,weimer4 ,,html version by ,al ,haines4 ,mrkandeya ,purna ,books ,,vii and ,,viii4 ,,journal ,,of ,,the ,,royal ,,asiatic ,,society4 ,new ,series1 ,volume ,,xiii ,london1 ,trbner and ,company #ahha ,scanned and edited by ,christopher ,m4 ,weimer1 ,may #bjjb ,,art4 ,,xiii4--,translation of the ,mrka4n4deya ,pur4na4 ,books ,,vii4 ,,viii4 ,by the ,rev4 ,b4 ,,hale ,,wortham4 ,,book ,,vii4 ,,once upon earth there lived a saintly king ,named ,harichandra2 pure in heart and mind1 ,in virtue eminent1 he ruled the world1 ,guarding mankind from evil4 ,while he reigned ,no famine raged1 nor pain2 untimely death ,ne'er cut men off2 nor were the citizens ,of his fair city lawless4 ,all their wealth1 ,and power1 and works of righteousness1 ne'er filled ,their hearts with pride2 in everlasting youth ,and loveliness the women passed their days4 ,it so fell out1 that while this mighty king ,was hunting in the forest1 that he heard ,the sound of female voices raised in cry ,of supplication4 ,then he turned and said1 ,leaving the deer to fly unheeded3 ,stop6 ,who art thou1 full of tyranny and hate1 ,that darest thus oppress the earth2 while ,i1 ,the tamer of all evil1 live and rule8 ,then1 too1 the fierce ,ganea1--he who blinds ,the eyes1 and foils the wills of men1--he heard ,the cry1 and thus within himself he thought3 ,this surely is the great ascetic's work1 ,the mighty ,vivmitra2 he whose acts ,display the fruits of penance hard and sore4 ,upon the sciences he shows his power1 ,while they1 in patience1 discipline of mind1 ,and silence perfected1 cry out with fear1 ',what shall we do8 ,the illustrious ,kauika ,is powerful2 and we1 compared with him1 ,are feeble4' ,thus they cry4 ,what shall ,i do8 ,my mind is filled with doubt4 ,yet stay2 a thought ,has come across me3 ,lo6 this king who cries ,unceasingly1 ',fear not6' meeting with him1 ,and entering his heart1 ,i will fulfil ,all my desire4 ,then filled with ,rudra's son-- ,inspired with rage by ,vigna ,raj--the king ,spake up and said3 ,what evil doer is here1 ,binding the fire on his garment's hem1 ,while ,i1 his king1 in power and arms renowned1 ,resplendent in my glory1 pass for nought8 ,surely the never-ending sleep of death ,shall overtake him1 and his limbs shall fail1 ,smitten with darts from my far-reaching bow1 ,whose fame this lower world may scarce contain4 ,hearing the prince's words1 the saint was filled ,with wrath o'erpow'ring1 and the sciences ,fell blasted in a moment at his glance4 ,but when the king beheld the pious sage ,all-powerful1 he quaked exceedingly1 ,and trembled like the sacred fig-tree's leaves4 ,then ,vivmitra cried3 ,stop1 miscreant6 ,and ,harichandra1 humbly falling down ,before the saint1 in accents low and meek3 ,o ,lord6 most holy6 most adorable6 ,oh1 blame me not6 ,this is no fault of mine6 ,my duty calls1 he said1 ,i must obey4 ,is it not written in the ,holy ,law1 ',alms must be given by a virtuous king2 ,his people must be fought for1 and be kept ,from every ill'8 ,then ,vivmitra spoke ,and said3 ,to whom1 ,o king1 should'st thou give alms8 ,for whom in battle should'st thou fight8 and whom ,should'st thou protect8 ,oh1 tell me1 nor delay1 ,but quickly answer1 if thou fearest sin4 ,alms should be given to ,brhmans1 said the king3 ,those who are weak should be protected3 foes ,in battle should be met and overcome4 ,then ,vivmitra spoke and said3 ,o king6 ,if thus indeed thou rightly dost perceive ,thy royal duty1 give thine alms to me2 ,i am a holy ,brhman1 and ,i seek ,a dwelling-place2 moreover ,i would gain ,a wife3 therefore bestow on me thine alms4 ,the king1 his heart filled with exceeding joy1 ,felt1 as it were1 his youth return1 and said3 ,fear not6 but tell me1 son of ,kauika1 ,thy heart's desire2 and be it hard to gain1 ,or be it easy1 it shall still be thine4 ,say1 shall ,i give thee gold1 or wealth1 or life8 ,or shall ,i give thee wife1 or child1 or land8 ,or my prosperity itself8 ,o king6 ,the sage replied1 thy present ,i accept2 ,but let thine alms1 ,i pray1 be granted first1-- ,the offering for the kingly sacrifice4 ,o ,brhman6 said the king1 the alms are thine2 ,further than this1 whatever be the gift ,thou mayest desire1 freely ,i give it thee4 ,ask what thou wilt4 ,then ,vivmitra spake3 ,give me the earth1 its mountains1 seas1 and towns1 ,with all its kingdoms1 chariots1 horses1 men2 ,its elephants1 its treasure-houses too2 ,its treasures vast1 and all whate'er beside ,is recognized as thine3 oh6 give me all1 ,i pray1 except thyself1 thy wife1 thy son1 ,and this thy righteousness1 that follows close ,beside thee4 ,sinless one6 oh thou who art ,perfect in righteousness6 oh give me all-- ,all beside these4 ,what need of further words4 ,the king1 with heart rejoicing1 and unchanged ,in countenance1 hearing the sage's words1 ,said1 humbly bowing down before the saint1 ,so be thy wish fulfilled4 ,o saintly king1 ,said ,vivmitra1 if the world is mine1 ,and power1 and wealth1 ,i pray you who shall reign1 ,since in this kingdom as a devotee ,i dwell8 ,then ,harichandra said3 ',ere this1 ,before the world