1S75.] Ram Narayan — Translation of the Ayodhya-MaMtmya. 145 



were once seized and brought before the Raja. Some told him to kill them ; 

 others, to cut off their limbs ; but the Raja sent them to a sage named 

 Yimalatma [pure soul], who ordered the king to confiscate their property, 

 shave their whiskers, beards, and tufts of hair on the head, and turn them 

 out of the kingdom, which was done. They met in a forest, whence 

 they used to attack and plunder towns. In this way they collected large 

 sums of money, which they spent in keeping women, drinking wine, and 

 eating meat. They abused cows, brahmans, spiritual guides, and even the 

 gods. The Raja at last expelled them from the forest. Wherever they 

 went, they suffered much distress. They visited many countries and com- 

 mitted innumerable crimes. Once the inhabitants of DihK proceeded to 

 Ayodhya, to bathe there on the day of the Navami. The thieves, with the 

 intention of plundering them on the road, accompanied them. The pilgrims 

 asked them who they were, on which the thieves replied that they were 

 pilgrims and residents of the country of Marakantar. Thus they all arrived 

 at Ayodhya, but the thieves had no opportunity to plunder the pilgrims. 

 The celestial protectors of Ayodhya assuming the shape of men, fell sud- 

 denly upon the thieves and began to beat them with clubs of Tcrodh 

 [anger]. At this time Asitamuni appeared and said, " protectors, let the 

 thieves go, for they will be freed from sin, and you will obtain great benefits. 

 The protectors let the thieves go. The thieves said, ' O Bhagavan, we 

 bow to the protectors.' Then Asitamuni replied, " You are very fortunate : 

 those who beat you were the Vighnas [troublers] of Ayodhya, who prevent 

 wicked persons from entering it ; they have let you go on my account, you 

 should, therefore, now perform the pilgrimage of Ayodhya in due manner, 

 which will remove your sins. Then the thieves asked in what way they 

 should perform the pilgrimage, so as to secure places in heaven. Asitamuni 

 answered, " Those who restrain their passions and do not commit sins, 

 gain the full advantages of the pilgrimage. He who controls the passions 

 and gives alms in proportion to his means, obtains these benefits. He 

 who keeps the Muni fast, shaves at Svargadvar, bathes there, and visits the 

 birthplace, is released from the sins of killing a cow and a brahman, of 

 cohabiting with the wife of a spiritual guide, and from many others of the 

 same kind, and thus obtains salvation. On that day, men, Kinnaras, Gan- 

 dharvas, and the gods, bathe in the Sarayu and visit the birthplace. You 

 should also do the same ; proceed and you will see great wonders." Then 

 Mahadeva said, " O Goddess, having spoken thus, Asitamuni disappeared, 

 and the thieves were glad and entered the city." 



Chapter IX. 

 Then Mahadeva said, " When the thieves entered Ayodh_ya agreeably 

 to the words of Asita, Ayodhya, assuming a charming and beautiful form 



