Read Ebook: The Baitâl Pachchisi; Or The Twenty-Five Tales of a Sprite Translated From the Hindi Text of Dr. Duncan Forbes by Lallu Lal Platts John T John Thompson Vila Mazhar Ali Khan Active Forbes Duncan Editor

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THE BAIT?L PACHCHISI

Or, The Twenty-Five Tales Of a Sprite

Translated From The Hindi Text of Dr. Duncan Forbes

London: Wm. H. Allen & Co.

TRANSLATORS PREFACE.

The English translation of these tales has been made by special request, to meet repeated demands for a translation of the text as edited by the late Dr. Duncan Forbes. The aim of the Translator has been to produce a work which would enable the student to study the original with facility and accuracy. It being considered that few save students who are compelled to study the Hindi original would be likely to peruse the work, the translation has been made as literal as it was possible to make it without doing unpardonable violence to English idiom. All difficulties have been boldly, if not successfully, met; and explanatory and other notes have been added, wherever the text appeared to call for such. The study of the translation must not be supposed to dispense with that of the Grammar of the language; it will be found, however, to prove of the highest utility to a student who has mastered the elementary principles of Grammar, and uses it--not as a mere "crib" but--for the purpose of discovering what light it sheds on the application of those principles.

PREFACE THE origin of these tales is as follows:--In the reign of the Emperor Muhammad Shah, Raj? Jaisinh Saw?r ordered the eminent poet, named S?rat, to translate the Bait?l Pachisi into the Braj dialect. Thereupon he translated it into the dialect of Braj, in accordance with the king's command. And now, during the reign of the Emperor Sf?hi 'Alam, and in the time of the lord of lords, the cream of exalted princes, the Privy-Counsellor of the Monarch of England, whose court stands as high as Saturn; the noblest of the noble, the Governor-General, Marquis Wellesley ; and in accordance with the bidding of His Honour, Mr. John Gilchrist ; to the end that illustrious gentleman may learn and understand, the poet Mazhar Ali Khan , with the aid of the poet Shr? Lall? L?l, rendered the same into easy language, such as high and low use in speaking, and which the learned and the ignorant, the talented and the obtuse, would all comprehend, and which would be easy to the mind of every one, no difficulty of any kind presenting itself to the intellect, and wherein the dialect of Braj frequently occurs.

Now, in conformity with the command of the Professor of Hindi, the bounteous patron, His Honour, Captain James Mouat, T?rin?charan Mitra, for the press, has struck out such Sanskrit and Braj words as seldom occur in the Urdu dialect, and introduced words in current use. Some words, however, in use among the Hindus, the exclusion of which he regarded as detrimental, he has preserved intact. He trusts that the work may meet with a favourable reception.

INTRODUCTORY TALE.

A Brahman was practising austerities in that city. One day a deity brought and presented to him the fruit of immortality. He then took the fruit home and said to his wife, "Whoever shall eat this will become immortal; the deity told me this at the time of giving, the fruit." Hearing this, the Brahman's wife wept excessively, and began to say, "This is a great evil we have to suffer! For, becoming immortal, how long shall we go on begging alms? Nay, to die is better than this; if we die, then we escape from the trials of the world." Then the Brahman said, "I took the fruit and brought it; but, hearing your words, I am bereft of understanding. Now I will do whatever you bid." Then his wife said to him, "Give this fruit to the king, and in exchange for it take wealth, whereby we may enjoy the advantages of this world as well as that to come."

Hearing this speech, the Brahman went to the king and gave him his blessing; after explaining the circumstances of the fruit, said, "Great king! do you take this fruit and give me some wealth; there is happiness for me in your being long-lived." Theking having given the Brahman a lakh of rupees and dismissed him, entered the female apartments, and giving the fruit to the queen whom he loved most, said, "O queen! do thou eat this, for thou wilt become immortal, and wilt continue young for ever." The queen, hearing this, took the fruit from the king, he came out into his court.

