Immortal Tales From Kalidasa by Suna K. Surveyor

Author:Suna K. Surveyor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

CHAPTER IV

AND so it came to pass, not long after, the Queen gave birth to a son, a beautiful child whom his father called Aja, the Unborn One, after the Supreme Soul.

His father’s pride and joy, Aja was brave and gentle, and grew up into a tall and exceedingly handsome Prince, whom all the maidens and their mothers loved to gaze upon. When he was grown to noble youth, and had acquired all wisdom and learning and skillful knowledge of the use of arms, his father sent him to Vidarbha, where King Bhoja of Krathakaisakas was holding the swayamvara of his beautiful sister, Indumati.

Anxious that his son should win such a peerless Princess for a bride, Raghu despatched him, escorted by a vast army, as became his high estate, to join the throng of princes and kings who had been invited to attend the memorable ceremony.

Breaking journey to Vidarbha on the fertile banks of the Narbada river, Aja was resting with his hosts, when a great elephant reared his head above the river waters rose from among the waves, and trumpeting loudly, burst furiously through the torrents on to the river-bank. There was a wild stampede among the beasts of Aja’s camp, who started in headlong flight before the elephant, causing complete chaos and confusion among his soldiers.

Aja alone held his presence of mind. Drawing slightly at his bow-string in order not to mortally wound the beast,—it being forbidden by the law—he loosed a shaft which struck the great tusker between the eyes. Before the amazed eyes of the whole company, the elephant immediately shed his animal exterior, and assumed the guise of a young god, clad in resplendent robes of shimmering silk.

“Fair prince,” said he, introducing himself to Aja. “I am Priyamvada, the son of Indra, who was cursed by Matanga in days gone by, and doomed to remain in elephant’s shape until thou, sprung from the illustrious dynasty of Ikshvaku, shouldst split my brow.—I have long yearned for thee, dear friend and now that thou hast freed me from this accursed spell, pray accept this magic arrow named ‘Sleep-compellor.’ which will bring thee sure triumph and victory over thy enemies, as a small token of my gratitude.”

The two clasped their hands in firm friendship as Aja courteously accepted the gift from the hands of the young god. Soon after, they parted company, one going to Vidarbha to seek a beautiful bride, the other turning his face towards the groves of Chaitraratha.

At long last, after a journey of many days, Aja arrived at the gates of Bhoja’s capital, where he was right royally received by the king and his subjects, who conducted him to a beautiful mansion prepared for his reception. The Prince retired to his chamber for the night, but there was to be no sleep for the excited Aja, who lay awake thinking of the lovely maiden whom the kings and princes of the world had come to woo from far and near. It was daybreak when sleep came to Aja at last, fillepl with fitful dreams of an enchanting princess.

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