ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 95 



Come, son Rattapala, let us go the house. It is unneces- 

 sary, householder, I have finished my meal for this day. Then 

 Rattapala, vouchsafe to take your to-morrow's meal there. 

 Rattapala accepted the invitation in silence, and his father 

 understanding his acceptance by his silence, returned home, 

 where he caused to be piled up a great heap of coined and 

 uncoined gold, and covered it with a mat, and calling Ratta- 

 pala's former wives, said, Come here, women, and adorn your- 

 selves with those ornaments which gave the most pleasure to 

 Rattapala formerly. In the morning he had the most exquisite 

 cates and viands prepared in his house, and informing Ratta- 

 pala of the time, said, It is time, son Rattapala, the food is 

 finished. Upon which Rattapala took his bowl, and being 

 clothed with his robes, went to his father's house, and sat on 

 the seat prepared 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 meritorious 

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

 and return to family life ; enjoy your wealth and perform 

 meritorious actions. If, householder, you will take my advfce, 

 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 sorrow, cry- 

 ing, 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 ex- 

 claimed, He addresses us by the name of sisters ! and fainting, 

 fell down, Then Rattapala said to his father, If, householder 



