A History of Indian Literature v3.c35.s13.71

v3.c35.s13.71

In chapter V the scene of death of King Prabhākaravardhana is described in an attractive manner. Among the king's physicians there is one who is only 18 years old, but he is particularly clever, who loves the king sincerely and when he sees that the condition of the latter has become hopeless, burns his ownself. Whilst at this Harṣa is wholly perplexed, a maidservant of the queen comes and reports to him that his mother has made up her mind to die by burning herself in fire. Harṣa rushes forth into the female apartment. Then he is struck with the cries of the queens, who are resolved to die with their husband. They touchingly take leave of even the trees of the garden and of the birds in the cages and of maidservants. As he enters, he sees his mother, who is ready to die. In her hand "she is holding a picture of her husband so firmly, as if she is determined to die." She is decorated by her servant and by her devotion to her husband; she is firmly supported by a swoon and an old woman, both of whom are well-trusted by her; she is embraced by a friend and agony who are united with her in her trouble; she is surrounded by an attendant and pain, that have taken possession of all of her limbs; the sons of the high royal family and strong breathing are by his side and behind her are standing the very old chamberlains and agonies'"¹. Harṣa falls at the feet of the queen and implores her not to forsake him and to abstain from the decision: But she replies that she, as daughter, wife and mother of heroes, does not mind anything else so much as not to live as a widow. For her it is life, not death that is the greater evil. Harṣa is obliged to accept her argument as correct, so unfortunately it is with him too. Yaśovatī burns herself on the bank of the river Sarasvatī, and a little after this the king dies. The corpse is burnt and death ceremonies are performed. The servants and ministers of the deceased partly die and partly become ascetics or monks of different sects.