•6 CfiYtON BRANCH— tiOtlt, ASIATIC SOCIETY* 



prepared in his house, and informing Rattapala of the tinier 

 said, It is time, son Rattapala, the food is finished. Upon 

 which Rattapala took his bowl, and being clothed with his 

 r6bes went to his father's house, and sat on the seat pre- 

 pared for him. 



Then his father, uncovering the heap of gold said to him, 

 This son Rattapala is your maternal wealth ; that your pater- 

 nal, and the other the wealth of your paternal ancestors. You 

 are able, Rattapala to enjoy wealth and to perform merito- 

 rious acts : Come then, son Rattapala, forsake the priestly 

 precepts and return to family life; enjoy your wealth and per- 

 form meritorious actions. If, householder, you will take my ad- 

 vice, you will take this heap of gold and bullion, put it into 

 waggons, convey it to the Ganges, and sink it in the middle of 

 the stream, for from this cause, householder, you experience sor-^ 

 row, crying, grief, affection and distress. 



Those who had been the wives of Rattapala came to 

 him, and severally taking hold of his feet said, For the sake 

 of what goddesses, sir, do you now live a life of chastity? 

 Sisters, I live a life of chastity for the sake of no goddess. 

 They exclaimed, He addresses us by the name of sisters! 

 and fainting, fell down. Then Rattapala said to his father, 

 If, householder, it be proper to give food, give it; but do not 

 annoy me. Eat, son Rattapala, the food is ready. He then 

 served Rattapala with his own hands, helping him to the most 

 choice cates and viands, pressing him to take more. Then 

 Rattapala having eaten, and withdrawn his hand from the bowl, 

 as he stood spake the following stanzas: 



Behold a painted statue, a wounded body, propped up, dis- 

 eased, yet much thought of: Certainly to no one is there con- 

 tinuance of it. 



Behold a painted figure, with jewels and bracelets, surrounded 

 with bones and skin, and made beautiful with costly adornings. 



