Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/354

 346 FOLK-TALES OF INDIA.

to them. These ascetics are not acquainted with the cleverness per- taining to the king's court (in deciding cases) ; tell them to perform the duties of ascetics (and not mix themselves up with temporal concerns)."

After hearing the third case, the king said: " Those naga-kings quarrel with one another, therefore the water becomes turbid ; but if they, as before, will live in harmony, the water will again become clear."

When he had heard the fourth case, he said " that tree-sprite used formerly to protect men who found their way into the wood, there- fore she received offerings of various kinds ; but now she does not protect them, therefore, she gets no offerings. If, as before, she will afford the protection, she will again receive gifts ; she will again derive great advantage from it. She is not aware of the existence of kings (as administers of justice), so tell her to watch over the men that go up into the forest."

When he had heard the fifth he said : " There is, below the foot of the ant-hill, where the partridge sits when he utters a sweet note, a large treasure-pot ; dig it up and take possession of it."

When he had heard the sixth case he said : '' Upon the upper part of the tree, at the root of which alone the deer is able to eat grass, there is a large honeycomb. The deer is attracted thither by the honey-smeared blades of grass, and are unable to eat any others. Take away that honey-comb ; send the best to me, and eat the rest yourself."

When he had heard the seventh he said : " Beneath the ant-hill where the snake lives there is a great treasure-pot; he dwells there and guards it. When he goes out his body clings to the hole through greed of wealth; but when he has found food, out of attachment to his treasure he enters the hole rapidly without contact with the sides. Dig up that treasure-pot and carry it off."

After hearing the eighth he said: " That young wife has a paramour in a certain village lying between her husband's house and that of her parents. She thinks of him, and out of love towards him is unable to abide in her husband's house. ' I'll go and see my parents,' says she, but she stays some days with her lover, and then returns to her