FALL OF THE HUN EMPIRE 289 defeat on Mihiragula, who was taken prisoner and would have forfeited his life deservedly but for the magnanimity of Baladitya, who spared the captive and sent him to his home in the north with all honour. But Mihiragula 's younger brother had taken advan- tage of the misfortunes of the head of the family to usurp the throne of Sakala, which he was unwilling to surrender. Mihiragula, after spending some time in concealment, took refuge in Kashmir, where he was kindly received by the king, who placed him in charge of a small territory. The exile submitted to this en- forced retirement for a few years, and then took an opportunity to rebel and seize the throne of his bene- factor. Having succeeded in this enterprise, he at- tacked the neighbouring kingdom of Gandhara. The king, perhaps himself a Hun, was treacherously sur- prised and slain, the royal family was exterminated, and multitudes of people were slaughtered on the banks of the Indus. The savage invader, who worshipped as his patron deity Siva, the god of destruction, exhibited ferocious hostility against the peaceful Buddhist cult, and remorselessly overthrew the stupas and monas- teries, which he plundered of their treasures. But he did not long enjoy his ill-gotten gains. Be- fore the year was out he died, and " at the time of his death there were thunder and hail and a thick dark- ness, and the earth shook, and a mighty tempest raged. And the holy saints said in pity: ' For having killed countless victims and overthrown the law of Buddha, he has now fallen into the lowest hell, where he shall
