20 - The Story of Kurvalyashva

King Shatru-jit’s son Rita-dhvaja receives into intimate friendship two ga princes in the guise of brahmans-They live with him by day, d spend the nights in Rasátala -They extol him to their father, and ate his story as follows-Rita-dhvaja sets out to succour the brahman Galava against a Daitya Pátála-ketu, with the aid of a wondrous horse med Kuralaya. 

Jada spoke.

1       There was formerly a valorous king named Shatrn-jit, in whoso sacrifices Indra was pleased by receiving the soma

2 juice. His son was valiant destroyer of his foes; the peer of Vrihaspati, Indra and the Aśhvins in intollect, prowess and

3 beauty. The king’s son was continually surrounded by young princes, who were his equals in age, intellect, virtue, prowess

4 and behaviour. He was sometimes resolved on investigating the wholo Shastra literature; at other times engrossed* with

* For -sambhavaiḥ read -sambharah?

5 poetry, dialogue, singing and the drama. Moreover, he enjoyed himself both with ganıbling pastimes, and in the discipline of all kinds of weapons: he was intent on the study of elephants,

6 horses, and chariots suitable for war.† The king’s son enjoyed himself in company with the young princes, being

†The text appears corrupt; for yogyáni yuddha- read yuddha-niyogya-?

7 absorbed in pleasure by day and night alike. But whilo they sported there, numbers of young bráhmans, young princes and young vaishyas of the same age came to enjoy themselves affectionately. 

8       Now after a time two young Nágas, the sons of Ashvatara,††

††A Nága prince. 

9 visited the surface of the earth from the Nága-world. Disguised in form as bráhmans, youthful, handsome, those twe in company with the young princes and the other dvijas

 10 remained there linked in friendship, occupied with various amusements. And all those young princes and the young

 11 bráhmans and vaishyas, and those two young Nága prince engaged in bathing, kneading the limbs &c., adorned them selves with garments and perfumes, and occupied themselve with

12 the business of kings. * As day after day went by, the two young Nágas enjoyed themselves, being bonnd by affection

* The text seems incorrect. For -samyuktámé read samyuktas?

 13 for the king’s son. And the king’s son received the highes pleasure from those two, by various amusements, and by jests

14 conversation, &c. Apart from those two he neither ate, no 

bathed, nor drank sweet drinks; he did not disport himsell nor take up his weapons to improve his accomplishments

15 And those two, spending the night in Rasátala, † mainly occupied in sighing in the absence of that high-souled prince visited him day after day.

† The lower world.

16 “With whom do ye both, my sons, find suprome affection in the mortal-world?” thus inquired their father of bot

17 those young Nágas.” Whilst I have seen you both many day here in Pátála, I ever behold you both with kindly count nances by day and night.”

Jada spoke.

 18 This questioned by their father himself, the two illustrious sons of the Nága king falling prostrate, with hands reverently joined, replied. 

The sons spoke.

19     “It is the son of Shatru-jit, dear father, famed by names Rita-dhvaja, shapely, upright in conduct, a hero, proud, kind

 20 of speech, no sneaking tale-bearer,†† eloquent, learned, friendly, a mine of excellencies, an honourer of the honourworthy,

†† Fer anaprishta-katho read anáprishtha-katho.

21 intelligent, modest, adorned with courtesy. Our mind being ravished by attendance on him, affection for him and pleayure with him, finds no delight in the Nága-world or the

22 air-world.* By separation from him chill Pátála does not terd to warna us, dear father; througlı union with him the sun by day tends to gladden us.”

* For bhuvo loke read bhuvarloke? 

The father spoke.

