Purnabhadra, delighted with the plan which I proposed, no longer wished to destroy himself.  He set out at once to do as I had directed him, and I went immediately into the city.  There I saw great crowds already collected, and ascertained where the executioner would stand when the proclamation was made.

Overhanging the place, there happened to be a large tree, with thick foliage.  Into this I climbed, and waited patiently, listening to the talk of the people collected underneath.

Presently the executioner and his men came, bringing the prisoner, and the proclamation was made three times.

“Know all men that this traitor, Kamapala, has not only poisoned the late king and his eldest son, but has been convicted of plotting against the life of his present majesty; he endeavoured to persuade two of the king’s faithful attendants to administer poison, but they have given information, and his life is justly forfeited; the king, however, in consideration of his being a brahman, and nearly connected with himself, has spared his life, and only sentenced him to have his eyes put out.  Let all evil-doers take warning by his punishment.”

While this proclamation was being read, I climbed to a branch of the tree just over my father, and dropped on him the poisonous serpent, which immediately bit him.  In the confusion which ensued, I slipped down from the tree, and, having mixed with the crowd, managed, while shouting out “This is a just punishment from heaven; so may all traitors perish,” to get close to my father, and quickly applied a charm in such a manner that, though he fell down apparently dead, the effect of the poison was stopped.  The executioner being also bitten; and his assistants, as well as the crowd of spectators, being alarmed and dispersed from dread of the poisonous serpent; this act of mine was not noticed.

Meanwhile, my mother, who had been prepared by Purnabhadra to hear of her husband’s death, went immediately to the king, attended by a large number of friends, and said; “The gods know if my husband was your enemy or not; I will not now attempt to defend him; but, whether he was innocent or guilty, your anger should cease now he is dead.  I pray you to allow me to burn his body, and according to the custom of widows of my rank, to ascend the funeral pile together with him.  Were I not to perform this duty, disgrace would fall on you and on the whole family, as well as on myself.”

The king, well pleased to have got rid of the obnoxious minister, without incurring the sin of killing him, exclaimed:  “This death is indeed the act of fate!” And, immediately granting her request, permitted the body of Kamapala to be taken to his own house, where I had by that time arrived, and was ready to receive it.

Meanwhile, my mother prepared for death, and, resisting all the entreaties of her friends and servants, expressed her determination to be burnt together with her husband.