Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Página 752

AN IMMORTAL CROW
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amours. But for a long time past the sand thrown up by
the sea has covered this sacred pile, and the god, finding
that he no longer received the accustomed marks of respect,
left it and returned to VaikuntJia.
All that I know is that
this edifice is buried a yojana (three leagues) deep in this
sandy soil. I have lost all trace of the site that it formerly
occupied. Nevertheless there is another and a certain way
by which you can discover it. Go to the tank called
Markandeya on its banks you will find a crow which has
been gifted with immortality, and which can recall every-
thing that happened in the most distant times. Go and
inquire of it and you will obtain all the information you
want.'
The king hastened to the tank Markandeya and there
found the crow, which from its extreme age had become
quite white.
Prostrating himself before it, he joined his
hands in a supplicating manner and said
crow, who enjoyest the gift of immortality
you see
before you a king who is a prey to the deepest despair
and only you can comfort him
What, said the crow, is the cause of your sorrow ?
;
:
'
!
;
'
!
5
'
'
What can
I
do
for
you
'
?
1
'
1 will tell you,' replied Indra-mena
but do not hide
I implore you, anything that I want to know.
Tell me first of all, who was the first king who ever reigned
over this country, and what he did that was remarkable 1
;
from me,
'
The crow, well versed in ancient history, had no difficulty
in satisfying the monarch, and answered in the following
terms
:
The first king of this country was called Chaturanana.
He had a son called Visva-Bahu, who in turn had a son
called Indra-mena, a prince who, having always shown
great devotion to Brahma with the Four Faces, was thought
'
worthy after death to be
deity. The
admitted to the presence of the
reign of Chaturanana was a period of great
happiness.
He dealt with his subjects as a tender father
deals with his children.
Amongst the many praiseworthy
acts which made his reign remarkable was one by which
his name will be for ever remembered.
It was he who had
the honour and glory of inducing the God of Gods to come
down to earth from Vaikuntha. He built for him a dwelling-