Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/188

 180 FOLK-TALES OF INDIA.

distance off, take a stick and strike the bag. When you see a black

snake expanding its hood and hissing you'll be free from all your

doubts.

" Now take a stick, your bag well strike, And then an angry snake behold; Your doubts and fears away with quite! Pray ope the bag and see the snake.'*

The brahman, on hearing the Bodhisat's words, though alarmed and terrified, did as he was bidden. The snake, on feeling the blows of the stick, came out of the bag and stared with astonishment at the assembled multitude.

After the Bodhisat had explained the meaning of the sprite's puzzling words a snake-charmer deprived the reptile of its fangs and let it loose in the forest.

The brahman then drew near to the king, did obeisance to him, wished him victory (over his woes), and praised him in the following gdthd:

" Full well 1 know that he who sees The wisdom great of Senaka Will say indeed — ' Great gain it is For Janaka, this noble king.' "

When he had thus praised the king he took out of his bag seven hundred coins wishing to bestow them upon the ]5odhisat, whose praises he sang in the following gdthd: —

" Methinks all things are in thy ken, And secrets deep thou dost reveal. Accept, I pray, these coins I've here, They all are mine, them give I thee; To-day my life you sure have sav'd And set my wife from danger free."

On hearing this, the Bodhisat uttered the following gdthd: —

" The wise no wages ask nor take For verses fine, not rude of speech; To thee, O brahman, give I wealth. My gifts accept and hie thee home."

So having thus spoken the Bodhisat caused a purse to be filled with a thousand pieces and to be given to the brahman. " By whom, brah-