140
surface, and seeing how matters stood he calmly reflected for a moment; Why did the merchant do this? Surely in this case the proverb is applicable; ' Ungrateful men blinded by desire of gain cannot see a benefit.' Well, it is now high time for me to display intrepidity, for if courage fails, even a small calamity cannot be overcome." Thus he reflected on that occasion, and then he got astride on the leg which he had cut off from the giant sleeping in the water, and by its help he crossed the sea, as if with a boat, paddling with his hands, for even destiny takes the part of men of distinguished valour. Then a voice from heaven addressed that mighty hero, who had come across the ocean, as Hanumán did for the sake of Ráma*[1]; " Bravo, Vidúshaka ! Bravo ! who except thee is a man of valour? I am pleased with this courage of thine: therefore hear this. Thou hast reached a desolate coast here, but from this thou shalt arrive in seven days at the city of Kárkotaka; then thou shalt pluck up fresh spirits, and journeying quickly from that place, thou shalt obtain thy desire. But I am. the Fire, the consumer of the oblations to gods and the spirits of deceased ancestors, whom thou didst before propitiate: and owing to my favour thou shalt feel neither hunger nor thirst, therefore go prosperously and confidently;" having thus spoken, the voice ceased. And Vidúshaka, when he heard that, bowed, adoring the Fire-god, and set forth in high spirits, and on the seventh day lie reached the city of Kárkotaka. And there he entered a monastery, inhabited by many noble Brahmans from various lands!, who were noted for hospitality. It was a wealthy foundation of the king of that place Áryavarman, and had annexed to it beautiful temples all made of gold. There all of the Bráhmans welcomed him, and one Bráhman took the guest to his chamber, and provided him with a bath, with food and with clothing. And while he was living in the monastery, he heard this proclamation being made by beat of drum in the evening; " Whatever Bráhman or Kshatriya wishes to-morrow morning to marry the Icing's daughter, let him spend a night in her chamber." When he heard that, he suspected the real reason, and being always fond of daring adventures, he desired immediately to go to the apartment of the princess. Thereupon the Bráhmans of the monastery said to him, "Bráhman, do not be guilty of rashness. The apartment of the princess is not rightly so called, rather is it the open mouth of death,†[2] for whoever enters it at night does not escape alive, and many daring men have thus met their death there." In spite of what these Bráhmans told him, Vidúshaka would not take their advice,‡[3] but went to the palace of the king with his servants. There the king Áryavurman, when he saw him,