was thine by my free gift1 ,thou wast the lord of all2 how much more now8 ,thy right is doubly sure4 ,then said the sage3 ,if this indeed be so1--if the whole world ,be truly mine1 and all its sovereignty1 ,then should'st thou not remain1 nor leave thyself ,aught of that kingdom which thou hast renounced1 ,but1 casting off thy royal ornaments1 ,thou should'st depart1 clothed in a dress of bark4 ,the king1 obedient to the sage's word1 ,stripped off his royal dress1 and1 with his wife ,and son1 made haste to go4 ,then said the saint3 ,stop1 ,harichandra6 ,hast thou then forgot ,the offering for the kingly sacrifice ,that thou hast promised us8 ,replied the king3 ,o mighty saint6 the kingdom now is thine2 ,all have ,i given to thee3 and as for me1 ,what have ,i left8--nought6 save myself1 ,my wife1 my son6 ,thou sayest the truth1 indeed1 ,answered the sage2 but yet there still remains ,the offering for the kingly sacrifice4 ,and this know well3 ,a vow to ,brhmans made1 ,if unfulfilled1 works special woe to him ,who made the vow4 ,for in this sacrifice ,must offerings of worth be freely made ,to ,brhmans2--offerings until they cry ,hold6 that suffices for us6 ,therefore pay ,thy promised vow1 nor longer hesitate4 ',alms are for ,brhmans1' thou thyself hast said1 ',those who are weak must be protected3 foes ,in battle must be met and overcome4' ,o saintly priest6 answered the king1 my wealth ,is all departed3 nothing now remains ,for me to give3 yet grant me time ,i pray1 ,and ,i will pay the offering6 ,noble king1 ,said ,vivmitra1 speak ,i pray thee6 ,say ,what time dost thou appoint that ,i should wait8 ,speak6 no delay6 or else my curse of fire ,shall burn thee up4 ,then ,harichandra said3 ,most holy ,brhman6 when a month has past ,the money for the offering shall be thine4 ,now ,i have nothing4 ,oh6 be pleased to grant ,remission for the present4 ,said the sage1 ,go6 go6 most noble prince6 maintain thy faith6 ,and may'st thou prosper6 may no enemies ,harass thy road4 ,commanded thus1 the king ,departed as an outcast2--he1 the king ,of all the earth1 an exile with his wife ,unused to go afoot1 and with his son ,went forth3 while cries and lamentations rose ,on every side3 ,our hearts are filled with pain1 ,why dost thou leave us thus8 ,o virtuous king6 ,show mercy to thy subjects4 ,righteousness ,indeed shines forth in thee2 if thou art full ,of mercy1 may it overflow on us4 ,stay6 ,mighty ,prince6 one moment1 while we gaze ,with lover's eyes upon thy beauteous form4 ,alas6 our ,prince6 ,shall we ne'er see thee more8 ,how changed thy princely state6 ,thou1 who did'st once ,go forth1 surrounded by attendant kings1 ,who marched on foot2 while stately elephants ,bore e'en thy ministers4 ,now1 ,lord of ,kings6 ,thyself art driven forth on foot4 ,yet1 stay6 ,think1 ,harichandra6 how wilt thou endure ,the dust1 the heat1 the toil8 ,stay1 mighty prince1 ,nor cast thy duty off4 ,oh1 show to us ,some mercy1 for herein thy duty lies4 ,behold1 we cast off all for thee6 ,our wives1 ,our wealth1 our children1 our possessions1 all ,have we relinquished2 like thy shadow1 ,we would follow thee4 ,oh leave us not6 ,for wheresoe'er thou art is happiness1 ,and heaven itself would be no heaven to us ,without our prince4 ,then1 overwhelmed with grief ,at these laments1 the king stayed on his course1 ,in pity for his loving citizens4 ,then ,vivmitra1 filled with rage1 his eyes ,rolling with wrath1 exclaimed3 ,shame on thee6 shame6 ,o full of falsehood1 and of wickedness4 ,how6 would'st thou1 then1 speaker of lies6 ,resume the gifts that thou hast freely made1 ,and reinstate thee in thy kingdom8 ,sir6 ,i go6 replied the king to these rude words1 ,and trembling crept away in haste1 his wife ,holding him by the hand4 ,and1 as she went1 ,her fragile form o'ercome with weariness1 ,the ,brhman smote her fiercely with his stick4 ,then ,harichandra1 pained with inmost grief1 ,seeing the stroke1 said meekly1 ,sir6 ,i go6 ,nor further spoke4 ,filled with compassion then1 ,the ,vivadevas said3 ,what sin is this8 ,what torments shall indeed suffice for him ,by whom this pious king--the offerer ,of prayer1 and sacrifice1 has been cast forth4 ,who now will sanctify the ,soma-juice ,with prayers and hymns1 at the great sacrifice1 ,that we may drink it with rejoicing hearts8 ,then1 having heard these words1 the ,brhman turned ,upon the ,vivedevs2 and1 in wrath ,exceeding hot1 he spake a fearful curse3 ,you shall be cast down from the height of heaven1 ,and live as men4 ,the curse had hardly passed ,his lips1 when filled with pity for their fate1 ,the sage yet further added3 you shall live ,indeed as men1 but yet1 there shall be born ,to you no son1 nor shall you know the state ,of marriage4 ,envy1 love1 and wrath shall ne'er ,hold sway o'er you3 and when the appointed time ,has past1 you shall re-enter once again ,the courts of heaven1 and wear again the form ,which you had lost4 ,the ,vivedevs then ,came down from heaven1 and1 clothed in human form1 ,were born as men1 the sons of ,pritha1 wife ,of ,pa4n4du4 ,therefore those five ,p4n4davas-- ,mighty in war--by ,vivmitra cursed1 ,knew not the state of marriage4 ,thou hast heard ,the tale of ,pa4n4du's sons2 thy question1 too1 ,of fourfold import has been answered4 ,i pray thee1 say1 what further would'st thou hear8 ,,book ,,viii4 ,said ,jaimni3 ,an answer ye have found ,to all my questions2 and indeed have filled ,me full of deepest interest4 ,oh6 ,i long ,to hear yet more6 ,alas6 that saintly king6 ,what grief he suffered6 ,did he e'er attain ,to any comfort answering to his woe8 ,noblest of ,birds6 ,oh tell me this1 ,i pray4 ,the ,holy ,birds continued3 ,then the king1 ,o'ercome with grief and pain1 hearing the words ,of ,vivmitra1 with his wife and son ,journeyed along1 dragging his weary steps4 ,at length the holy place appeared in view-- ,the shrine of iva2 thus within himself1 ,he said3 ,benares1 sacred to the god1 ,lies now before me2 there shall ,i find rest1 ,for there man has no power4 ,the king approached ,the gates on foot3 lo6 at the entry stood ,the ,brhman ,vivmitra4 ,mighty ,saint6 ,the king1 his hands in supplication joined1 ,with humble reverence1 said3 ,here is my life1 ,my wife1 my son1 ,i offer all to thee2 ,accept1 ,i pray1 the offering6 or choose ,whatever else thou wouldest6 ,but the sage ,replied3 ,the month is past6 most saintly king6 ,give me the present for the sacrifice-- ,the offering thou hast promised4 ,one half-day ,as yet remains before the month be past1 ,oh ,brhman of surpassing piety1 ,and penances unfading4 ,wait1 ,i pray1 ,a few short hours4 ,then ,vivmitra said3 ,so be it1 king6 once more ,i will return1 ,but if the offering be not duly paid1 ,before the sinking of this evening's sun1 ,my curse shall smite thee4 ,and the priest ,departed1 while the king1 in anxious thought1 ,debated thus3 ,how shall ,i make the gift8 ,the promised gift8 where are my friends8 my wealth8 ,i may not beg for alms2 how can ,i then ,fulfil my vow8 ,nor even in the world ,beyond shall ,i find rest4 ,destruction waits1 ,if with my promise unfulfilled1 ,i pass ,from hence4 ,a robber of the holy saints2 ,i shall become the lowest of the low4 ,nay1 ,i will sell myself6 and1 as a slave1 ,redeem my promise4 ,then the queen1 in tears ,bewildered1 and afflicted1 lost in thought1 ,with face cast down1 ,maintain thy truth1 she said1 ,most mighty prince6 ,oh6 let not doubt prevail6 ,the man devoid of truth is to be shunned ,like contact with the dead4 ,the highest law ,declares1 that inward truth and faithfulness ,must be maintained4 ,burnt sacrifices1 alms1 ,the study of the scriptures1 penances1 ,are counted not for righteousness to him ,whose word is faithless4 ,listen6 noble prince6 ,is it not written in the sacred law3 ',the wise attain ,salvation through the truth1 ,while lies and falsehood are destruction's way ,to men of low and evil minds4' ,there lived1 ',tis said1 a king upon the earth1 by whom ,the kingly sacrifice--burnt offerings too1 ,were offered in abundance4 ,that same king ,fell once from truthfulness1 and by that fall1 ,he lost his righteousness1 and forfeited ,his place in heaven4 ,prince6 ,i have borne a son-- ,her utterance failed her1 issuing forth in nought ,but sighs and lamentations4 ,then the king1 ,with eyes o'erflowing1 said1 ,behold thy son6 ,he stands beside thee6 cast away thy grief6 ,tell me what presses on thee4 ,said the queen1 ,prince1 ,i have borne a son2 and sons are born ,to none but worthy women4 ,this my son ,shall take me--he shall offer me for sale-- ,then with the money gained1 pay thou the priest ,the promised offering4 ,hearing these words1 ,he fell down fainting4 ,when his sense returned1 ,filled with exceeding pain1 the king burst forth1 ,lamenting3 ,this1 alas6 most loving one6 ,is hardly to be framed in words1 much less ,be carried out in deed4 ,alas6 alas6-- ,his spirit fled again1 and to the earth ,he fell unconscious4 ,overcome with grief1 ,the queen exclaimed1 filled with compassion3 ,king6 ,how art thou fallen from thy high estate6 ,the ground is now thy resting-place1 whom once ,a gorgeous couch received4 ,lo6 this my lord1 ,by whom wealth1 honour1 power1 are freely given ,an offering to the ,brhman--see1 he lies ,insensate on the ground4 ,ye gods of heaven6 ,tell me1 ,i pray you1 has this noble king1 ,equal to gods in rank1 committed sin ,against you1 that he lies thus overcome ,with woe8 ,then fell the queen1 bereft of sense ,upon the earth1 o'erwhelmed with grief and pain1 ,seeing her husband's misery4 ,when the boy ,beheld his parents lying on the ground1 ,he cried in terror3 ,father6 give me food6 ,mother6 my tongue is parched with thirst6 ,meanwhile ,upon the scene the mighty ,brhman came2 ,and when he saw the king lie senseless1 ,king6-- ,sprinkling cold water on his face--he said1 ,rise up6 rise up6 ,pay me the promised vow2 ,for this thy misery from day to day ,increases1 and will yet increase1 until ,the debt be paid4 ,the water's cooling touch ,refreshed the king2 his consciousness returned2 ,but when he saw the ,brhman1 faintness seized ,his limbs again4 ,then overpowering rage ,seized ,vivmitra2 but before he left1 ,the best of ,brhmans said3 ,if what is just1 ,or right1 or true1 enters thy mind1 ,o king6 ,give me the present4 ,lo6 by truth divine ,the sun sends forth his vivifying rays ,upon the earth4 ,by truth this mighty world ,stands firm and steadfast4 ,truth all law excels4 ,by truth the very heaven itself exists4 ,wert thou to weigh the truth1 and in the scale ,opposing1 wert to place burnt-offerings1 ,and sacrifices countless1 still the truth ,would far outweigh them all4 ,why need ,i waste ,my words of loving-kindness upon thee-- ,an ill-intentioned1 false1 ignoble man4 ,thou art a king1--so should the truth prevail ,with thee4 ,yet hear me2--if the offering ,be still unpaid when th' evening's sun has sunk ,behind the western mountain to his rest1 ,my curse shall smite thee4 ,speaking words like these ,the ,brhman left him2 and the king1 o'ercome ,with fear--a fugitive--robbed of his wealth-- ,degraded to unfathomable depths-- ,the victim of his evil creditor-- ,heard once again the counsel of his wife3 ,o king6 sell me6 nor let the fiery curse ,dissolve thy being6 ,urged repeatedly1 ,the king at length replied3 ,most loving one6 ,what the most wicked man could hardly do1 ,that same will ,i3--and ,i will sell my wife4 ,alas6 that ,i should utter such a word6 ,and going with his wife into the town-- ,eyes dimmed with tears1 voice choked with grief--he cried3 ,come hither1 townsmen6 hearken unto me6 ,a wretch6 inhuman6 savage as a fiend6 ,i offer here my wife for sale1 and yet ,i live6 ,here is a female slave6 ,who buys8 ,make haste and speak4 ,the female slave is mine6 7,so spake an ancient ,brhman to the king47 ,money ,i have in heaps1 and ,i will pay ,you well for her4 ,my wife is delicate2 ,her household duties are beyond her strength2 ,i want a slave1 and therefore ,i will give ,a price proportioned to the woman's skill ,and temper2 nor will ,i o'erlook her youth ,and beauty4 ,what you think is fair and right1 ,that will ,i pay4 ,struck dumb with grief1 the king ,stood mute1 nor answered aught4 ,and then the priest1 ,tying the price in the king's garment-hem-- ,his bark-cloth garment--roughly grasped the queen1 ,and dragged her off4 ,but when the loving child ,beheld his mother led away1 he seized ,her by her garment4 ,and the queen exclaimed3 ,if only for a moment1 noble sir6 ,oh6 let me go6 that ,i may gaze once more ,upon my child1 whom ,i shall never see1 ,and never touch again6 ,my child1 behold ,thy mother1 now a slave6 ,and thou--a prince6 ,oh1 touch me not6 ,my lot of servitude ,forbids that thou should'st touch me4 ,but the child1 ,his eyes bedewed with tears1 ran after her1 ,calling her ,mother6 ,as the boy came near1 ,the ,brhman spurned him with his foot2 but he ,still following close would not be torn from her1 ,calling her ,mother6 ,oh1 my lord6 ,i pray1 ,be gracious to me6 said the queen4 ,oh1 buy ,my son with me2 divide us not6 ,for ,i ,without him shall be nought of use to you4 ,be gracious1 ,o my lord6 ,then said the priest3 ,here6 take the money6 give the boy to me6 ,the saints1 who know the scriptures1 have ordained ,the right and lawful sum4 ,take it6 ,he tied ,the money in the king's bark dress1 and led ,them both away--the mother and the child-- ,together bound4 ,but when the king beheld ,himself bereft of both his wife and son1 ,he burst forth3 ,ah6 my wife6 whom neither sun1 ,nor moon1 nor air have ever seen ,i who hast ,been kept from vulgar gaze6 ,alas ,i a slave ,hast thou become6 ,alas6 thou1 too1 my son6-- ,a scion of the noble dynasty1 ,sprung from the sun6 disgrace has seized on thee1 ,and--shame upon me6--thou too art a slave6 ,ye have become a sacrifice2 ye1 through my fault1 ,have fallen4 ,would that ,i were dead6 ,thus spoke ,the king4 ,meanwhile the ,brhman hastily ,entered the grove wherein his dwelling stood1 ,and vanished with his slaves4 ,then met the king ,the ,brhman ,vivmitra4 ,prince6 he said1 ,pay me the offering6 ,harichandra gave ,the money gaind by the shameful sale ,of wife and child4 ,and when the priest beheld ,the money1 overcome with wrath1 he said3 ,how canst thou mock me with this paltry sum6 ,base ,kshatriya6 ,and thinkest thou that this ,suffices for a sacrificial gift ,such as ,i would accept8 ,but if thy mind ,thus far misleads thee1 thou shalt feel my power-- ,power transcendant1 gained by penances1 ,and scripture meditation4 ,yes6 the power ,of my pure ,brhmanhood shall show itself ,on thee4 ,more will ,i give thee1 said the king1 ,but wait1 most noble saint6 ,nought have ,i left6 ,even my wife and child are sold4 ,replied ,the ,brhman3 ,hold6 be silent6 ,further time ,than the remaining fourth part of to-day ,i grant thee not4 ,enraged1 he turned away1 ,departing with the money4 ,and the king1 ,immersed in grief and fear1 with face cast down1 ,cried out3 ,if there be any one of you ,who wants a slave1 let him make haste and speak ,while day remains4 ,then ,dharma1 putting on ,the form of a ,cha4n4dla1 hastily ,came forward1 taking pity on the king4 ,his countenance was fearful1--black1 with tusks ,projecting2 savage in his words2 his smell ,was foul and horrible2 a crowd of dogs ,came after him4 ,tell me thy price1 he said2 ,be quick2 and whether it be large or small ,i care not1 so ,i have thee as my slave3 ,the king1 beholding such a loathsome form1 ,of mien revolting--,what art thou8 he said4 ,men call me a ,cha4n4dla1 he replied4 ,i dwell in this same city--in a part ,of evil fame4 ,as of a murderer ,condemned to death1 such is my infamy4 ,my calling is a robber of the dead4 ,i will not be a slave1 exclaimed the king1 ,to thee1 a base ,cha4n4dla4 ,better far ,that ,i should perish by the fiery curse4 ,the words were scarcely uttered1 when the saint ,returned1 his countenance with rage ,distorted2 and he thus addressed the king3 ,the sum is fair2 why dost thou not accept ,the offer8 ,then indeed thou mightest pay ,the gift thou owest for the sacrifice4 ,o son of ,kuika6 replied the king1 ,consider this1 ,i pray6--my noble race6 ,truly am ,i descended from the sun6 ,how can ,i then become1 though sore in want1 ,lowest of creatures--a ,cha4n4dla's slave8 ,delay no more1 the ,brhman said1 but pay ,the gift at once1 and sell thyself a slave ,to the ,cha4n4dla--or assuredly ,i curse thee4 ,saintly priest1 be merciful6 ,the king entreated2 and1 immersed in care1 ,he seized the ,brhman's feet1 exclaiming thus3 ,what am ,i but a slave1 o'erwhelmed with grief6 ,fear holds me6 ,saintly priest1 be merciful6 ,protect me1 mighty saint6 ,save me1 ,i pray1 ,from this most horrible ,cha4n4dla4 ,sir6 ,most noble saint6 hereafter shall thy will ,be all the object of my life6 ,to serve ,thy lightest wish shall be my highest joy6 ,thus will ,i make the offering--,i will be ,thy slave6 ,replied the ,brahman3 ,if thou art ,my slave1 then will ,i sell thee as a slave ,to the ,cha4n4dla4 ,then1 filled with delight1 ,paying the money1 the vapka bound ,his lately-purchased slave1 and striking him1 ,led hill away4 ,parted from all his friends2 ,in utmost grief2 in the ,cha4n4dla's house ,abiding--morning1 noon1 and eventide1 ,and night1 the king thus made lament3 ,alas6 my tender wife1 overwhelmed with pain1 ,looking upon her son in misery1 ,bewails her lot4 ,but yet she says3 ',the king ,will surely ransom us1 for he has gained ,by now more money than the ,brhman paid ,for us2' and all the time she little knows ,my fate--worse than her own4 ,for ,i have passed ,from woe to woe--kingdom and friends--my wife1 ,my son1 have passed from me1 and now the state ,of a ,cha4n4dla holds me4 ,while he dwelt ,a slave in the ,cha4n4dla's house1 the forms ,of those he loved were still before his eyes-- ,were ever in his mind4 ,meanwhile the king1 ,obedient to his master's will1 became ,a robber of the dead2 and night and day ,he watched for plunder4 ,one part of the spoil ,is for the king1 three for thy master1 two ,for thee4 ,go to the city's southern part1 ,where is the dwelling of the dead1 there wait4 ,obeying the ,cha4n4dla1 to the place ,of burial he went2--an awful place1 ,filled full of fearful sounds and loathsome sights-- ,of evil smells1 and smoke1 and locks of hair ,fallen from the dead2 while troops of fiends and ghouls1 ,vampires and demons1 wandered to and fro4 ,vultures and jackals prowled1 and spirit forms' ,of evil hovered o'er4 ,the ground was strewn ,with heaps of bones2 and wailing1 sharp and shrill1 ,re-echoed from the mourners of the dead4 ,the bodies on the funeral piles1 half burnt1 ,crackled and hissed2 showing their shining teeth1 ,they grinned1 as if in sport2 while all the time ,the howl of demons and the wail of fiends ,were mingled with the roar of flames--a sound ,of fearful import1 such as ushers in ,the day of doom4 ,the sights1 and sounds1 and smells-- ,the heaps of ashes1 and the piles of bones1 ,blackened with filth--the smoke1 the shouts1 ,the yells--struck fear on fear into the heart4 ,the burial-place resembled nought but hell4 ,such was the place appointed for the king4 ,priests6 ,brhmans6 ,counsellors6 how have ,i fallen ,from all my royal state6 ,alas6 my queen6 ,alas6 my son6 ,oh6 miserable fate6 ,we have been torn asunder by the power ,of ,vivmitra4 ,thoughts like these possessed ,his inmost mind2 while foul1 unshorn1 unwashed1 ,he served his master4 ,running here and there1 ,armed with a jagged club1 he sought the dead1 ,from whom he gained his wages4 ,so he lived1 ,degraded from his caste4 ,old knotted rags ,served as his dress2 his face and arms and feet ,with dust and ashes from the funeral piles ,begrimed2 his hands defiled with putrid flesh ,from contact with the bodies of the dead4 ,so neither day nor night he ceased from toil4 ,and twelve months passed--twelve weary months1 which seemed ,to his grief-stricken mind a hundred years2 ,and then at last1 worn out1 the best of kings ,lay down to rest2 and as upon his couch ,all motionless in sleep he lay1 he saw ,a wondrous vision4 ,by the power divine ,he seemed to wear another form1--a form ,both new and strange1--and in that form to pay ,the vow4 ,twelve years of expiation passed ,with difficulty4 ,then within himself ,king ,harichandra thought3 ,so too will ,i1 ,when ,i am freed from hence1 perform my vows ,with generous freedom4 ,forthwith he was born ,as a ,pukkasa2 while a place was found ,for him among the dead1 and funeral rites ,were ordered as his task4 ,thus seven years ,were passed2 then to the burying-place was brought ,a ,brhman seeking sepulture3 in life ,he had been poor1 but honest2 and the king1 ,though he knew this--the dead man's poverty ,and his uprightness--pressed his friends to pay ,the funeral dues4 ,enforce thy right1 they said1 ,and do this evil deed2 yet know thou this3 ,once upon earth there was a mighty king ,named ,harichandra2 though he but disturbed ,a ,brhman's sleep1 through that offence he lost ,his merit1 and by ,vivmitra's curse ,became a base ,pukkasa4 ,yet the king ,spared not the dead man's friends1 but still required ,his fee4 ,therefore they cursed him in their rage-- ,go6--go6--thou most degraded of mankind-- ,go to the lowest hell6 ,then in his dream ,the king beheld the messengers of death4 ,fearful to look at1 armed with heavy chains1 ,they seized him1 and they bound him hand and foot1 ,and bore him off4 ,and then1 in fear and pain1 ,headlong he fell into the bath of oil ,in ,nraka4 ,there1 torn with instruments ,sharp-edged as razors1 fed on putrid blood1 ,he saw himself4 ,for seven years in hell-- ,now burnt from day to day1 now tossed and torn1 ,now cut by knives1 and now by icy winds ,frozen and numbed--a dead ,pukkasa's fate ,he underwent4 ,each day in ,nraka1 ,a hundred years of mortal reckoning-- ,so count the demons who inhabit hell4 ,then he beheld himself cast up to earth1 ,his spirit entering a filthy dog2 ,feeding on things all foul and horrible-- ,consumed by cold4 ,a month thus passed away4 ,his spirit changed its dwelling1 and he saw ,himself an ass2 and after that an ox1 ,a cow1 a goat1 a sheep1 a bird1 a worm4 ,so day by day he saw his spirit change ,its outward shape4 ,a multitude of forms-- ,some moving1 others rooted to the ground-- ,received his soul4 ,and when the hundred years ,were passed and gone1 he saw himself again ,re-occupy his pristine human form-- ,once more a king4 ,and then he seemed to lose ,his kingdom1 casting it away in games ,of chance4 ,turned from his home a wanderer ,into the forest with his wife and child3 ,devoured by a ravening beast1 but raised ,to life again on earth1 he sore bewailed ,his wife3 ,alas6 why hast thou left me thus8 ,alas6 ,o ,saivya6 where hast thou gone8 ,then in his dream he seemed to see his wife ,and son lamenting3 ,what hast thou to do ,with gambling8 ,oh protect us1 mighty king6 ,the vision faded1 and he saw no more ,the cherished forms4 ,and then the dream returned ,by power divine4 ,and ,harichandra stood ,in heaven1 and he beheld his wife on earth1 ,with flowing hair1 dragged forcibly along-- ,stripped of her clothes3 the cry came to his ear1 ,protect us1 king of men6 ,then1 snatched away1 ,the demons hurried him before the judge2 ,and ,harichandra seemed to hear the words3 ,go forth6 return once more to earth6 ,thy grief ,is well nigh past and ended2 joy ere long ,shall come to thee4 ,the sorrows that remain ,endure4 ,the king1 then driven from the sky ,by ,yama's messengers1 falling through space-- ,senseless in fear and terror1 filled with pain ,yet more exceeding--thought within himself1 ,how shall ,i suffer all these torments sore6-- ,the changes manifold of form--the pain ,in ,nraka4 ,then ,harichandra sought ,aid from the gods3 ,o mighty lords1 he said1 ,protect me6 ,o protect my wife and child6 ,o mighty ,dharma1 thee ,i worship6 ,thee1 ,o ,krish4na1 the ,creator6 ,faultless ones1 ,both far and near1 before you now ,i come1 ,a suppliant4 ,on thee1 ,o lord of prayer1 ,i call6 on thee1 ,o ,indra too6 to thee ,o ancient one6 ,i pray--immutable6 ,the vision fled1 the king arose from sleep4 ,his tangled hair1 his body black and grimed1 ,recalled to him his state--the plunderer ,of dead men's clothes4 ,his recollection gone1 ,he thought not of his sorrowing wife and child1 ,for reason failed4 ,the loss of kingdom1 wealth1 ,and friends1 his dwelling-place among the tombs1 ,had overthrown his senses1 and destroyed ,his mind4 ,then to the burying-place the queen ,came1 bearing the dead body of her son-- ,pale and distracted4 ,my beloved son6 ,my child6 she kept exclaiming1 while she threw ,dust on her head4 ,alas6 alas6 ,o king6 ,o that thou could'st behold thy child1 she said-- ,thy child now lying dead upon the earth1 ,killed by a serpent's bite4 ,alas6 my son6 ,so lovely6 so delightful6 ,then the king1 ,rearing the sounds of mourning1 went in haste ,to rob the dead3 nor did he recognize ,his wife1 in that sad mourner1 changed by grief ,as if into another4 ,and the queen ,knew not the form that stood before her1 clothed ,in rags1 with matted hair1 withered and foul4 ,then recollection dawned upon the king1 ,seeing the dead child's princely form1 the thought ,of his own son came o'er him4 ,ah6 my child6 ,what evil chance1 he said1 has brought thee here6 ,a child of princely race thou seemest4 ,he1 my son1 ,long lost to me through my accursed fate1 ,would have been even such as thou in age4 ,then raised the queen her voice1 and thus she spoke3 ,alas6 has some unexpiated crime ,brought upon us1 my child6 this endless woe4 ,my absent lord6 since thou did'st not console ,my grief in times gone by1 how can the pain ,i suffer now assuage8 ,did'st thou not lose ,thy kingdom8 did'st thou not desert thy friends8 ,did'st thou not sell thy wife and child8 ,the king ,heard her lament1 and as he heard1 the wail ,fell from his eyes1--he recognized again ,his wife and son--and saying but the words1 ,ah6 ,saivya6 ,ah6 my beloved child6 ,he fainting fell to earth4 ,then1 too1 the queen1 ,hearing her husband's voice1 o'ercome with grief1 ,insensate fell4 ,returning consciousness ,brought to them both affliction's heaviest weight ,and mutual lamentations4 ,ah6 my son6 ,thus mourned the king1 my inmost heart is torn1 ,when ,i behold thy form so delicate3 ,my child6 embracing thee in tend'rest love1 ,words of affection ,i will speak1 that rise ,unbidden to my lips4 ,alas6 thy limbs ,will be defiled by my embrace2 the dust ,that clings about my garments will pollute ,thy lovely form6 ,alas6 my child1 thou had'st ,an evil father6 ,he who should have kept ,all dangers from thee1 he it was who sold ,thee as a slave6 and yet in heart and mind ,first of all things ,i love thee4 ,ah6 my child6 ,thy father's realm--my heaped-up wealth--all this ,by lawful right was thine inheritance1 ,and now thou liest slain6 ,ah me6 the tears ,rise to my eyes in blinding force3 thy form1 ,in grace and beauty like the lotus flower1 ,fades from my sight4 ,he spoke1 and faltering ,with grief embraced his son4 ,the queen exclaimed3 ,this is indeed my lord--,i know his voice6 ,i know his form6 this is the mighty king4 ,the wisest of all beings4 ,but how changed6 ,what fate is this8 ,ah what a dreadful place ,for him1 the lord of men4 ,this grief yet more ,is added to the mourning for my son-- ,my husband's fate--for as a slave he serves ,a base ,cha4n4dla4 ,cursd be that god1 ,or demon foul1 through whom a godlike king ,has fallen to this degraded state2 the lot ,of a vapka4 ,ah6 most noble prince1 ,my mind is filled with grief1 when ,i recall ,thy regal state1 thy past magnificence4 ,no kingly ensigns go before thee now1 ,no captive kings1 brought down to slavery1 ,humbly precede thee1 casting in the way ,their garments1 lest the dust should soil thy feet4 ,but now6 ,o king6 alas1 thyself a slave1 ,thou livest in this fearful place1 begrimed ,with filth2 thy sacred cord concealed1 thy hair ,tangled and long1 plunder of dead men's clothes ,thy livelihood4 ,ah6 king6 and is thy life ,spent in this awful wise8 ,so spake the queen1 ,and falling on his neck1 embraced her lord3 ,while she1 sprung from a king herself1 bewailed ,her sorrows endless4 ,king6 ,i pray thee speak6 ,is this a dream8 ,if it be real and true1 ,then justice1 truth1 and righteousness have fled ,and gone from earth3 nor aught avails mankind1 ,of sacrifice1 or reverence1 to gods ,or priests6 ',tis vain to follow innocence ,if thou1 most perfect1 purest of mankind1 ,art brought to such a depth of infamy4 ,then spoke the king1 and told his sorrowing wife ,how he had fallen to this wretched state1-- ,the state of a ,cha4n4dla4 ,she1 in turn1 ,weeping1 with many sighs1 poured out her tale1 ,telling him how the serpent's bite had killed ,their child4 ,beloved one6 ,i suffer not ,these evils1 said the king1 by mine own will-- ,thou seest what ,i endure2 my evil fate ,depends not on myself4 ,i am a slave1 ,and if ,i fly from the ,cha4n4dla's bonds1 ,the fiery torment in the depths of hell ,will overtake me1 and ,i shall become ,a slave again4 ,my doom is fixed6 lo6 hell ,is my abode hereafter2 and in forms1 ,creeping and loathsome1 shall my soul abide4 ,yet from this miserable life on earth ,there is one only refuge4 ,he6 my son6 ,my hope6 my stay6 is dead2 drowned by the sea ,of my misfortunes4 ,but ,i am a slave6 ,i am dependent on another's will6 ,can ,i give up my wife8 ,yes6 even so6 ,for know thou this3 one who is steeped in woe ,cares not for evil chances2 not the state ,of the most loathsome beast1 nor yet the wood ,of sword-leaved plants1 nor even hell's dread stream1 ,could add the smallest fraction to the pain ,i have already borne4 ,my son is dead6 ,who then will make atonement for my sins8 ,yet listen to my words1 beloved one1 ,if ,i have offered sacrifice1 and paid ,due reverence to the saints2 if ,i have given ,alms to the needy--may we meet again ,hereafter1 in the world to come1 and find ,the refuge for our woes denied us here4 ,let us together follow in the path ,by which our son has gone4 ,our hopeless fate ,can never alter here4 ,whatever words ,i may have uttered1 thoughtlessly1 in jest1 ,these1 when ,i pray for pardon1 shall receive ,fullest forgiveness4 ,thou must not despise ,thy lord3 nor pride thee on thy queenly state ,now passed and gone4 ,the prince's wife replied3 ,i am prepared to tread that path with thee1 ,o king1 most saintly6 and with