Indian Antiquary Vol 34

SR No.: 032526
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 548
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 94

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARI.
[APRIL, 1905.
Thas addressed, his friend, " his heart too fall of the milk of human kindness," passed the night there, refraining from touching anything in that house, hungry as he was.
Next morning, after his friend had gone, Jabals joined caravan proceeding to the sea. It so happened, however, that the caravan was assailed, while passing through mountain-valley, by an infuriate elephant, and almost all were slain. Somehow, escaping from his imminent danger, Jabala fled towards the North for his life, not knowing whither he proceeded, and began to wander alone in a forest. At last coming upon a road that led towards the ocean, he journeyed on till he reached * delightful and heavenly forest teeming with flowering trees, and filled with fragrant perfames and sweetly warbling birds. Ou his way he boheld a delightful and level spot of land covered with golden sands and resembling heaven itself for its beauty, on which stood a large and beautiful banyan with around top, looking like an umbrella set over the plain. The ground anderneath it was moist and perfumed with the fragrant sandal, Endowed with great beauty and abounding with delicious flowers it looked like the Court of Brahma himself, Jabala was exceedingly delighted and sat down well-pleased, when a delicious, charming, and auspicious breeze, bearing the perfume of many kinds of flowers, began to blow softly, cooling his limbs and filling him with celestial pleasure. He soon fell fast asleep.
When the resplendent luminary" entered his chambers in the West and the evening twilight came, bird that was the foremost of his species returned to that spot, which was his home, from the regions of Brahma. He was the prinos of the cranes, possessed of great wisdom, & son of the asge Kabyapa, and a dear friend of Brahma. The offspring of maid celestial, possessed of great beauty and loarding, he resembled a celestial in splendour, adorned with many ornamente se brilliant as the sun himself. Jabals, on swaking, was amazed, but being exhausted with banger and thirst, he began to cast his eyes on the bird with a desire of slaying him.
The crane said: "Welcome, O Brahmaņa. By good luck have I got thee today in my sbode. The sun is set and the evening twilight come. Thou art to-day my dear and excellent guest. Having received my worship according to the rites ordained in the Scriptures, thou mayst go whither thou wilt to-morrow morning."
Hearing these sweet words, Jábala was wonder-struck, Feeling at the samo time a great curiosity, he eyed the crane without being able to withdraw the gaze from him.
Then the crane said: "O Brahmana, I am the son of Kabyapa by one of the daughters of the sage Daksha. Possessed of great merits, thou art my guest to-day. Thou art welcome."
Having offered him hospitality as ordered in the Scriptores, the crane made an excellent bed of roses that lay all around. He also offered him several large fish caught in the deep waters of the Bhagirathi. After the Brabmaņa had eaten and become satisfied, the bird, possessing a wealth of penances, began to fen him with his wings. And when his guest was seated at his ease, he asked him about his pedigree.
Jabala replied: - "I am. Brahmana, known by the name of Jabala," and stopped. But the erano, who resembled Yamun himself in his knowledge of duties, asked him about the cause of his arrival there. To which he replied: "I am, 0 high-souled one, very poor. For earning wealth I am desirous of going to the sea !"
To which the crane replied: - "It behoveth thee not to feel any anxiety. Thou shalt succeed, O foremost of Brahmaņas, and shall return home with mach property. The sage Bțihaspati bas spoken of four kinds of means for the acquisition of wealth, vit., inheritance, sudden acoessions due to luck or the favor of the gods, acquisition by labour, and acquisition through the aid or kindness of friends. I have become thy friend. I feel kindly towards thee and will exert myself that thou mayet succeed th acquiring wealth."
The night passed away and the morning came. Seeing his guest cheerfully rise from bed, the bird sid:-"Go, O amiable one, along this route and be sure of success. At three yojands off is a mighty king of the Bakshaons possessed of great prowess, who is an intimate friend of mine. He will, by my request, without doubt, give thee as much woulth we thou desirest."