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232
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
which appeared to savour in so high a degree of the marvellous, and according to which the pair of horns preserved as a great treasure in the temple had once belonged to a gold-digging ant.
For us this story partakes no longer of the marvellous. The 'gold-digging ants' were originally neither, as the ancients supposed, real
[AUGUST, 1875.
ants, nor, as so many eminent men of learning have supposed, larger animals mistaken for ants on account of their appearance and subterranean habits, but men of flesh and blood, and those men Tibetan miners, whose mode of life and dress were in the remotest antiquity exactly what they are at the present day.
THE DVAIASHARAYA. (Continued from p. 114.)
The Ninth Sarga.
After subduing Hammuk, Bhima went against Chedidesa, conquering the Rajas as he went. Secretly the warriors of Bhima attack. ed the towns of several râjas. When he heard of Bhima's approach, the Rája of Chedi collected an army of Bhillas and Mlechhas, but he considered long whether he should fight with Bhima the unconquered, or should come to an agreement with him. Meanwhile his horsemen and foot advanced, ready for the fight, and the naubat and other instruments sounded. Bhima had a servant named Dâmodar, whom he sent to the Raja of Chedi to say that if he would arrange to pay a tribute he would not attack him. Damodar went to the Chedi Raja's court: that Raja's teeth were white as if they had been washed by the washerman; he had no pan in his mouth, but Dâmodar had pan, supari, and camphor in his mouth, so that it looked very beautiful, his teeth appearing red.* Dâmodar said: "The Raja of Das ârnavadeśa serves my raja; Bhima has also subdued the Raja of K â si, conquering and slaying him in battle. You should come to Bhima and say to him, 'I have heard much of your fame, how the Raja of Gajabandhdeśa, Bhadrabhat by name, coming from a distant country, submitted to you, and that he dwells with you peaceably, having presented elephants, &c. So also Yantri Raja, throwing away his arms, paid obeisance; the Raja of Kalinga also, named Tantika, also Nanti, Ganti, Hanti, Wanti, Manti -all know your fame. The Raja of Ayodhya, who never at any time paid tax, even he gave you the treasure that the Raja of Goddeśa had given to him. Your fame is greater than Sahasrarjuna's ofold: you are therefore styled Râjâdhiraja; and I am thus pleased to be
friendly with you.' Thus should you say or else agree to fight."
The Chedideśa Raja replied: "Of old very famous rajas have been born in this Chandravansa, as Pururava and Nahusha, Bharata, Janamejaya. In like manner to the present time these Chandravansa Rajas are of great fame. Of this race at present, Bhima is great in exploits, and he subdues all rajas under him: therefore to be friends with a good man is good, but if I be friendly with him people will blame me, and say that it was because I was not able to fight that I made friends. Never mind! Dâmodar, it is my good fortune that you have come to my court: I will give you these elephants, do you present them on my behalf to Bhima; also this horse that travels more swiftly than the wind. This manḍpiká (P), which I took from Bhoja Raja of Malá, do you present to Bhima."
Thus spoke Karna the Raja of Chedideśa, to the Vakil Damodar: "Take also this gold Meru upon your camel for an offering to Bhima, and tell him to return home knowing me to be his friend. Manage the matter so that Bhima may be altogether pleased with me." Damodar said he would do as directed, and then 'making obeisance he left the court, taking the presents with him. When Dâmodar reached Bhima, Bhima's ministers confirmed the arrangement he had made. Bhima having thus conquered returned to Pattan. The city was adorned for his entry, and the people walked about dressed in holiday attire.
In Bhima's reign his subjects suffered no calamity such as fires, or attacks on the town by plundering enemies.
Bhima had a son named K shema râja and another named Karna, and Kshemarâja had a son named Devaprasada.
So much for Indian taste!