A certain kotw?l was the paramour of that queen: to him she gave the fruit. It so happened that a courtesan was the kotw?l's mistress; he gave the fruit to her and described its virtues. That courtesan thought to herself that the fruit was a fitting present for the king. Determining this in her mind, she went and presented the fruit to the king. His majesty took the fruit and dismissed her with much wealth; and contemplating the fruit, and pondering within himself, he became sick of the world, and began to say, "The perishable wealth of this world is of no use whatever; for through it one must ultimately fall into hell. Preferable to this is the practising of religious duties and the biding, in the remembrance of the Deity, whereby it may be well in the future."

Coming to this determination, he entered the female apartments and asked the queen what she had done with the fruit . She replied, "I ate it up." Then the king showed the queen that fruit. She, on the instant of setting eyes on it, stood aghast, and was unable to make any reply. After that, the king having come forth, had the fruit washed, and ate it, and abandoning his kingdom and throne, assumed the guise of a devotee, and betook himself unaccompanied, and without holding communication with a soul, to the jungle.

The throne of Vikram became vacant. When this news reached king Indra, he sent a demon to guard Dh?r?nagar. He kept watch over the city day and night. To be brief, the report of this matter spread from country to country, that king Bharthari had abandoned his government and gone away. King Vikram, too, heard the news, and immediately came to his country. It was then midnight: he was entering the city at that hour, when that demon called out, "Who art thou? and whither goest thou? Stand still mention thy name." Then the king said, "It is I, king Vikram; I am entering my own city: who art thou, to challenge me?" Then the demon replied, saying, "The deities have sent me to guard this city: if you are really king Vikram, first fight with me, and then enter the city."

On hearing these words the king girt tight his waist-cloth and challenged the demon. Thereupon the demon, too, stood up to him. The battle began. At last the king threw the demon and sat upon his breast. Then he said, "O king! thou hast thrown me; I grant thy life as a boon." Upon this the king, laughing, said, "Thou art gone mad; whose life dost thou grant? Did I will, I could slay thee; how canst thou grant me life?" Then the demon said, "O king! I am about to save thee from death; first attend to a tale of mine, and thereafter rule over the whole world free from all care." At length the king set him free, and began to listen attentively to his tale.

Then the demon addressed him thus: "There was in this city a very liberal king, named Chandrabh?n. One day he went forth casually into the jungle; when, what should he behold but an ascetic hanging, head downwards, from a tree, and sustaining himself by inhaling smoke alone--neither receiving anything from any one, nor speaking to any one. Perceiving this state of his, the king returned home, and seating himself in his court, said, 'Whoever will bring this ascetic , shall receive a lakh of rupees.' A courtesan bearing these words, came to the king and spake thus: 'If I obtain your majesty's leave, I will have a child begotten by that ascetic, and bring it here mounted on his shoulder.'"

"The courtesan replied, 'I am the daughter of a god; I was practising religious austerities in heaven; I have now come into this wild.' The devotee said again, 'Where is thy hut? Show me it.' Thereupon the courtesan brought the ascetic to her hut, and commenced feeding him with savoury viands, so that the ascetic left off inhaling smoke; and took to eating food and drinking water daily. Eventually Cupid troubled him; upon which he had carnal intercourse with her, vitiated his austerities; and the courtesan became pregnant. In ten months a boy was born. When he was some months old, the woman said to the devotee, 'O saint! you should now set out on a pilgrimage whereby all the sins of the flesh may be blotted out.'"

"Deluding him with such words, she mounted the boy on his shoulder, and started for the king's court, whence she had set out, after taking up the gage to accomplish this matter. When she came before the king, his majesty recognised her from a distance, and seeing the child on the shoulder of the devotee, began saying to the courtiers; 'Just see! this is the very same courtesan, who went to bring the devotee!' They replied, 'O king! you are quite right; this is the very same; and be pleased to observe that all that she had stated in your majesty's presence ere she set forth, has come to pass.'"