23     “He is the happy son of a holy father, whose excellencies such accomplished persons as ye are thus celebrate even in his

24 absence. There are evil-dispositioned men learned in the Shástras; there are good-dispositioned men who are fools: but I esteem him, my sons, the happier who equally possesses

25 knowledge of Shástras and a good disposition. A father has indeed a son in that son, whose friends always declare his friendly qualities, and whose enemies his valour, among the

26 good. Perchance ye have preferred a request to him as a benefactor: he has done something to satisfy your mind, my

27 children. Happy is he! The life of each high-born one has been well lived, when petitioners to him tura not away, and the

28 petition of his friends is not powerless. In my houso whatever gold and other metals, jewels, animals for riding, and seats there are, and whatever else imparts delight; that should be

29 given him without hesitation. Fie on the life of that man, who, while failing to make a return to beneficent friends,

30 believes that he really lives! The wise man who, cloud-like, showers bonefits on his circle of friends and injury on his foes -men wish bim prosperity.”

The sons spoke.

31     “What might any one do for that successful man, whose petitionors are all always bonoured in his house with the grant

32 of all their desires. The jewels that are in his house, whence can we have them in Pátála? And whence his animals for

33 riding, his seats, and carriages, ornaments and clothing? The knowledge that he hae, is found nowhere else. Even for the

34 wise he is, dear father, the ablest remover of all doubts. One thing he has done, and that in our opinion was impossible of accomplishment, except by Brahniá, Vishņu,* Shiva, and the other lords.”† 

* Govinda. 

†The text seems incorrect. For tasyásti kartavyan read tasya krutan káryam and for ishvarad read ishvarán?

The father spoke.

 35 “Nevertheless, I wish to hear what was his highest deed whether it be impossible or possible of accomplishment.

36 anything impossible to the wise? Men who have determination attain to the position of the gods, lordship over the immortals, and the position of being worshipped by them,

37 any other coveted arduous thing. There is nothing unknown or inaccessible, or unobtainable, either in heaven or here to strenuous men who have brought their mind, organs

38 and soul under control. An ant by walking travels thousands of yojanas; even Garuda, if he does not move, does not move

39 a single foot. Where is the surface of the earth, and where is the site of tho polar star? Yet Dhruva the son of king

40 Uttána-páda, a donizen of the earth, reached it. Relate there  how the good young prince did his feat, that ye may discharge your indebtednees, my suns!”

The sous spoke.

41 “The high-sonle prince has told us this feut he did before dear father; that he spent his youth, being noted for his good conduct.

42 “But formerly, dear father, a certain bráhman, the wise Gálava, bringing a magnificent steed, approached Shatrujit

43 and replied to the king. A certain vile Daitya, an evil-doer, O king, springing up, is destroying my hermitage without

 44 cause day and night, assuming the several forms of a lion, an elephant, and forest-roving beasts, and of other small-bodied

45. animals. When I am absorbed in profound meditation and deep contemplation, and intent on vows of silence, he raises

46 obstacles so that my mind wavers. Thou art able instantly to burn him with the fire of thy anger, but not we. Do I dosire that austerities arduously acquired should be squandered,

47 O king? But one-day O king, having perceived the demon, I heaved & sigh, being distressed by him, and excedingly

48 depressed in mind. Thereupon this horse fell forth with from the sky itself, and a voice from no corporeal being

49 exclaimed-hearken to it, О lord of men!” Unwearied the noble steed can traverse the whole circle of the earth with

50 the sun. He has been produced for thee. Nor is his course stayed in Pátála, in the sky or in water; nor does he succumb when moving in every direction, or even among the

51 mountains. Since he will traverse the whole circle of the earth unwearied, he will become famed in the world under the

52 name Kuvalaya. And the base sinful Dánava, who day and night torments thee, him shall slay, O bráhman, the king named

53 Shatru-jít mounted on this horse; and his son Rita-dhvaja getting this jewel of a steed shall attain to fame by means of him.”

54 I now have met with thee: do thou, O king, ward off that obstructer of my aasterities, for a king is interested therein.

55 Therefore, I have told thee, O king, of this gem of a horse: do thou command thy son, so that righteousness may not perish.’ 

56     “At his word the king, righteous in soul, mounting his son Rita-dhvaja, who had performed a solemn ceremony, on that

57 gem of a horso, sent him away then with Gálava. And the Muni, taking him, departed to his own hermitage-home.”