Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/58

52 my hands I bowed low before Khagama. 'I am your friend,' I pleaded, 'I meant no harm. I only wished to make you laugh. Take back your curse from me.' Khagama saw that I truly repented. But he said, 'O Shahasrapata, what I have said must happen. And a rock snake you must become. But when Ruru the son of Pramati appears to you, you will once more assume human form.' Therefore, O sage, I became a rock snake. But as you, Ruru, the son of Pramati, have appeared to me I shall once more become human." And as Shahasrapata spoke, Ruru saw him change swiftly into human form. When he had once more become a man he said to Ruru, "The highest morality, O sage, is this: destroy no life. Therefore do not wage war any more on the snake people. But spend your days in peace, enjoying the beauty of Pramadvara." When Shahasrapata had spoken thus he left Ruru and went to his own home. Ruru retraced his steps to his hermitage. And giving up the slaughter of the snake people, he passed the remaining years of his life in great happiness with Pramadvara.

 

Once upon a time there ruled over Vidarbha a mighty king named Bhima. But although his armies were victorious and his treasury overflowed with riches, he was unhappy; for he had no children. One day however, his unhappiness ceased. For there came to him as a guest a rishi named Damana. As befitted an Aryan king, Bhima treated the rishi with generosity, and both he and his queen poured treasures and gifts