Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/191

 IV.] BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. 161 poor despicable fato’s rose to the dignity of a finished and mellifluous tongue, anda vast litera- ture was brought into existence, comprising nu- merous translations and expositions of Sanskrit works. The influence thus exerted upon the mass- es produced results of inestimable value. There is now not a rustic in a Bengal village who does not know how Ram nobly courted all misfortune and gave up the throne which by right belonged to him, because his father Dacaratha in a moment of weakness had given a pledge to Kaikayi, his queen; how the great Bhisma took the vow of celibacy because his father King Cantanu could not win Satyabati for his bride unless he promised the throne to her sons ; how the King Givi offered 101১ own flesh in fulfilment of a promise ; how Prahlada, son of Hiranyakagipu, was true to his faith, in the midst of the cruel persecutions by his father ; how the sage Dadhichi, for the good of the world died by fire, to create the Thunderbolt ; how the young prince Dhruva attained final beatitude in the heart of the forest, and dwells for ever in the Polar star ; how Alarka the king of spotless fame put out his own eyes for the sake of a vow; how Ekalavya, the great archer cut off the thumb of his right hand at the desire of his teacher, Drona; how Janaka the princely saint ruled his kingdom as a true servant of God, unmoved through weal and woe ; how Yudhis- thira would even choose hell for the sake of others ; and how Nala, King of Nisada, suffered for the sake of truth all that a human being could suffer, and yet did not swerve from the righteous course. The devotion and sacrifices of woman as related 11) the Purafas are even greater. Half a century ago no 21 The Paura- nik stories grow familiar, Bhisma, Civi. Prahlada, Dadhichi, Dhruva, Alarka. Ekalavya., Janaka. Yudhis- thira. Nala,