1845.] the River Soane and Site of Palibothra. 143 



to your girdle, take the staff in your hand, and depart for Singhal-deep, 

 (Ceylon).' Pootur acted accordingly, and was out of sight before the 

 Rachases returned from their race. 



" On arriving at Singhal-deep, Pootur alighted on the edge of a tank 

 where some women were washing clothes. On seeing so handsome a 

 youth, they declared he must be Kamdeo (the God of Love) himself. 

 On his informing them that his name was Pootur, they declared that 

 August Mooni had prophesied, that Patlee the daughter of the king of 

 Singhal-deep, would marry a person of the name of Pootur, and that 

 he must be destined to fulfil the prophecy. In the meantime Patlee 

 had been prepared for his arrival by Narud, a Mooni, then residing 

 at the palace, who told her that the person destined for her husband 

 would come from Casi. 



u At night while Patlee was sleeping among her hand-maidens, Poo- 

 tur, having put on the magic shoes, appeared at her bed-side, and 

 awakening told her that he was Pootur, who had come from Casi to 

 claim his destined bride. She said, she was willing to attend him ; 

 but must first get her jewels. He replied, that it was unnecessary, as 

 he had only to put his hand in his purse, and he could bring out what 

 jewels he pleased ; in proof of which, he suited the action to the word, 

 and continued drawing forth jewels without end, set in the most beau- 

 tiful forms. Upon this the lady said she was quite at his disposal ; 

 so he took her by the hand, and thus addressed the Spirit of the Shoe: 

 ' Go to a spot which is north of Gya, east of the Sonebhudur (Soane 

 river), west of the river Poonpoon, and which has the Ganges on the 

 north.' The Spirit of the Shoe accordingly ascended with them into 

 the air, and transported them in the course of one hour to the present 

 site of Patna, where Pootur planted his staff, and a beautiful city 

 arose from the ground ; which, in honor of his wife, he called Patlee- 

 poora, or Pataleepooturpoora. 



"On the morning after the flight of Patlee, Narud informed the king 

 of the event, and consoled him with the reflection that, as it had been 

 predestined, there was no help for it. Narud subsequently paid the 

 happy pair a visit at Patlee- pootra, and informed Pootur that as the two 

 Rachases were dead, he need be under no apprehension as to their 

 enquiry after the three Tulismans which he had walked off with. He 

 ordered him to keep them for 100 years, and then to go to Kylas (the 



