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RATNASAR
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dare to come, this man sleeps carefree. He must be very much daring I must kill him. But what mode shall I adopt to kill him ? Shall I separate his neck, as a fruit is separated from a tree? Shall I peel his skin with a koife, as is done to a fruit? Shall I hurl him into a blazing fire ? Shall I throw him up in the sky like a ball ? Shall I drown tum into the sea ?
But the very next moment, he changed his mind :
'After all, he is my guest. He has come to take shelter in my abode. It will be ridiculous to kill him. Even an enemy should not be killed if he be a guest I should do him no barm till he wakes. Then I shall consider the right step.' He went out and assembled his attendants Then he returned inside the palace,
But he could not contain himself for long. As he saw Ratnasar still in deep slumber, his blood boiled again, and he thundered :
"You shameless wretch! Does it look nice to lie like tbis in another's couch? Get up and fly, or be ready for a fight."
"Why do you disturb me? You need be kept busy. I bid you to rub my feet with ghee mixed with water and put me to sleep again."
*These words surprised the yaksa. "Men are afraid of me,' thought he, 'but what sort of man this may be who bids me to rub his feet. He must be a very divine person. I must obey him
So he started rubbing his feet as ordered. He became a slave unto him. After the yaksa had done it for some time, Ratnasar sat up and said,
"I am sorry for putting you to this humiliating job, but I am pleased that you obeyed me Ask for a boon. I shall undertake any difficult job to help you"
This was a greater surprise for the yaksa. "A human being wliling to give a boon to one who is a
