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The raja had planted flowering shrubs in his garden, but the Indarpuri Sadoms^[1] ate up all the flowers as they appeared, and so he again began to sulk. He said, “I planted bushes, but I see no flowers. What reason is there for my remaining alive ?” And going to the sulking chamber he lay down, and as usual refused to eat. Then there was confusion in the house-hold, and running hither and thither. The two ranis went to him, but he was annoyed, and ordered them to leave, saying, “I will not rise, by your telling me,” so they returned weeping, each to her own apartment.

Just then their four sons returned from hunting, and demanded food. Their mothers were annoyed, and said, “ You young gentlemen are hungry, and must have food, that the raja is sulking is nothing to you, if you are fasting." On hear-ing this the sons went to their father, and enquired, “Oh! father, wherefore are you sulking?” ‘The raja replied, “Oh! my sons, I am sulking because I see no flowers in my garden. Unless I see flowers in my garden, I shall not remain in this world.” His sons replied, “Give us three days, and if at the end of that time you see no flowers, then you may sulk.” He was persuaded to rise, and having bathed, and partaken of food, he was refreshed.

Just then Lelha arrived, and addressing the raja said, “Oh! raja, what ails you?” The raja on seeing Lelha was angry, and scolded him severely. He said, “ Has Lelha come here ? Drive him away at once.” Lelha left without uttering another word.

After three days the raja began again to sulk, because there were still no flowers to be seen in his garden. The Indar-puri Sadoms came about mid-night and ate up all the buds. The raja’s four elder sons when watching could not remain

1. ↑ Celestial horses