224 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
left their work for a season, until the plantation had 
acquired the appearance of an untrodden wilderness. 
All preliminary matters being arranged, Gopa Shahir 
bedaubed himself with oil and ashes, and went to the 
palace of the Raja, demanding an audience. Being 
admitted to the presence, he commenced a mournful 
complaint, crying out, — 44 0 Raja, my heart is 
breaking with bitter affliction. The venerable pre- 
ceptor and guide of my childhood is, I fear, for ever 
lost to me; — give me immediately a host of your 
followers to seek for him.” 
44 Reverend father,” replied the Raja, 44 who art 
thou ? Who is thy preceptor ? How was he lost to 
you ? How can he be recovered ? Speak, and depend 
upon my assistance.” 
44 O Raja, in the Trita Youg I and my revered 
instructor lived together in a subterranean cell ; and, 
hearing of the great god Ram’s projected voyage to 
Lanka (Ceylon) in search of his goddess Sita, we 
commenced the performance of very fearful austeri- 
ties in aid of his adventure. Unwilling to afflict my 
beloved guide by my presence during the infliction 
of these severities, I retired to a neighbouring cavern, 
and in the anguish of what followed I fainted ; nor 
did I recover from the deadly swoon until a year or 
two since, when, alas ! I found myself in the course 
of the Kali Youg. Shortly after my resuscitation, 
the god Ram appeared to me in a vision, and in- 
formed me that the venerable sage, whom I rever- 
