Page:The Katha Sarit Sagara.djvu/486

 Śástras. And far from me be shame here in the presence of the king and queen." When Gunaśarman said that, the king answered him, being urged on to it by the queen out of curiosity— " This will not be like a dance on the stage, or in such places, which would make a man feel ashamed, but merely a private display of skill in the society of friends. And at present I am not your king, I am your friend without ceremony, so rest assured that I will not eat to-day, until I have seen your skill in dancing." When the king pressed him in this style, the Bráhman consented to do it. For how can servants refuse the request of an importunate lord? Then that Gunaśarman danced so skilfully with his body, that the hearts of both the king and queen danced for joy. And, at the end of it, the king gave him a lyre to play upon, and the moment he tested its tones, he said to the king, " This lyre is not in good order, so give me another one, there is a puppy inside this, your Majesty,— I knew that by the indications of the twanging of the strings." Saying this, Gunaśarman let go the lyre from under his arm. Then the king sprinkled it, and unscrewed and examined it, and a puppy came out of it. Then king Mahásena praised Gunaśarman's omniscience, and was much astonished, and had another lyre brought. He played on that lyre which, like the Ganges that flows in three worlds,* was charming from its swift stream of music, † and purged the ear by its sound. Then in presence of the king, who with his wife looked on astonished, he exhibited in turn his skill in the nobler studies. Then the king said to him, " If you are skilled in fighting, then shew me a specimen of the art of binding the enemy's limbs with your own hands unarmed." The Bráhman answered him— " King, take your weapons and strike at me, that I may shew you a specimen of my skill." Then, as fast as the king took a sword or other weapon and struck at him, Gunaśarman, by that artifice of fettering the limbs immediately disarmed him with ease, and frequently fettered his hand and body, without receiving a wound. Then the king, seeing that he was capable of aiding him in his political affairs, praised that excellent Bráhman of transcendent ability, and honoured him highly.

But queen Aśokavatí, having beheld again and again the beauty and abilities of that Bráhman, suddenly fell in love with him. She thought to herself,' " If I cannot obtain him, of what use is my life to me." Then she artfully said to the king— " Do me a kindness, my husband, and order this Gunaśarman to teach me to play on the lyre. For when I beheld to-day his skill in playing on the lyre, I took a desperate fancy to the instrument." When the king heard this, he said to Gunaśarman— " By all means teach