Nala had addressed him thus, O king, the royal son
of Bhangasura came upon a Vibhitaka tree with
fruits in a forest. And seeing that tree, the
king hastily said to Vahuka, “O charioteer,
do thou also behold my high proficiency in calculation.
All men do not know everything. There is no one
that is versed in every science of art. Knowledge
in its entirety is not found in any one person, O
Vahuka, the leaves and fruits of this tree that are
lying on the ground respectively exceed those that
are on it by one hundred and one. The two branches
of the tree have fifty millions of leaves, and two
thousand and ninety five fruits. Do thou examine
these two branches and all their boughs.”
Thereupon staying the car Vahuka addressed the king,
saying, “O crusher of foes, thou takest credit
to thyself in a matter which is beyond my perception.
But, O monarch, I will ascertain it by the direct
evidence of my senses, by cutting down the Vibhitaka.
O king, when I actually count, it will no longer be
matter of speculation. Therefore, in thy presence,
O monarch, I will hew down this Vibhitaka.
I do not know whether it be not (as thou hast said).
In thy presence, O ruler of men, I will count the
fruits and leaves. Let Varshneya hold the reins
of the horses for a while.” Unto the charioteer
the king replied, “There is no time to lose.”
But Vahuka answered with humility, “Stay thou
a short space, or, if thou art in a hurry, go then,
making Varshneya thy charioteer. The road lies
direct and even.” And at this, O son of
the Kuru race, soothing Vahuka, Rituparna said, “O
Vahuka, thou art the only charioteer, there is none
other in this world. And, O thou versed in horse
lore, it is through thy help that I expect to go to
the Vidarbhas. I place myself in thy hands.
It behoveth thee not to cause any obstacle. And,
O Vahuka, whatever thy wish. I will grant it if
taking me to the country of the Vidarbhas to-day,
thou makest me see the sun rise.” At this,
Vahuka answered him, saying, “After having counted
(the leaves and fruits of the) Vibhitaka, I
shall proceed to Vidarbha, do thou agree to my words.”
Then the king reluctantly told him, “Count.
And on counting the leaves and fruits of a portion
of this branch, thou wilt be satisfied of the truth
of my assertion.” And thereupon Vahuka speedily
alighted from the car, and felled that tree. And
struck with amazement upon finding the fruits, after
calculation, to be what the king had said, he addressed
the king, saying, “O monarch, this thy power
is wonderful. I desire, O prince, to know the
art by which thou hast ascertained all this.”
And at this the king, intent upon proceeding speedily,
said unto Vahuka, “Know that I am proficient
at dice besides being versed in numbers.”
And Vahuka said unto him, “Impart unto me this
knowledge and, O bull among men, take from me my knowledge
of horses.” And king Rituparna, having
regard to the importance of the act that depended
upon Vahuka’s good-will, and tempted also by