Hindoo Tales | Page 3

generous forbearance, and only anxious
to wipe off his disgrace, has been for a long time endeavouring to
propitiate with very severe penance the mighty Siva, whose temple is at
Mahâkâla, and he has so far succeeded that the god has given him a
magic club, very destructive of life and conducive to victory."
"Through this weapon, and the favour of Siva, he now thinks himself a
match for you. He has for some time been strengthening his army, and
will probably very soon invade this country. Your Majesty having
received this information, will decide what ought to be done."
On hearing this report the ministers consulted together and said to the
king, "This enemy is coming against us favoured by the gods, and you
cannot hope to resist him; we therefore advise that you should avoid
fighting, and retire with your family and treasure to a strong fortress."
Although they urged this advice with many reasons, it was not
acceptable to the king, who determined to march at the head of his
army against the invaders. When, however, the enemy had actually
entered the country, the ministers succeeded in persuading their master

to send away the queen and her attendants, and a part of the treasure, to
a strong fortress in the forest of Vindhya, guarded by veteran soldiers.
Presently the two armies met, the battle raged furiously, and Mânasâra,
eagerly seeking out his former conqueror, at last encountered his
chariot. Wielding the magic club, with one blow he slew the charioteer
and caused the king to fall down senseless.
The horses being freed from control, suddenly turned round, dashed off
at full speed from the field, and never stopped till, utterly exhausted,
they had dragged the chariot with the still insensible king very near to
the fortress to which the queen had retreated.
Meanwhile, some of the fugitives from the battle, having reached the
fortress, told the queen what had happened, and she, overwhelmed by
grief at the death of her husband, determined not to survive him.
Perceiving her purpose, the old brahmans and faithful counsellors, who
had accompanied her, endeavoured, to dissuade her, saying, "O
glorious lady, we have no certain information of the king's death:
moreover, learned astrologers have declared that the child to be born of
you is destined to become a mighty sovereign, therefore do not act
rashly or end so precious a life while the least hope remains."
Apparently influenced by these reasons, eloquently urged, the queen
remained silent, and seemed to renounce her purpose, but at midnight,
unable to sleep, and oppressed by intolerable grief, she rose up, and
evading her sleeping attendants and the guards outside, went into the
forest, and there, after many passionate lamentations and prayers that
she might rejoin her beloved husband, she formed a rope by twisting a
part of her dress, and was preparing to hang herself with it from the
branch of a tree, very near to the place where the chariot was standing
concealed by the thick foliage.
Just then the king, revived by the cool night wind, recovered
consciousness, and hearing his wife's voice, softly called her by name.
She, hardly believing her senses for joy, cried out loudly for help, and
soon brought to her assistance some of the attendants, who carried him
gently into the fort, where his wounds were dressed and found not to be

dangerous.
After a short time, more of those who had escaped joined the king; and
when he was sufficiently recovered, the charming Vasumati, instructed
by the ministers, said to him, "All your dominions are lost except this
fortress; but such is the power of fate; prosperity, like a bubble on the
water, or a flash of lightning, appears and disappears in a moment.
Former kings, Râmachandra and others, at least as great as yourself,
were deprived of their kingdoms, and suffered for a long time the
hardships of adversity; yet, through patience and perseverance and the
will of fate, they were at last restored to all their former splendour. Do
you therefore imitate them, and, laying aside all anxiety, devote
yourself to prayer and meditation."
To this advice the king gave ear, and went to consult a very celebrated
rishi, Vâmadeva, intending, under his directions, to engage in such
penance as might lead to the accomplishment of his wishes.
Having been well received by the holy man, he said to him: "O father,
having heard of your great piety and wisdom, I have come hither for
guidance and help in a great calamity. Mânasâra, King of Mâlwa, has
overcome me, and now holds the kingdom which ought to be mine. I
will shrink from no penance which you shall advise, if by such means I
may obtain the favour of the gods, and be restored to my