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0541 Sand-Buried Ruins of Khotan : vol.1
Sand-Buried Ruins of Khotan : vol.1 / Page 541 (Color Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000234
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leave me until we reached Tarbugaz, the lonely Langar on the desert
edge where I had passed my first night on Khotan soil. When they
too had bidden me farewell and I was riding on alone by the desert
track to the "Pigeons' Shrine" my thoughts freely turned to a
more cheerful theme—the results I was bringing back from Khotan.
When I had passed here nearly seven months before, there was little
to give me assurance that I should ever see the hopes fulfilled that
had drawn me to this distant land. But now my task was done and
I could rejoice in the thought that my labours had been rewarded far
beyond those long-cherished hopes. Again there came into my mind
a remembrance of the pious custom which Hinen-Tsiang had recorded
at this very site, of the sacred rats that once enjoyed the honour now
paid to the sacred pigeons. "On passing the mounds they descend
from their chariots and pay their respects as they pass on, praying
for success as they worship. . . . Most of those who practise these
religious rites obtain their wishes." It was true, the sacred birds
had not seen me worship; for success too I had not prayed, but only
worked. Yet as success had come, I felt justified in offering to the
birds a liberal treat of maize and corn as my grateful ex-voto on
leaving Khotan.