106 GHULAM MUHAMMAD 



YAthini. 



Adjacent to and on the southern side of Basin, a village about three miles west of 

 Gilgit, there stands a cliff at the junction of the Kargah and Naupur nullahs. A large 

 image of an erect Buddha has been sculptured on the rock-face, about 30 feet above 

 the ground. It is without doubt a sculpture of ancient date and shows that the valley 

 was once inhabited by a race professing Buddhism. The people call it "Yathini" 

 (giantess), and relate an interesting story about it. They say that she was the sister of 

 Shri Badat, a King of Gilgit who was the descendant of giants. She lived on the said 

 rock and, being a man-eater like her brother, was in the habit of killing and devouring 

 half as many of the men as happened to pass by, leaving the other half unmolested. 

 The princess continued this practice for a long period, to the great distress of the 

 inhabitants, until a certain Danyal named Soglio, feeling the loss of so many 

 people dear to his heart, devised a successful plan of murdering her in order to 

 save his beloved countrymen. With the above design in his mind he set out for the 

 place with a party of brave and bold men. Reaching the spot he burnt a small fire at 

 the foot of the said rock, and his companions took their seat around it in a small circle. 

 The Danyal, according to his usual custom, put some chili (juniper) leaves on the fire 

 and inhaled its smoke. Thus driving himself into a state of ecstacy, he commenced 

 dancing and singing some magic incantations, which were repeated by his companions. 

 The Yathini was elated at the prospect of more victims. As soon as she approached 

 the Danyal he stepped forward and addressed her in a song, of which the following is 

 a translation : — 



" Have not you heard, O lovely princess, that your father has expired to-day ? " 

 Hearing this sad news, she struck her breast with her right hand. Soglio, who had 

 with him some long iron nails, thrust one of them through her hand, as it lay on her 

 breast, with such rapidity and strength that the nail penetrated her chest and went far into 

 the rock behind. Soglio then sang another song, in which he sang as follows : — "Have 

 not you heard, O charming princess, that your brother has also died to-day ? On this 

 she struck her second hand on her thigh. Soglio quickly pierced this with another 

 sharp nail. The Yathini was thus firmly fixed to the rock, and was unable to move, or 

 to take revenge. The party was much delighted at this success of the Danyal, who further 

 turned her into a stone by his prayer, and even more delighted were the inhabitants 

 when they heard of the good news. The unfortunate Soglio requested the people to 

 bury him on his death near the Yathini, as otherwise she would return to life and 

 continue her cruelties. The people, who had now obtained their desire, held a private 

 council to discuss the matter. They argued that no one could tell when and where 

 Soglio would die, and whether they would be alive or able to procure his body at the 

 time, should he die in some far-away country or by drowning in the river ; in which case 

 the Yathini would recommence her practices with renewed ferocity. After a long debate 

 they thought it best to assassinate Soglio at once. A man was appointed to accomplish 

 the horrible task, which he did, and Soglio was at the same time buried close to the 

 figure on the rock. 



