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

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248
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
time had had long and difficult conversations with his wife touching this subject, for with a keen business-like foresight he had long seen the inevitable conclusion of matters." In spite of his apparent destitution," said he, "I feel that the man's story is true, because he has such knowledge, understanding, and skill; and is of such gentle behaviour."
At length the wife agreed; hence the communication of the matter to the prince. But the latter did not at all consent. "It was not meet," he replied, "that such as the merchant's daughter should be allied to one of his present low estate, and who existed only through her father's kindness."
However, after much urging he agreed, but only on the condition that the merchant would not hinder his leaving the country whenever he wished. The merchant was satisfied, feeling sure that if this man was once settled in a comfortable home and with a beautiful wife and plenty of honour and money, he would not care to leave-not even for his home, and especially if a voyage intervened on the way thither. The marriage took place, and was celebrated with such great show that all the city was stirred at the sight. Fabulous sums were quoted as having been spent over it.
In a few years, in consequence of his son-inlaw's great skill and wisdom, the merchant's business increased to such an extent, and he became so wealthy, that both his business and his wealth became a proverb in the country, and people said, "As rich and prosperous as Soand-So the merchant."
[SEPTEMBER, 1885.
waters except the prince and his wife who escaped, as the prince and his other wives had done, on pieces of the wreck. The wind and waves carried the prince in one direction, and his wife in another direction.
But alas! the merchant's son-in-law was not satisfied. He wished still to see his people and his fatherland, and told his father-in-law of this wish. The merchant was intensely grieved to hear it, and entreated him even with tears to relinquish his desire and stay with him. It was all in vain, however; his son-inlaw would not listen. He then informed his wife of his intentions, and begged her to remain, promising to return soon; and then they would always live happily. His wife altogether refused, saying that she would never be parted from her husband. And so passages were engaged for both in a vessel about to leave for the prince's country, and they started. By God's will this vessel was also wrecked and all the passengers and crew perished in the
Marvellous to relate, the woman was borne by a piece of timber to which she clung, to the very spot where the other two wives of her husband had been carried, and were now sitting silent and sad, mourning their bereavement. The third wife, too, went within the garden enclosure and sat down by them; and lo! as soon as she entered, the buds bloomed and the branches of the trees put forth their leaves, changing the whole appearance of the garden, so that it now was pleasant to the sight and to the smell, and afforded a welcome shade. When the head-gardener visited the garden on the following morning he could scarcely believe his eyes. It seemed too good to be true, that God should thus bless this garden after such a long delay. Dismissing the under-gardeners and qulis (or day labour. ers) saying that they might have leave for the rest of that day, he went at once to tell the king the good news. His Majesty was delighted, and again gave the head-gardener some valuable presents. As before, the headgardener returned to look once more upon the beautiful sight, when behold! he saw another woman sitting and weeping with the other two women. Hence, thought he within himself, the reason of this greater blessing. It is another of these holy women who has come, and whose goodness has attracted the especial notice of the Deity. So he went and informed the king, but the king ordered him not to trouble them with questions, but to give them food and raiment and all things necessary.
The prince, their husband, had landed on some island weird and uninhabited. After some rest and sleep he set forth to reconnoitre the place, and in a little while entered a large and intricate jungle, where he again rested mourning and lamenting his lot. "For what reason," cried he, "does God thus thwart me? Why does he thus make my life miserable and my heart to long for death? Is it that I have sinned in marrying, or how ?"
Now in this jungle appeared not a living creature, neither man nor beast; and after a while life became intolerable. Indeed the