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along with me and I will show you a lake." Sūrasena Kumara accompanied by the mountaineer with an arrow fixed to his bow, went to the lake by the path shown by him. Having taken a bath in the lake and having satisfied his thirst, Sūrasena Kumāra thought-"O! This man is a disinterested benefactor." So saying the Kumāra gave him a jeweiled ring bearing his own name which the mountaineer at once wore ou his finger. The moun. taineer then took Sūrasena Kumāra into his dwelling-place in the cave and entertained .bin with a neal of plantains and other fruite. At Sun-set Sūrasena Kumăra told the mountaineer "Of this great forest is a locality of many wonderful events. I am extremely curious to see them. If there any place of wonderful events here, please show it to me" The mountaineer said, "If it be so, come along with me and I will show it. Both of them went to an impenetrable place in which there were circles painted with red sandai on one side and garlands of red Kaņér flowers on the other One part of the place loord charming with the smell coming out from cones of fragrant gum thrown into fire by enchanters, and in the other several metal assayers were roasting mineral ores. In one part, various mineral medicinal powders were being prepared with the aid of medicinal herbs, and in the other, sorceresses assuming padma ana (lotuslike poliures) were accomplishing mental concentration. F coming greatly astonished on seeing such a forest, the Kumāra inquired "O good man! what is the name of this country?" He replied"Siddhakşetra." The Kumāra thought :- Oh! the greatess of this place can be judged from its name. There is certainly no miracle which cannot be witnessed here, let me, therefore, send this man to his den and let me keep a secret watch without making any haste.” With this idea in his mind, Sūrase aa Kumāra informed the niountaineer 'O good man ! you can now gladly go to your cave. I will wauder here for some time, and return soon after witnessing some miracle. The mountaineer replied:- "O respected ran! It is not in the least, desirable to stay here even for a moment at night. Because, at this place, demons make their appearance, vetälas ( a king of evil spirits
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