148 Ram Narayan — Translation of the Ayodhyu-Mahatmya. [No. 2, 



mere visit to it removes sins committed knowingly or unknowingly. It 

 freed Balarama from the sin of killing Sut. What more shall I say about 

 it ? — it is the bestower of all sorts of joy. It is situated north-west 

 of the Birthplace. Forty yards north of the Birthplace lies the house of 

 Kaikeyi, where Bharata was born. Sixty yards south of it is the dwelling 

 of Sumitra, where Lakshman and Satrughna were born. Their sight releases 

 man from worldly ties, and gives salvation. South-east of the Birthplace is 

 S i t a k \\ p, which is also called ' Jhana-kup.' Drinking its water renders a 

 man intelligent. Brihaspati, Vas'ishtha, and Vamadeva drank its water, and 

 attributed to it their dignity and prosperity. 



South of Hanumat-Kund is Suvarna-khanah, called Sona-khar 

 by the people, where Kuvera showered gold from the sky. South of it is 

 Sugriva K u n d, and south of that Bibhishana Kund. Pilgri- 

 mages to these places on the day of Navami destroy all sins and bestow 

 every kind of blessing." 



Chapter XI. 



Then Parvati asked Bhagavan to tell her how gold was showered in 

 the Suvarna-khanah, and what caused Kuvera to fear Raja Raghu. Maha- 

 adev replied, " goddess, this story strikes all with astonishment. There 

 was a very powerful king of Ayodhya in the family of Iksvaku. He pro- 

 tected the world, and subdued a crowd of enemies. His name was well 

 known in the three worlds, and he loved his people. The canopy of his glory 

 surrounded the ten quarters of the globe ; he reduced his foes to submission, 

 amassed great wealth by his conquests, assembled a large army, conquered 

 many Rajas, took tribute from them, and thus filled his coffers with in- 

 numerable treasures. Being at ease and leisure, he intended to perform a 

 sacrifice at Ayodhya. With this view he called Vas'ishtha, Vamadeva, Kas- 

 yapa, Jabal, Bharadvaj, Gautama, and other Munis, gave them suitable 

 houses, and prayed : " O venerable sirs, I intend to perform a sacrifice, please 

 tell me what sacrifice shall I perform." All the Munis replied, " O Ma- 

 haraj, the Vis'va-jit sacrifice would be a suitable one, because you have 

 conquered the three worlds. Do not delay." Maharaja Raghu then 

 performed the Vis'va-jit, and distributed his money among beggars. With 

 the exception of his territory he kept nothing in the shape of money, and 

 thus pleased the Gods, the Munis, and men. Thus he became as famous as 

 Indra. At that time Kauto Muni, a disciple of Vis'vamitra Muni, 

 learned fourteen sciences, and promised to pay in lieu fourteen krors of 

 gold-muhurs. He compelled the spiritual guide to demand the above sum 

 from him. A gold muhur is sixteen mashas in weight. He thought that 

 no one but Maharaja Raghu could afford so much money, and he went 

 therefore to Ayodhya. The Maharaja received him with great respect ; he 

 had no gold left and used earthen vessels. Seeing the state of the Maha- 