"When the ascetic heard these remarks of the king and courtiers, he perceived that the king had adopted these measures to disturb his religious meditations. With these thoughts in his mind, the devotee returned from thence, and getting out of the city, slew the child, repaired to another jungle, and began to perform penance. And after some time that king died, and the devotee completed his penance."

When it was morn the king came forth, and took his seat , and gave the order for a general court. As many servants as there were, great and small, all came and made their offerings in the presence, and festive music burst forth. An extraordinary gladness and rejoicing possessed the whole city, such that in every place, and every house, dance and song arose. After this the king began to govern justly.

It is related that one day an ascetic named Sh?nt-shil appeared at the king's court with a fruit in his hand, and, presenting the fruit to the king, spread a cloth, and sat down there. After a short time he went away again. On his departure the king thought to himself that this was probably the person of whom the demon had spoken. Habouring this suspicion, he did not eat the fruit, and, summoning the steward, he gave it to him, with instructions to keep it carefully. The devotee, however, came constantly in this same manner, and left a fruit every day.

It so happened that one day the king went to inspect his stable, accompanied by some attendants.

During that interval the ascetic, too, arrived there, and presented the king with a fruit in the usual manner. He began tossing it in the air, when all of a sudden it fell from his hand on the ground, and a monkey took it up and broke it in pieces. So exquisite a ruby came out of it that the king and his attendants were astonished at the sight of its brilliance. Thereupon the king said to the devotee; "Why hast thou given me this ruby?"

On this he said, "O great king! it is written in the Shastra that one should not go empty-handed to the following places, viz., those of kings, spiritual teachers, astrologers, physicians and daughters, for at these places one obtains benefit for benefit. Sire! why do you speak of a single ruby? As many fruits as I have given you, every one of them contains a jewel." Hearing these words, the king told the steward to bring all the fruits he had given to him. On receiving the king's order, the steward immediately brought them; and, having had the fruits broken open, he found a ruby in each. When he beheld so many rubies the king was excessively pleased, and, summoning a tester of precious stones, began having the rubies tested, saying the while, "Nothing will accompany one ; integrity is the great essential in the world; tell me honestly, therefore, the exact value of each gem."

Hearing these words the jeweller said, "O king! you have spoken the truth. He whose integrity is safe, his all is safe: integrity alone accompanies us, and that it is which proves of advantage in both worlds. Hear, O king! each gem is perfect as to colour, stone, and form. Were I to declare the value of each to be a crore of rupees, even that would not come up to the mark. Of a truth, each gem is worth a clime." Hearing this, the king was pleased beyond measure, and conferring a robe of honour on the jeweller, dismissed him; and taking the devotee's hand, he brought and seated him on the throne, and began thus: "My whole realm is not worth even one of these rubies; tell me, then, what is the explanation of this, that you, a religious mendicant, have presented me with so many gems?"

The ascetic said, "Your majesty! it is not proper to speak publicly of the following things, viz., magic and incantations, drugs employed in medicines, religious duties, family affairs, the eating of impure meats, evil speech which one has heard--all these things are not spoken of in public; I will tell you in private. Attend! it is a rule, that whatever is heard by three pairs of ears remains no secret; the words which reach two pairs of ears no man hears; while the contents of one pair of ears are unknown to Brahma himself, not to speak of man." On hearing these words, the king took the devotee apart and began to say, "O holy man! you have given me so many rubies, and have not once partaken of food even; you have put me to great shame! Let me know what it is you desire." The ascetic said, "Sire! I am about to practice magical arts in a large body-burning-ground on the bank of the river Godavari, whereby I shall acquire supernatural powers, and so I beg of you to pass one whole night with me; by your being near me my magic arts will succeed." Then the king said, "Very well; I will come: leave word with me of the day." The ascetic said, "Do you come to me, armed and unattended, on the Tuesday evening of the dark half of the month Bh?don." The king replied, "You may go; I will assuredly come, and alone."

