188 B. Bandyopadhyaya—Hamir Rasd, [No. 3, 
you,” said he. ‘She has ten hands well armed with weapons of attack 
and defence ; she rides on a lion and wears a necklace of human heads. All 
the holy sages worship her; so do not fear, brave child, but fight with a 
heart of steel, braving all dangers for the cause of your religion.” 
The Rakshasas were cut to pieces. Their blood ran in torrents. 
Those who escaped fled to the infernal regions. In times of peril, Sakti 
protected the Hindu champion from all dangers. Every time he fell at her ~ 
feet, his strength and energy were doubled, and he rushed at the ranks of 
the devils and put them to the sword. The goddess is called A’sdpiri, be- 
cause she fulfilled the hope of the holy sages, and by that name is worshipped 
by the Chohans to this day. 
After many generations, Raja Jeyat Chohan was born in the village of 
Barbigao. He was learned, benevolent, generous, wise and handsome. Raj- 
put heroes of the thirty-six clans always waited on him. Minstrels sang of 
his glory and heroism. His energy increased like the heat of the morning 
sun, and he was feared by his enemies both by day and night. He was very 
kind to the poor, he relieved their wants, the moment he heard their com- 
plaints. 
Once the Rao was out in a forest on a hunting-excursion, accompanied 
by all the skilful huntsmen in his territories. He saw a white boar and 
pursued it very closely. It ran into a dense jungle, which was full 
of windings. He was separated from his train. The figure of an 
ascetic met his view. Rishi Padam, the best of all sages, sat there, engaged 
in deep contemplation. The prince left off chasing after the game. He 
fell prostrate before the sage, joined his hands and thus began to pray: “I 
am very fortunate, that I am able to see thee. My sins were forgiven 
me the moment I looked on thy body. Protect me, bless me, O thou 
merciful one, have mercy on me. Jam ever the object of thy care, O 
thou, who art an ocean of virtues, I bow down before thee. Thou art the 
possessor of unfading beauty, all-wise and all-powerful. The great name of 
Rama is always on thy lips. All the ages dwell in thee, and thou givest 
the three worlds what they wish for. Thy austere penance has made thee 
almost equal to Vishnu, Siva and Ganesa. Place thy hand on my head, 
O lord! and bless me.’”’ The sage was greatly pleased with the Rao’s 
prayers. He blessed him. “Build a fort yonder on the hill, my son,” 
said he, “dwell there and worship Siva.” 
When Raja Jeyat returned to his capital, he called a council of his 
ministers and vassals and consulted all the learned astrologers of his court. 
A lucky hour was fixed to lay the foundation-stone of a. town and that of 
its fort. The time was 7.80 in the morning of Saturday, the third of the new 
moon, the day of the feast of Akshayaya Trit/yd, the moon being on the 
