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302 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 151. Carried away by his horse he reached the forest but was
led back to his own city in due time by a soldier who
happened on his track. 152. When he entered his own dwelling-house he was asked
by his wife : 'Did you see or hear in the forest any
thing out of the ordinary ? ' 153. He replied: "When I reached the forest and sat down
at the root of a tree on the bank of a tank I saw a
woman who had emerged from the lake after bathing : 154. Under the form of a female nāga she was engaged in
enjoyment of sensual pleasure with a snake which had
come out of the hollow of a banyan tree. 155. I fell into a rage at the sight of this indecency and lashed
the couple with whips until they quickly disappeared
from view.' 156. After recounting this the king went outside for a bodily
need. There he saw a god adorned with glittering
ear-rings, intently respectful. 157. With mind abashed the king was thus addressed by this
god : King, I am pleased with you, tell me what
boon I shall bestow on you.' 158. He replied: Why are you pleased with me?' The god
said : ‘The woman whom you corrected when you
fared into the forest, 159. is a nāga princess and my wife. When she came away
from you she told me, weeping with deceitful cunning : 160. Whilst you were absent, my lord, the lecherous
Brahmadatta assaulted me against my will as if I
had none to protect me.' 161. Thereat I fell into a rage and came here swiftly in order
to kill you until you were interrogated by the queen
and I heard what happened in the forest. 162. and all that you recounted to the queen. For this
reason I am pleased with you and am giving you a boon.
