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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
DECEMBER, 1888.
FOLKLORE IN SOUTHERN INDIA.
BY PANDIT S. M. NATESA SASTRI, M.F.L.S. No. XXVI.-The Reign of Lakshunt. Lakshmi still continued in him, and to test Far from any city, in a retired and unfre- her work, notwithstanding her promise that quented wood, there lived a hermit who had she would inform him before she left him. Soon long taken to a retired life. Little occupation one occasion at midnight he entered the king's had he, except meditation and contemplation. haram. As he was prime minister, the guards,
One day the Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi, though in their proper places, did not dare to stood before him and said "Holy Sire, I have prevent him, and without any hindrance he come to reign in you."
went into the chamber where the monarch was “Who are you ?" said the sage.
sleeping with his queen. He laid hold of both "Lakshmî," said the goddess.
of them and proceeded to drag them, while yet "Of what use are you to me, who have asleep, out of their room. Of course they renounced the world ?" asked the sage.
awoke and were highly annoyed at this imper"I must abide with you for some time. It tinence; but were unable to extricate them. is so written, in your destiny. Therefore selves from his grasp. However, what was accept me," spoke the goddess.
their wonder when the roof of the chamber in "If so," said the sage, "as you came to me which they had been sleeping suddenly fell in. after giving me intimation of your visit, you Every one praised once more the sage minister, ought to inform me before you leave me, as one who knew the secret of the Three Ages. wheu the term of your reign over my destiny
After this occurrence the king reposed the is closed."
greatest confidence in his minister, and so did "Agreed;" said the Goddess of Prosperity, every one in the State. and remained within the sage.
A year after this second test of the presence The holy hermit being thus assured that the of Lakshmi in him the minister started with the reign of prosperity had commenced in him, king on a hunting expedition. The party was proceeded to test tho truth of the statement very large and the chase occupied a long time. of the goddess. He at once went to the Towards the end of the chase a stag sudtown near which he lived, and, advancing to denly appeared to the king and his favourite che assembly in which the king was sitting | minister and drew them away from the party. with his ministers and other officers of state, Long did the king and minister pursue it, but lifted up his right leg and kicked the monarch found themselves unable to overtake it. Look on the head.
ing back they found themselves separated froin "Cut down that impertinent wretch," said their party and alone in the thick jungle. The many voices, but at the same moment from lord of day was just over their heads, and under the fullen crown & venomous serpent darting his lays fiercely. The king was with ita hood spread was discovered. It was utterly worn out, and proposed to the minister Lakshmi herself, for she had appeared there in that it would be better for both of them to that form to save the sage. And as soon as give up their quarry to rest a while before this great wontier was discovered, every one in they returned to their followers; and the minthe ball exclaimed, “This is a great sage who ister agreed to his master's wishes. So they knows the secret of the Three Ages (Trikálajna), both got down from their steeds and leaving and perceiving that a serpent was lying con- the animals free to find grass and water sat cealed in the king's crown he kicked it down." down under the shade of a big banyan tree.
The king, too, was extremely delighted at Close by, there was a clear rivulet at this saving of his life, and at once gave the which they quenched their thirst, and the suge the post of the prime minister with fullking then prepared to go to sleep, asking powers; while our hero, on his part, owing to the minister to sit with his legs folded, so that Lakshmi continuing her reign in him, discharged he might place his head on his right thigh and his duties most satisfactorily. After two sleep comfortably. While the king was thus years the suge again wished to know whether snoring away the day at ease, a great garuda,
