Analytical Account of the Pancha Tantra. 193 



music is particularly grateful in the autumnal season. There is no gift of 

 the gods more precious than music. Ravana received the boon from the 

 three eyed god (Siva), delighted with the rattling of dry tendons. How 

 then do you presume to question my powers, or to oppose their exercise ?' 

 ' Very well,' replied the Jackall, ' let me get to the door of the garden, 

 where I may see the gardener as he approaches, and then sing away as long 

 as you please.' So it was settled ; and the Jackall having provided for his 

 own safety, the Ass opened his chaunt. The gardener was awakened by 

 the noise, and rising immediately, repaired to the spot, armed with a stout 

 stick, with which he fell upon the ass, knocked him down, and belaboured 

 him till he was tired. He then brought a large clog, with a hole in it, 

 which he fastened to his \Qg, and tied him to a post, after which he returned 

 home, and went to sleep. The Ass came to himself, and forgot his tortures 

 in the recollection of his home and companions. As it is said, ' On a dog, 

 a mule, and an ass, a good beating leaves but a momentary impression.' 

 Accordingly, springing up, he forced his way out of the inclosure, carry- 

 ing the clog along with him. As he ran offj the Jackall met him, and said, 

 ' Bravo, uncle,' &c." 



The Chiikradhara having heard this story, answered. What you observe 

 is very just ; but you should recollect, that a man who neither exercises 

 his own judgment, nor follows a friend's advice, brings on his own ruin, 

 as was the case with Mant'hara, the weaver. 



" There was a weaver named, Mant'hara, all the wood work of whose 

 loom was, on one occasion, broken. Taking his axe, he set off to cut fresh 

 timber, and finding a large Sisu-tree, by the sea side, began to fell it. In 

 the tree resided a spirit, who exclaimed on the first stroke of the axe, 

 ' Hola, this tree is my dwelling, and I cannot quit it, as here I inhale the 

 fresh breeze that is cooled by the ocean's spray.' The weaver replied, ' What 

 am I to do ? unless I get wood, my family must starve. Do you, therefore, 

 look out for another house ; quick, this I must have.' The spirit replied, 

 ' You shall have any thing else you ask for ; but not this tree.' The weaver 

 then agreed to go home, and consult a friend and his wife, and return with 

 his final determination. 



" When the weaver returned home, he found there a very particular friend 

 of his, the barber of the village, to whom he told what had occurred, and 

 whom he consulted what he should request. The barber said : ' Ask to be 

 made a king; then I will be your prime minister, and we shall enjoy our- 



