124 The Poems of Ghand Barday. [No. 2, 



Tomar king." Tachhak was glad when he heard the speech of the 

 serpent king, and taking a book in his hand, and binding his hair in 

 a knot, he assumed the guise of a Brahman. With a white dhoti, a 

 garland on his breast, and sandals on his feet, started the serpent, 

 repeating the four Veclas. With great composure repeating the Vedas, 

 fountain of all wisdom, putting the people on one side, he came to the 

 Tomar king. When Tachhak saw the Raja, raising his hands on high 

 and still repeating the Veda, he gave him his blessing ; and the Raja 

 being much gratified, saluted him lowly : " Ask whatever gift thy soul 

 desires." Then said the Brahman : " If I may ask what I will, I 

 have heard a wonderful story, concerning that, king, will I ask. 

 Listen to me, wise monarch ; what wonderful fancy has come into 

 your head ? come tell me plainly, and put an end to doubt." (i Hear 

 then, Brahman, in one word a marvellous story : a spike driven 

 into the ground has entered Seshanaga's head." Said the Brahman, 

 " This cannot be true." " Hear, Brahman, this is no doubt the 

 Kali Jug, but Vyasa cannot speak false, greatest of astrologers, 

 perfect in science." " The spike is no more in Seshanaga's head than 

 it is in mine :" the Brahman pulled out his stake and threw it down. 

 "If the spike is in Seshanaga's foi*ehead, then cut off my head." 

 When the king heard this, he had the shaft pulled up : the king saw 

 blood flow, and at once drew his sword. Drawing the sword from its 

 sheath, the king became violently enraged, but looking round could 

 see no one : Tachhak had vanished into the earth. The Tomar's day 

 set with the shaking of the shaft ; blood welled up like a fountain, and 

 poured along the ground. Sun, moon and stars tottered ; an awful 

 voice was heard. As Vyasa had predicted, Delhi met its fate. The 

 serpent king, and the hope of the Tomar dynasty, flew away : then 

 came Vyasa lamenting with loud voice : "0 King, once favoured of 

 fortune, your word has been broken through craft." The king stood 

 astounded. Then spoke Vyasa again : " Hear, king. Tachhak has 

 craftily accomplished Seshanaga's deliverance, and has escaped. Jana- 

 menjaya at the time of sacrifice directed his intention against his 

 father's enemies, and recited charms by which they came and threw 

 themselves into the fire. By the protection of the king of the gods, 

 there escaped to the heavenly city this crafty one, this Tachhak, 

 rescued by Indra and Brahma; being born of Kasyapa, as all the 



