Indian Antiquary Vol 35

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

Page 58

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEBRUARY, 1906.
IV.
Kantidēva. Kantideva was a King, the son of Samkțiti. He was a good ruler and was very compagsionate and merciful, and so generous that he gave away all his property, and at last was reduced to great poverty, and could not get even a morsel of food. In this way he wandered for forty-eight days. At last some one gave him some rice, milk, and water. Being very tired, and starving and thirsty, he sat down and was preparing with great eagerness to eat this food, when there appeared a Brahman who begged food of him. At once, without a frown or any ill-feeling he gave the Bråbman half of what he had. After this a Sudra came along, who also begged, and he gave this man a portion of what remained. After this some famished dogs appeared, and to them he gave all the remainder! When all was gone, a Chandála came up who said he would die, if he did not get water to drink, Then Kântideva, filled with pity seeing the man's starving condition, told him that he could give no food, but only a little fresh water, and that he would gladly give him. He considered it his highest duty to give to those in need, though he had nothing left himseli. With the utmost faith in God he poured all the water into the Chandala's vessel, who went away. Then the Dêvas appeared to him in their real forms, and told him that his virtue was fully tested. He saluted them without making any request of them. Being pleased with this, they restored to him his kingdom. Those who served under him followed his example.
v.
The Origin of Ganga. There once lived a great King called Sagara, who conquered all his enemies, and by the advice of the Rishi Aurva made many horse sacrifices to please Vishņu. At one of these Indra took away the horse and hid it in Nagaloka, near to where Kapila, a Rishi, was engaged in penance. Then Sagara, in great distress, sent all his sons to search for the horse. They wandered over the whole earth, searching for it without success. Then in despair they began to look for it underground, digging out a large passage to go to the nether world. There, at the northern side they saw the horse, hidden behind the Risbi. Suspecting him of having stolen it, they unsheathed their swords, ready to punish him. Ay they approached, Kapila fixed his eyes upon them, when they were all immediately turned into heaps of ashes.
In the meantime Sagara conld not finish the sacrifice and waited a long time for his sons and the horse. As they did not return, he sent his grandson Amsuman in search of them, who traced them to the underground regions and discovered the borge near Kapila, and saw also the heaps of ashes. Then, suspecting that these were all Sågara's sons, who had been thus destroyed, he was much afraid, and began to propitiate Kapila by worshipping him. Kapila being pleased, gave up the horse to him, saying, "Your fathers were not as wise as you, and so they became heaps of ashes. If you can obtain the water of Ganga, that which is poured over the feet of Vishnn by Brahma, and retained by divine power in Svarga, and pour it over these ashes, the souls of your fathers will go to Svarga."
Then Amsumân saluted the Rishi and took the horse and went back to the King and told him all. Sagara then gave up his kingdom to Amsumân, and, being advised by Aurva, sent the rest of his life in penance. Ansumân, not knowing how to bring Gangå down to pour on the ashes, was in great sorrow till he died. His son Dallpa also, though making penance for the same purpose, failed, and died, leaving his son, Bhagiratha, who determined to succeed in the attempt, and performed penance.
This time the prayers wore heard and Siva appared to him and asked what he wanted. Bhâgiratha told Siva that he wanted the water of Ganga, whereupon Siva, making with his plated