For one thing, the darkness of the night was in itself terrifying; more than this, the downpour of the rain was as unceasing as if it would rain for once and all that night; whilst the goblins and ghosts, too, were creating such an uproar, that even daring heroes would have been agitated at the spectacle;--the king, however, went on his way. The snakes, which kept coming and twining themselves about his legs, he used to disentangle by repeating incantations. At length, when after passing somehow or other over a perilous road, the king reached the burning-ground, he perceived that goblins were constantly seizing men and destroying them; witches continually munching the livers of children; tigers were roaring, and elephants screaming. In short, when he noticed the tree, he perceived that every leaf and branch of it, from the root to the topmost twig, was burning furiously, while from all four sides arose a tumultuous cry of "Kill him! kill him! Seize him! seize him! Take care he does not escape!"

The king had no fears on beholding that state of things; but he said to himself, "It may or may not be so, but this is the same devotee about whom the demon spoke to me." And having gone close and observed, he perceived a corpse fastened by a string, and hanging head downwards. He was glad to see the corpse, thinking his trouble had been rewarded. Taking his sword and shield, he climbed the tree fearlessly, and struck such a blow with the sword that the rope was severed and the corpse fell down, and instantly began to weep aloud. On hearing his voice the king was pleased, and began to say to himself, "Well! this man at least is alive." Then, descending, he enquired of him who he was. He burst out laughing as soon as he heard . The king was greatly astonished at this. Again the corpse climbed up the tree and suspended himself. The king, too, that instant climbed up, and clutching him under his arm, brought him down, and said, "Vile wretch! tell me who thou art." He made no reply. The king reflected and said to himself, "Perhaps this is the very oilman whom the demon said the devotee had deposited in the place where bodies are burnt." Thus reflecting, he bound him up in his mantle and brought him to the devotee. The man who displays such courage will succeed in his under-takings.

"On that spot was a temple sacred to Mah?deva, Fastening their horses, and entering the temple, they paid adoration to Mah?deva, and came out. While they were engaged in adoration, the daughter of a certain king, accompanied by a host of attendants, came to another margin of the tank to bathe; and, having finished her ablutions, meditations and prayers, she, with her own maidens, began to walk about in the shade of the trees. On this side the minister's son was seated, and the king's son was walking about, when, suddenly, his eyes, and the eyes of the king's daughter, met. As soon as he beheld her beauty, the king's son was fascinated, and began saying to himself, 'You wretch, Cupid! why do you molest me?' And when the princess beheld the prince, she took in her hand the lotus-flower which she had fixed on her head after her devotions, placed it to her ear, bit it with her teeth, put it under her foot, then took it up and pressed it to her bosom, and, taking her maidens with her, mounted and departed home."

"And the prince, sinking into the depths of despair, and overwhelmed with grief on account of her absence, came to the minister's son, and with a feeling of shame laid before him the actual, state of affairs, saying, 'O friend! I have seen a most beautiful damsel; I know neither her name nor her abode: should I not possess her, I will give up my life: this I am firmly resolved upon in my mind.' Hearing these circumstances, the minister's son caused him to mount, and brought him home, it is true; but the king's son was so restless from grief at separation, that he entirely abandoned writing, reading, eating, drinking, sleeping, the business of government--everything. He used to be constantly sketching her portrait and gazing at it and weeping; not speaking himself, nor listening to what others said."

