________________
Sept. 6, 1872:
THE PRITHIRAJA RASAU.
271
he does not wish to go to. How can one issued—the flame burst forth; the Brahmans see a thing that is out of sight? How can repeating charms (mantras) performed his enone repeat that which he never heard ? How thronement, and gave him their blessing. can une seize what has no body ?"
The king divided the lighted wick into three “ This story so great and unequalled you must parts : not press me to tell : the ear that henrs it is Two of the cups were overturned on the ground: pained, nor is any advantage derived."
Seeing th offering before them, they) whispered Ana said “Mother hear my words : What together. happens to a man who hears a tale? In old From the three cups smoke arose. times, how many Rishis, Raos, Suras, au Da- Knowing the Vedas, they remained silent: navas have existed : well known are the stories At an auspicious time, who would say aught inof them. Their fights and contests men sing in auspicious ?* Sastra and Veda. This understand O mother! The assembly crial : Jay ! Jay ! Bisal Bhû pêWhy should I not hear ? from speaking no ca- la earth-protector)! Thus ruled Bisal Deva lamity occurs: that which fate has fixed upon over Ajmer. assuredly bappens."
He adorned the city as if it had been adorned (St. 163) O Son! Hear this tale of old, in by Vishvakarma (the architect of the gods). reciting which my voice trembles.* The Sage | Abandoning irreligion, he caused religion to made at Abu a fire-pit ; a man came forth to flourish; sinful deeds he sought not to porform. who be entrusted royalty. Of his race sprung Ho exactel only his rights; without right he a great and religious king, named Balan. His inlulyel not liis avarice; the four castes were son was Bisal Dera, who possessed all the king- subservient to the Chahuvân; the thirty-six races dom. In the year of Vikrama 8211 Bisal served him. Bisal Raja, the religious, shone mounted the throne. It was Friday the first resplendent as a Dova upon the carth. day of the month, the light half of the His Pat, Rini was of the race of Parmar. month, the month Baisakh ; the thirty-six races Froin her sprang Sarang Deva,-she died in girassembled-Brahmans, bards, and all men ; Bisal ing him birth. The child he gave to a merchant was presented with the royal umbrella (chatra); (bania); the bania's daughter, whose name was he received the mark (tilak) of sovereignty on Gauri, was brought up with Sarang. From the his forehead; the Brahmans repeated Vedas same breast they drank milk, they had ono seat, and verses of power mantras).
one bed. When the maiden (kunyá) became nine Bisal enjoyed as happy a state as that of In- years old, Bisal Deva caused her marriage to be dra ; he rostored dharma and fame. In Ajmer- performed. After the marriage the bridegroom nagar dwelling-his enemies subduing-Bisal went into the forest, there a lion slew him. reigned a pure reign. Many mighty cities he Then the banin's daughter took a vow of virgitook ; in his reign the world seemed to be cover- nity, aban loning the workl she began to per ed by one umbrella.
forin penances. Very grieved was Sárang Deva. When the umbrella was placed over the head Constantly le performed the worship of the of Bisal, and he was seated on his throne like Arihant; the Dudathist religion he adopted; he an Indra, the Brahmans prepare a Vedi, they wore no sword. The Raja hearing it became o.fered a sacrifice of the five flowers. The smoke sorrowful. He sent for the prince (Kunwur),
cks floatic king hai to ines is very ob
# The following passage is given in the Ras Maln, Vol. . pr. 92-98, and is altered in minor points to bring it into accordance with Mr. Beames's MS.--ED.
+ This is Bulianga the "Beer Beelundeo or Dharmaguj" of Colonel Tod, who defended the Garb Bitli or lillFortress of Ajmer against Mahmud of Ghazni, (Rajasthan vol I. p. 775; vol. II. p. 451-52.) On the pillar of Firuz Shah (vide As. Res. vol. I. p. 879; vol. VII. p 180 ; vol. XI. p. 453) is an inscription beginning "in the year 1220 A. D. 11041, on the 15th day of Vaisakh s'uddh (this monument) of the fortunate Visala Deve, son of fortunate Vells Deve, King of Sakambhari." The date belongs to the reign of Vigraba Raja, whom Tod identifies with Prithird and # Valla Deva" or Vel Dev with Bilan. Cont. Prinsep, Esscy, vol. I. PP. 824-25; Forbes, Ras Mala, vol. I. p. 92 note-ED.
t Forbes's MS. seems to have read 811. Tod says the date S.921 is "interpolated vice not uncommon with the Raipat Bard." (Rajasthan) V. II. p. 448) Tod's date for
Bisal's birth ia S. 1966 or A.D. 1009, correspouding to Siak 931, and his death A.D. 1073. He must have ascended the
throne about A.D. 1031 ; Wilford places his accession in | 1016.-E. The words in three MSS which I have collated are - ath sai ru ikkis."-J. B.
* The meaning of these lines is very obscure. I suppose it to be that the king hal to light three lamps consisting of wicks floating in cups filled with oil, ani that some omen was drawn from the way these lainps burned, "I'wo of the cups appear to have been upser nud the whiks did not burn properly. The attendant Brahinins appenr to have observed that the omen was bad, but from prudential mo ives did not say anything about it.
The lines have a special significanre when taken in connection with the disastrous close of King Bisal's reiga and the poet has probably introduced them with this intent. though from ignorance of the ceremonies usually observed At coronation sacrifices I am unable to explain what it was thal really took place. . BEAMES.
