Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/95

87 one. The next evening he reached the bank of a river near an agrahara, performed his daily ablutions in it, and came out to perform the japa alone.

A Brahmarakshasa, dwelling in an adjacent pipal-tree, assumed the form of a Brahman, descended from the tree and stood before Chandrasarma, and enquired who he was; whereupon Chandrasarma, thinking him to be a Brahman of the adjacent agrahara, told him his errand and his story. The Brahmarakshasa then said:—"Well then, you are intent upon learning." Chandrasarma, right glad of the turn events had taken, consented to receive instruction from the supposed Brahman, who, thereupon, appeared to him in his true colours and asked him not to be afraid of him. But for all that Sarma shook with fear, and shut his eyes, and so the Brahmarakshasa immediately resumed the form of a Brahman, consoled Chandrasarma, took him up to the top of the pipal-tree, taught him without a moment's stop,—without sleep or food for six months,—and then informed him that he was rid of his