United States or Guinea-Bissau ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !


'I order you now! returned the Jogi. 'Go and beg enough for you and for me. So Raja Rasalu rose up, and stood at the gate of Queen Sundran's palace, in his Jogi's dress, and sang, 'Alakh! at thy threshold I stand, Drawn from far by the name of thy charms; Fair Sundran, with generous hand, Give the earring-decked Jogi an alms!

Now when Queen Sundran, from within, heard Rasalu's voice, its sweetness pierced her heart, so that she immediately sent out alms by the hand of her maid-servant. But when the maiden came to the gate, and saw the exceeding beauty of Rasalu, standing outside, fair in face and form, she fainted away, dropping the alms upon the ground.

'Make me your pupil, quoth Rasalu, 'and I will wait too. 'You work miracles already, my son, said the Jogi; 'so where is the use of your becoming one of us? Nevertheless, Raja Rasalu would not be denied, so the Jogi bored his ears and put in the sacred earrings. Then the new disciple put aside his shining armour, and sat by the fire in a Jogi's loin-cloth, waiting to see Queen Sundran.

Then once more Rasalu sang, and again his voice fell sweetly on Queen Sundran's ears, so that she sent out more alms by the hand of another maiden. But she also fainted away at the sight of Rasalu's marvellous beauty. Then Queen Sundran rose, and came forth herself, fair and stately.

Nevertheless, she learnt no more of him, for he sat by the gate and said never a word. Only when Queen Sundran gave him a plate piled up with sweets, and looked at him sadly, saying 'What King's son art thou? and whence dost thou come? What name hast thou, Jogi, and where is thy home? then Raja Rasalu, taking the alms, replied

Now he, vexed that she should come forth to ask for a stranger, when he had sat at her gates for two-and-twenty years with never a word or sign, answered back, 'My pupil? I was hungry, and I ate him, because he did not bring me alms enough. 'Oh, monster! cried Queen Sundran. 'Did I not send thee jewels and sweets? Did not these satisfy thee, that thou must feast on beauty also?

Then Queen Sundran rose up, proud and beautiful, and coming to the gate, said softly 'No beggar thou! The quiver of thy mouth Is set with pearly shafts; its bow is red As rubies rare. Though ashes hide thy youth, Thine eyes, thy colour, herald it instead! Deceive me not pretend no false desire But ask the secret alms thou dost require. But Rasalu smiled a scornful smile, saying

The next day the same thing happened, and still Rasalu sat by the fire waiting to see the beautiful Queen Sundran. Then the Jogi lost patience, and said, 'O my disciple, I made you a pupil in order that you might beg, and feed me, and behold, it is I who have to starve to feed you! 'You gave no orders! quoth Rasalu, laughing. 'How can a disciple beg without his master's leave?

Then Rasalu returned to his master with the sweets, and after that he went away from the place, for he feared lest the Queen, knowing who he was, might try to keep him prisoner. And beautiful Sundran waited for the Jogi's cry, and when none came, she went forth, proud and stately, to ask the old Jogi whither his pupil had gone.

'I know not, quoth the Jogi; 'only this I know I put the youth on a spit, roasted him, and ate him up. He tasted well! 'Then roast and eat me too! cried poor Queen Sundran; and with the words she threw herself into the sacred fire and became sati for the love of the beautiful Jogi Rasalu.