1879 ] or a History of Hamir, prince of Ranthambor. 187 
For a time there were no Kshatriyas, none able to protect the land and 
the holy Sdstras. Rakshasas increased in number, the Vedas were trampled 
under foot, and every form of Hinduism was forgotten. These Rakshasas 
began to oppress the people in various ways, so that there were no longer 
castes and ordersin society. Such being the case, all the holy sages were 
filled with anxiety. They consulted each other and came in a body on Abu 
where, in a cave, lived the mighty Parasuram. When all the gods, Nagas 
(serpents) and men had assembled, they devised a plan to extirpate the 
Rakshasas. Brahma and Vasishtha met. The latter erected an altar. A 
pit was dug in the midst of it, and fire kindled. All other holy sages came 
tothe spot. They contemplated on Siva, who made his appearance. His 
hair was matted, he wore a crown and bore ashes rubbed on his body. The 
Ganges flowed and murmured over his head, serpents hissed, and ghosts played 
and danced around him. The sages stood up and prayed. “ Stay here with 
us, gracious Siva, otherwise we shall never be able to complete our sacrifice.” 
The rites of sacrifice were begun, the Vedic mantras were chanted, 108 kinds 
of offerings and waters from all the sacred rivers were brought. All things 
were ready. No sooner a column of smoke rose in the air and the chanting 
of Vedic hymns was wafted, than all the Rakshasas came, in order to pollute 
the sacrifice. They made various endeavours towards that end. Now it blew 
a storm; anon it rained in torrents Blood, flesh, grass and other rub- 
bish were thrown upon the altar. Then all the holy sages—Dvaipayana, 
Dalbhya, Jaimini, Lomaharshan, Bhrighu, Pulaha, Attreya, Gautama, 
Garga, Sdndilya, Bharadvaj, Balakhilya, Markandeya, Ushana, Kaushika, | 
Basant, Mudgala, Uddalaka and Matanga, with Vasishtha at their head, 
complained to Brahma and Siva. Again, an altar was erected, a kund dug 
and purified, fire kindled, and every rite of sacrifice begun. Hymns of the 
Sama Veda were sung. All ofasudden sprang four warriors with swords 
in hand from the kund. These fought with the Radkshasas and defeated 
them. Allthe sages went to the north-western corner of the Arbad Gir 
(Abu) and came to the cave where the great Parasu dwelt. They asked his 
benediction on the newly-created heroes. He granted the request. The 
goddess Sakti was invoked. She appeared and blessed them. Their energy 
was like fire, their eyes red like the rising sun shot forth courage, their 
foreheads shone like flames, and their crowns sparkled. They frowned, and 
the devils shook with fear. 
_ One of these Agnikulas (fire-born) was named Chohan. He had 
four arms, all equipped with the weapons sword, bow, dagger and knife. He 
joined his hands and said to Brahma: “ What is the purpose of my crea- 
| tion, lord ?” “‘ Hear, my son,” replied Brahma, “do what Bhrighu tells you.” 
Bhrighu ordered him to kill all the Rakshasas. ‘‘ Sakti is with you to defend 
