Simhasanadvatrimshika 9.p4

Vikrama's Adventures, or The Thirty-two Tales of the Throne 9.p4

Language: English

9.p4.1

While Vikrama was king his vizier was Bhaṭṭi, his sub-vizier Govinda, his general Candra, his house-priest Trivikrama. This Trivikrama had a son Kamalākara, who lived by the indulgence of his father, eating gruel with ghee, adorning his body with garments, jewelry, betel, and the like, and devoting himself to sensuous pleasures. One day his father said to him: “For shame, Kamalākara! How is it that you, tho you have obtained birth in the brahman caste, have thus become the slave of your desires? This soul obtains very many births in different stations, and finally thru the power of good deeds is born in a human womb; but even in that case only by exceptional virtue is it born in a brahmanical family. And tho you have obtained all this, you have turned to evil courses. You are always staying away from home, and return to the house only at meal-time. Truly your behavior is unseemly. Moreover, this is the time for you to study and acquire knowledge; if you do not acquire knowledge at this time, later you will suffer great grief. And it is said: 1. Those who are afflicted by passion and whose good sense is destroyed by youthful follies, so that they do not study the sciences while they are young, are despised in their old age, and afflicted in body, as a lotus in the cold season. And so: 2.

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Those who have not learning, nor asceticism, nor generosity, neither morality, nor virtue, nor religion, they are a mere burden upon the face of the earth, and wander about in the world of mortals as beasts in human form. In this round of existence there is no higher ornament for a man than learning. And thus it is said: 3. Knowledge is really man's highest beauty, a secret store of treasure; knowledge is the source of enjoyment, glory, and happiness, it is the Teacher of Teachers [or, 'revered of the reverend']; knowledge is a friend in foreign lands, it is the Supreme Godhead; knowledge is held in honor among kings, rather than wealth; one who has not knowledge is a beast. And so: 4. What value is there in an illustrious origin if a mortal be bereft of knowledge? But even a man of low birth, if he have knowledge, is honored thruout the three worlds. For shame, my son! While I live you ought to devote yourself wholly to the study of science. The knowledge you acquire will perform all manner of friendly services for you. And it is said: 5. Knowledge cherishes us like a mother, enjoins on us the right way like a father, and rejoices us like a wife, driving away our sorrow; she spreads abroad our fame in all quarters, and augments our wealth;

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knowledge performs for us all possible friendly services." After Kamalākara heard these his father's words he became filled with remorse, and said: "I will never look upon my father's face again until I have become all-learned." So saying he went to the land of Kashmir. And there he came to the teacher Candramāuli Bhaṭṭa [Bhaṭṭa is a title equivalent to our ‘Doctor’], and prostrating himself before him said: “My lord, I am a stupid fellow, who hearing your worship’s name have come to study and acquire knowledge. Have mercy on me, and bring me into the possession of knowledge, noble sir.” So saying he prostrated himself again. And when the teacher agreed, he followed his instruction day and night. And thus it is said: 6. Knowledge may be acquired by following a teacher’s instruction, or by a great amount of money, or thru the medium of (other) knowledge; no fourth way is to be found. While he was thus receiving instruction, a long time past. And finally one time his teacher took compassion on him and expounded to him the Charm of Perfect Knowledge. By learning this Kamalākara became all-learned, and taking leave of his teacher returned to his own city. On the way he arrived at the city of Kāñcī, where Anaṅgasena was king. In this city there was a certain woman named Naramohinī, who was incomparably beautiful. Whoever lookt upon her became inflamed with the fever of love and came into a condition of frenzy.

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But whenever any one slept with her to enjoy her, a certain rākṣasa [demon] dwelling in the Vindhya Mountains was wont to come and drink his blood, so that he died. Kamalākara, having seen this strange thing, went to his own city. And his parents and other kinsfolk, when they saw him back again, held a great feast. On the second day he went with his father to the king’s residence. And when he had recited this blessing: 7. “That protector of the honey that hides in the white lotus, the protector of the heavens, who wears welfare (as a garment), may he work your welfare!” he displayed the skill of his art in the assembly. Thereupon the king presented him with garments and other gifts, and askt him: “Kamalākara, what in particular did you see in the country to which you went?” Kamalākara replied: “My lord, there was nothing to see there, but as I was coming back, in the city of Kāñcī I saw a very strange thing.” The king said: “Then tell me what you saw.” And Kamalākara answered: “In that city of Kāñcī there is a certain woman named Naramohinī. Whoever sees her goes mad with love. But if any one sleeps with her, a certain rākṣasa who dwells in the Vindhya Mountains comes and drinks his blood, so that he dies. This strange thing have I seen.” Then the king said: “Come then, Kamalākara; we two will go thither.” So the king came with him to the city of Kāñcī, and saw the beauty of Naramohinī, and was amazed.

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And he went to her house, and was hospitably entertained by her with washing of the feet, and with ointments, perfumes, and flowers. And she said: "O king, today I am become happy, and my house has become praiseworthy, since my courtyard has been made glad by the dust from your majesty's feet. 8. Today at last, after a long time, this my house has become praiseworthy, by reason of the grace acquired from the touch of your glorious feet. My lord, partake of food in my house." The king said: "I ate even now, just before I came here." Then she offered him betel. Thus the first watch of the night went by; and Naramohinī went to sleep. In the second watch the rākṣasa came; and when he lookt at the couch of Naramohinī, there she lay asleep all alone, and there was no one else. But as he was going out again the king halted him and slew him. Hearing the noise thereof, Naramohinī awoke, and seeing the rākṣasa slain she greatly rejoist, and praised the king, saying: "O king, by your favor I am freed from danger; from now on the persecution of the rākṣasa is at an end. How can I repay you for this favor you have done me? For the rest, I will do whatever you say." The king said: "If you will do as I say, then favor yonder Kamalākara." So Naramohinī gave herself to Kamalākara. And Vikrama returned to Ujjayinī.

Linked texts (1)

Siṃhāsanadvātriṃśikā — Sanskrit