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258
• THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(SEPTEMBER, 1884.
releasing the goldsmith, “What wrong himself like a pet cat to the strokes of his would there be in my assisting him. Why protector, and began in the following words :should I not release him also." So thinking "My life-giver! How is it that you forgot with himself Gangadhara let down the vessel me, your poor servant, for so long a time. I am again. The goldsmith caught hold of it, and glad to find that I still occupy a corner in demanded help. The Soothsayer's son had no your mind. I can never forget the day when I time to lose; he was himself dying of thirst. owed my life to your lotas hands. I have Therefore he lifted the goldsmith up, who now several jewels with me of little value. This began his story :-"Stop for a while," said crown, being the best of all, I have brought Gangadhara, and after quenching his thirst by here as a single ornament of great value, letting down his vessel for the fifth time, still and hence easily portable and useful to you fearing that some one might remain in the well in your own country." Gangadhara looked at and demand his assistance, he listened to the the crown, examined it over and over, counted goldsmith, who began as follows:-"My dear and recounted the gems, and thought within friend, my protector, what a deal of nonsense himself that he would become the richest of these brates were talking to you about me; I ammen by separating the diamonds and gold, and glad you have not followed their advice. I am selling them in his own country. He took just now dying of hunger. Permit me to go leave of the tiger-king,and after his disappearaway. My name is Måņikkåsari. I live in the ance thought of the kings of serpents and rats, East main street of Ujjaini, which is 20 kos who came in their turns with their presents, to the south of this place, and so lies on your and after the usual formalities and exchange of way wben you return from Banaras. Do not words took their leave. Gangadhara was exforget to come to me and receive my kind tremely delighted at the faithfulness with remembrances of your assistance, on your way which the brute beasts behaved themselves, and back to your country." So saying the gold- went on his way to the south. While going smith took his leave, and Gangadhara also along he spoke to himself thus "These pursued his way north after the above adven- beasts 'have been so very faithful in their tures.
assistance. Much more, therefore, must ManikHe reached Bapáras, and lived there for kasari be faithful. I do not want anything more than ten years, spending his time in from 'him now. If I take this crown with me bathing, prayers, and other religious ceremonies. as it is, it occupies much space in my bundle. He quite forgot the tiger, serpent, rat, and gold. It may also excite the curiosity of some robsmith. After ten years of religious life, bers on the way. I will go now to Ujjaini on thoughts of home and of his brother rushed my way. Mâņikkåsari requested me to see into his mind. “Enough of the merit that I have him without failure on my return-journey. secured till now by my religious observances. I shall do so, and request him to have the Let me return home." Thus thought Gangâ- crown melted, the diamonds and gold sepadhara within himself, and immediately he was rated. He must do that kindness at least for on his way back to his country. Remembering me. I shall then roll up these diamonds and the prophecy of his father he returned by the gold ball in my rags, and bend my way home.” same way by which he went to Banaras ten years Thus thinking and thinking he reached Ujjaini. before. While thus retracing his steps he At once he enquired for the house of his goldreached that ruined well where he released the smith friend, and found him without difficulty. three brute kings, and the goldsmith. At once Måņikkasari was extremely delighted to find the old recollections rushed into his mind, and he on his threshold him who ten years before,' notthought of the tiger to test his fidelity. Only withstanding the advice repeatedly given him a moment passed, and the tiger-king came ron- by the sage-looking tiger, serpent, and rat, had ning before him carrying a large crown in his relieved him from the pit of death. Gangamouth, the glitter of the diamonds of whichdhara at once showed him the crown that he for a time outshone even the bright rays of received from the tiger-king, told him how the sun. He dropped the crown at his life-giver's he got it, and requested his kind assistance feet, and leaving off all his pride, humbled to separate the gold and diamonds. Måņikkasari
