Page:Katha sarit sagara, vol2.djvu/236

 dance of wealth, that he lived in great comfort with his servants. But the younger brother was ever on the look out to kill his elder brother, supposing that this was his father's object in furnishing him with a guard.

In the meanwhile a heroic and wealthy young Bráhman, of the name of Śankhadatta, who was a friend of both brothers, came and said to Samarabhața, " You ought not to carry on hostility with your elder brother; it is not right, and you cannot do him an injury; on the contrary the result of a quarrel would be disgraceful to you." When he said this, Samarabhața abused and threatened him; good advice given to a fool does not calm but rather enrages him. Then the resolute Śankhadatta went away indignant at this treatment, and made a strict friendship with Bhímabhața, in order to have the opportunity of conquering Samarabhața.

Then a merchant, of the name of Manidatta, came there from a foreign country, bringing with him an excellent horse; it was as white as the moon; the sound of its neighing was as musical as that of a clear conch or other sweet-sounding instrument; it looked like the waves of the sea of milk surging on high; it was marked with curls on the neck; and adorned with the crest-jewel, the bracelet, and other signs, which it seemed as if it had acquired by being born in the race of the Gandharvas. When Bhímabhața heard of that splendid horse, which was mentioned to him by Śankhadatta, he went and bought it for a high price from that merchant-prince. At that moment Samarabhața, hearing of it, came and tried to buy the horse from the merchant for double the price. But he refused to give it him, as it had already been sold to another; then Samarabhața, out of envy, proceeded to carry it off by force. Then there took place a fierce combat between those two princes, as the adherents of both came running up with weapons in their hands. Then the mighty arm of Bhímabhața laid low the attendants of Samarabhața, and he himself abandoned the horse, and began to retire through fear of his brother. But as he was retiring,Śankadatta, full of overpowering anger, pursued him, and laying hold of his hair behind, was on the point of killing him, when Bhímabhața rushed up and prevented him, saying, " Let be for the present, it would be a grief to my father." Then Śankhadatta let Samarabhața go, and he fled in fear, discharging blood from his wounds, and repaired to his father. Then the brave Bhímabhața took possession of the horse, and immediately a Bráhman came up to him, and taking him aside, said to him, " Your mother the queen Manoramá, and the chaplain Yajuhsvámin, and Sumati, the minister of your father, send you the following advice at this juncture. " You know,* dear boy, how the king is always affected towards you, and