1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Rantliamhor. 191 



The lamp of the sky shone, and the coolness of night enraptured the 

 heavenly beings of both sexes. In all the charms of uncovered beauty, each 

 of the bewitching nymphs began to take a bath in a pond close to the sage. 

 They, in a body, looked at him, and their looks were full of lust. Now they 

 danced, now tbey swam, now they glanced with pride on their own persons. 

 Tufts of hair fell on their cheeks ; they seemed as if a number of black 

 serpents had assembled to suck nectar from their cheeks. Yet the soul of 

 the sage could not be moved : its firmness remained unshaken. 



Then came with fury the severe winter. Snow began to fall and all 

 creatures to shudder. The nymphs were in the arms of their lovers, and 

 each pair looked as if made of one piece. The dashing Urvasi came to the 

 sage and asked him for shelter; but her charms availed her nothing, and 

 thus was winter defeated. 



Then came with pride the season of dew and bowed before Cupid. 

 The vegetable kingdom wore a green dress. The mango and kadamba 

 looked merry in full blossom. Three kinds of breezes began to blow. The 

 creeping plants eagerly embraced trees. The earth became covered with 

 rich verdure. All was life. The branches of trees hung down laden 

 with fruits and flowers. The bees began to hum all around them, awaken- 

 ing the softer passions in the hearts of all creatures. The nymphs 

 laid aside their modesty and began to beat drums, sing and dance. Saffron 

 and red powder (abir) they threw at one another. Intoxicated with lust 

 the nymphs began to celebrate the great festival of Soli. [Here follows 

 a glowing description of the festival as celebrated by the nymphs of 

 heaven, which we omit.] The queen of the heavenly nymphs, Urvasi, ran 

 away in feigned fear at the fall of a ball on one of her cheeks. She passed 

 by the sage smiling gently, singing and dancing. Now Cupid applied the 

 arrow named unmdd to his bow. The bees began to hum, and three kinds 

 of breezes blew. The bolt was shot at the breast of the father of 

 all Rishis. His eyes opened. Another arrow was shot ; his heart wandered. 

 He saw the nymph and became greatly delighted. She ran to throw a 

 handful of the red powder and a ball at him. He rose, he played, he 

 embraced her. She captivated him and his reason gave way to passion. 

 She darted quick glances at him, and they like arrows struck his heart. She 

 pressed sweet kisses on his cheeks, and he felt a fever of love. Thus 

 succeeded the season of dew in alluring the sage from his austere penance. 

 The latter lost his reason and thought Urvasi to be his own, but the 

 nymph vanished, triumphant at her success. Stung by separation, he 

 breathed his last in the month of Magh in Samvat 1140, the moon being 

 on the sign Adra. 



The body of Ala-uddin was made of his head, that of Hamir of his 

 breast, and those of Muhammad Shah and Mir Gabru of his hands. 



