TALE XV.
The sprite said, “O king! there is a mountain named Himachal, where there is a city of the demi-gods (or celestial musicians); and king Jïmütketu ruled there. Once upon a time he worshipped Kalpãbriksh a great deal for the sake of a son. Thereupon Kalpabriksh was pleased, and said, ‘I am pleased at perceiving thy services to me; ask any boon thou desirest.’ The monarch replied, saying, ‘Grant me a son, so that my kingdom and my name may endure,’ It (the tree) stud, ‘Even so shall it be.’”
“After some time the king had a son. He experienced extreme joy, and held rejoicings with much noise and display. After making numerous presents and charitable gifts, he summoned the priests and fixed on a name for him. The priests named him Jïmüt-bãhan. When he became twelve years of age he began to worship Shiva; and having completed the study of all the learned writings, became a very intelligent, meditative, resolute, intrepid, and learned man; there was no equal of his in those times. And as many people as dwelt under his sway, all were alive to their respective duties.”
“When he attained to manhood, he, too, worshipped Kalpabriksh assiduously; whereupon Kalpabriksh was pleased, and said to him, ‘Ask whatsoever thou desirest, I will give it to thee.’ On this, Jïmüt-bãhan said, ‘If you are pleased with me, take away all poverty from my subjects, and let all those who dwell in my dominions become equal in point of possessions and riches.’ When Kalpabriksh granted the boon, all became so well off by the possession of wealth, that no one would obey the order of any person, and no one would do work for any one.”
“When the subjects of that realm became such as has been described, the brothers and kinsfolk of the king began to reason together, saying, ‘Both father and son are completely under the influence of religion, and the people do not obey their commands; it is therefore best to seize and imprison the pair of them, and take their kingdom from them.’ In fine, the king was not on his guard against them; and they having plotted together, went with an army and surrounded the king’s palace.”
“When this news reached the king, he said to his son, ‘What shall we do now?’ The prince said, ‘Your majesty! you be pleased to abide here in peace; I will away and destroy them this instant.’ The king said, ‘O son! this body is frail, and riches, too, are unabiding; when a man is born, death, too, attends him; hence we should now give up dominion, and practise religious duties. It is not right to commit a heinous sin for the sake of such a body, and for the sake of a kingdom; for even king Yudhishthir experienced remorse after his great war with the descendants of Bharat.’ On hearing this, his son said, ‘So be it! make over the government to your kinsmen, and you yourself depart and practise religious austerities.’”
“Having resolved on this, and summoned his brothers and nephews, and handed over the government to them, father and son both ascended the mountain Malayãchal, and on reaching the summit, built a hut and dwelt there. A friendship arose between Jïmüt-bãhan and a holy sage’s son. One day the king’s son and the son of the sage went out together for a stroll on the top of the mountain. A temple, sacred to Bhawãnï, came in sight there. Within the temple, a princess, with a lute in her hands, was singing in front of the goddess. The eyes of the princess and those of Jïinüt-bãhan met, and both became smitten with love. But the princess, restraining her feelings, and stricken with shame, turned her steps homeward; and he, too, for his part, being put to shame by the presence of the sage’s son, came to his own place. That night was passed by both the lovers (lit. rosecheeked ones) in extreme restlessness.”
“As soon as morn appeared, the princess set out from her quarter, for the temple of Devi, and the prince, too (starting from this side), no sooner arrived than he perceived that the princess was there. Then he asked her female companion, ‘Whose daughter is she?’ The companion said, ‘She is the daughter of king Malayketu; her name is Malayãvatï, and she is a virgin as yet.’ After saying this, the companion (spoke) again (and) asked the prince, ‘Say, handsome man! whence have you come? and what is your name?’ He replied, ‘I am the son of the monarch of the demi-gods, whose name is Jïmüt-ketu; and my name is Jïmüt-bãhan. In consequence of our Government being overthrown, we, father and son, have come and taken up our abode here.’”