1875.] Earn Narayan — Translation of the Ayodluja-Maliatmya. 137 



actions — Gupta Hari, Chakra Hari, Vishnu Hari, Dharma Hari, Bilva Hari, 

 Punya Hari, and Chandra Hari. The mere sight of these increases virtues ; 

 the worship of the last is more important. The worshipping of Brahmans, 

 Chandrama, and Hari, pleases Vasudeva. This place is sacred, Parvati. 

 The pilgrimage of it takes place at the full-moon of Jyaishtha, the second 

 lunar month, when the advantages of all the gods are obtained. It is called 

 one of the most sacred spots in the Puranas. Giving alms at Svargadvar 

 produces everlasting happiness. This is beyond question." 



Chapter V. 



Parvati now asked Mahadeva regarding the advantages of visiting N a- 

 g e s' v a r, and said, " Mahadeva, how long have you been at Svargadvar, 

 and who has consecrated the monument in which you live ?" Mahadeva an- 

 swered, " Listen to my origin. When Bamachandra, having given his 

 kingdom Kushavati to his son Kusha, went to enjoy himself in heaven, 

 situated on Sakait, Ayodhya became sorry and repaired alone to Kusha in 

 Kushavati at midnight. The Eaja was sleeping. When he awoke, he 

 saw Ayodhya and asked, ' Whence have you come ? Are you a goddess, or 

 a celestial, or a human being ? What has made you come to my house ? The 

 descendants of the solar race do not speak with any one's wife when alone.' 

 Ayodhya then replied, ' Maharaj, your father has taken away all my in- 

 habitants to Sakait, and it is a pity that when you are the ornament of your 

 family, I should be so treated ; no Muni nor any other devotee comes to my 

 place ; all my beauty is gone, and my buildings are destroyed. As light 

 vanishes when the sun sets, or as clouds disappear when the wind blows 

 strongly, so is my condition. None of your ancestors ever did what 

 your father has done.' Kusha said, ' O goddess, you say so, but it is not 

 the fault of my father, it is the result of the residence in your place that 

 all the inhabitants have gone to heaven.' Then Ayodhya replied, ' If this 

 is the benefit of my abode, you should also live there, so as to obtain the 

 company of your father.' Having said this, she disappeared. When the 

 day broke, Kusha related to his ministers what had transpired the night 

 before. They advised him to comply with Ayodhya's request. Accordingly, 

 he went to the city with a large army, headed by Brahmans, and peopled it 

 as it was before. 



" Once the Eaja got into a boat with his companions, and went to amuse 

 himself on the river. He was enjoying himself there, when Kamudati, 

 the sister of Sokun, a serpent who had from a long time lived in the 

 Sarayu, became enamoured of Kusha and carried off his Jcangan. Kusha 

 took no notice of it, because he was engaged in diversion, but when he 

 came out of the water, he missed the ornament. It had been given by 

 Agastya to Eaghunatha, from whom Kusha had received it on going to 

 Sakait. This caused Kusha great anxiety. He got enraged, and put an 



