Chandra

“ Biff had already guessed the identity of the carved horror, when Chandra arrived and gasped the name: "Kali!"
Biff stared at Chandra, wondering why he was so shaken. In a frightened tone, Chandra exclaimed:
"This temple is old and broken, but the idol is a new one! We can't hide here! This is where the thugs themselves meet to worship Kali. They have driven us up into their trap, and they will come here to hunt us down. See that hand, Biff, the one like a cup? It is supposed to hold blood, so it is waiting for the big ruby that you carry!" ”

“ So Shaibalini forgot Pratap, and learnt to love Chandra Shekhar. Cut the wings of human passions, annihilate the senses altogether, bring the mind completely under your control, rob it of its innate strength, let it run its course through an only -open- channel and you will find that it will follow no other than the prescribed path, and be gradually contented with its changed course and new environment. ”

“ As the Moon, Chandra, is considered to be a masculine deity, the Hindús fable these twenty-seven constellations as his wives, and personify them as the daughters of Daksha. Of these twenty-seven wives, twelve of whom give names to the twelve months, Chandra is supposed to show the greatest affection for the fourth, Rohiní; but each of the others, and amongst them Vi [s'] ákhá, is represented as jealous of this partiality, and eager to secure the Moon's favour for herself, Dushyanta probably means to compare himself to the Moon (he being of the Lunar race) and [S'] akoontalá to Vi [s'] ákhá. ”

“ When Chandra Shekhar came out of the cave leaving Shaibalini within it, Ramananda Swami thought within himself, "I have been studying all through my life the sacred works of divine authority—I have come in contact with all sorts of people and studied life in all its moods—but I see, all in vain! ”

“ Chandra Shekhar then asked,
"You said a little before that you have heard the name of Chandra Shekhar—he is no other than myself. Why did you take away—"
"Please stop," interposed Foster, "you need not bother yourself with any question. I am free, as I do not fear death—it depends entirely upon my sweet will whether I shall give any answer to your questions or not; I am determined not to say anything in reply to any of your queries."
"Then bring Shaibalini here," ordered the Nawab to his men. ”

“ Chandra Shekhar could feel that the Goddess of consciousness, who adorn the human nature and lends it that charm and grace which characterise it, was about to leave Shaibalini, and a hideous madness was gradually occupying what was once Her holy temple of gold. ”

“ The exasperated sage then cursed Indra, Chandra and his wife: Indra to have a thousand sores on his person, Ahalyā to turn into a stone, and Chandra to have a stain on his fair face.223
Another mythological story is that Daksha Prajāpati, the son of Brahmā, gave all his [34] twenty-seven daughters in marriage to Chandra, who was inspired with love for one of them only, named Rohini, the most beautiful of them all. The slighted twenty-six sisters complained to their father, Daksha, of Chandra’s preference for Rohini. ”

“ Tears began to flow from Chandrashekhar’s eyes at the sight of the happy face of that girl of twenty reposing in the calm of deep slumber without a trace of voluptuousness about it.
The beauty of Shaibalini’s face quiescent in a profound sleep melted him into tears. “Alas! why did I marry her?” he thought. “This flower would adorn a King’s Crown. Why did I bring this jewel into the but of a learned Brahmin? By bringing her here I have rendered myself happy no doubt, but what is her happiness in it! Considering my age it is impossible to expect any love from her. ”

“ Shaibalini. These hills are visited by divine beings; I cannot say what mysterious change they have brought in me—I dream hell all day and night.
Chandra Shekhar noticed that Shaibalini's eyes were fixed upon some object in the direction of the entrance to the cave—it seemed, she was looking at it very closely. He saw that her already pale face was growing paler and her eyes were getting dilated more and more every moment—she began to take hurried and heavy breaths, and every hair of her body stood on its end, as she began to shiver, perhaps, with fear. ”

“ Biff turned to Chandra. "He means a boa constrictor. We ran into a big one up the Amazon, a snake the size of your python."
"What about Macu?" demanded Kamuka.
"Head hunters," translated Biff to Chandra. "He wants to know if you have them, too."
"We have something much worse," declared Chandra solemnly. "We have thugs, or stranglers, who ride on trains with us. They are after your ruby, Biff, if you still have it." ”

