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EMANCIPATION OF AJITA SVĀMIN AND SAGARA 199 are those councilors of yours, O king, who laughed at me before ?'
Then the king, because of fear of universal destruction, rose quickly and girded himself firmly with the intention of jumping. The king jumped, leaping up like a monkey, and saw himself seated on the lion-throne and him (the Brāhman) standing as before. The ocean-water instantly disappeared somewhere, and the king stood wide-eyed from astonishment. The king saw everything, trees, mountains, walls, houses, etc., unbroken and unbent, in the same condition as before. The fictitious astrologer beat with his own hands the drum fastened to his waist 347 and recited joyfully: 'In the practice of sorcery, etc., I bow to the lotus-feet of Vajrin, creator of the art of sorcery, and of Samvara.' 848
Then the king, seated on his lion-throne, said to the Brāhman with amazement, 'What is this?' The Brāhman said: 'Formerly I came to you, saying, "O king, I am distinguished by the qualities of all who are conversant with the arts." Humiliated by you saying, “Sorcery destroys the mind," I went away without taking the money offered. The fatigue arising from the acquisition of merit does not pass away at the gaining of money, even much of it, but it goes at the recognition of merit on the part of persons endowed with merit. I became an astrologer and today by that trick forced you to know the practice of the art of sorcery. Favor me. That your councilors have been humiliated and that you have been confused, O king, pardon all that. There has been no real offence.'
After saying this he paused, and the king, knowing the highest truth, said in a voice resembling a trickle of nectar :
847 366. Muni Jayantavijayaji tells me that a juggler wears a small drum at his waist, which he beats with his hands or a small stick.
348 367. Samvara must have been some pre-eminent sorcerer, but I have not been able to locate him. There is a sorcerer named Sambara in the Ratnāvali, but this can hardly refer to him.
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