Page:The Indian Antiquary, Vol. 4-1875.djvu/247

 234 THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY. [August, 1875. his eyes fixed on the point of his 0,080, with a string of beads in his hand, telling them and reflecting on the N i r » k a r Dev a. Next day, though it was not the rainy season, rain fell plentifully; the snn went down and it was night: then a hand of Apsarasas dressed in ornaments came to the temple of Lakshml and began to dance. One of them seating herself near Kar ria began to play the viud another dance I 1 »©- forehim and to incite him to amorousness sported in dalliance and spoke to excite him. When with all these means they could not distract Karna from his abstraction, the Apsarasas, seated in a chariot, returned to the skies. Next a very terrible man, with his hair tied in a jatM, approached Karna and said: "I am a Daitya, an enemy of the Devatas ; I am come to slay you though yon speak not: behold this weapon which I hold drawn over yon." Though he attempted to terrify him by many other means also, yet Karna abandoned not his medi- tation nor opened his eyes. When Lakshml saw such steadfastness in Karna she was astonished and began to shake her head. The clwbdarani entreated the Devi to protect Karna who showed such steadfastness. Then the Devi said to Karna : " O R;Yja ! with you I am pleased ; therefore will I assuage all your cala- mities, and your order shall be obeyed even in Soarga," Then Karna in many ways entreated f.akshrai, and said: "0 Devi ! Indra too is your servant, and whoever pleases yon continue* to want nothing. If therefore, Devi! you are pleased with me, grant me a son/' Then Hie Devi replied: "QBaja! such a son shall be yours as shall cause your fame to increase/' Tims saying tho Devt vanished. Then was Karna very glad, and with his Rani began to worship Lakshmi continually. The great chiefs, hearing of this varddn, came with joy t< i Karna. bringing presents with them. When Karna K-f'r. the temple of Lakshml to go to tin- court, the city was adorned and a great festi- val was held. Tke Eleventh Sarga* The RAja and Run! with great joy going into the garden feasted from one plate. . . The Raru conceived, and the homa offering was per- formed for her protection. The Qoram insl ed the Rani to speak gently, to be careful not to fasten her clothes too tightly ... to abstain ^from liquor of all kinds, not to walk too much. . . The Rani gave birth to a son very beautiful and of great splendour. The Joskii were sent for, and tin- >ir caused to be constructed. The Joshis declared that this child was an atxttur of some Deva, and would be of numerous exploits, slaying Daityas, anil perform- ing other deeds of a Deva, causing to cease the obstructions that tho Daityas offered to religious worship. To these astrologers Karna Raja presented cows and lands. On account of the Kunvara's birth, he caused the city to be " adorned and a great festival to be held. Many musicians played and sang songs ; to scholars and others Karna made gifts, and ordered that fishermen and the like shoald that day abstain from destroying life : he released prisoners, even those who had committed great offences- Afterwards the elder ladies of the family be- stowed on the Kuuvara the name of J a y a - s i 5 ha . That day Karna did not dine until he had fed little children. Afterwards when the Kunvara grew up he began to play on the banks of the Sarasvati, and to practise in difil games. He learnt the art of pugilism thoroughly, also to use the thirty-six kinds of weapons. When Jayasinha became a young man he began to worship Siva. Then said Karna to Jayasinha: "Do you now take this burthen of royalty, and I, according to the custom of our ancestors, will perform penance for the good of my soul," Jay as in ha replied; "In your lifetime I will not rule, for my fame in the world would be thus spoilt. I have no 1 1 for royalty now, but will serve you." Karna said: "I am now old, and therefore must of necessity prepare to go to Svarga. Do yon, therefore, accept this burthen of role/' Karna added that obedience to parents and Gurus was the best service, and that for this reason Java* smlut should obey his order. Thus im i H>rt uning him, Karna took Jayasinha by the hand and placed him on the golden throne: then, calling for the Gor with n golden cup and a filled with water, ho caused Jnyasii'ha to In- anointed and homa to be performed. A voice was then heard from the sky Baying, "This Jayasinha shall conquer all RfilrnhaflSl • The eariier part of this luu been abridged M unfit for publication.