“ Chandra Shekhar thought his condition would improve, in some respects, if he would marry.
But he resolved that if he would marry at all, he would not marry a beautiful girl; for his mind might become captivated by the charms of a beautiful wife. He would not be entangled in the networks of the world.
When Chandra Shekhar was in this mood of mind, he saw Shaibalini. The ascetic's determination gave way before her beauty. After much reflection and some hesitation, he at last married Shaibalini, himself acting as a match-maker. Who is not captivated by the fascinating influence of beauty? ”

“ And the Sowkar's wife called her son 'Koila,' [8] in memory of the mango stone; and the Nautch woman called her daughter 'Moulee;' [9] and the little Princess was named Chandra Bai, [10] for she was as fair and beautiful as the white moon.
Chandra Ranee was very beautiful, the most beautiful child in all that country, so pretty and delicately made that everybody, when they saw her, loved her. She was born, moreover, with, on her ankles, two of the most costly anklets that ever were seen. They were made of gold and very precious stones, dazzling to look at, like the sun. ”

“ After the acquisition of the lands, he would not receive Isvar Chandra's stipend money, but directed his son to spend a portion of it in buying manuscript copies of rare and valuable Sanskrit books. Isvar Chandra procured many such manuscripts, and they are still to be found in his library.
Nor was this all. The heart of Isvar Chandra was as soft, as his mind was strong. He was kind and sympathetic, and always eager to relieve the distrest. He was a lover of mankind. His small heart was the seat of unbounded love and kindness. ”

“ THOUGH ALL ELSE DIES, SUFFERING DIES NOT.
RISH CHANDRA was sitting alone in his boita khana one evening, when Nagendra entered, carpet-bag in hand, and throwing the bag to a distance, silently took a seat. Srish Chandra, seeing his distressed and wearied condition, was alarmed, but knew not how to ask an explanation. He knew that Nagendra had received the Brahmachari's letter at Benares, and had gone thence to Madhupur. ”

“ Sundari was amazed and looked inquiringly at Chandrashekhar. He motioned her to him. “She has gone mad,” whispered Chandrashekhar in her eat when she approached him.
Then everything became clear to her. She remained silent for some time. At first her eyes glistened, then a moisture gathered under the lids and lastly drops of tear began to trickle down. Sundari wept. Woman-hood is the very jewel of this earth. Another day this very Sundari had devoutly prayed that Shaibalini might find a watery grave along with her boat, but to-day no one felt more keenly for Shaibalini than she. ”

“ Shaibalini. He is now in the Nawab's camp, at Udayanalla.
Chandra Shekhar remained absorbed in meditation for a time and then inquired,
"Can you say whether you will be cured of the malady you are now suffering from?"
Shaibalini. You have given me your spiritual strength and with its help, I can very well perceive that through your grace and the efficacy of your sacred drug, I shall soon recover.
Chandra Shekhar. Where do you desire to go after your recovery?
Shaibalini. If I get poison I shall take it, but I fear the hell.
Chandra Shekhar. Why do you like to put an end to your life? ”

“ Diseases seized upon the king's person and undermined his vitality, until at last he became almost a living skeleton. Chandra had had seven sons, and these died one after another, and a thick cloud enveloped the whole kingdom. The king attributed all this to the unseen influence of the kotál's daughter.
But one day Malancha came near the palace and prayed for its prosperity, and all of a sudden things began to take a brighter turn. Fortune once more seemed to smile upon the kingdom. The prince's seven sons, who had long before been turned into ashes, came to life again. ”

“ Studying Biff, Chandra noted the deep tan that Biff had acquired during his long voyage on the Northern Star.
"Your face is dark enough," decided Chandra, "but your light hair will have to be hidden. So we will make you into a Sikh. A Sikh always wears a turban. That will fool everyone." ”

“ Some said, "She must have hid herself somewhere and will soon return." The old men, however, said, "She will never return—even if she does, Chandra Shekhar will not take her in. She must have gone in the palanquin we have seen." ”

