198 Analytical Account of the Pancha Tanlra. 



what more it was necessary for him to say? The princes replied, most 

 worthy preceptor, we have learnt from you all that is essential to the duties 

 of a king. Then we have only to wish, answered Vishnu Sarma, that this 

 Sdstra may be considered as a mirror, reflecting light friendly to other 

 sciences, and facilitating to those, who are acquainted with its contents, 

 the acquirement of worldly wisdom. 



When the king found his sons were instructed in this manner, in the 

 course of six months, in the substance of all the Sdstras, he was highly de- 

 lighted with their improvement, and acknowledging that the sage had 

 fulfilled his promise, loaded him with unprecedented wealth and favours. 



The course of the narrative has interrupted our comments : it is there- 

 fore necessary to revert to them, to indicate a very few analogies, which 

 this section offers j and to notice one or two circumstances, which are 

 interesting, as throwing light on a state of manners no longer known to 

 the Hindus. 



The first story, of the beggar turned to a lump of gold by a blow, occurs, 

 with some variation, in the third section of the Hil6padesa, It may be 

 also considered as connected with the tale of the dervise Abounader, in 

 the Oriental Tales. The chief peculiarity, however, of this story is its 

 correct delineation of Jain customs ; a thing very unusual in Brdlimanical 

 books. The addiess of the barber, and the benediction of the Superior 

 of the Vitidr, are conformable to Jain usages. The whole is indeed a faith- 

 ful picture : it is also unaccompanied by any sneer, or abuse ; and the 

 satire is rather levelled at the Brdhmans. The accuracy of the description 

 is an argument for some antiquity ; as the more modern any work is, the 

 more inconect the description of the Jainas and Baudd'ha^, and the con- 

 founding of one with the other. 



The second story is in both the Hitupadesa, and Kalila Damana. It 

 was an early favourite in Europe ; and is found as a Fabliau ; the dog being 

 substituted for the weasel or ichneumon ; an exciiange in very good taste, 

 when the scene is laid in Europe, but wholly foreign to the notions of the 

 Hindus, amongst whom the dog has never been a domestic animal : whilst 

 the niiol or nalcula, the viverra mungo, on the contrary, has always been a 

 pet. The most pleasing form of this celebrated tale is the ballad of Bath 

 Gelkrt. 



