1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Uanthamoor. 189 



sign Mithuna, in the month of Vaisakha (April) . Offerings were made to 

 Siva and G-anesa, and large sums of money distributed among the Brahmans. 

 The newly built town of the Rao was full of temples and squares. It 

 resembled Amaravati, the city of Inclra. The temples were very beautiful, 

 lofty, and decorated with screens of lattice-woi'k. Expanding flags, glit- 

 tering halasas, lofty gateways, were abundant in every place. The 

 front doors of shoj)s, facing the street, were ornamented, and the walls 

 adorned with pictures. Handsome women, rivalling Rati, the wife of Kama- 

 deva (Cupid), gave beauty to the scene. The gates of houses, the seats on 

 either side of them, and the balconies were very exquisitely made. Perfumes 

 of various kinds filled the air with fragrance. All the four castes and 

 Asrams lived there in happiness, each following its own profession. The 

 people were all of a forgiving nature, kind, charitable and hospitable to 

 strangers. The splendid town was named Ranthambor. 



All the Bhils, inhabiting the mountain fastnesses, readily acknowledged 

 the power of the Rao and recognised in him their sovereign. It is said that 

 Mahadeva, being pleased with his devotion, appeared before him and blessed 

 him, saying, "Reign in glory, my son ; reign as long as your virtues enable 

 you to do so." 



A very curious story is told of the erection of the fort. The wall of 

 the portico fell down as often as it was raised. The Raja was struck with 

 wonder and was extremely anxious to find out the cause of this mysterious 

 occurrence. At last, finding all resources fail, he summoned up all his 

 courage and said — " Let me die, for my death alone can give stability to 

 the wall." He seated himself at the foundation, ready to carry out his 

 desperate resolution, when Ravana and Basava, two warlike and loyal 

 Bhils, exclaimed — " Rao Jeyat, the fort is ours, although you have a 

 nominal title to it. You are but our guest. The fort is emphatically ours. 

 It behoves you, therefore, to cut off our heads and raise the wall upon them." 

 Ravana said, "Only look after my son Bhoj." The brave Bhils were 

 beheaded, their heads placed as foundation-stones, and the wall built thereon 

 became as firm and lasting as a rock. The fort is said to have all the 

 advantages of position and to be impregnable to an enemy. It stands 

 to this day in all its majesty, a monument of the martial tact and skill 

 of the ancient Rajputs. 



The austere penances of the sage Padam greatly frightened Indra. His 

 throne shook. In fear he sent Cupid to allure the sage. The god of love 

 with his seductive train appeared before the saint. Spring bent his bow, and 

 shot arrows drawn from his quiver. The apsaras danced, and Kinnaras 

 sang. Their captivating strains charmed not only men, but even the gods. 

 The forest became full of flowers and bees, cuckoos and peacocks. The 



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