________________ 72 Siri Sirivalakaha Siripala, sprinkled with that neotar of the words of Mayana, bowed down to the feet of his mother, bade farewell to his wife and with & sword in his hand, started from his house, having first raised up his left leg, at the time which was characterized by the entrance (i.e. presence) of the breath in the left nostril (lit moon's nostril) which was adorned by clear drops of water. (360, 361.) ( And ) observing ( different) objects of curiosity in ( various ) village, mines, cities and large towns (either on land or on sea) etc., he, like a lion, with his mind (quite) free from fear, arrived in the vicinity of a mountain. (362) There in a certain forest, which was full of blooming flowers and fruits like those in the garden of Indra, while he was looking at a line of trees which was pleasant on account of the (sweet) sound of the cooing of cuckoos, be saw, seated underneath a beautiful Champaka tree, a handsome man who was possessed of excellent beauty and dress, and who was reciting a 'mantra' (or incantation). (363, 364 ) He, when he finished his recitation, was asked by the prince with modesty ( thus ); " Who are you, and what are you reciting, and why are you (moving) alone in the forest ? (365).
