ON MOUNT CAUCASUS. 52l 



" There is another image-like resemblance of 

 Shama-Sharma in his disciple : he is constantly 

 performing Tapasya : he studies dai/a (mercy), 

 and observes most rigidly the dictates of justice. 

 He waited with most scrupulous obedience on 

 Shama, his spiritual guide. Lust had no power 

 on him : in him were united human and divine 

 knowledge : he became Paranishta (he dwelled 

 in god) and great were the powers of his under- 

 standing. For ten years he made Tapasya, during 

 which he left off eating and drinking : he felt no 

 uneasiness on that account : he lived upon the 

 winds : thus he kept up the efficacy of his religi- 

 ous austerities. He is a great penitent ; con- 

 stantly thinking on the deity. He did not make 

 Damhha, that is to say, he did not perform religi- 

 ous acts for the sake of worldly praise. Thus he 

 made a most rigorous Tapasya. Then Jina-wa- 

 ra (or the lord of the forms oi Jina) was pleased : 

 Jina-deVa said ; why are you making Tapasya? 

 What is your veish } Yoiihave made a most rigo- 

 rous Tapasya, even to the peril of your life : get 

 up, get up : it shall be well with you : ask your 

 boon } Rasa LA, such was his name, said, to 

 day have I obtained the fruit of my labours : I 

 have seen you : I have seen you ! This is all I 

 wanted : what is the rest to me ! This was my 

 only object and desire. I was like a poor mkn, 

 who is oppressed ; but on my complaining to you 

 I have obtained redress : be merciful. Jina said 

 your heart is like a beetle,* who constantly sticks 

 to me; your name before was Rasala (he who 

 delights in the honied juice {Rasa of flowers : 

 now it shall be Sa-Rasala (who delights much 

 in it). All the world shall call you Sa-Rasala : 



* In Sajiscrit Bhranga ; in Greek Biuchos and Bnicos ; hence Sa- 

 mW« is called ^/;/«ff^« ; and J5^«^«^by Nonnus. 



2 L 4 " ask 



