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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[SEPTEMBER, 1885.
Ūdal then took his father Jas'raj's skull to man," but no one could be found brave enough Gaya and there performed his funeral rites. to attempt the conditions. CHAPTER IV.
By chance they met Malikha, the son of ALHA'S MARRUAGE.
Bachh'raj, on the way, and he accepted the The Banaphals went once to Hardwar to terms, made ready his army and invaded the hunt. When they arrived near the hunting
king's territories, accompanied by the other ground Ålh â went into the Ganges to bathe,
Baniphals. Alha then despatched his halfand was then and there swallowed by a mon
brother Dhådhû, who entered the king's audistrous fish. His friends searched for him, but
ence chamber, and having quarrelled with him failed to find him. While they were lament- on the score of abusive language, returned to ing, Machh'la vati or Machhal De, the his comrades. Thereupon between both sides daughter of the king Raghô Machh, of a terrible battle ensued, Jóga and Bhoga were Har'dwar, came there with her companions to taken prisoners, and the victorious army bache. Hearing the lamentations of Alha's entered the king's palace and occupied his frie.ds she sent for a fisherman, who, throw- audience chamber. Then Alhå mounted on ing his net into the river, brought the fish to horseback, and with one blow of his sword cut land. On its belly being split open, Ålha the fish on the top of the pillar in two, and issued therefrom unhurt. Thereupon they all Udal leaped into the boiling cauldron and set out for Machh'lâvati's house, and Alha issued from it alive. So the king, admitting engaged himself to marry her and her friend
himself defeated, gave Machh'lâvati in marriSubh'nå.
age to Albî, which, being duly celebrated, the Shortly afterwards the prime minister of the
wards the prime minister of the bridegroom and his party returned to Mahuba king of Har'd wår respectfully represented to with great rejoicings. him that his daughter Machhal Dê was of age
CHAPTER V. to be married, and that an engagement should
The battle with Prithvi Rájá concerning be made with some king for that parpose.
Sares'ma. The king approved of the suggestion, and
One day Mal'kh& respectfully made reprepublished it abroad throughout the courts of sentation to Parimail, that all his brothers had Hind stan, inviting candidates for her hand, been allotted separate forts and residences, but The conditions of success were that the candi- none had been given to him. He asked that date must first conquer the king's two sons the same consideration might be shown to Jóg & and Bh@gå in battle. He must then him. The king replied that Prithvi, Raja leap high enough to cut down with his sword of Dilli, had encroached on his territory, the mark of a fish (machk'), which was and that he had invited him and the neighfixed at the top of a pillar eighty cubits highbouring kings to meet him at Mahuba and and finally leap into a boiling cauldron and settle the dispute. He was prepared to give come out alive. Those particulars having been Malkhả what Prith'vi should return. The duly entered in the proclamation were carried meeting took place, and Mel'khỉ charged to the various courts by a barber and a Bråh- Prith'vi with the encroachment, and demanded Then said she, Udan, once I dreamed
Here it is best my body should rest, To spend our lives in fore;
But my soul new birth shall see: And sweet to me e'en death had seemed
King Ner' pat's daughter of Nar' war town, Had thy hand made it dear.
And Phal'w my name shall be !
And when thou, goodly steeds to buy But, oruel Malkhan, woe to thee!
To the Kábul land shalt ride, Thy brother's wife haat slain
Our meeting, love, shall then be nigh:' So shalt thou die with no brother by,
So Bij'må spake and died. Unhelped in an open plain.'
But dan bere her body fair, But dan's soul in love wus drowned,
To Narmad's holy tide; When Bij'm's speech heard he;
He cast her into the river there He claped her hand and raised from ground,
While the troops to the camp did ride. And rosted her on his knee.
In Hamirpur the legend is that Mal' ha's flat was at
Blr's, east of the Dhaman, and that he boro the brunt Here must we part ere yet we wed,
of the Chauhan'. Arst attack, and we then killed. vai But meeting canst none desory!
in Hamir'par means Champion.' Compare Chapter V. "Olay me down, my love, she said,
These are the orthodox negotiators of marriago Since I must a maiden die.
treaties