"He enquired again, 'Did she make no signs even?' The prince said, 'These are the gestures she made,--suddenly seeing me, she took the lotus-flower from her head, put it to her ear, bit it with her teeth, placed it under her foot, and pressed it to her bosom.' On hearing this, the minister's son said, 'I have comprehended her signs, and discovered her name, habitation, and all about her.' He replied, 'Explain to me whatever you have discovered.' He began to say, 'Attend, O king! Her having taken the lotus-flower from her head and put it to her ear, is equivalent to her having informed you that she is an inhabitant of the Karn?tak ; and in biting it with her teeth, she intimated that she is the daughter of king D?nta-v?t; and by pressing it under her foot, she declared that her name is Padm?vati; and in again taking it up and pressing it to her bosom, she informed you that you dwell in her heart.' When the prince heard these words, he said to him, 'It is advisable that you take me to the city in which she dwells.' No sooner had he said this than both dressed themselves, girt on their arms, and taking some jewels with them, mounted their horses and took the road to that quarter."

"Having reached the Kam?tak after several days, and having arrived below the palaces of the king in their stroll through the city, what do they see there but an old woman sitting at her door and plying her cotton-wheel. The two, dismounting from their horses, approached her, and began to say, 'Mother! we are travelling merchants, our goods are following us; we have come on ahead to seek a lodging; if you will give us a place, we will abide.' On looking at their faces and hearing their words, the old woman took compassion on them and said, 'This house is yours; remain here as long as you please,' In short, they took possession of the house on hearing, this; and after some delay the old woman came and kindly sat with them, and began chatting with them. On this, the minister's son enquired of her, 'What family and relations have you got? and how do you subsist?' The old woman said, 'My son is very comfortably provided for in the king's service, and your humble servant is the wet-nurse of Padm?vat?, the king's daughter; in consequence of old age having overtaken me I remain at home, but the king provides for my maintenance. Once a day, however, I go regularly to see that girl; it is on my return from thence, in my home, alone, that I give vent to my woe.'"

"Hearing these words, the prince rejoiced at heart, and said to the old woman, 'When you are starting to-morrow, please carry a message from me too.' She replied, 'Son! what need to defer it till tomorrow? I will this moment convey any message of yours that you communicate to me.' Then he said, 'Do you go and tell her this,--The prince whom you saw on the margin of the tank on the fifth day of the light half of the month Jeth has arrived here.'"

"On hearing these words the old woman took her stick and went to the palace. When she got there she found the princess sitting alone. When she appeared before her, she saluted her.

"The old woman gave her, her blessing, and said, 'Daughter! I tended you in your infancy, and suckled you. God has now caused you to grow up: what my heart now desires is, that I should see you happy in your prime, then should I, too, receive comfort.' Addressing her in such affectionate words as these, she proceeded to say, 'The prince whose heart you took captive on the fifth day of the light half of Jeh, by the side of the tank, has alighted at my house, has sent you this message, for you to perform the promise you made him, now that he has arrived. And I tell you, for my part, that that prince is worthy of you, and is as excellent in disposition and mental qualities as you are beautiful.'"

"On hearing these words she became angry, and applying sandal to her hands, and slapping the face of the old woman, began to say, 'Wretch! get out of my house!' She rose annoyed, and went, in that very condition, straight to the prince, and related all that had happened to her. The prince was astounded at these words. Then the minister's son spoke, saying, 'Great king! feel no anxiety; this matter has not come within your comprehension.' Hereupon he said, 'True; do you then explain it, that my mind may obtain rest.' He said, 'In smearing sandal on the ten fingers, and striking the face, she intimated, that when the ten nights of moonlight shall come to an end, she will meet you in the dark.'"

"To be brief, after ten days the old woman again went and announced him; then she tinged three of her fingers with saffron, and struck them on her cheek, saying, 'Get out of my house!' After all, the old woman moved from thence in despair, and came and related to the prince all that had occurred. He was engulfed in an ocean of sorrow as soon as he heard it. Seeing this state of his, the minister's son said again, 'Be not alarmed, the purport of this matter is something else.' He replied, 'My heart is disquieted; tell me quickly.' Then he said, 'She is in the state which women are in every month, and hence has stipulated for three days more; on the fourth day she will send for you.' In short, when the three days elapsed, the old woman made enquiries after her health on the part of the prince. Then she brought the old woman angrily to the western wicket, and turned her out. Again the old woman came and informed the prince of this event: he became cast-down at hearing it. On this the minister's son said, 'The explanation of the affair is, that she has invited you to-night by way of that wicket.' He was pleased beyond measure at hearing this. To be brief, when the hour arrived, they took out brown suits of clothes, arranged them, fastened on their turbands, dressed themselves, placed their weapons in order about them, and were ready; by this time midnight had passed. At that time an universal stillness prevailed, when they, too, pursued their way in unbroken silence."

