Indian Antiquary Vol 23

SR No.: 032515
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 412
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

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40
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(FEBRUARY, 1894.
Köți went onwards, and the younger brother took a cash from his pocket and said :“Here, Dêre, receive the toll." "Stretch out your hand to the verandah and pay it me," said Dêre. “Come down from the verandah and receive it," said Channayya. "I will not descend from the verandah," said the toll-man.
Channayya stood awhile, gazing at him with fiery eyes. He twisted his red moustache. He ascended the verandah and caused Dêre to run round the verandah thrice, held him by the head and broke his nook. Then Channayya held him by the back and broke the back-bone. He stabbed his breast and neck three times with his silver-hilted dagger. Dêre vomited up all his food, and his soul fled from his body to Kailasa.
Channayya then said to the corpse :-"Eat your bellyful and thus feed your belly. Receive toll from Banga, Mallaya and Chauta."
So saying, he placed the cash on the breast of the corpse and went on. The wind was blowing and the two brothers spread out a dirty blanket under a banian-tree. They undid the bag of the colour of parrots and pigeons, containing betel-leaves and so on, and chewed arecanut with much enjoyment. Channayya swooned from the effects of the areca-nut.
"My throat is dry with thirst," said he.
Said Kõţi :-" See here, brother, there is the spot named Darma Katte. If you look towards it, you can see it, and your call can he heard there. A poor Brahman keeps holy water there."
So spake Koti, and the pair went to Darma Katte. "Give us a little water, Brahmaṇ, to allay our thirst," said they. “What is your caste ? And what is your religion P" asked the Brahman.
« We wear the thread to mark our religion, and we are Billavars by caste," replied the brothers.
" Come to the bonthern side. I have got & tube of bell-metal, and I will pour water along it into your hands, and thus you may allay your thirst," said the Brahman.
"We will not drink out of the vessel that has been used by people of a hundred and twenty different castes. We will hold our dagger to our months, and you may pour water into our mouths along it."
Koti then placed the point of the dagger in his mouth and stretched the hilt towards the Brihmap. Thus he assuaged his thirst. Next Channayya placed the point of the dagger in his mouth, with its hilt towards the Brâhman, who then poured water upon the dagger. On seeing the red moustache and the flaming eyes, and the broad face of Channayya, the Brâhman's hand trembled, and he poured out a large quantity all at once. The water ran down on to Channayya's body, and he said :
«O. you Brahman! Do you give water for the sake of charity, or for the purpose of committing sin ?"
Saying thus, he suddenly stood up, and made the Brahmaņ run round the verandah.
"Wait a little, brother! Wait a little! Do not murder him. If you disobey me, your crime will be equal to that of murdering me; to that of killing a cow in Baņáras; nay, even to that of destroying the Bhata, Brahmara of Kemmule."
Thus did Koti solemnly warn his brother. Hearing this, the latter drew back and said: “The cow that you speak of is in Baņāras and the Bhuta, Brahmara, in the forests of Kemmule; but where can I wash away the sin of murdering you P"
Hearing these words, the Brahman said :-"Do you wait here a little while. I will just go home and return."