________________
224
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[SEPTEMBER, 1880.
from east to west, 18' 4' from north to south, and 17' 2' high. Over the vimana is a sort of chamber 7 feet high, which is said to be the shrine of a Muhamadan pir. This holy man was called "Sajjan," and also “Maula Salam," and is said to have been a converted Rajput. There is a female Muslim who attends on the shrine. In the Mahakali temple there are gene- rally two Brahmans present who break up the cocoanuts offered, and receive money from the pilgrims. These Brahmans live in small cot- tages to the east of the shrine. The shrine itself consists of a room with eight pillars, and
paved with marble, where votaries assemble. To the left is a small recess where there is no image but a painting of the goddess. To the west of the temple there is a precipice of about one thousand feet, and on the brink of this is a pillar for lamps, the light of which must be seen at a very great distance. At this point there is a magnificent view. The scarped platform on which stands the temple of Mahâkâli looks as if it were formed by nature to have a citadel built upon it. The scarp is quite 200 feet high, and in the old time when the fortifications were entire, and wellgarrisoned, the place ought to have been impregnable.
STORY OF THE MERCHANT WHO STRUCK HIS MOTHER.
BY THE REV. S. BEAL. "I remember in years gone by, there were 500 boisterous winds, hungry and cruel monsters merchants in Jambudwipa, of whom a certain (fishes), evil spirits, Rakshasis, and ghouls; dear one was the chief, his name was Maitri (Sse-chè). son ! darling Mâitri! all these dangers infest On one occasion, these merchants all assembled the ocean; and now I am getting old, and if together, and began to consult how they might you leave me now, although as you say you best embark on some expedition for the purpose
want to return a rich man to minister to my of getting gain. Having agreed upon a voyage
necessities, still the day of my death is so near, in a certain direction, and settled all prelimi.
that all your pious intentions may be of little naries as to freight and provisioning the ship,
use to me; stay, then, dear son! stay, to be the they separated for a time, returning to their
comfort of my old age! [And so she entreated homes, to take leave of their wives and families.
him three times.]
"Then Maitri answered: Yes, dear mother, "Now at this time, Maitri went to see his mother, to get her permission and blessing ere
but still I must go! think of the wealth I shall he set out on the expedition contemplated. At
bring back, the gold and silver and jewels ! think this time his mother was living in retirement in
how I shall be able to nourish and cherish you the upper portion of the house, exercising her
in your old age, and what gifts I can bestow self in religious discipline [laws of purity and
in religious charity. self-restraint).
"Then his mother arose from her seat, and "MAitri approaching her, addressed his mother
threw her arms round his neck, and embraced thus Honoured mother!
him as she criod: Darling son ! dear Maitri!
[or, honoured * parent'] I am about to undertake a voyage
I cannot let you go ; I cannot give you leave to
risk your life on the ocean just to seek for gain ! by sea for the purpose of getting much profit. I hope to return home with gold, silver, jewels
We have money enough, we have all we need at of every kind, and so be able to minister in every
home! I cannot let you go!'
"Then Maitri thought thus:-My mother is way to your comfort, and also to that of the
cross with me, and does not want me to prosper, members of my family [give me then your per- and so she forbids me go this voyage,' and then mission and blessing).'
he got angry, and pulling his mother to the "Then his mother began to expostulate with ground, he slapped (kicked) her head, and rushed him, and to say, 'Dear son! wby venture your out of the house. life at sea ? Surely you have wealth enough at "Then the merchants having assembled on home, and every comfort and necessary without the coast, and offered their worship to the Sea. stint. You can easily afford to give what is God, selected five men to superintend the various necessary in religious charity; there is no im- departments (as before), and set sail. But sad pediment in the way of your happiness (merit). to say ! their ship was soon overtaken by a storm, Darling son! dear son ! the sea is full of perils, and broke to pieces, and all the merchants ex
