24 BLOOMFIELD— ON THE ART OF 



The Visitor Points Out Vikrama's Single Shortcoming, Namely, 



Lack of the "Art of Entering Another's Body," and 



Vikrama Starts Out to Obtain It (iip-124). 



" You have here, my lord, that which exceeds magic,"*^ wonderful 

 in its mystery. Only one art, namely the ' Art of entering another's 

 body,' is not found here." The king eagerly said : " Where is this 

 found? tell me quickly!" And he replied: "On the mountain of 

 Cri, your Majesty, in the keep of a man, Siddhegvara. "•'''* The king- 

 dismissed the assembly, put his minister in charge of the affairs of 

 the kingdom, and, eager to obtain this science, went out from the 

 city by night. Putting aside such pleasures of royalty as were his ; 

 not recking the hardships of the road ; thirsting after new experi- 

 ence ; courage his sole companion, he went rejoicing. For low men 

 strive for gratification of the body ; average persons for increase of 

 wealth. Superior men, on the other hand, strive for some wonder- 

 ful end.^^ 



And as he thus steadily proceeded on his way, as if drawn by 

 the reins of his persevering spirit, the mountain of Cri soon hove in 

 sight.^- 



Vikrama Finds the Master of the Art, Obtains His Favor, and 

 Meets a Rival (i2j-i^^). 



There, in a certain place, the king perceived the Alaster of 

 magic, of tranquil countenance, Siddhegvara by name. Joyfully he 

 made obeisance, and then spake : " Through the mere sight of thy 

 person I have attained my purpose, O Lord of Sages ! The moon 

 unasked is sure without stint to delight the world. Therefore I 

 shall w^orship thy two lotus feet, union with which was difficult to 

 obtain. Permit it ! " And when he was not forbidden he did as 

 he had said. 



Now a certain Brahman had been on the spot a long time ahead 



<9 The rather despised indrajala. 



^0 Lord of Magic. 



'*i The same text, i. 421, with a different turn: tundasya bharane nicas 

 tustah svlyasya madhyamah, uttama bliuvanasA^api satiim svaparata na hi. 

 Similarly also 7. 121. 



'^^ In tlie third pada read perhaps tasya for yasya. 



