Page:The Katha Sarit Sagara.djvu/75



This nectarous tale sprang in old time from the mouth of Śiva, set in motion by his love for the daughter of the Himálaya, as the nectar of immortality sprang from the sea, when churned by the mountain Mandara. Those who drink eagerly the nectar of this tale, have all impediments removed and gain prosperity, and by the favour of Śiva attain, while living upon earth, the high rank of gods.

May the water of Śiva's sweat, fresh from the embrace of Gauri,* which the god of love when afraid of the fire of Śiva's eye, employs as his aqueous weapon, protect you.

Listen to the following tale of the Vidyádharas, which the excellent Gana Pushpadanta heard on mount Kailása from the god of the matted locks, and which Kánabhúti heard on the earth from the same Pushpadanta after he had become Vararuchi, and which Gunádhya heard from Kánabhúti, and Sátaváhana heard from Gunádhya.

Story of Udayana king of Vatsa:-There is a land famous under the name of Vatsa, that appears as if it had been made by the Creator as an earthly rival to dash the pride of heaven. In the centre of it is a great city named Kauśámbí, the favourite dwelling-place of the goddess of prosperity; the ear-ornament, so to speak of the earth. In it dwelt a king named Śatánika, sprung from the Pándava family, he was the son of Janamejaya, and the grandson of king Paríkshit, who was the great-grandson of Abhimanyu. The first progenitor of his race was Arjuna, the might of whose strong arms was tested in a struggle with the mighty arms of Śiva; † his wife was the earth, and also Vish-