Hindoo Tales | Page 6

a woman carrying this child,
and evidently in great distress. On being questioned by me, she wiped
away her tears, and with difficulty told me her story, saying, 'O
brahman, Satyavarma, the youngest son of Sitavarma, a minister of the
King of Magadha, after travelling about a long time, visiting all holy
places as a pilgrim, came to this country, and here married a Brahman's
daughter, named Kâli. Having no children by her, he took as his second
wife her sister Gaurí, and by her he had one son, this child.
"'Then the first wife, envious of her sister, determined to destroy the

child; and having, with some false pretence, enticed me, when I was
carrying the child, to the bank of the river, she pushed us in. I contrived
to hold my charge with one hand, and to swim with the other till I met
with an uprooted tree carried down by the rapid current. To this I clung,
and after floating a long distance, was able at last to land at this place;
but in getting away from the tree I disturbed a black serpent which had
taken refuge there, and having been bitten by it, I now feel that I am
dying.' As she spoke, the poison began to take greater effect, and she
fell on the ground.
"After trying in vain the power of charms, I went to look for some herb
which might serve as an antidote; but when I returned the poor creature
was dead.
"I was much perplexed at this occurrence, especially as she had not told
me the name of the village from which she came, nor could I conjecture
how far off it might be, so that I was unable to take the child to its
father.
"Therefore, after collecting wood and burning the body, I have brought
the child to you, thinking that he will be best taken care of under your
protection."
The king, astonished that so many children should have been brought in
such a wonderful manner, and distressed at not knowing where to find
Satyavarma, gave the child the name of Somadatta, and committed him
to the care of his uncle, Sumati, who received him with great affection.
These nine boys, thus wonderfully collected together, became the
associates and play-fellows of the young prince, and were educated
together with him.
When they were all nearly seventeen, their education was regarded as
complete, for they had not only been taught the vedas and the
commentaries on them, several languages, grammar, logic, philosophy,
&c., but were well acquainted with poetry, plays, and all sorts of tales
and stories; were accomplished in drawing and music, skilled in games,
sleight of hand and various tricks, and practised in the use of weapons.

They were also bold riders and drivers of horses and elephants; and
even clever thieves, able to steal without detection; so that Râjahansa
was exceedingly delighted at seeing his son surrounded by a band of
such brave, active, clever companions and faithful followers. One day
about this time Vâmadeva came to visit the king, by whom he was
received with great respect and reverence. Seeing the prince perfect in
beauty, strength, and accomplishments, and surrounded by such
companions, he said to Râjahansa: "Your wish for a son has indeed
been fully gratified, since you have one who is all that you could desire.
It is now time for him to go out into the world and prepare himself for
the career of conquest to which he is destined.".
The king listened respectfully to the advice of the muni, and
determined to be guided by it; having therefore given his son good
advice, he sent him forth at a propitious hour, to travel about in search
of adventure, accompanied by his nine friends.
After travelling for some days, they entered the forest of Vindhya, and
when halting there for the night they saw a rough-looking man, having
all the appearance of a Bheel, but wearing the sacred cord which is the
characteristic of a brahman.
The prince, surprised at such an incongruity, asked him who he was,
how he came to be living in such a wild place, and how, with all the
appearance of a forester, he was wearing the brahminical cord.
The man, seeming to be aware that his questioner was a person of
importance, answered respectfully, "O prince, there are in this forest
certain nominal brahmans, who, having abandoned the study of the
vedas, religious obligations, and family duties, are devoted to all sorts
of sinful practices, and act as leaders of robber bands, associating with
their followers and living as they live.
"I, Matanga by name, am the son of one of these, and was brought up to
be a robber like them. Since I have been grown