"When they arrived near the wicket, the minister's son remained standing without, and he entered the wicket. What does he perceive, but the princess, too, standing there expecting him! Thus their eyes met. Then the princess laughed, and, closing the wicket, took the prince with her into the festive chamber. Arrived there, the prince beheld censers filled with perfume alight in different parts of the room, and maidens dressed in garments of various colours standing respectfully, with hands joined, each according to her station; on one side a couch of flowers spread; atr-holders, pan-boxes, rose-water bottles, trays and four-partitioned boxes arranged in order; on another side, compound essences, prepared sandal-wood, mixed perfumes, musk, and saffron filled in metal cups; here, coloured boxes of exquisite confections laid out; there, sweetmeats of various kinds placed in order; all the doors and walls adorned with pictures and paintings, and holding such faces, that the beholder would be enchanted, at the very sight of each single one. In short, everything that could contribute to pleasure and enjoyment was got together. The whole scene was one of an extraordinary character, of which no adequate description can be given."

"Such was the apartment to which the princess Padm?vat? took the prince and gave him a seat, and having his feet washed, and applying sandal to his body, and placing a garland of flowers round his neck, and sprinkling rose-water over him, began fanning him with her own hands. Upon this the prince said, 'At the mere sight of you I have become refreshed; why do you take so much trouble? These delicate hands are not fit to handle a fan; give me the fan; you be seated.' Padm?vat? replied, 'Great king! you have been at great trouble to come here for my sake, it behoves me to wait upon you.' Then a maiden took the fan from the princess's hand, and said, 'This is my business; I will attend on you, and do you both enjoy yourselves.' They began eating betel-leaf together, and engaging in familiar conversation, when, by this time, it became morning. The princess concealed him; when night came on, they again engaged in amorous pleasures. Thus several days passed away. Whenever the prince showed a wish to depart the princess would not permit him. A month passed thus; then the prince became much disturbed, and very anxious."

"Having received these instructions, the prince went to Padm?vati at night, and after much affectionate conversation, they both lay down together to sleep; but he was secretly watching his opportunity..To be brief, when the princess fell asleep, he took off all her ornaments, struck her on the left thigh with the trident, and came to his own house. He recounted all the occurrences to the minister's son, and laid the jewels before him. He then took up the jewels, took the prince with him, and, assuming the guise of a devotee, went and sat in a place for burning bodies. He himself took the part of a spiritual teacher, and making him his disciple, said to him, 'You go into the market and sell these jewels; if anyone should seize you while doing this, bring him to me.'"

"Receiving his instructions, the prince took the jewels with him to the city, and showed them to a goldsmith in close proximity to the king's palace-gate. As soon as he saw them he recognised them, and said, 'These are the princess's jewels; tell me truly, where did you get them?' He was saying this to him when ten or twenty more men gathered round. To be brief, the kotw?l, hearing the news, sent men and had the prince, together with the jewels and the goldsmith, seized and brought before him, and inspecting the jewels, asked him to state truly where he had got them. When he said, 'My spiritual preceptor has given them to me to sell, but I know not whence he got them,'--then the kotw?l had the preceptor also apprehended and brought before him, and taking them both, together with the jewels, into the presence of the king, related all the circumstances."

