your part, and that he whom she marries shall have equal power with her, and reign after your death.'

"The promise given in the dream was fulfilled. The queen bore twins--a son and a daughter. The king has duly obeyed the commands of the G.o.ddess, and to-day the princess, whose name is Kandukavati, will again perform the ball dance for the propitiation of Durga in the sight of the people here a.s.sembled.

"You asked me also why I am sitting here alone. I will tell you. The Princess Kandukavati has a dear friend and foster-sister, who is engaged to me.

"Of late, Bhimadhanwa, the brother of the princess, has cast his eyes on her, and persecuted her with his importunities. Knowing his character, I have great fear lest some day he should use violence towards her. This is why I am so anxious and uneasy, and have no inclination to join in the festivities."

Just then I heard the tinkling of anklets, and a young lady came to the place where we were sitting.

On seeing her, my companion started up with great delight, and, taking her by the hand, introduced her to me, saying: "This is the lady whom I have told you of, dearer to me than life, the thought of separation from whom, through the wickedness of that wretch, burns me like fire, and causes me to suffer misery greater than death. I have no loyalty or respect towards him, and will lose my life rather than suffer him to accomplish his wicked purpose."

But she, with tears in her eyes, said: "O my beloved, do not on my account engage in any act of violence; whatever might be the result, your own life would, certainly be forfeited. You have continually professed your great love for me; be guided now by my advice. I am ready to follow you wherever you go; let us then fly from this country, and go where we shall be safe from my persecutor."

My new acquaintance then turned to me, and said: "You seem to have been a great traveller; tell us in what country we may be most in safety and best able to live."

I smiled at this, and answered: "The world is wide, and there are plenty of countries pleasant to live in; but, after all, one's own country is the best; why should you banish yourselves? I think I can contrive some means by which you will be enabled to remain here in safety and comfort. Wait then a while, and if I cannot do this I will tell you where it will be best for you to go."

Before we had time to say more, the young girl started up, saying: "I dare not stay a moment longer. I have stopped away from my mistress to see you, and now I hear her coming, and must join her directly. Any one may see the princess at this festival; I hope you will have a good view of her." Saying this to me, she ran off, and we both followed her to the place where the princess was to perform--an open stage which had been erected in the park.

Presently she made her appearance, followed by a train of female attendants, and the moment I saw her my heart was drawn towards her. I almost doubted whether she were a G.o.ddess or a mortal; but when she began to play, I was even more captivated by her graceful movements than I had been by her beauty.

First she made a low obeisance in honour of the G.o.ddess; then taking up the bright red ball with her slender fingers, she let it drop as if accidentally, and striking it as it rebounded, caught it on the back of her hand and sent it high into the air; then she made it rise and fall, at first slowly, then faster, and then very rapidly, keeping time to it by graceful movements of the feet. Sometimes it seemed to stand still, sometimes to fly up like a bird; at one time she would strike it alternately with her right hand and left hand; at another send it high into the air, dancing meanwhile to her own singing; then the ball would go quite away, and come back as if of itself. Thus she went on a long time amidst the applause of the surrounding spectators, performing various graceful movements, striking the ball with feet as well as hands, and even making it whirl round and round her so rapidly that she seemed to be enclosed in a fiery red cage; now with one hand holding up her dress or replacing her hair which had fallen down, and keeping the ball in motion with the other; now taking several b.a.l.l.s and keeping them all in the air at once.

At last the performance was ended; and, after again making a low obeisance in honour of the G.o.ddess, she walked slowly round the stage, leaning on the arm of her foster-sister Chandrasena, and followed by her maidens, casting several significant glances at me, and especially giving me one long lingering look as she withdrew.

My new friend, Kosadasa, who had stood near me all the time, invited me to his house, where I was most hospitably entertained.

In the evening, Chandrasena, the lady to whom he had introduced me, came to see him. I said to her: "I promised to find some means of freeing you from the importunities of the prince; this is what I have thought of. I have a magic ointment, a small quant.i.ty of which applied to your face will make you look like a monkey in the eyes of all who see you. Your persecutor will certainly then be disgusted, and give you no more annoyance."

"Truly I am exceedingly obliged to you," she answered, "for such a charming proposal. But whatever I may be in a future birth, I have no inclination to be turned into a monkey now. If you have nothing better than this to propose, we shall not esteem your wisdom very highly.