“ Chandra Shekhar called her near him. He then whispered into her ears that Shaibalini had gone mad. Sundari now understood everything. She remained absolutely silent for a time. First of all, her eyes looked a bit brighter with moisture—they then became wet, and finally, tears came out of them in torrents—Sundari began to weep. Blessed are women in this world! This Sundari, on another occasion, had sincerely wished for Shaibalini's death—she had prayed that Shaibalini's boat might sink with her; but now, none felt more than Sundari for Shaibalini. ”

“ Every day, as the baby grew, these bangles grew, and round them were little bells, which tinkled when any one came near. Chandra’s parents were very happy and proud, and sent for all the wise men in the kingdom to tell her fortune. But the most learned Brahmin of them all, when he saw her, said, “This child must be sent out of the country at once, for if she [Pg 298] stays in it she will destroy all the land with fire, and burn it utterly.”
The Rajah, at hearing these words, was very angry, and said to the Brahmin, “I will cut off your head, for you tell lies and not the truth.” ”

“ Chandra-gûpta-Vikramadîtya died in A.D. 413. His greatest military achievement was the overthrow of the Sâka dynasty in Kathiawâr, and the annexation of Mâlwa to the already enormous empire left him by his father. In other ways we have large choice of prowess. All the tales which linger to this day on the lips of India concerning Râjah Bikra- or Vikra-majît are at our disposal. ”

“ In obedience to the command of his spiritual preceptor, Chandra Shekhar set out in a small boat, and began to follow Amyatt. Ramananda Swami now set himself to find out a trustworthy and reliable disciple, with a view to send with him Shaibalini to Benares. But all on a sudden, he came to know that Shaibalini had left in a small boat and was following Amyatt. Ramananda Swami found himself in a great fix—whom was the wicked Shaibalini running after—was it Foster or Chandra Shekhar? ”

“ So far as one can gather, Chandra-gûpta's character was not a lovable one; but there can be no question of his power to rule men wisely and well. Megasthenes' account of Pâlipûtra (which applies more to the reign of Chandra-gûpta, during whose lifetime the Grecian was ambassador to the court, than to that of any other monarch) gives us a marvellous picture of the grip which Government kept on the people ”

“ Was not Isvar Chandra talented?
We have already stated that from his childhood, Isvar Chandra wrote a very good hand. He was one of the best writers in the College. Every year, he won prizes for good hand-writing. Everybody admired his penmanship. He copied, with his own hand, many Sanskrit books for himself, and the penmanship of these books, even to the present day, appears as if it were a fine wool-work executed by some skilful hand. Very few literary men have been able to win such universal praise in all respects. ”

“ He took his boat to the Ghat, landed with Pratap, and took him to his house. Chandra Shekhar was detained there by Pratap's mother. She fell at his feet and prevailed on him to be her guest that day. Chandra Shekhar, however, remained ignorant of the secrets of Pratap's attempt at suicide.
Shaibalini could not think of appearing before Pratap again. But Chandra Shekhar saw her and was charmed. Chandra Shekhar was not in easy circumstances at the time. He had passed his thirty-second year. He had domestic concerns but had no attraction for this world. ”

“ Such was Satrughna Bhattacharya, the father of the fair girl, Dinamayi, who was married to Isvar Chandra. But we have digressed too long, and it is now proper, that we should resume the thread of our narrative.
At the age of fifteen, Isvar Chandra entered the Rhetoric class. Premchand Tarkavagis was the teacher of this class. He was equally erudite in grammar, language, and rhetoric, and taught the three subjects equally well. Most of his pupils attained great proficiency in Sanskrit. Of all the Students of this class, Isvar Chandra was the youngest in age, but the best in proficiency. ”

“ Glancing off beyond the camp, Biff saw something that riveted him. Going back into the tent, Biff wakened the nearest boy, who happened to be Chandra. Motioning for silence, Biff whispered: "Yeti tracks! Come on!"
Chandra came, bringing his trusty hand-axe. Biff nodded approval and promptly "borrowed" a throwing spear that was standing outside a Changpa tent. He then led Chandra to the first of the marks that he had noticed in the snow. They looked like footprints and big ones, half the size of snowshoe tracks. Breathless, Chandra gestured back toward the camp.
"Maybe we better call others?" ”