188 Analytical Account of the Pancha Tantra. 



is weak against it. The objects of man may be apparently attained by 

 mortal efficacy : but that is fate ; for when you speak of human quahties, 

 you give that name to destiny ; at the same time, ease is not here the source 

 of ease, nor can it be enjoyed without exertion. The destroyer of Madhu 

 (Vishnu) seized LakshmI forcibly, and held her clasped in a firm embrace. 

 Tell us, therefore, they continued, if you are acquainted with any drug 

 of virtue, to carry us into secret cliasms, and tame the imps of evil ; or 

 efficacious in the rites of charnel grounds. You, they said, are an adept ; 

 we are but novices, but we are resolute. None but the illustrious can 

 satisfy the wishes of the worthy. The ocean alone supports the subterrestrial 

 flame.' 



The Yogi, finding them apt scholars, admitted tlieir request, and gave 

 them four magical bails, one a-piece, directing them to go to tlic nortliern 

 side of the Himdcliala mountains, wliere each, on the spot where the balls 

 should spontaneously fall, would find a treasure. They accordingly went 

 thither ; and one of the balls soon fell on the ground. The Brahman, to 

 whom it belonged, with the assistance of the rest, dug up the soil, and 

 there discovered a copper mine. He desired the rest to take as much as 

 they liked, but they refused, determining to seek their fortunes farther. 

 He replied. Go on, then, I shall return ; taking therefore as much of 

 the metal as he could, he went back, and the rest proceeded. 



The ball, belonging to another, soon fell, and he dug up the spot, which 

 proved to contain a silver mine. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, " Let us go no 

 iarther, but take as much as we can, and then return." The other two, 

 however, ridiculed his folly, and resolved to advance, hoping as they had 

 at first met with copper, then silver, tiiey should successively meet with 

 metal still more valuable. So it proved, for the next ball that fell, indicated 

 a vein of gold, with which the man to whom the ball belonged, entreated 

 his companion to rest satisfied. The argument previously used, however, 

 being justified by the discovery of gold, determined him to persevere, in 

 the full confidence, that he should next come to a bed of diamonds. The 

 discoverer of the gold mine declined accompanying him, and he went on 

 alone ; the other promising to await his return. 



The last Brahman proceeded through solitary paths, scorched by the rays 

 of the sun, and faint with thirst, till at last he came to a place which was 

 whirling round, and on it stood a man, whose body was covered with blood, 

 and on whose head a wheel revolved. He approached, and asked him who 