thee that world ,to enter4 ,while she spoke these words1 the king ,made up the funeral pile1 and placed thereon ,his son1 himself ascending with his wife4 ,and then1 in meditation wrapt1 he thought ,upon ,nryana1 the lord supreme1 ,and ,vsudeva1 lord of deities1 iva1 and ,brhma the eternal god1 ,and ,krish4na clothed in glory4 ,as the king ,was meditating1 all the gods from heaven ,came down headed by ,dharma4 ,and they said3 ,hear us1 ,o king6 hear us1 ,o lord6 ,the gods-- ,even the mighty gods have come to earth1 ,and at their head is ,dharma4 ,gods1 and saints1 ,and heroes--yea1 and ,vivmitra too1 ,the sage implacable1--all summon thee-- ,ascend6 to heaven3 receive the due reward1 ,that thou hast gained4 ,o king6 slay not thyself6 ,i1 perfect ,righteousness1 ,i summon thee ,to enter now the heaven that thou hast gained ,by thy transcendant virtues1 self-control1 ,patience1 and truth4 ,then ,indra spoke1 and said3-- ,o ,harichandra6 ,king1 most eminent6 ,in virtue6 lo6 before you ,indra stands-- ,for ,i am he4 ,the everlasting world ,thou hast attained3 together with thy wife1 ,and son1 ascend to heaven2--to that third heav'n-- ,so difficult to be attained by men-- ,the heav'n that thou hast won4 ,then ,indra rained ,life-giving am4rit from the sky1 and flowers ,that blossomed in the heavenly courts3 while sounds ,of music filled the air1 and round him stood ,the gods1 a vast assembly4 ,then the son ,of ,harichandra rose1 restored to life1 ,and health1 his mind and senses whole1 his form ,more beautiful than ever3 and the king ,embraced his wife and son1 with perfect joy ,filled to o'erflowing1 crowned with heavenly wreaths4 ,then ,indra said3 ,thou1 with thy wife1 and son1 ,shalt dwell in bliss supreme3 bliss that thyself ,hast purchased1 by thy virtues and thy toils4 ,then spoke the king3 ,hear me6 most holy gods6 ,unbidden by my master1 will ,i not ,to heaven itself ascend4 ,then ,dharma spoke3 ,i am thy master4 ,i assumed the form ,of a ,cha4n4dla4 ,all thy pain and woe ,was brought upon thee by my magic power1 ,and thou wast made a slave6 ,i have beheld ,thy truth1 and thy uprightness4 ,saintly king6 ,the highest place that heaven accords to men1 ,whose virtue has been tried and proved3--to that ,ascend6 ,but ,harichandra answering1 said3 ,receive1 most mighty lord6 my words of praise ,and thanksgiving4 ,i offer them to thee ,full of affection4 ,lo6 my people stand ,with grieving hearts1 longing for my return4 ,can ,i ascend to heav'n while they on earth ,lament for me8 ,if they have ever slain1 ,brhmans1 or teachers of the holy law1-- ,if lust or avarice have ruled their hearts1-- ,then may my labours and my toils atone1 ,for these their sins4 ,i may not leave my friends4 ,for neither here1 nor in the world to come1 ,can there be peace to one who casts aside ,the friend whose love is pure and true--the friend ,who serves him from the heart4 ,return6 ,return6 to heaven6 ,o ,indra6 ,if thou grant ,my friends to rise with me1 to heav'n will ,i ,ascend2 if not1 with them will ,i descend ,to ,nraka4 ,o king6 thy prayer is heard6 ,thy people's sins are pardoned3 even for them1 ,hard though it be1 thy toils and pains have gained ,a place in heaven4 ,thus mighty ,indra spoke4 ,replied the king3 ,indra6 ,i will not leave ,my kinsmen4 ,by his kinsmen's help a king ,his kingdom rules2 by them he offers up ,the kingly sacrifice1 and for himself ,lays up a store of meritorious deeds4 ,so have my kinsmen too enabled me ,to work whate'er ,i may of righteousness4 ,my actions virtuous1 my granted prayers1 ,truly ,i owe to them1 for by their aid ,have these been possible4 ,may the reward ,thou grantest me1 ,i pray1 be shared with them4 ,my kinsmen1 though ,i should ascend to heaven1 ,i will not leave4 ,so be it6 ,indra said2 ,so be it6 said the ,brhman2 ,dharma1 too1 ,gave his assent2 and then1 in countless hosts1 ,appeared the heavenly chariots4 ,indra said3 ,men of ,ayodhya1 ascend to heaven4 ,the saintly ,brhman1 having heard with joy ,the words of ,indra1 poured the sacred oil ,upon the prince1 and with the perfect ones1 ,the sages1 and the gods1 anointed him ,son of the mighty king4 ,then all the throng-- ,the king1 his wife1 his son1 his followers-- ,filled with rejoicing and delight1 ascend ,to heaven1 surrounding1 as they go1 the king ,borne in his chariot4 ,he1 too1 filled with joy-- ,the mighty father1 who eternal bliss ,both for his people and himself had gained1 ,once more in form and mien a king--reposed1 ,resting from all his toils1 his faithful friends ,surrounding him with a protecting wall4 ,and ,indra spoke and said3 ,upon this earth ,great ,harichandra's equal has not been ,nor shall be4 ,whosoe'er may hear his life1 ,his toils1 his sorrows1 and in sympathy ,for him lament1 transcendant happiness ,shall he attain1 and all his heart's desire ,shall be accomplished4 ,is his prayer a wife1 ,or son1 or kingdom1 he shall gain them all1 ,e'en heaven itself4 ,and he who imitates ,the truth1 and steadfastness1 of that great king1 ,like him shall enter everlasting rest4 ,mrkandeya ,purna