196 Analytical Account of the Pancha Tantra. 



The attendant, however, recommended that, as the birth of such an infant 

 was a very extraordinary event, it would be better to consult the Brdkmans 

 what was to be done, so that the consequence might not be tlie loss of both 

 worlds ; as it is said, a wise man should always inquire the meaning of 

 what he observes, like the Brahman, who thus escaped the grasp of the 

 goblin. The king asked how that was, to which the attendant replied : 



" Chandavarma, a Rdkshasa, haunted a certain wood, and one day laid 

 hold of a Brdh7nan, who 2)assed, leaping upon his shoulders, and ordering him, 

 at the same time, to proceed. The Brahman, overcome with terror, obeyed ; 

 but as he went along, he observed that the goblin's feet were particularly 

 soft and tender, and inquired of him how this happened. The Rdkshasa 

 replied, I am under a vow never to walk, or touch the ground with my 

 feet. After this, they came to a pool, where the Rdkshasa said, Let me 

 down, whilst I bathe, and perform my devotions ; but beware how you 

 leave the place till I come out of the water. The Brahman obeyed ; but 

 when he had got rid of his load, he reflected, that now was his time to 

 escape ; for as the Rdkshasa was incapacitated for walking, he would not 

 be able to overtake the fugitive ; accordingly, he took to iiis heels, and 

 effected his retreat in safety : therefore I said, Sec." 



The advice thus given by the attendant was followed by the Rdjd ,- and 

 having summoned the Brdhmans, lie consulted tliem how he should act, to 

 which they replied, " It is said. Sire, that a daughter whose limbs are de- 

 fective or excessive, will be the cause of death to her husband, and destruc- 

 tion of her own character : and a damsel with tlnee breasts will inevitably 

 be the source of evil to the parent, whose sight she may attract. Your 

 Majesty should therefore take care to avoid seeing your daughter. Let any 

 one, that will, marry her, stipulating that he leaves the country. In this 

 way no offence will be offered to this world, or the next." The Rdjd ap- 

 proved of this plan, and ordered the drum to be beat, and proclamation to 

 be made, that whoever would marry the princess, and remove with her to a 

 distant country, should receive a hundred tliousand rupees. Notwithstanding 

 this offer, no person came forward ; and the princess arrived at adolescence, 

 without any one proposing to espouse her. At last, she found a husband. 



In the city resided two paupers, who were friends ; the one was blind, and 

 the other hunch-backed ; the latter, who was named Manthara, persuaded 

 the former to marry the princess, with whom, and the money, they should 

 remove to a distant place, and lead a life of ease : or if, by the evil nature 



