Page:Katha sarit sagara, vol2.djvu/295

 creatures, and exhibit them alive;* so let this maiden obtain for a husband me, who am renowned for daring exploits."

When they had thus spoken, the king Víravara, with his daughter by his side, seeing that they were like gods in shape and dress, remained lost in doubt. When the Vetála had told this story, he said to king Trivikramasena, menacing him with the before-mentioned curse, " So tell me, king, to which of these four ought the maiden Anangarati to be given?"

When the king heard this, he gave the Vetála the following answer; " You are thus repeatedly making me break silence simply in order to waste time; otherwise, master of magic, how could you possibly ask such an absurd question? How can a woman of Kshatriya caste be given to a Śúdra weaver? Moreover, how can a Kshatriya woman be given to a Vaiśya? And as to the power of understanding the language of beasts and birds, which he possesses, what is the practical use of it? And as for the third, the Bráhman, who fancies himself such a hero, of what worth is he, as he is a sorcerer, and degraded by abandoning the duties of his caste? Accordingly the maiden should be given to the fourth suitor, the Kshatriya Khadgadhara, who is of the same caste and distinguished for his skill and valour."

When the Vetála heard this, he left the king's shoulder, as before, and quickly returned by the power of his magic to his own place, and the king again pursued him, as before, to recover him, for despondency never penetrates into a hero's heart, that is cased in armour of fortitude.

This story is found on page 498 and ff of Vol. I. It bears a close resemblance to Tale 5, and many of the parallels there quoted are applicable to it. In the 47th tale of the Pentamerone of Basile, the sons Least of their accomplishments in a very similar manner.

Then Trivikramasena went and took the Vetála from the aśoka-tree, and put him on his shoulder once more, and set out; and as he was going