________________
136
demons To him Sumitra related his exploit. He said : “Do not be afraid, Sumitra." And so that man skilled in magic science cheered up Sumitra. And at that moment the wicked Rákshasa arrived, having assumed a terrible form, uttering a loud laugh, scaring all animals. Immediately the man skilled in magic fixed the Rákshaga motionless. Then the Rakshasa, pleased with the wonderful might of his spells, said to the conjurer: “Mighty magician, people have a saying that there are remedies even against Rákshasas. You have proved the truth of this; so let me go; I will do whatever you command." The magician said: “If this is so, then abandon your feelings of hostility against this hero Sumitra." The Rákshasa answered : “If this is to be so, then make him give up my two darlings.” The man skilled in magic said : “By associating with the wives of another man you will certainly incur a painful and terrible death; and after you have died you will go to hell. Moreover, you are of divine nature, and these are human females; so, as you are of divine nature, how can you entertain deluding passion for human females? By all means let these women go. Your present conduct is suited only to the lowest beings." When the Rákshasa heard this speech of the man skilled in magic, he was pleased, and gave the two women to Sumitra; then he went to his own place. Then Sumitra was delighted, and said to the man skilled in magic: “O man of noble nature, of great courage and great compassion, there is no other benefactor of his neighbour in the world like you, since by force of spells you have conquered such a wicked Rákshasa." The man skilled in magic answered : “ Sumitra, how am I courageous? You are really courageous, since you have carried off the two wives of a Rákshasa without the force of spells.” When they had thus exchanged friendly speeches, they both set out for their own destinations. The magician went to his own home, and Sumitra, with his two wives, went to the city of Mahácála ; there he had a delightful palace built for himself, and lived happily, sporting with his wives. In the meanwhile Ratisená became depressed
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
