Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories

SR No.: 016059
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 288
Language: English
Classification: Dictionary & Dictionary
File Size: 15 MB

Page 169

143
the mighty elephant was guarded by Vidyádharas every day ; but it rebelled against its driver, tore up the pillar to which it was fastened, and entered this wood.* For this reason Chandraprabhá, the daughter of Çaçivega, being in the sky with her friends, threw the garland of election eagerly round your neck, and sent you these garments, with betel and other presents. While the Vidyadharí was saying this to the king, there came from some quarter or other a chariot drawn by horses. The king was astonished. Then a groom bowed before him, and said to him: 'Where is now that man who tamed the mighty elephant ? Our master wishes to have an interview with him, and inquires after his health. Then the Vidyadhari said: 'Did that man, such as we see him to be, go off with the elephant ?' The groom answered : 'Even so; say no more. My master is pleased with him, therefore he desires an interview with him. Then the Vidyadhari said : Can a great elephant, terrible as death, be tamed by a mere man? So it is clear that this person is of the nature of a god ; let your master, therefore, himself come and see him ! When the groom heard this he was astonished, and told it to King Vasutejas. He reflected : * Inconceivable are the developments of merit;' then he sent his own minister to summon Ratnaçikha. In the meanwhile the Vidyadhari had returned to her own place. Then the minister won over King Ratnaçikha by showing respect in all kinds of ways, and took him to the Vidyadhara king. The elephant was taken by the head elephantkeeper. Then King Vasutejas, having accomplished his object, went to the city of Sugríva, and there he made King Ratnaçikha marry eight maidens, and kept him near himself. One day King Vasutejas said to King Ratnaçikha: 'A man possessing absolute knowledge, Purņasumangala by name, came into my town. I was converted by his preaching ; I became disgusted with this royalty, which is the cause of hell. Thereupon, as I had not a son fit to bear the weight of the kingdom, I asked Sumangala, the
* There seems to be an omission here.