Note 7 — Chapter LVI

In that cell Chakra saw a man being tortured by means of an iron wheel7 on his head, that revolved incessantly. And Chakra asked him,—“Who are you, by what crime did you incur this, and how do you manage to continue alive?” And the man answered—“I am a merchant’s son named Khaḍga, and because I did not obey the commands of my parents, they were angry and in wrath laid this curse upon me:8 ‘Because, wicked son, you torture us like a hot wheel placed on the head, therefore such shall be your punishment.’ When they had said this they ceased, and as I wept, they said to me, ‘Weep not, your punishment shall only last for one month.’ When I heard that, I spent the day in grief, and at night when I was in bed, I saw, as if in a dream, a terrible man come. He took me off and thrust me by force into this iron cell, and he placed on my head this burning and ever-revolving wheel. This was my parents’ curse, hence I do not die. And the month is at an end to-day; still I am not set free.” When Khaḍga said that, Chakra in pity answered him—“I too did not obey my parents, for I went abroad to get wealth against their will, and they pronounced against me the curse that my wealth, when acquired, should perish. So I lost in the sea my whole wealth, that I had acquired in a foreign island. My case is the same as yours. So what is the use of my life? Place this wheel on my head. Let your curse, Khaḍga, depart.” When Chakra said this, a voice was heard in the air “Khaḍga, thou art released, so place this wheel on the head of Chakra.” When Khaḍga heard this, he placed the wheel on the head of Chakra, and was conveyed by some invisible being to his parents’ house.