Page:Katha sarit sagara, vol2.djvu/534

 on the contrary we were defeated. So I will go and attack Indra, and lose my life in battle. Now that my father is slain, I shall not be able to return to my own city." When he said this, an old minister of his father's said to him, " The weapon of Brahmá, discharged unseasonably, is too languid to contend with other weapons discharged, for that great weapon was to-day overcome by the weapon of Śiva, which will not brook the presence of others. So you ought not unseasonably to challenge your victorious enemy, for in this way you will strengthen him and destroy yourself. The calm and resolute man preserves his own life, and in due time regains might, and takes revenge on his enemy, and so wins a reputation esteemed by the whole world."

"When that old minister said this to Vidyuddhvaja, he said to him, " Then go you and take care of my kingdom, but I will go and propitiate that supreme lord Śiva."

When he had said this, he dismissed his followers, though they were loth to leave him, and he went with five young Daityas, companions of equal age, and performed asceticism on the bank of the Ganges, at the foot of mount Kailása. During the summer he stood in the midst of five fires, and during the winter in the water, meditating on Śiva; and for a thousand years he lived on fruits only. For a second thousand years he ate only loots, for a third he subsisted on water, for a fourth on air, and during the fifth he took no food at all. Brahmá once more came to grant him a boon, but he did not shew him any respect: on the contrary he said, " Depart, I have tested the efficiency of thy boon." And he remained fasting for another period of equal duration, and then a great volume of smoke rose up from his head ; and Śiva manifested himself to him, and said to him, " Choose a boon." When thus addressed, that Daitya said to him, " May I, Lord, by thy favour slay Indra in fight !" The god answered, " Rise up ! There is no distinction between the slain * and the conquered ; so thou shalt conquer Indra and dwell in his heaven,"

When the god had said this, he disappeared, and Vidyuddhvaja, considering that the wish of his heart was attained, broke his fast, and went to his city. There he was welcomed by the citizens, and met by that minister of his father's, who had endured suffering for his sake, and who now made great rejoicing. He then summoned the armies of the Asuras, and made preparation for battle, and sent an ambassador to Indra to warn him to hold himself in readiness for fight. And he marched out, hiding with