THE KINGS OF MAGADHA. 95 



Vicatpallt, beyond the Vlndhyan mountains, called 

 Chandra-dasa, who, having been deprived of his king- 

 dom by the Yavais-as, or Greeks^ left his native- 

 country, and assuming the garb of a penitent, v.nth 

 the name of Suvi'dha, came to the metropolis of the 

 emperor Nanda, who had been dangerously ill for 

 some time. He seemingly recovered ; but his mind 

 and intellects were strangely affected. It was sup- 

 posed that he was really dead, but that his body was 

 re-animated by the soul of some enchanter, who had 

 left his ov/n body in the charge of a trusty friend. 

 Search was made immediately, and they found the 

 body of the unfortunate dethroned king, lying as if 

 dead, and Avatched by two disciples, on the banks of 

 the Ganges. They concluded that he was the en- 

 chanter, burned his body, and flung his two guar- 

 dians into the Ganges. Perhaps the unfortunate 

 . man was sick, and in a state of lethargy, or other- 

 wise intoxicated. Then the prince's minister assassi- 

 nated the old king soon after, and placed one of his 

 sons upon the throne, but retained the whole power 

 in his own hands. This, however, did not last long; 

 for the youna; kino;, dislikino- his own situation, and 

 having been informed that the minister was the mur- 

 derer of his royal father, had him apprehended, and 

 put to a most cruel death. After this, the young 

 king shared the imperial power with seven of hi.'i 

 brothers; but Ckandragupta was excluded, being 

 born of a base woman. They agreed, however,, to 

 give him a handsome allowance, v/hich he refused 

 with indignation ; and from that nioment his eight 

 brothers resolved upon his destruction. CiiAXDiiA- 

 gupta fled to distant countries; but was at last 

 seemingly reconciled to them, and lived in the me- 

 tropolis : at least it apj)ears that he did so ; for he is 

 represented as being in, or near, the imperial palace, 

 at the time of the revolution, which took place, 

 twelve years after, Pqiius's relation made his escape 



