Indian Antiquary Vol 24

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 58

54
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEBRUARY, 1895.
Now near the city of Bûndi there was a lake, which was swollen by the rains of Autumn, and they were considering how the procession was to cross it, when Hanuman arrived and said that he would lie down over it and all could cross on him.
Bat Raja Vasuki said :-"Why should you take all this trouble I will prepare bridge at once."
So saying he called all his mighty snakes and, twining them together, made a bridge across the water. The people of Bundi came out to see the procession, and those who were envious of Zahir Diwan said that none bat Sadhus were in his party. When he heard this the Raja of Bûndi was wroth and he paid no respect to the procession. Then Zahir Diwan ordered the Raja Vásuki to surround the city and lo! an army of snakes appeared and surrounded the walls and every house in the city of Bûndi. They were ordered to hurt no one, but the people of the city were sore afraid. They all raised cries of terror. Then the Raja of Bûndi with all his ministers and priests went to Zahir Diwan and fell at his feet. On this Zahir Diwan made a sign to Raja Vasuki to recall his snakes and they forthwith disappeared. On this the fears of the people ceased.
The wedding guests were invited to the marriage feast. With the guests came Sukra and Sanischara,l* and the Raja took them to his palace and ordered food to be served. The servers of the dishes could not satisfy their hunger with the cooked provisions, all of which they consumed. Then they said :-"Take as to the store-rooms," and there they devonred all the supplies collected for the wedding. Nay they even ate the earth of the place two fingers deep. Even then they cried for more and the Raja of Bundi was smitten with shame because he could provide no more.
Then he came and fell before Zahir Diwan and said : -"Pardon me, my Lord! I can no longer vie with thee."
So Gorakhnath gave the Raja & pinch of his ashes and told him to place it in his store-rooms and lo! they were again filled with all manner of commodities. So the wedding guests were fed and none lacked aught.
The wedding party stayed there many days and the Raja of Bûndi gave Zahir Diwan as dowry many valuables and costly jewels. So they returned home and came to Bagara.
One day, after the marriage was over, Zahir Diwan went into the jungle to hunt and for the same purpose Sarjan and Arjan also came there. Zahir Diwan and the two brothers shot at the same deer. The animal fell on the grond.
Zahir Diwan took possession of the game, but the brothers said: "It is we who have shot the deer."
But Zahir Diwan would not give them even a share of the deer.
Then they said :-"We will take half of the kingdom because your mother and ours are sisters, and your wife we shall also seize, because it was to us that her father sent the signs of betrothal. You are a mere usurper."
When he heard these threats Zahir Diwan grew wroth, and it came into his mind to get rid of the brothers once for all. But they fled from before him and went and laid a complaint against him before the king of Dehli. When he heard their charge Prithivi Baja attacked Zabir Diwan with a mighty army. The cattle of Zahir Diwan were returning from the jungle and Pșithivi Raja ordered his men to seize them. They did so and the cowberds came to Zahir Diwan and told him what had happened.
When she heard of these events the Rani Bâchhal hastened to Zibir Diwan and entreated him not to face the enemy. But he was filled with wrath. At once he bathed and saddled his horse and put on his arms and armour.
24 Venus and Saturn.