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OCTOBER, 1884.]
that time became most unbearable to Subuddhi. "Vile wretch! Detested atheist ! Have you no shame to utter your wicked motto even after such calamities? It is not too late even now. Mend your character. Think of the God that saved you just now. Believe in Him. Change your motto from this day." Thus spoke the angry prince to the minister's son.
Durbuddhi, who was naturally of a wicked and quarrelsome temperament, flew into a rage at once at the excellent advice of the prince. "Stop your mouth. I know as well as you do; you cannot wag your tail here. I can oppose you, single-handed in this forest." Thus saying, the minister's son sprang like an enraged lion at Subuddhi who, as he never dreamt of any such thing, was completely overpowered by the wicked Durbuddhi. The prince was thrown down in the twinkling of an eye, and the minister's son was upon him. He severely thrashed his royal master, and taking hold of a twig that was lying close by, tore out the prince's two eyes, filled up the sockets with sand, and ran away with his horse, thinking that he had completely killed him.
FOLKLORE IN SOUTHERN INDIA.
Subuddhi was almost dead. His body was bruised all over. His eyes were no more. His physical pain was unbearable. "Is there a God over us all P" thought Subuddhi. The night was almost over. The cool and sweet breeze of the morning gave him some strength. He rose up, and crawling on the ground, found himself by touch at the entrance of a temple. He crept in, shut the gates and fastened the bolt.
It happened to be a temple of the fierce Káli. She used to go out every morning to gather roots and fruits, and to return by evening. That day when she returned she found her gates shut against her. She threatened with destruction the usurper of her temple. A voice, and we know that it was Subuddhi's, replied from within, "I am already dying of the loss of my eyes. So if in anger you kill me it is so much the better; for what use is there in my living blind? If, on the contrary, you pity me, and by your divine power give me. my eyes, I shall open the gates." Kall was in a very difficult position. She was very hungry, and saw no other way of going inside than by giving Sabuddhi his eyes. "Open the gates; your request is granted," said
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Kali. No sooner were these words uttered than the prince recovered his eyes. His delight may be better imagined than described. He opened the gates and vowed before Kâli that he would from that day continue in that temple as her servant and worshipper.
The wretched Durbuddhi after his horrible act, rode on composedly, following the footsteps of his horse, and reached the forest where he was hunting the day before in company with the prince. He thence returned home all alone. When his father saw him coming back he suspected something wrong to the prince and asked his son what had become of him. "We chased a deer, and he rode so much in advance of me that he was out of sight, and finding all search vain, I returned alone," was Durbuddhi's reply. "This I would have believed from any one but yourself. Never plant your feet in these dominions till you bring back tho prince again. Run for your life," was the order of the minister, and Durbuddhi accordingly ran, fearing the anger of his father.
Thus the prince Subuddhi was serving in the Kali temple; and Durbuddhi, fully confident that he had killed his friend; roamed about from place to place, as he saw no possibility of returning to his own country without the prince.
Thus passed several months. The goddess Kalf was extremely delighted at the sincere devotion of Subuddhi, and, calling him one day to her side, said;-"My son! I am delighted with your great devotion to me. Enough of your menial services here. Better return now to your kingdom. Your parents are likely to be much vexed at your loss. Go and console their minds." Thus ended Kalt, and Subuddhi replied: "Excuse me, my goddess, my mother. I no more regard them as my parents. This wood is not a large place if they wished to search for me. As they were so careless of me I shall also from this day disregard them. You are my father and mother. Therefore permit me to end my days here in your service." So saying, Subuddhi begged Kâll to allow him to stay, and the goddess agreed accordingly for some time at least.
After a few more months, Kalf called the prince again to her and addressed him thus ;"My boy! I have devised another plan. Better not, then, go to your parents, as you do not wish to go now. Ata short distance from this place,
