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TRANSLATION -- - 213 963. and shoved him into the water. As he fell in he caught
hold of a big tree which was being tossed about and
eventually reached the town of Supratișthā. 964. There the king had died childless and his horse had been
consecrated. On seeing him it neighed and offered him
its back. 965. He became king there, whilst Sukumālikā, having con
sumed the substance of the household with the cripple,
put him on her shoulder 966. and wandered from village to village singing songs
together with him. Out of pity people gave them alms. 967. When she arrived at the town of Supratişthā she started
singing and the king hearing of her from the people
called for her and had her brought in behind a screen. 968. She sang together with the cripple to whom the king
spoke. He asked her : ‘Lady, you excel Rati and
Rambhā in beauty, 969. how is it you have such a husband ?' She replied :
Sir, I am a faithful wife, such is my husband as he
was given to me by my parents ; 970. and since for women of good family a husband is a divinity
I carry him around.' Throwing aside the curtain the
king recited this verse : 971. Bravo! Bravo ! faithful wife, who threw into the Ganges
the husband from whose arm you had drunk the blood
and from whose buttock you had eaten the flesh. 972. Then he commanded her to be banished. You have
certainly acted with me, reverent sir, like the very
evil Sukumālikā, the symbol of ingratitude. 973. Just as the Noble Steer proved his innocence, disciple • Kuñcika, so shall I give a proof of mine : do not
uselessly vex me. 974. Kuñcika asked: "Tell me, who was this noble steer?'
The muni replied : 'Listen attentively, disciple.' 975. In the city of Campā was a steer of noble nature who
did no harm to anyone. People gave him fodder such as grain,
