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38
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(FEBRUARY, 1897.
kinds of masical instruments were played, and many devotional songs were sung. Having finished the great worship in the presence of the god, he offered oblations, together with the other principal people and citizens who were present. He offered the oblation in the name of Siva and also in the name of the protector, and he kept awake till the auspicious time. He worshipped the pair (husband and wife), and gave various charitable gifts.
Hunda meanwbile was watching his opportunity during the great ceremony. Keeping himself a wake, he was thinking within himself: 'When shall I kill Malla ? When he is asleep? When shall I break into the treasury of the god ? When shall I burn the houses ? When shall utterly destroy all the citizens?' Thus thinking he could not sleep that night, owing to excitment.
The followers of Malla, taking him for a thief, bent him, and, noticing his movements, told the king about them. The king kept silence at the time, and completed the worship of Isvara. He ate his meal the next day and satisfied all the Brahmans greatly. Then cnlling together alı his tributaries and ministers, he made up his mind to kill the cruel Handa and the Pulindas and to take possession of the hill. He therefore assembled many brave warriors skilled in war, and they, being led by many kings, pursued after Hand, and in their pursuit they made a great noise in the forest on that hill.
Hunda, seeing that they were come to kill him, ran away, and they pursued him in thousands. Intending to go to his own fortress, he came to the bottom of the hill, where the soldiers of Malla wounded him with their arrows; whorenpon, he, being confused, began to run about hither and thither (aimlessly), and they, coming near him, seized him and killed him on the spot. All the kings, after killing his followers and his brothers, went back to their respective homes, and then the country became tranquil. Then the followers of Yama came with their nooses and rods, and bound and beat Hunda, and took him to the abode of Yama.
On the way the followers of Siva, seated on the desire-gratifying vimana, going quickly, met the followers of Yama and beat them angrily, and, stopping and releasing Handa from the nooses, they chased him to sit in the vimina. The servants of Yama, panting and standing at some distance, spoke thus: -Oh you devotees of the Lord Siva, who are acting properly we salute you! This hunter is an evil-doer and a slayer of animals, he is not fit to be seen by the god (Siva): therefore leave him and go. He used not to perform the holy worship of Siva on Monday; he never performed the observance of Sivaratri : he did not worship Siva on Ashtami, or on Chaturdasi, or on any holy day. Therefore, leave him and go. He did not go (on pilgrimage) to any place of Saukara ; he did not bathe in any Tirthns; he never conse crated himself to the religious observances of 'Siva. Therefore leave him and go. Doubtless we need tell you nothing more.'
The followers of Saikara, on hearing the words of the followers of Yuma, replied thus:O followers of Yama, what you say is just. Now listen: we give you a conciset reply to your many words. Sivaratri is the specialday for all who worship Siva. Oye followers of Yama, it is indeed an inestimable benefit to any one if he goes to Siva's (holy place (on that day). This Pulinda, a righteous person and a leader of the worshippers of Siva, went to the holy river Varada, and, keeping vigil near Madhnkesvara, witnessed the great worship. Even the great serpent (Mahaśêsha) cannot count all his merits. Therefore this person deserves to be near the feet of Siva. O followers of Yama, cease your marmuring. Sankara always resides in these holy places, Varanasi, Kailasa, Mandara, on the top of the Sahyadri, Gokarna and Madhuka :50 Brahmaņs, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sadras, and even persons born in the lowest caste, such as Antyajas, Chandklas, 63 Palikasas, if they bathe specially in the Varada on Sivaratri, and see
* I. ., till day-break. 1. Lit., in the middle of the way. 19 Lit., one. 82 M bars.
#6 Dependant kings or chiefs. # Lit., in the right way. 6Or Vanavasi. Lit., born of the lowest wombs. u Out-castes of mixed parentage, Brihman and Sudra.
