In due course of time the fruit grew into a fine tree, and during the spring season it began to bud and blossom and bear fruit. So, calling his gardener, the king gave him the fruit, and he planted it in the royal presence. I should gain this great boon for myself alone, and what happiness could I expect under such circumstances unless shared by my friends and subjects? I shall therefore not eat this mango-fruit, but plant it carefully in my garden, and it will in time become a tree, which will bear much fruit having the same wonderful virtue, and my subjects shall, every one, eat of the fruit, and, with myself, be endowed with everlasting youth.” “Here is a fruit which can bestow perpetual youth on the person who eats it. The king richly rewarded the Brâhmaṇ for his gift, and sent him away. In pursuance of this self-denying resolution, the poor Brâhmaṇ proceeded to the palace and presented the fruit to the king, at the same time relating how he had obtained it and its qualities. Therefore I will give this mango to our good king.” If such a great man should eat of this fruit and renew his youth, he would confer the greatest benefit on mankind. ![]() What matters it if I become young and live for ever, or else die this very moment? Our king is very good and charitable. So I shall give them this fruit, and they will become young and blooming by eating it.”Īnd that same evening the good parrot brought the fruit to the Brâhmaṇ, and explained to him its extraordinary properties. “It would not be right for me to eat this fruit I am young, while my adopted parents, the poor Brâhmaṇ and his wife are very old. When at length they arrived at the mango tree, all ate of its fruit but the Brâhmaṇ’s parrot reflected:. On hearing of this wonder the Brâhmaṇ’s parrot requested permission to accompany them, which being granted, they all continued their flight. The Brâhmaṇ’s parrot asked them what were the peculiar properties of those fruits, and was informed that beyond the seven oceans there was a great mango tree, the fruit of which gave perpetual youth to the person who ate of it, however old and infirm he might be. One day the parrot was sitting on the roof of the house, basking itself in the morning sun, when a large flock of parrots flew past, talking to each other about certain mango fruits. In that city there lived a poor Brâhmaṇ and his wife, who, having no children, brought up in their house a young parrot as tenderly as if it had been their own offspring. On the banks of the Kâvêrî there was a city called Tiruvidaimarudur, where ruled a king named Chakraditya. “Most noble king, men are not always all-wise, and, before replying to your Majesty’s question, I beg permission to relate in your presence the story of a king in whose reign a certain benevolent action was repaid with disgrace and ignominy:. He then humbly bowed before the king, and thus spake:. Among those present was an aged minister named Manuniti, who called Bodhaditya to his side and privately learned the whole story. Thus spake king Alakesa, but all the ministers, not knowing what answer to return, hung down their heads in silence. Consider well the gravity of this crime, and express your opinions as to what punishment he merits.” ![]() ![]() “Know ye all, the ministers of my father and of myself, that last night, during the first watch, my First Minister, Bodhaditya, while I and my queen were asleep in our chamber, came and touched with his finger the bosom of my queen. Alakesa took his seat in the midst of the assembly anger was clearly visible in his countenance his eyes had lost their natural expression and had turned very red his breath was as hot as that of a furnace. King Alakesa left his bedchamber, bathed and made his religious ablutions, and, after breakfasting, summoned a council of all his father’s old ministers and advisers. The night was now over: darkness, the harbourer of vice, fled away the day dawned.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |