The Music of Hindostan c8.s1.38

c8.s1.38

The power of song is a favourite theme; here is the story of the Indian Arion. The minstrel Sagga in search of Queen Sussondī came across certain merchants of Bhārukachha (Broach) who were setting sail for the golden land. He said, ‘I am a minstrel (*magadha*). If you will remit my passage money I will be your minstrel.’ They agreed. When the ship had set sail they called to him to make music for them. ‘I would make music,’ he said, ‘but the fish would be so excited that your vessel would be wrecked.’ ‘Fish’, they said, ‘will not be disturbed by what mortals do. Play on.’ Then tuning his lute and keeping perfect harmony between the words of his song and the accompaniment of the lute-string he made music for them. The fish were maddened, and a certain sea-monster leaping up upon the ship broke it in two.