________________ Siri Sirivalakaba gence The Circle of the Sacred Ones formed by those Nine Dignities, (a man) obtains real hap pinoss like King Shripala." (34) Then the lord of Magadha (i. e. king, Shrenika) asked, " Ob, you lord of the excellent sages! who was this king Shripala, and how did be obtain happiness having adored The Circle of the Sacred Ones ? " (35) Then said the sage, "Oh, you excellent among men! hear this beautiful story which is charming on account of the greatness of The Circle of the Sacred Ones, and which excites great wonder (in our hearts)". (36) It is as follows: Here in this Kharata continent, in the southern part of it, there was a very famous and excellent country named Malaya which was very prosperous (lit, in which all kinds of prosperity had implanted their feet). (37) Of what description ( was that Malava country?) There were (in it) at various places (many) villages, inhabited (lit. protected) by righteous persons, which resembled a cetics who are also protected by the three 'Guptis '; and there were, also, at various places lofty mountains
