The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.114

v1.c10.114

‘Once upon a time when Piliyuk was king of Banaras, Gotama was born unto a hermit, named Dukūla, and was named Sāma. After the son had grown up, Dukūla and his wife Parikā went one day into the jungle in quest of roots and fruits. There they encountered a storm, and being much wet, were obliged to take shelter under a tree close to a hole inhabited by a malignant serpent. Whilst the venerable pair were standing there, dripping from their garments, a cobra issued a venomous blast, whereby they were instantly struck blind. In this helpless condition their son discovered and conducted them home and began to nourish and maintain them with the affection of a dutiful son. Some time afterwards the king went upon a hunting expedition, and rested on the banks of the Migasammata, not far from the hermitage. He had not, however, been long there before he saw the footsteps of deer that came down to the river to drink; and, thinking that he could kill them, lay in ambush. Immediately a remarkably handsome person with a pitcher came down to the river surrounded by a flock of deer. Amazed at the sight and wishing to ascertain whether it was a nymph of the forest whom he thus beheld, he issued a dart, which, alas! severely wounded him. In the agonies of death the wretched man put his pitcher by him, and, falling on the ground, began to exclaim, “Who can be the enemy of a person that was devoted to the religious duties of the eight *śīlas* and ten *kuśalas*? Who, indeed, could desire the flesh of an innocent person like myself?” Hearing these cries, the king approached his victim, proclaimed that he was Piliyuk, king of Banaras, explained the motive with which he had shot him, and desired to know who or what he was. Whereupon Sāma replied, “I was born in this forest, I am the only prop and support of two parents, both aged and blind. Little do they know of the mishap that has happened to me. They will indeed be much grieved and distressed when they find me thus delaying. I alone gave them what they desired. Twice daily have I washed them, and thrice have I fed them. Who indeed will give them a drop of water even after asking ten times? They will be parched like fishes out of water. Who, alas! will succour and help those, who, probably, at this very moment are anxiously waiting my return, and are watching for the first sounds of my footsteps?'' Thus lamenting, he began to weep, not for himself, but for the destitution in which he would leave his feeble parents. Horror seized the king at the reflection that his conduct was calculated to deprive of life three persons who had exercised the duties of *Brahmacarya*, and that he could not escape the torments of hell, if they all died; and, touched by the lamentations of the youth, he promised to succour and help his parent until his death. Sāma, relying upon his faithful promises, blessed the king, and, desiring him to convey his respects and the sad tidings of his death to his blind parents, closed both his eyes, and dropped down as if he had expired.