1892 ] S. 0. Das— The Origin of the Tibetans. 87 



cavern, of a dark brown rocky cliff. There he meditated in peace on 

 the moral perfections of the saints. Once, while he was engaged, in 

 meditation, an Amazonian woman, Rakshasi, in the garb of a beautiful 

 maiden, came to sec him. The saintly appearance and character of the 

 monkey ravished her mind, in consequence of which she paid him fre- 

 quent visits. At last she opened her mind to him and entreated him to 

 accept her as his companion. At this, the monkey who being tired of 

 the world had besought himself to the solitudes of the Himavata, 

 become very much embarrassed. When the woman again approached 

 him with the same prayer, he replied ; " I am a devotee of Arya Lokes- 

 vara and have taken the vows of purity. How is it possible for me to 

 enjoy your company ?" If you permit me to serve you, said the woman 

 your purity will increase, but if you do not allow me to be your wife I shall 

 put an end to my life and thereby make you the cause of my death. 

 So saying she made him a profound salutation. Seeing his monkey holi- 

 ness unmoved she fell prostrate on the ground and with tears flowino- from 

 her eyes thus implored : — " Oh prince of the monkeys, do vouchsafe unto 

 this suppliant woman your mercy and love. At length the kind-hearted 

 monkey moved by compassion, proceeded to the sacred hill of Po- 

 tala on the top of which stood the mansion of the divine saint Lokes- 

 vara. Arrived at the gate he thus invoked him : — Oh thou, merciful 

 Lord, Protector of the world, accept my prayers. Since becoming a 

 devotee of thee this humble monkey has been keeping his vows just as 

 one preserves his life. While I was engaged with my sacred duties in 

 a solitary cavern, a maiden of unsurpassed beauty came to see me. 

 She does not leave me alone. By her constant attendance upon me 

 my vows are about to be broken. At this critical time, command me 

 Oh saint of saints, how to behave." To this a voice from heaven repli- 

 ed : — Take her for your wife. A second voice from the saintly goddesses 

 Tara and Bhrukuti said : That is excellent, that is excellent. Then 

 the patriach monkey and the woman lived as husband and wife and in 

 course of time they got six children. These being of mixed origin 

 partly resembled their father and partly their mother in the inward and 

 outward features. In their traits of character they differed much from 

 one another. The patriarch kept them for a period of three years in the 

 forest called the grove of peacock's assembly. Then more children 

 were born. They lived upon wild fruits during a part of the year and 

 when their supply diminished or became exhausted the monkey children 

 lifting their arms cined ; — Father, what to eat ? mother, what to eat ? 

 The patriarch now reflected within himself : — What have I done ? Whv 

 have I given existence to so many that are starving for want of provi- 

 sions ? Oh merciful Lord, it was at thy command that I gave birth to 



