Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/313

 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF FOLK-LORE. 305

Raja Janameja was cursed with leprosy for murdering a Brahman, and was told the story of Nasket by Brigiisdeoji, which is as follows: — While Udyalak, the Rishi, was doing penance, he was visited by Prahlad, who asked him why he was not married, as it was impossible for a Hindu to obtain salvation without issue. Udyalak said he was too old, whereon Prahlad advised him to consult Brahma, who told him that Princess Chand Rdwati, daughter of Raja Raghu was to be his wife, and that his son would visit him before his wife. One day after this some sperma genitale escaped from him into a flower, and the flower got afloat in the Ganges and reached the Princess Chand Rawati as she was bathing. She took up the flower to smell, and thus she took in the sperma genitale and became pregnant. Her parents turned her out of her home in consequence, and she gave birth to a child in the wilds through her nose, i.e. through the organ by which the sperma genitale had entered her ; and being unable to support it, set it afloat on a raft, whence it was rescued by Udyalak, his father. About ten years afterwards he met the princess, who told him her story, where- upon Udydlak went to her father and explained his daughter's inno- cence, and so she was again received into favour. This child was Nasket. One day his father, being angry, caused him to go to Jampuri in his mortal form. He there met Dharmrdj, the king of heaven and hell, who being very pleased at his obedience to his father, blessed him to be immortal. He was also shown the apportionment of rewards and punishments, and allowed to explain it to his parents.

When Raja Janameja had heard this story he was cured of his leprosy.

24. Alhakhand, by Ghasi Ram ; published in 1882 at the Gydn Sdgar Press, Merath : thick octavo volume. It is a good Hindi versified version of this celebrated tale. It relates the doings of the heroes Aih4 and Udal in their fifty-two victorious wars, which occurred according to this version during the reign of Shahd- bu'ddin Ghori.

Two infants named Jasrdj and Basraj were found one day in a jungle where the Raja of Mahoba was hunting. Jasraj's son was Alhd Vol. 4. — Part 4. x