Happily, I have thought of something much better. You have heard that, according to the word of Durga, the princess is to be allowed free choice of a husband. You are greatly in love with her, and she is favourably disposed towards you, from your appearance. My mother, of whom she is very fond, will do everything in her power to promote your interests; and no doubt she will choose you. The king and queen will of course give their consent; and the marriage once completed, there will be no further danger, since Bhimadhanwa will be subject to you, and you will be able easily to protect me. Wait, therefore, a few days, and I and my mother will do our best on your behalf. But I must not stay longer; my mistress will be waiting for me."

After she was gone, Kosadasa and I got into conversation about that which so greatly concerned us both; and so much interested were we, that we never thought of going to bed, but sat up talking all the night. In the morning, I went to the park, and stood for some time near the stage on which I had seen the princess; and in imagination saw her there again, in some of those graceful att.i.tudes which she had displayed. While I was thus deep in thought, I was accosted by Bhimadhanwa, who introduced himself to me, appeared very friendly, sat down with me, and, after some conversation, invited me to his house.

Having no suspicion of treachery, I accompanied him to the palace, where I was most hospitably entertained. After dinner, not having slept the night before, I lay down, and was soon fast asleep, and dreaming of my beloved princess. Presently, I was suddenly awakened, and found my arms bound with an iron chain, and Bhimadhanwa, with angry countenance, standing near me. "Vile wretch!" he said. "You fancied you could plot in safety; and little thought that all which that girl said was overheard, and brought to me by one of my spies, who heard it through the open window. My silly sister, forsooth, is in love with you! You are to marry her, and make me your subject; and you will order me to give up Chandrasena, that she may marry her lover!

You are much mistaken. I am not so easily managed as that. We shall soon see how all your fine projects will end." Then calling two strong men, his servants, at his command they lifted me up, carried me down to the sea, and threw me in as I was.

Notwithstanding the chain which confined my arms, I managed to keep afloat, till by a lucky chance I fell in with a piece of wood, and by throwing myself across it, managed to hold on, and was carried out to sea. After floating all night, in the morning I was seen from a ship sailing that way, and taken on board.

The captain, however, who was a foreigner, had not much compa.s.sion on me; and only thought, as I was young and strong, how much he could get by selling me as a slave; and did not even release my hands. I had not been long on board, however, when the ship was attacked by pirates, who surrounded it with their boats, and poured in a shower of arrows and other missiles.

Seeing that the crew of the merchant-ship were being defeated, I called out to the captain: "Take off my chain; set me free; and I will soon drive away the enemy."

He did as I asked; and furnished me with a good bow and arrows, which I used so effectually, that a large number of the enemy were killed or wounded; and the boats began to draw off.

Meanwhile, our ship had drifted close to the pirates' galley. I leapt on board, and most of the crew being disabled, took prisoner the captain, who turned out to be Bhimadhanwa, the very man who had so treacherously ill-used me. He was utterly astonished at seeing, me; and hung down his head ashamed, unable to answer a word, when I said to him: "Where are all your threats and boastings? You are now as completely in my power as I was in yours."

Then the sailors, shouting for joy at the victory, bound him with the chain with which I had been confined; and after taking possession of the pirate ship, we continued the voyage; but being driven out of our course by a contrary wind, landed on an uninhabited island, to get water and wild fruits, and attend to the wounded.

The merchant-captain and crew, delighted at my bravery, and the timely a.s.sistance I had rendered them, treated me with the greatest respect.

While they were engaged, I walked about to explore the island; and came to a large quant.i.ty of stones which had fallen from a high rock.

These I crossed over, and going round to the other side, found a gentle slope, covered with trees and flowers. Walking slowly among them, admiring the beautiful scenery and enjoying the cool shade, I arrived, almost imperceptibly and without fatigue, at the summit, where I found a small lake, surrounded with ruby-coloured, variegated rocks, and partly covered with bright lotuses. In this I bathed, and pulled up some of the lotus-plants, the young shoots of which were unusually sweet and good.

As I came out of the water, carrying a large root on my shoulder, I saw standing on the bank a terrible Rakshas in human form, who called out, in an angry tone "Who are you? Where do you come from? What are you doing here, destroying my flowers?"

Without showing any sign of fear, I walked boldly up to him, and said: "I am a brahman, who has just escaped many dangers. I was treacherously thrown into the sea, rescued by a merchant-ship, then attacked by pirates; and now, after conquering them, we have put into this island for water. I have much enjoyed my bathe, and wish you good morning."

"Stop!" said he. "You will not get off so easily. You seem a bold fellow, however, and I will give you a chance for life. I shall ask you four questions. If you can answer them, you are free; if not, I shall devour you immediately."

"Very good," I answered; "I am ready to hear them." Then he began:

"What is cruel?"

"A wicked woman's heart."

"What is most to the advantage of a householder?"