1893.] G. A. Grierson — Analysis of the PadumcLwati. 165 
bring back a lovely treasure (72). Somo mercliants of Citaur start for 
Simhala-dvlpa to purchase goods. One of them is a poor Brahman, who 
starts with borrowed capital. Prices of things in Simhala-dvlpa are so 
high, that he cannot afford to buy anything (73). The others return 
home with their purchase, and he is left lamenting (74). The hunter 
brings the parrot for sale in the market. The Brahman sees it, and asks 
it if it is learned (75). The parrot replies that when he was free he was 
learned, but he lias lost his knowledge, otherwise how could lie be in a 
cage and hawked in a bazar (76). The hunter and the Brahman con- 
verse. The latter purchases the pairot, and overtakes his companions on 
the way to Citaur (77). In the meantime Ratna Sena has succeeded his 
father Citra Sena on the throne, news is brought to him of the arrival 
of merchants from Simhala-dvlpa, and amongst them a Brahman with a 
wonderful parrot (78). The Brahman is sent for, brings the parrot, 
saying he had not intended to sell it, but his belly must be filled and he 
is poor (79). The parrot introduces himself to the king and praises his 
own qualifications. Says his mame is Hlramani, and that he lived 
formerly with Padmiivatl (80). The king purchases the parrot for a 
lakh of rupees, and is pleased with its wisdom. He becomes fond of it, 
and learns much from it (81). 
CANTO YI. 
The Parrot and the King. 
One day the King goes out hunting, and his chief-queen, Nagamati, 
adorns herself, and, being filled with vanity at her reflection in a 
mirror, asks the parrot if any one in the world is so beautiful as 
she (82). The parrot remembering the beauty of Padmavatl, looks in 
the Queen’s face and laughs. He says all the women of Simhala 
are more beautiful. She becomes angry (83), and considers that if the 
parrot is allowed to remain in the palace, the king will hear of their 
beauty, and will fall in love with them and turn a Yogi. She calls a 
maidservant, says parrots are treacherous things, and orders it to be 
killed (84) . The maidservant goes to do so, but pauses to consider that 
the king is fond of the learned bird, and will be sure to ask for it (85), so 
she only hides it. When the king returns from his hunt he does ask for 
it. The Queen says a cat has carried it away. ‘ It was an impudent bird. 
I asked about the women of Simhala, and it called me a Naginl (snake), 
and said I was not as beautiful as they. The parrot was pretty but un- 
bearable like a too heavy golden ear-ring ’ (86). The king is angry, and 
maintains that the parrot was learned and wise (87). The Queen is 
afflicted at the king’s anger. She goes to the maidservant and laments 
