The Little Golden Bird of Prosperity - Part II
After hearing Karkotaka, the wise elder accepted the serpents rewards graciously and acknowledged him. Karkotaka then took leave from Khokana and rushed back to his adobe he then drove out his wife.
In time, the wise elder became the richest man of his village. With the long life bestowed upon by the jewel, he also became the great, great, great grandfather of many children. But in time, he became tired of eating, sitting and sleeping; he began to feel his life was a burden.
One day he yearned to have an audience with his King. During the sitting, the elder presented King Yog Narendra Malla with the rare jewel of longevity. He wished for his King to live long and rule over his beloved country for many years. While presenting the precious gem, he told the story behind it and the mystery of the eight impossible things.
Accepting the present, the King thanked the elder and gave him many rewards.
Strengthened and empowered by the serpents jewel King Yog Narendra Malla ruled over his country wisely. He became the beloved King of his countrymen, who flourished in the city of art, dance, drama and music.
But as time went on the King began to ponder, “ A pity it is! My grandfather King Siddhi Narsingh Malla let go of worldly affairs and embarked as a holy saint. My father did the same. It is my turn now there is no use to live and rule the country all this time.” He remembered the words of the wise elder who had recommended him to imagine eight impossible things to pass away from this world.
Thus King Yog Narendra Malla conjured eight impossible things and proclaimed them. Amongst which the most prominent ones are as follows:
I. When the little golden bird atop the serpents head above my golden statue will fly away straight to heaven, let it be known to my countrymen their Kings' soul shall follow the golden bird in its heavenward flight.
II. For when the stone elephants erected on the stairway of Viswanath temple in front of the Royal Palace step down to the nearby three stone water spouts (Manga Hiti) and drink to their hearts’ content, let it be known King Yog Narendra Malla is no more on Earth.
III. For when the golden-winged Gaurda seated on the stone pillar opposite the Krishna Temple will lay two pearls as big as the hens’ egg, let it be known King Yog Narendra Malla is no more on Earth.
Till the golden bird stays perched atop the serpents head, the elephants remain standing on the stairway, and the Gaurda doesn’t lay pearls as large as hen’s egg. Let my countrymen know that King Yog Narendra Malla is alive inside his Royal Palace.
After proclaiming such impossible things, King Yog Narendra Malla disappeared from his royal palace. His whereabouts were unknown to his wife and daughters. The people of Lalitpur even till today believe that King Yog Narendra Malla is engaged in deep meditation somewhere inside the Royal Palace and he is alive and well.
Thus till recent times, all necessary comforts such as food, drinking water, smoking tobacco, bedding amongst others were prepared for the king daily and placed within the Royal Palace of Lalitpur (Now Patan Museum).
Even today the elders of Lalitpur who observe belief of the old oral traditions and sayings, look up to check if the little golden bird is still perched on the serpents’ head or has it flown away to heaven.