Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/70

62 he was desirous of making war, saying, "I am desirous of engaging in war, but do not see any one fit to fight against." Said the ministers, "You have four daughters of surpassing beauty, let them deck themselves out with their ornaments and sit in a covered chariot attended by an armed retinue. Thus arrayed, let them pass through villages, towns, and royal cities. If any king be desirous of taking them into his palace (as his wives), we'll do battle with them." The king adopted his ministers' advice, and carried it out to the very letter.

The sovereigns of the districts through which the king's daughter passed were so afraid of them that they would not allow them to enter the royal city, but politely sent them a present and bade them take up their quarters outside the city. Having gone throughout all Jambudwîpa, they at last came to Potali in the Assaka country. Assaka, like the rest, sent them a royal gift, but closed the gates of the city against them. This monarch had a minister, named Nandisena, learned, wise, and skilful in expedients, who thus thought to himself: "These king's daughters indeed have gone through all Jambudwîpa without finding any one willing to declare war against their father by claiming them as his wives. This being the case Jambudwîpa can have no warriors; I therefore will do battle with Kâlinga." Going to the gates of the city he addressed the janitors, bidding them in the following gâtha to open the gates to the royal sisters:—

Nandisena, having caused the gates to be opened, took the royal maidens and presented them to Assaka, saying, "Fear not, sire; should there be war I shall know how to act. In the meantime do you make these four sisters your chief queens." Having caused them to be crowned, the minister said to the attendants that had come with them, "Go, inform your master that his daughters have been made the principal queens of King Assaka." To Kâlinga they went and delivered Nandisena's message. "Surely," says Kâlinga, "he cannot be aware of my great power." Forthwith he set out with a large army. When Nandisena heard of his arrival he sent him a message to the following effect, "Let Kâlinga keep within the confines of his own territory and not cross our border. There shall be war between the two kings."