ENTERING ANOTHER'S BODY. 25 



of him in order to acquire the Science, but the very devotion he 

 showed became a plague because of his constant importunity. As 

 seed sown in a clear field comes up quite by itself, thus°^ also other 

 good deeds prosper ; covetousness alone results in misery. The 

 Master was delighted with the king's pleasing and disinterested^'* 

 services, such as preparing his couch, or washing his feet. Even 

 stone idols, to whom devotion is paid with intent mind, straightway 

 show delight.^^ How much more so do sentient beings ! So the 

 Master said : " Noble Sir ! From your tactful conduct I know you 

 to be some ornament of men. interested in foreign lands. I am 

 delighted with your good breeding, so accept from me the 'Art of 

 entering another's body,' in order that I may feel that I have dis- 

 charged my debt for your devotion." 



Vikrama Induces the Master Against the Latter's IncUnation to 

 Bestow the Art upon the Brahman, after That Receives 

 it Himself (1^4-144). 

 Upon hearing this Vikrama, indifferent to his own interests, per- 

 ceiving the disappointment of the Brahman who had come long 

 before him, reflected with rising compassion : " How can I go away, 

 carrying with me the Art, as long as this Brahman Guru who has 

 been here a long time is, poor man, without hope? Hence I will 

 make the teacher bestow the Art on him." xA-nd he said : " Reverend 

 Sir, show me thy favor by bestowing the Art upon him who has 

 long served thee zealously." Sadly the Guru replied : " Do not give 

 a serpent milk to drink. He is unworthy, and with an unworthy 

 person the art works great mischief. Think how, once upon a 

 time, a Master of magic, seeing the bones of a lion, made the body 

 of the lion whole and undertook to give him life; how, warned by 

 his people, he nevertheless in his madness gave him life ; then the lion 

 slew him."^'^ In spite of this reminder the king, intent upon an- 

 other's interest, fervently embraced the Master's feet, and prevailed 

 upon him to bestow the art upon that Brahman. Out of respect for 



''^ Read tatha for yatha. 



'* Yailcarahitaih, literally " free from importunities." 

 ^' Thus in 7. 642, a stone idol of a Yaksa, when implored, gives sweet- 

 meats to a hungry boy. 



56 This refers to a familiar fable: see Benfey, Pahcatantra, I. 489; II. 332. 



