166 Analytical Account of the Pancha Tantra. 



ing things covertly concealed, and his proficiency in all similar branches of 

 knowledge, acquired such fame and influence, that it might be said he had 

 purchased the country, and it was his own. The report of his reputation at 

 last reached the king, who sent for him, am! treating him with great 

 civility, asked him whether it was true, that sages could tell the destinies ot 

 others. The mendicant replied, Your Majesty will know by the result. 

 They then entered into conversation, in which he so entertained the king- 

 that his daily society became indispensible. 



" One day he absented himself from court ; and on the next, when he made 

 his appearance, he accounted for his absence, by stating that he had been 

 upon a visit to Paradise ; and that the deities had sent by him their compli- 

 ments to the king. The king was simple enough to believe him, and was 

 tilled with astonishment and delight. His admiration of this marvellous 

 faculty so engrossed his thoughts, that the duties of his state, and the 

 ])leasures of his palace, were equally neglected. 



"Things were in this condition, when the valiant Balabhadra, having re- 

 duced the forest chieftains to obedience, retiu-ned. To his surprise, he 

 found the king in a close conference with a naked mendicant, instead of 

 being, as usual, surrounded by his ministers. Having ascertained from the 

 latter, the pretensions of the ascetic, he approached the monarch, and in- 

 quired, if what he had heard of the mendicant's celestial visit, was truth. 

 The king assured him that it was, and the ascetic ofiered to satisfy the 

 general's appaj-ent scepticism, by departing for Swarga in his presence. 

 With this intent, the king and his courtiers accompanied the Srainanaka to 

 his cell, which he entered, and closed the door. After some delay, Bai.a- 

 I3HADRA inquired of the king when they were to see the mendicant again. 

 He answered, ' have patience ; tlie sage upon these occasions quits h is 

 earthly body, and assumes an ethereal person, with w-hich alone he can 

 approach Indra's heaven.' ' If this is the case,' replied Baladhadra, 'bring 

 wood and fire, and let us burn his cell.' ' Why so,' asked tlie king. ' So 

 please your Majesty,' answered the general, ' by consuming the earthly body 

 of the ascetic, we shall prevent his re-assuming it, and then your Majesty will 

 always have an angelical personage in your companj. A case of this kind is 

 well known. 



" ' In Rdjagriha dwelt a Brahman named Deva Sarmd. He had no children, 

 a subject of bitter aifliction to his wife, who could not look upon a 

 neighbour's infant without tears. At last her husband desired her to desist 



