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threatened to pick up the ship in the pinch of his two fingers and toss it in the sky to the height of seven or eight storeys and dump it into water along with all its rich merchandise and this misery and shock would afflict them all throughout their lives. Arahannaka continued to pray to the god in his mind and he could not be disturbed by any of the wild things the goblin indulged in. The monster repeated his threats twice or thrice but the merchant was completely absorbed in his meditation. Out of its fury, the goblin really lifted the ship in his two fingers to the height of seven or eight storeys and once again pronounced all the threats but the chief would not be disturbed in the least and the goblin realised that he did not have the strength to toss the ship up in the air. It felt exhausted and quietly brought the ship down to the surface of the water. Miraculously enough, the goblin transformed itself into a god and addressed Arahannaka, "You are blessed. You have made your life fruitful. You have acquired so much faith in the teaching of the nirgranthas, that nothing can really shake it. Actually Sakra the lord and king of gods once said in the midst of gods in the Sudharma hall that your faith was indeed unshakable and nothing in the world can turn you from the teachings of nirgranthas, not even a god. 1 could not easily accept the tall claim that Indra was making for you and threfore I came here in this horrible shape and form merely to put you to test. I am now convinced that Indra's claim was quite justified. I am happy to see the splendour and strength of your faith. I would beg your pardon for the harassment I caused. I shall never repeat it again with you." Saying this, he folded his hands, bowed down to him and begged to be forgiven. Before he disappeared, he presented to Arahannaka two pairs of ear-rings.
In the course of their voyage back home, they anchored the ship in the port called Gambhiraka which is quite close to the city of Mithilā. They transferred much of their merchandise to the carts and came to Mithilä where Arahannaka as their leader decided to meet king Kumbhaka and seek his permission to enter his country and do business there. When he called on him at his palace, he presented him one of the two pairs of ear-rings that he had received from the divine power. King Kumbhaka was quite pleased with the
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