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TRANSLATION
207 890. They came to an understanding to that effect and when
the time was fulfilled a son was born to the meda woman and given by her to Suyaśas who gave her
own still-born daughter 891. to the meda. The latter told her husband that the child
was still-born and he conducted a funeral ceremony
whilst the merchant's wife held a festival of rejoicing. 892. Then Suyaśas fell at the feet of the meda woman saying:
This is your son, my sister, I will give him a name
belonging to you.' 893. When the birth ceremony had taken place and the time
of the name-giving arrived the parents gave him the
designation of Metārya. 894. In the course of time he grew up to adolescence and became
proficient in many arts; the god who had been his friend came and enlightened him but he did not under
stand. 895. His parents arranged for him to wed on one day eight
girls, beautiful, accomplished and virtuous, the daughters
of rich men. 896. He was making the tour of the city mounted on a chariot
with his eight wives when the god thought in his heart :
It is not thus that he will understand ; 897. but if he falls from prosperity he will easily understand.'
So he entered the meda's body and fell weeping. Asked
by his wife 898. Why do you weep? 'the meda said: 'If my daughter
were alive to-day there would be just such a wedding
in my house. 899. By the power of the god's inspiration the meda woman
told him the real state of affairs. The husband, enraged that his son should marry a woman of unequal
status, 900. seized him with his hands and pulled him down from the
chariot by force whilst the people looked on. Then he threw him into the cellar of his house.
