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man about his former life, and the holy man told him that he had obtained such a kingdom owing to the power of the formula of adoration. When he had heard this about his former birth, and the wonderful power of the formula of adoration, King Ratnaçikha became more devout than ever ; and after a short time had elapsed he became inclined to renunciation, and made over the kingdom to his son, and, having observed a blameless walk and conversation, he attained absolute knowledge, and reached final emancipation. Here ends the story of Ratnaçikha, having reference to the formula of adoration.
Now begins the story of Amaradatta and Mitránanda, having reference to sin.
In this land of Bharata there is a city called Suratilaka ; STORY OF AMARADATTA AND MITRÁNANDA, in it there was a king
man named Makaradhvaja, and he had a queen named Madanasená. One day the queen saw in a dream a lake adorned with a multitude of lotuses. When the time was fully come, a son was born. Then they gave that prince the name of Padmakeçara, and in course of time he was appointed crown-prince. One day, as Madanasená was combing out the hair on the head of Makaradhvaja, she saw a gray hair. She said by way of joke, 'My lord, here is a messenger of religion come to you,' and placed the white hair in the king's hand.* When he saw it his face became black. Then he placed Prince Padmakecara on the throne, and going to the forest with the queen, became an ascetic. When he had gone there and was practising asceticism, a child that had been previously conceived by the queen began to grow. Then the king asked the queen: 'Queen, what is this?' The queen said : 'King, the fact that I had previously conceived this child was not revealed by me, as I feared that it would be an impediment to my vow.' Then the king told that
* See Katha Sarit Ságara' (my translation), i. 67; ii. 628. Compare also the note in Jacobi's Introduction to his edition of the Pariçishta Parvan,' p. 14.
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