Indian Antiquary Vol 13

SR No.: 032505
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 492
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 22 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[SEPTEMBER, 1884.
walls of the prison. After reaching it they found that their teeth could not work on the hard stones. The bandicoots were then spe cially ordered for the business, they with their hard teeth made a small slit in the wall for a rat to pass and repass without difficulty. Thus a passage was effected.
The rat raja entered first to condole with his protector for his calamity. The king of the tigers sent word through the snake-king that he sympathised most sincerely with his sorrow, and that he was ready to render all help for his deliverance. He suggested a means for his escape also. The serpent rája went in, and gave Gaigadhara hopes of delivery. The rat king undertook to supply his protector with provisions. “Whatever sweetmeats or bread are prepared in any house, one and all of you must try to bring whatever you can to our benefactor. Whatever clothes you find hanging in a house, cut down, dip the pieces in water and bring the wet bits to our benefactor. He will squeeze them and gather water for drink; and the bread and sweetmeats shall form his food." Thus ordered the king of the rats, and took leave of Gangadhara. They in obedience to their king's order continued to supply provisions and water.
The Någaraja said :-"I sincerely condole with you in your calamity; the tiger-king also fully sympathises with you, and wants me to tell you so, as he cannot drag his huge body here as we have done with our small ones. The king of the rats has promised to do his best to keep up your life. We would now do what we can for your release. From this day we shall issue orders to our armies to oppress all the subjects of this kingdom. The per centage of death by snake bite and tigers shall increase from this day. And day by day it shall continue to increase till your release. After eating what the rate bring you you had better take your seat near the entrance of the kdrágriham. Owing to the several unnatural deaths some people that walk over the prison might say, 'How unjust the king has turned out now. Were it not for his injustice such early deaths by snake bite could never occar. Whenever you hear people speaking so, you had better bawl out so as to be heard by them, The wretched prince im. prisoned me on the false charge of having
killed his father, while it was a tiger that killed him. From that day these calamities have broken ont in his dominions. If I were released I would save all by my powers of healing poisonous wounds and by incantations.' Some one may report this to the king, and if he knows it, you will obtain your liberty." Thos comforting his protector in trouble, he advised him to pluck up courage, and took leave of him. From that day tigers and serpents, acting under the special orders of their kings, united in killing as many persons and | cattlo as possible. Every day people were
being carried away by tigers or bitten by serpents. This havoc continued. Gangadhara was roaring as loud as he could that he would save those lives, had he only his liberty. Few heard him. The few that did took his words for the voice of a ghost. “How could he manage to live without food and drink for go long a time ?" said the persons walking over his head to each other. Thus passed on months and years. Gangadhara sat in the dark cellar, without the sun's light falling upon him, and feasted upon the bread crumbs and sweetmeats that the rats so kindly supplied him with. These circumstances had completely changed his body. He had become & red, stout, huge, unwieldy lamp of flesh. Thas passed full ten years, as prophesied in the horoscope-Daía. varsháni bandhanam.
Ten complete years rolled away in close imprisonment. On the last evening of the tenth year one of the serpents got into the bed-chamber of the princess and sucked her life. She breathed her last. She was the only daughter of the king. He had no other issuebon or daughter. His only hope was in her; and she was snatched away by a crael and untimely death. The king at once sent for all the snake bite curers. He promised half his kingdom, and his daughter's hand to him who would restore her to life. Now it was that & servant of the king who had several times overheard Gangadhara's exclamation reported the matter to him. The king at once ordered the cell to be examined. There was the man sitting in it. How has he managed to live Bo long in the cell P Some whispered that he must be a divine being. Some concluded that he must surely win the hand of the princess by restoring her to life. Thus they discussed,