Rajatarangini of Kalhana:Kings of Kashmira/Appendix K

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Kings of Kashmira

Being A Translation of the Sanskrit Work

Rajatarangini of Kalhana Pandita

By Jogesh Chunder Dutt

1887

London: Trubner & Co.

Appendix K
See: Book IV (p.73)

Story told of the mysterious jewels of Changkuna

[p.xvi]: The following is the story told of the mysterious jewels :—

Changkuna used to augment gold in the king's treasury by magic. In Pangchanada at theconfluence of the rivers the king was once detained with his army being unable to cross over, and consulted with his minister as to the means of crossing. At this time Changkuna threw a jewel into the deep river, which divided the waters into two parts, and when the king and his army had crossed the river to the other side, the magician drew out his talisman by another jewel, and the waters flowed as before. Astonished at this, the king praised him and asked for those two jewels. Changkuna smiled and said that they were fit for himself but were unworthy of the king. A. good thing is admired when among common things and not when it is with other good things. The moon-stone which perspires in the moonlight is fit to be seen at the sea-shore and not when it is under the sea (its moisture being then lost in the sea water). The King smiled and asked what better jewels he possessed. "Give me those," he continued, " in exchange of what you think to be more precious, or of whatever I have in my treasury." " This is a great boon," said Changkuna " oblige me by giving what I desire, the statue of Buddha which you brought on elephant from Magadha. Take the jewels that will carry thee safe through the waters, and give me that which will carry me safe through this world." The king mode the exchange.


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