CHACH-NÁMA.
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intention of killing the Samaní. He called his armed men and instructed them that when during the interview he should stand up and look towards them, they should draw their swords and sever the Samaní’s head from his body. When he reached the temple, he saw the Samaní sitting on a chair, engaged in worship, and having some clay in his hand[1] with which he was making idols, he had something like a stamp with which the figure of the buddh was made on the clay, and when it was finished he placed it on one side.[2] Chach stood by him, but received no attention from him. After a short time, when he had finished his idols, he raised his head and said, “Is the son of the monk Síláíj come?” Chach replied, “Yes, O devotee.” The Samaní said, “For what purpose have you come?” Chach answered that he wished to see him, and therefore he had come. The devotee bid him to sit down. Chach sat. The devotee spread a fine cloth, and made him sit on it. He asked, “O Chach! what do you want?” Chach replied, “I wish you would become my friend and return to Brahmanábád, that I might turn your thoughts to secular pursuits, and entrust you with great offices. You may live with Sarband, and give him advice and assistance.” The devotee said, “I have nothing to do with your country, and have no wish to engage in public business. I do not like worldly concerns.” Chach asked him, “Why did you side with the people of the fort of Brahmanábád?” He replied, “When Akham Lohána died, and his son was grieved, I admonished him to cease lamenting for the departure of his father, and prayed the Almighty God to cause peace and friendship between the contending parties. It is better for me to serve Budh, and seek salvation in the next world, than all the offices and greatness of this. But as thou art the king of this country, at thy supreme command I will go with my family to the neighbourhood of the fort, although I fear
- ↑ [About a page of matter is here omitted from B.]
- ↑ [This process of stamping the clay figures of Buddha is still practised. General Cunningham, possesses several old Indian as well as recent Indian and Burmese specimens.]
no doubt that the last word of the compound represents vihár. Nau, or in Sanskrit Nava, signifies "“New,” and Kan may be the Hindi Kánh, from the Sanskrit Krishna, a word which is found in the names Kánhpur and Kánhari. These names would therefore signify “New monastery,” and “Black monastery.”]
