Indian Antiquary Vol 14

SR No.: 032506
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 418
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 273

SEPTEMBER, 1885.]
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE.
239
THE PRINCE THAT WAS THREE TIMES SHIPWRECKED. BY THE REV. J. HINTON KNOWLES. F.R.G.S., M.B.A.S., ETC., (C. M. 8., SRINAGAR, KASHMIB.) A KASMIRI TALE.
only return. The young prince persisted in There was a very wise and clever king, who going on. had four sons, and each of these sons was Great was the sorrow in the Court that day. equally as wise and clever as his father.' A veil of mourning and lamentation shrouded One day the king, wishing to test the wisdom the city and people. Bat none could tell the and talents of these sons, called them all to him, anguish of the exiled prince's wife, and none and among other questions asked them each could comfort her. She tore her beantiful one, singly and privately, by whose good fortune hair, she beat her milk-white breasts, she cast it was that he possessed such a large and aside her jewels and ornaments, and was as one powerful kingdom, and was enabled to govern mad and about to die. Finally, she decided it so wisely and so well. Said he,"Is it through to follow her beloved, and resisting her mothermy own good fortune, or your mother's, or in-law's and other relations' entreaties, she yours, or your brothers' P" The eldest son dressed herself like a female faqir and went replied: "It is by your own good fortune, 0 forth penniless and unattended in search of king, our father, that you have this kingdom her husband. and this power." Likewise replied the second It was not long before she succeeded in and the third sons. But when the fourth and reaching him, for love had made her feet swift, youngest son was thus inquired of, he answered, and her search keen. The prince was overthat all this might and power and glory were joyed at seeing her, and lavished upon her all btained through his own good fortune and not the affection which she deserved. With her another's.
he felt rich and happy, and cared not to occupy The king was as much enraged at the bold himself again with the business and excitement and decided reply of his youngest son as he of the court. "What is thy thought, O my had been pleased with the fawning and truck- beloved, the light of my eyes ?" said he. ling answers of the other three sons. In a "Shall we not abide here in the woods, and wrathful tone, he said, "Was not I a wise and live upon what this bow and sling shall bring powerful king before thou wast conceived in us?” She consented, and for some time the the womb ? This kingdom and power did not days and weeks passed pleasantly, until one come with thy birth, O proud and stupid boy ! day the bow and the sling lost their charm, Away! away!" and then calling the door and no prey came to band. This state of keeper he bade him remove the lad far from his affairs continued, so that at last, feeling very presence.
hungry, they were obliged to leave their jungleThe boy, however, did not require any press- home and beg by the wayside, and in the faring to go. Being of a most determined and scattered villages around. In the course of independent disposition he hastened away, || their wanderings they reached the sea. Great packed up a few necessaries, and left the palace. was their surprise on seeing the boundless Soon afterwards, the king's anger having in the expanse of waters; and as they watched the meantime relented, when it was known through- tide; now rushing forward and then receding, ont the royal city that the youngest prince they thought that they were living waters, had really departed, messengers from the and that they were trying to swallow them up throne were despatched in all directions to find and all the country behind them. Nevertheless him and bring him back. He was overtaken they did not dread the sea, but the rather on a certain way, but it was in vain that wished to live upon it, and tried hard to get the messengers recounted to him the king's the sailors of some of the ships' which now anguish and how his Majesty would load and again touched at the port of that place him with honours and presents if he would to let them sail with them. But the sailors
Told by Brdhman named Mukund Blya, who resides at Buth, Srinagar. He heard it from Musal. mån, hence the constant occurrence of the word 'God' in the story.
Literally," who were one cloverer than the other." Yim di ak a ki sindih hutah gátuli.
The story of "The Fan Prince" in Indian Fairy Talos begins something like this; df. p. 193.