Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 07
Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

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Page 243
________________ AUGUST, 1878.] MISCELLANEA. 197 dhana);" his elder brother was called Ho-lo-she-fa- your father: what merit will be comparable to t'an-na (Rajyavardhana). Wang-tseng as- yours P We supplicate you, do not spurn our cended the throne as eldest son, and ruled in a wishes." virtuous way. At that time She-shang-kia (Sa- "In all times," replied the royal prince, "the ś & nika)," king of the realm of Kie-lo-na-8-fa-la-na inheritance of a kingdom has been a heavy load. (Karnasu varna)'in Eastern India, said daily to Before mounting a throno one ought to consider his ministers: "When there is a wise king in the maturely. For myself, in truth, I have only modeneighbourhood it is dangerous for the state." Upon rate ability; but now, that my father and my that he treacherously invited him to a meeting and brother are no more, if I decline the inheritance killed him (Rajyavardhana). The inhabitants (of of the crown, shall I thereby do any good to the Kanyakubja) having lost their prince, the state people? It is right that I should obey public became a prey to disorder. Then a minister named opinion, and forget my weakness and incapacity. Po-ni (Bhani).' who enjoyed much authority, Now, on the banks of the Ganges there is a statue spoke thus to his colleagues: "The fate of the king of Kwan-Tsen-ts'ai-pw-80 (Avalokitesvara dom should be decided to-day. The eldest) son of | Bodhisattva). As it works many miracles, our first king is dead; the brother of that prince is I wish to go and pray to it." He went at once to benevolent and humane, and Heaven has undowed the statue, fasted, and made fervent prayers. The him with filial' piety and reverence. From the Bodhisattva, touched by his heartfelt sincerity, apimpulse of his heart he will revere his parents and peared to him in person and asked thus: “What have confidence in his subjects. I desire to see him do you ask for with such pressing importunity P" inherit the throne. What think you of it? Let "I have done nothing but accumulate evils," reeach speak his own opinion." plied the royal prince; "I have lost my father, As all admired his virtues, no one had a different who was good and affectionate, and my elder opinion. Then the ministers and magistrates be- brother, a pattern of gentleness and kindness, has sought him to ascend the throne: "Royal prince," been shamefully massacred. Their death has said they, "condescend to listen to us. Our first been to me a double affliction. I perceive that I king had accumulated merits and amassed virtues, have but little ability; however, the inhabitants and he reigned with glory. When Wang-tseng of the state wish to raise me to honours, and (Rajyavardhana) succeeded him, we thought that require that I should succeed to the throne, to he would continue to the end of his career. But by render famous the heritage of my father. But, as the incapacity of his ministers he has gone and my mind is dull and devoid of knowledge, I venfallen under the sword of his enemy; that has been ture to ask your holy opinion." a great disgrace to the realm. It is we who are to The Pu-sa (Bodhisattva) said to him: "In your blame. The opinion of the public is manifested in previous life you dwelt in a forest: you were the the songs of the people, and all the world sincerely Bhikshu of a hermitage, and you discharged your submits to your resplendent talents. Rule, then, duties with indefatigable zeal. By the effect of that gloriously over the country. If you can avenge virtuous conduct you have become the son of this the injuries of your family, wipe out the disgrace king. The king of the state of Kin-eul (Karnaof the state, and render illustrious the heritage of suvarna) having destroyed the law of Buddha, In Chinese Tso.kwang.tseng, i.e. 'the increase of that which makes light. In place of Po-lo, Po.lo p'o (Prabha) is required. He is also called Prat spasila by Bang, Bee note 6. * The Chinese translation of Rajyavardhana, i.e.,' increase of the king.' • In Chinese Yuei, 'moon.' This is Saskóka Narendragupta of Bana's Harshacharita. Kin-eul, golden-eared' or 'having gold in the ears. The town of Rangåmatti, 12 miles south of Murshidabad, stands on the site of an old city called Kurusona-ka-gadh, supposed to be a Beng&li corruption of the name in the text: Jour. As. Soc. Beng. vol. XXII. (1858) pp. 281, 282; Jour. R.As. Soc. (N. S.) vol. VI. p. 248. . From the incomplete Harshacharita of B &na, a poet who seems to have lived at the court of Harsbavardhana, we learn that Pushpabhati, a native of the country of Srikanth, in which was the town of Sth&ovisvara, that is, Th&nesar, was the ancestor of Prat pasila or Prabhakara vardhana, king of Kapagi, who is said to have subdued the Hunas, with Sindha, GØrjar, Lata, and MAlave. He married Yasovati, and "his family consisted of three children: two sons, R&jys. vardhana and Harsha," and a daughter, Mahadevi or Rajyasri. To Bhandi, a subject of high rank, Rajyavardhana and Harshavardhana were entrusted for their education. Rajyasri was married at Kanyákubja to Graha varm, the son of Avantiverm, of the Maukhara family; but on the day of Prabh Akaravardhana's death Grahavarm was massacred by the king of M&ls va, and Rajyasrt carried off. Rajya vardhana, taking Bhandi with him, and an army of ten thousand horse, followed the king of Malaya and slew him; but he himself was defeated and killed by Sasanka Narendragupta, king of Gauda or Bengal, and succeeded by his younger brother Harsha, whom his officers urged to avenge his brother's death. But the Hindu epic breake off on the recovery of Rajyairt among the Vindhya mountains.--See Hall's Vasa. vadatta, pp. 51, 52; Jour. Bo. Br. R. As. Soc. vol. X. Pp. 88-45. Bhandin-according to Bana. The Padmapini of Nepâlese Mythology, and Kwan-lin of the Chinese. Conf. Burnouf, Introd.d l'Hist. du Bouddh. Sme ed. pp. 101, 121, 196-206, 212; Vassilief, Le Boud. pp. 125, 176, 178, 186, 197; Jour. R. As. Soc. (N. S.) vol. II. pp. 136AP. 418ff.; Hodgaon's Illust. pp. 68, 78, 185, or reprint, pt. i. pp.47, 54, 95; Laidlay's Fuh-hian, pp. 115.117; Beal's Buddhist Pilgrims, pp. 60, 167; Journal of Philo. logy, vol. VI. (1876) pp. 222-231.

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