308 BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. [ Chap. tried to cheat him of the precious possession by paying him a nominal value. But the diamond in the ring was peerless and Chandi had told Kalaketu of its value. After much haggling the price was settled at seven crores of rupees. Kalaketu With this money, and the treasure found in the See ar: jars, he proceeded to Guzrat where he cut down Gujrat. the forests and founded a city in honour of Chandi. A great flood in the meantime overtook the king- dom of Kalinga and the people there became homeless. With Vulan Mandala at their head they came to Guzrat in crowds to inhabit it. Amongst Bharu them came Bharu Datta—a knave who, with his glib Datta. . S = tongue and high sounding phrases won his way into the confidence of King Kalaketu ; but Bharu grievously oppressed the people, and so he was turned out of Guzrat by order of the King. While in this plight he uttered a mysterious threat, saying, ‘“ Phullara the Queen will soon be reduced again to her old position as the wife of a huntsman. She will once more carry baskets on her head as she used to do.” He went to Kalinga and there gaining access to the court of the king, gave information as to how Ké§@laketu formerly a poor huntsman in his dominion, had now founded a new kingdom in Guzrat by taking away with him, nearly half the population of Kalinga. At this report the monarch’s anger knew no bounds. He led an hostile expedi- tion and Kalaketu was conquered and thrown into Kalaketu é তি ; ; iscon- ° prison. There in deep despair, the huntsman quered by 7০ Apa iin হান 1 ঃ পারা offered pray er 10 Chandi. He was to be beheaded of Kalinga. the next morning. In this desperate plight he looked up to heaven and prayed with all his heart to have once more a sight of that Mother of the Universe
