Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories

SR No.: 016059
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 288
Language: English
Classification: Dictionary & Dictionary
File Size: 15 MB

Page 52

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King Chandrayaças, highly delighted, went outside the city, and King Nami was delighted also when he found that he was his own elder brother. Both brothers hastened to meet one another. The elder brother rose up and embraced Nami, and said to him: ‘My dear brother, ever since I saw my father's death I have had a loathing for the kingly office, but I have delayed so long because there was no one to hold the reins of government. Now do you adorn the throne. I will take a vow. After exhorting King Nami with these words he anointed him king. So King Chandrayaças took a vow, and King Nami blazed with royal splendour like the sun. Once on a time King Nami contracted a burning fever that lasted for six months ; it could not be alleviated by medicines, charms, or appliances ; in short, a thousand expedients proved ineffectual. Then the queens themselves began to pound sandal-wood for his benefit. The tinkling of the many bracelets on their arms caused Nami great annoyance. Then by order of King Nami all the queens, took off their bracelets one after another, but each kept one bracelet on her wrist for good luck. Then the king asked: Are the queens no longer pounding sandal-wood, as that sound is no longer heard ?' The ministers baid : * All the queens, sir, are once more pounding sandal-wood; But the sound is not heard, as each has a solitary bracelet on her
hand. Then a light flashed into the king's soul. As by many bracelets pain was produced, by few bracelets a little relief was produced ; and so by this example it was shown that in the solitary state is great pleasure.
• Therefore, if ever this burning fever of mine should coase,
Abandoning all attachment, I will become a solitary.' With these thoughts in his mind, King Nami went to sleep, and in a dream he saw himself mounted on a white elephant. The next morning, having been woke up by the sound of conchs and drums, the king thought : ‘Last night I had a notable dream. While he was thus reflecting, he remembered his former birth-how in it he faithfully