The king was delighted to recognize the Guru, and was too infatuated to have any sense left; but at once sent and invited a hundred thousand Brahmans with their families.
The priest superintended the cooking, and in accordance with sacred prescription concocted the six tastes in the four different ways, preparing a most seductive banquet, with sauces and condiments more than any one could count. After dressing a great variety of meat, the wretch introduced into the dish some pieces of a Brahman’s flesh. He then summoned all the Brahmans to the feast, and washed their feet and politely showed them to their places. But directly they began to touch the food, a voice came from heaven:—“Up, up, all ye Brahmans, and return to your homes; though the loss be great, yet taste not the food; there is Brahman’s flesh in the dish.” Up rose all the holy men believing the heavenly voice; while the king, distracted and out of his senses, overmastered by fate, could not utter a word.
Dohâ 177.
Then cried the Brahmans in their wrath, regardless of what must follow:—“O foolish king, take birth in demon’s form, yourself and all your family.”
Chaupâî
“O noble prince, you invited all this Brahmanical company here simply to destroy us; but God has preserved our honour, and it is you and your race who are undone. You shall perish in the midst of your days, nor shall there be one left to offer libations to your ghost.” When the king heard the curse he was terror-stricken. Again a voice came from heaven!—“The Brahmans have uttered this curse without due consideration, the king has committed no crime.” All the Brahmans were astounded when they heard the heavenly voice. The king hastened to the kitchen; there he found neither food nor Brahman cook, and he turned away in deep thought, declared the whole history to the Brahmans, and in his terror and distress threw himself upon the ground.
The priest superintended the cooking, and in accordance with sacred prescription concocted the six tastes in the four different ways, preparing a most seductive banquet, with sauces and condiments more than any one could count. After dressing a great variety of meat, the wretch introduced into the dish some pieces of a Brahman’s flesh. He then summoned all the Brahmans to the feast, and washed their feet and politely showed them to their places. But directly they began to touch the food, a voice came from heaven:—“Up, up, all ye Brahmans, and return to your homes; though the loss be great, yet taste not the food; there is Brahman’s flesh in the dish.” Up rose all the holy men believing the heavenly voice; while the king, distracted and out of his senses, overmastered by fate, could not utter a word.
Dohâ 177.
Then cried the Brahmans in their wrath, regardless of what must follow:—“O foolish king, take birth in demon’s form, yourself and all your family.”
Chaupâî
“O noble prince, you invited all this Brahmanical company here simply to destroy us; but God has preserved our honour, and it is you and your race who are undone. You shall perish in the midst of your days, nor shall there be one left to offer libations to your ghost.” When the king heard the curse he was terror-stricken. Again a voice came from heaven!—“The Brahmans have uttered this curse without due consideration, the king has committed no crime.” All the Brahmans were astounded when they heard the heavenly voice. The king hastened to the kitchen; there he found neither food nor Brahman cook, and he turned away in deep thought, declared the whole history to the Brahmans, and in his terror and distress threw himself upon the ground.
Dohâ 178.
“Though you, O king, are guiltless, what is fated fails not; the past is unalterable: a Brahman’s curse is a terrible thing.”
Chaupâî
So saying, all the Brahmans went their way. When the people of the city heard the news, they were much vexed and abused Fate, who had begun upon a swan and ended in making a crow. The demon conveyed the family priest to the palace and told the hermit all the tidings. Then the wretch despatched letters in all directions; a host of princes came in with their troops, and with blast of trumpets beleaguered the city. Day after day there were battles of various kinds; all his champions fell in fight, after doing valorously, and the king with his brother bit the dust. Not one of Satyaketu’s family escaped; for a Brahman’s curse can never fail of accomplishment. Triumphing over their foe the chiefs refounded the city, and then, crowned with victory, returned to their own states.
Dohâ 179.
Hearken, Bharadvaja, whoever incurs the anger of heaven, for him a grain of dust becomes vast as Mount Meru, a feather like the angel of death, and every rope a snake.
Chaupâî
Hearken, reverend sir, in due time this Raja, with his family, was born as a demon with ten heads and twenty arms, a formidable hero, by name Ravan. The king’s younger brother, Ari-mardan, became the valiant Kumbhakarna, while the minister Dharma-ruchi became his half-brother, the world-famous Vibhishan, the all-wise votary of Vishnu. As for the king’s sons and servants, they were born a fierce demon crew; wretches, taking various shapes at will; wicked, monstrous, and devoid of knowledge; merciless, injurious, criminal—a torment to all creation beyond what words can tell.
“Though you, O king, are guiltless, what is fated fails not; the past is unalterable: a Brahman’s curse is a terrible thing.”
Chaupâî
So saying, all the Brahmans went their way. When the people of the city heard the news, they were much vexed and abused Fate, who had begun upon a swan and ended in making a crow. The demon conveyed the family priest to the palace and told the hermit all the tidings. Then the wretch despatched letters in all directions; a host of princes came in with their troops, and with blast of trumpets beleaguered the city. Day after day there were battles of various kinds; all his champions fell in fight, after doing valorously, and the king with his brother bit the dust. Not one of Satyaketu’s family escaped; for a Brahman’s curse can never fail of accomplishment. Triumphing over their foe the chiefs refounded the city, and then, crowned with victory, returned to their own states.
Dohâ 179.
Hearken, Bharadvaja, whoever incurs the anger of heaven, for him a grain of dust becomes vast as Mount Meru, a feather like the angel of death, and every rope a snake.
Chaupâî
Hearken, reverend sir, in due time this Raja, with his family, was born as a demon with ten heads and twenty arms, a formidable hero, by name Ravan. The king’s younger brother, Ari-mardan, became the valiant Kumbhakarna, while the minister Dharma-ruchi became his half-brother, the world-famous Vibhishan, the all-wise votary of Vishnu. As for the king’s sons and servants, they were born a fierce demon crew; wretches, taking various shapes at will; wicked, monstrous, and devoid of knowledge; merciless, injurious, criminal—a torment to all creation beyond what words can tell.
Dohâ 180.
Though born in the incomparably pure and holy family of Pulastya, yet on account of the Brahmans’ curse all were of hateful mien.
Chaupâî
The three brothers practised manifold penitential observances, severe beyond all description; the Creator drew nigh to witness them, and said, “Son, I am well pleased, ask a boon.” The ten-headed suppliantly clasped his feet and cried, “Hear: O lord of earth, I would die at the hand of none save man or monkey.” Brahma and I granted him his boon, saying, “So be it, you have done great penance.” Then the lord went to Kumbhakarna, and was astounded at his appearance: “If this wretch is always eating, the whole world will be laid waste.” So he sent Sarasvati to turn his head, and he asked for six months’ slumber.
Dohâ 181.
Then he went to Vibhishan and said, “Son, ask a boon”; and he asked for perfect love of God.
Chaupâî
Though born in the incomparably pure and holy family of Pulastya, yet on account of the Brahmans’ curse all were of hateful mien.
Chaupâî
The three brothers practised manifold penitential observances, severe beyond all description; the Creator drew nigh to witness them, and said, “Son, I am well pleased, ask a boon.” The ten-headed suppliantly clasped his feet and cried, “Hear: O lord of earth, I would die at the hand of none save man or monkey.” Brahma and I granted him his boon, saying, “So be it, you have done great penance.” Then the lord went to Kumbhakarna, and was astounded at his appearance: “If this wretch is always eating, the whole world will be laid waste.” So he sent Sarasvati to turn his head, and he asked for six months’ slumber.
Dohâ 181.
Then he went to Vibhishan and said, “Son, ask a boon”; and he asked for perfect love of God.
Chaupâî