134 Ham Narayan — Translation of the Ayoclhjd-Maldtmya. [Xo. 2, 



S'ri Eaghunatha amused himself at the door of the heavens with his brothers 

 and companions ; they were dressed in their best, and wore beautiful 

 ornaments, so that they were loved by all the people of the three worlds. 

 Each was mounted on the shoulders of a companion and fanned with a fly- 

 flapper. Protected by charms and spells, they caused the residents of the 

 place great delight ; men, women, boys, youths and old men, were present : it 

 was the day of the full-moon of Jyaishtha. Maharaj Das'aratha had also 

 come there to bathe. S'ri Eaghunatha asked his companions, where his 

 father was, and wished to be carried to him. A chobdar replied, ' The Maha- 

 raja has gone to bathe in the Sarayu', and added, 'You, too, may go there, it 

 is very near.' On hearing this, Eaghunandana smiled and said, ' Let us 

 go,' and kicked the companion on whose shoulders he was mounted. The 

 companion, with all the children, proceeded towards the Sarayu, which greatly 

 pleased every passenger. By this time the Maharaja, had bathed, performed 

 the religious ceremonies, and was ready .to go away, with the sages, when a 

 messenger reported the approach of Eaghunatha with his brothers and 

 companions. The Maharaja waited till they arrived. The brothers, having 

 dismounted from the shoulders, went to the Maharaja, and paid their re- 

 spects to him. Eaghunandana sat in his lap ; the Maharaja gave the chil- 

 dren fine seats and thus addressed them — 'Dear boys, salute the Sarayu', 

 and they all did so. Then the Maharaja, placing the boys in front, and 

 joining his hands, in the presence of the company devoutly prayed, saying — ■ 

 ' goddess Sarayu, I bow down before thee whom all the gods and virtuous 

 persons (Brahma and Narada included) worship ; who flowest from the lake 

 of Manasasarovara, and washest away all sins. Those who visit thee or 

 think of thee, are freed from sins. Those who drink thy water, never suck 

 the milk of their mothers. Manu and other Maharajas worshipped thee. 

 Men who depart from this world on thy banks with thy name on their lips 

 are endowed with blessings ; they reap the highest rewards of mundane 

 existence. There is no doubt of this. Thou hast sprung from the eyes 

 of Narayana, what am I when the gods sing thy praise? The advantages 

 of all the sacred places flow from thy waters ; I therefore repeatedly 

 bow down before thee. Thou art the daughter of my spiritual guide, 

 and I prostrate myself before thee ; release me from all worldly ties. All 

 these children are thine and have come to thy protection ; please guard and 

 nourish them.' 



Having thus praised her, the Maharaja gave a lac of gold-rnuhurs 

 to the Brahmans through the hands of the children, to gain her favour. On 

 hearing the prayer of the Maharaja, the Sarayu assumed a beautiful form, 

 appeared before the children and sat amongst them, dressed in excellent 

 clothes and decorated with precious ornaments. The Maharaja, placing his 

 head on her feet, saluted her, and so did all the children, and Sarayu bestowing 



