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uttered a cry of triumph. The king gave him a golden chain; and Nala, having subdued the elephant, conducted it to the post to which it had to be tied. Then he got down from the elephant, and took a seat, without bowing to Dadhiparna. King Dadhiparṇa said: 'Hunchback, you that are so clever in managing elephants, do you know any other art?' Nala said: 'If you wish to see a delicious sun-cooked dish, I will make one.' Then the king gave delicious ingredients to the hunchback. He put the dish in the rays of the sun, and calling to mind the sun-charm, prepared a heavenly delicious dish. The king and his attendants ate that delicious dish, which was as exquisite as if given by the wishing-tree. Then King Dadhiparṇa said: 'Oh, the admirable cooking of this delicious dish! Oh, the sweetness of the flavour! Oh, the wonderful tenderness! Oh, how attractive it is to all the senses! Nala knows how to cook a delicious dish of this kind. was long accustomed to it while I was in the service of Nala. So can you, hunchback, be Nala? But such a deformed person cannot be supposed to be Nala. Moreover, how could one separated by two hundred yojanas come here? Moreover, how could that lord of half India travel alone?' Then the king, being pleased, gave the hunchback dresses and ornaments, a hundred thousand rupees, and five hundred villages. The hunchback took all the rest, but he would not take the villages. The king said to the hunchback: Let me give you something else.' The hunchback said: 'If this is your wish, then prohibit hunting and the use of intoxicating drinks in your dominions.' The king did so out of his great regard for' his advice. One day King Dadhiparna asked the hunchback: 'Who are you, and whence do you come?' The hunchback said: 'I am the cook of King Nala in the city of Koçalá, and my name is Hundika. I learned accomplishments from that Nala. Nala lost his kingdom at play to Kúvara. He reached a forest with Davadantí, and perished in that very forest. For this reason I have come to you; but I would not remain with that Kúvara, who does not
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