Linguistic Survey Of India Vol V Part I Indo Aryan Family Eastern Group

0^A BENGALI.
dOU
FREE TRANSLATION OF THE FQREGOING.
Once upon a time there was a king, who had only one lovely daughter. The fame
of herheauty gradually spread over different countries, and people began to talk
ahout it- Bye-and-bye matchmakers, attracted by the report, began to come.
As she was his only daughter, the king loved her much, and whatever she said, that
he used to do. When the damsel was full grown she made a vow that she would only
take him for a husband who should leap into the river from the top of a precipice
which she should point out.
People told her father to that effect, and he much remonstrated with her,
explaining that men who ventured to attempt that sort of feat would surely die, but she
refused to listen to him. As the king loved his daughter, he told people the story of
her vow.
Then from different countries came young men in the hope of getting the king's
daughter, hut, as each jumped from the precipice,' he died. No one got her.
When, in this way, many men had died, the king was much grieved, and began to
think of some way & which, while his daughter's vow would not be broken, people
would no longer lose their lives.
One day, in the evening, he was sitting alone on his throne in melancholy mood
and thinking, when a youth came into his presence, and told him why he had come.
The king was struck with his beauty, and reasoned much with him, saying,€ go back
to thy home.' But the youth paid no heed to him. Then the king began to consider
in his heart that if he could get this youth for his son-in-law, he would be very happy.
He told the youth to come next day, and with a melancholy countenance went into
his palace, shut his door, and lay down. While he was thinking he fell asleep, and in his
sleep he saw a dream. An old woman was sitting by his head, and was saying to him,
1 this youth thy son-in-law shall be. If thou tie pillows round him, and an umbrella to
him, even if he jumps into the water, he will not die.' When the king woke, no one was
visible.
Next morning, at daybreak, as the king was leaving his palace, he found the
youth waiting for him. He remonstrated with him much, but when he saw that
the youth would not listen to him foi^a moment, he called his minister, and ordered
him to mafce arrangements for going to the place fixed for the leap. When all was
ready, the king went thither with his daughter and with his relations and friends.
When the princess saw how beautiful was the young boy, she said in her heart,' how good
would it be if I got him for a husband! Why did I make my vow?' Then, at the
appointed time, the king tied four pillows and an umbrella to the youth, and gave
the order, saying at the same time 'pray ye for his safety/ The youth took the leap and
fell safely into the water, where he remained floating. Every one was much pleased,
and the king took him home to his palace and married him to his daughter with great
magnificence. .
JTJ&—HUB legend ii » piece of .lot-lore fonnded on tradition of great interest. The precipitous top of the hill still
exfcfc. It **allei * JtaftimtoSni' or .bri4egwm4dllfog. It is situated on the bank of the river Karuaphuli near Chitmoiom
in the Sifrptito Forest Bewnre.