Hindoo Tales | Page 7

up I have often assisted
in plundering expeditions, when they would fall suddenly on some
defenceless village, and carry away not only all the property on which
they could lay their hands, but several of the richest of the inhabitants,

whom they would keep prisoners till a ransom had been paid, or till,
compelled by torture, they confessed where their money was concealed.
"On one of these occasions, when my companions were ill-treating a
brahman, I was seized by a sudden feeling of compassion and
remonstrated with them. Finding words of no avail, I stood before him,
and was killed by my own men while fighting on his behalf.
"After death I went down to the regions below, and was taken before
Yama, the judge of the dead, sitting on a great throne inlaid with
jewels.
"When the god saw me prostrate before him he called one of his
attendants and said: 'The time for this man's death is not arrived, and
moreover, he was killed in defending a brahman; therefore, after
showing him the tortures of the wicked, let him return to his former
body, in which he will in future lead a holy life.'
"By him I was shown some sinners tied to red-hot iron bars, some
thrown into great tubs of boiling oil, some beaten with clubs, some cut
to pieces with swords; after which my spirit re-entered the body, and I
awoke to consciousness, lying alone, grievously wounded, in the forest.
"In this state I was found by some of my relations, who carried me
home and took care of me till my wounds were healed.
"Shortly after this I met with the brahman whom I had rescued, and he,
grateful for the service which I had rendered him, read to me some
religious books, and taught me the due performance of religious rites,
especially the proper way of worshipping Siva.
"When he considered me sufficiently instructed, he quitted me, giving
me his blessing, and receiving many thanks from me for his kindness.
"Since then I have separated myself from all my former associates, and
have lived a life of penance and meditation in this forest, endeavouring
to atone for my past sins, and especially seeking, to propitiate the
mighty deity who has the half-moon for his crest; and now, having told

you my history, I have something to communicate which concerns you
alone, and beg you to withdraw with me to hear it in private."
The two then went aside from the rest of the party, and the stranger said,
"O prince, last night, during sleep, Siva appeared to me and addressed
me thus: 'Matanga, I am pleased with your devotions; they shall now
have their reward. North of this place, on the bank of the river which
flows through the Dandaka forest, there is a remarkable rock, glittering
with crystal and marked with the footsteps of Gaurí. Go thither; in the
side of the rock you will see a yawning chasm, enter it and search till
you find a copper plate with letters engraved on it; follow the directions
therein contained, and you will become King of Pâtâla. That you may
know this not to be a mere dream, a king's son will come to this place
to-morrow, and he will be your companion in the journey.'
"I have in consequence anxiously awaited your coming, and now
entreat you to go with me to the place pointed out in the vision."
The curiosity of the prince was much excited by Matanga's story, and
he readily promised to be his companion; fearing, however, that his
friends would be opposed to his purpose, he did not on his return tell
them anything of what he had heard, and at midnight, when they were
all fast asleep, he slipped away without disturbing them, and went to
join Matanga, who was waiting for him at a place which had been
agreed on, and the two walked on till they came to the rock indicated
by Siva in the vision.
Meanwhile, the rest of the party, uneasy at the disappearance of the
prince, sought for him all over the forest, and not finding him,
determined to disperse, and continue the search in different countries;
and having arranged where to meet again, took leave of each other, and
set out separately in different directions.
Matanga, entirely believing the vision, and rendered still more
confident by the companionship of the prince, fearlessly entered the
cavern, found the copper plate and read the words engraved on it.
Following the directions therein contained, they went on in darkness,
groping their way through long passages, till at last they saw light

before them and arrived at the subterranean country of Pâtâla.
After walking some distance further, they came to a small lake,
surrounded by trees, with a