1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Rantliamlor. 187 



For a time there were no Kshatriyas, none able to protect the land and 

 the holy Sastras. Bakshasas increased in number, the Vedas were trampled 

 under foot, and every form of Hinduism was forgotten. These Bakshasas 

 began to oppress the people in various ways, so that there were no longer 

 castes and orders in society. Such being the case, all the holy sages were 

 filled with anxiety. They consulted each other and came in a body on Abu 

 where, in a cave, lived the mighty Parasuram. When all the gods, Nagas 

 (serpents) and men had assembled, they devised a plan to extirpate the 

 Eakshasas. Brahma and Vasishtha met. The latter erected an altar. A 

 pit was dug in the midst of it, and fire kindled. All other holy sages came 

 to the spot. They contemplated on Siva, who made his appearance. His 

 hair was matted, he wore a crown and bore ashes rubbed on his body. The 

 Ganges flowed and murmured over his head, serpents hissed, and ghosts played 

 and danced around him. The sages stood up and prayed. " Stay here with 

 us, gracious Siva, otherwise we shall never be able to complete our sacrifice." 

 The rites of sacrifice were begun, the Vedic mantras were chanted, 108 kinds 

 of offerings and waters from all the sacred rivers were brought. All things 

 were ready. No sooner a column of smoke rose in tbe air and the chanting 

 of Vedic hymns was wafted, than all the Bakshasas came, in order to pollute 

 the sacrifice. They made various endeavours towards that end. Now it blew 

 a storm ; anon it rained in torrents. Blood, flesh, grass and other rub- 

 bish were thrown upon the altar. Then all the holy sages — Dvaipayana, 

 Dalbhya, Jaimini, Lomaharshan, Bhrighu, Pulaha, Attreya, Gautama, 

 Garga, Sandilya, Bharadvaj, Balakhilya, Markandeya, Ushana, Kaushika, 

 Basant, Mudgala, Uddalaka and Matanga, with Vasishtha at their head, 

 complained to Brahma and Siva. Again, an altar was erected, a Jcund dug 

 and purified, fire kindled, and every rite of sacrifice begun. Hymns of the 

 Sama Veda were sung. All of a sudden sprang four warriors with swords 

 in hand from the kund. These fought with the Bakshasas and defeated 

 them. All the sages went to the north-western corner of the Arbad Gir 

 (Abu) and came to the cave where the great Parasu dwelt. They asked his 

 benediction on the newly-created heroes. He granted the request. The 

 goddess Sakti was invoked. She appeared and blessed them. Their energy 

 was like fire, their eyes red like the rising sun shot forth courage, their 

 foreheads shone like flames, and their crowns sparkled. They frowned, and 

 the devils shook with fear. 



One of these Agnikulas (fire-born) was named Chohan. He had 

 four arms, all equipped with the weapons sword, bow, dagger and knife. He 

 joined his hands and said to Brahma : " What is the purpose of my crea- 

 tion, lord ?" " Hear, my son," replied Brahma, " do what Bhrighu tells you." 

 Bhrighu ordered him to kill all the Eakshasas. " Sakti is with you to defend 



