Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/117

Rh he lies on the ground I will have him torn in pieces by dogs."

"Beware, O king," answered Vamadeva; "the arrow which you aim at me will pierce the heart of your ten-year-old son."

But King Dala scorned the rishi's words, and the arrow, passing by Vamadeva, entered the inner room where the young prince was, and pierced him to the heart. King Dala, more angered than before, took another poisonous arrow from his quiver and aimed it at Vamadeva. But Vamadeva said, "O king, you cannot shoot the arrow at me." And as he spoke he cast a spell over the king, so that he could not bend the bow. Then King Dala saw that it was useless to strive against Vamadeva. "O Vamadeva," he said, "you have overcome me. May your years be many."

Vamadeva pitied King Dala as he had pitied his brother and he said, "Touch your Queen Senajata with your arrow and you will be forgiven your sin." King Dala obeyed the rishi's words. Senajata then said, "O Vamadeva, forgive my husband the king and teach him to grow in wisdom." "Fair queen," said Vamadeva, "you have saved the house of Ikshwaku by your words. Ask me a boon and it shall be granted to you."

"Holy sir," replied the queen, "the boon that I ask of you is this. Free my husband and his house from the curse which Ayusha the frog king cast upon them, because of Sushavana's conduct." "So be it," said the rishi. Then going into the inner room he drew the poisoned arrow from the young prince's heart and restored him to life. Seeing this, King Dala bowed to Vamadeva's feet and bade his charioteer restore the Vami horses to the rishi.