"On hearing this account, the king came out and sent for the kotw?l, and told him to go and bring the devotee. The kotw?l set off to bring the devotee on the instant of receiving the order; and the king began reflecting thus,--'The affairs of one's household, and the intentions of one's heart, and any loss which has befallen one--these it is not right to disclose to anyone;' when, in the interval, the kotw?l brought the devotee into the presence. Then the king took the devotee aside and questioned him, saying, 'Spiritual guide! what punishment is laid down in the scriptures for a woman?' On this the devotee said, 'Your majesty! if a Brahman, a cow, a wife, a child, or any one dependent on us, be guilty of a disgraceful act, it is prescribed that such should be banished from the country.'"

"On hearing this the king had Padm?vati conveyed away in a litter and left in a jungle. Thereupon both the prince and the minister's son started from their lodging on horseback, went to that jungle, took the Princess Padm?vati with them, and set out for their own country. After some days each reached his father's house. The greatest joy took possession of all, high and low; and these entered upon a life of mutual happiness."

After relating so much of the tale the sprite asked King Vikram?j?t, "To which of those four does guilt attach? If you do not decide this point, you will be cast into hell." King Vikram said, "The guilt attaches to the king." The sprite replied, "How does the sin fall on the king?" Vikram answered him thus, "The minister's son simply did his duty to his master; and the kotw?l obeyed the king's command; and the princess attained her object; hence, the guilt falls on the king for having inconsiderately expelled her from the country."

On hearing these words from the king's mouth, the sprite went and suspended himself on that same tree.

On looking about him, the king perceived that the sprite was not present; so he went straight away back, and, reaching that place, climbed up the tree, bound the corpse, and placing him on his shoulders, set off. Then the sprite said, "O king! the second story is as follows:--"

"After some days those two arrived with the two youths, and here the third youth was stopping from the first . One's name was Tribikram, the other's B?man; the third's Madhus?dan; they were all on a par in point of good looks, moral excellence, learning, and age. On seeing them, the Brahman began to reflect thus, 'One girl, and three suitors-elect! To whom shall I give her, to whom not? And we have all three given our words to the three of them: this is a strange piece of business that has happened! What shall I do?'"

"A fifth said, 'In this instance even Brahma could not restore to life; of what account are we then? Do you now perform her funeral rites; we are off.' Having said this, the conjurers went away; and the Brahman took the corpse away, burnt it in the place for such rites, and went off."

"Now, after he had gone, those three youths acted in this wise:--One of them picked up and fastened together her charred bones, and becoming a religious mendicant, went forth to wander from forest to forest.

"When the Brahman witnessed this occurrence, he rose up without eating anything. Then the master of the house said, 'Why do you not eat?' He replied, 'How can one partake of food in his house where a diabolical deed has been perpetrated.' On hearing this the householder arose, and going to another part of his house, brought a book on the science of restoring to life, took a charm from it, muttered some prayers, and brought his son back to life. Then that Brahman, seeing this wonder, began to ponder in his mind, 'If this book were to fall into my hands I, too, could restore my beloved to life.' Having made up his mind on this point, he ate the food, and tarried there. To be brief, when night came on, after some time all partook of supper, and went and lay down in their respective places, and were chatting together on one subject or another. The Brahman, too, went and lay down apart, but kept lying awake. When he thought that the night was far advanced, and all had gone to sleep, he arose quietly, softly entered his room, took that book, and decamped; and in the course of several days he arrived at the place where he had burnt the Brahman's daughter. He found the other two Brahmans there also, sitting and conversing together. Those two also, recognising him, approached and met him, and inquired, saying, 'Brother! you have wandered from land to land, it is true; but, tell us, have you learned any science as well?'

"He said, 'I have learned the science of restoring the dead to life.' As soon as they heard this, they said, 'If you have learned this, restore our beloved to life.' He replied, 'Make a heap of the ashes and bones, and I will restore it to life.' They gathered together the ashes and bones. Then he took a charm out of the book, and muttered prayers; the girl rose up alive. Thereupon Cupid so blinded the three of them that they began wrangling among themselves."

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