“’The courtesan said, “O son of Kasyapa! on the other side of yonder hill, which covers the space of three Yojanas, is my hermitage—­a delightful place.  There, not to receive obeisance is the rule of my faith nor do I touch water for washing my feet.  I am not worthy of obeisance from persons like thee; but I must make obeisance to thee.  O Brahmana!  This is the religious observance to be practised by me, namely, that thou must be clasped in my arms.”

“’Rishyasringa said, “Let me give thee ripe fruits, such as gallnuts, myrobalans, Karushas, Ingudas from sandy tracts and Indian fig.  May it please thee to take a delight in them!"’

“Lomasa said, ’She, however, threw aside all those edible things and then gave him unsuitable things for food.  And these were exceedingly nice and beautiful to see and were very much acceptable to Rishyasringa.  And she gave him garlands of an exceedingly fragrant scent and beautiful and shining garments to wear and first-rate drinks; and then played and laughed and enjoyed herself.  And she at his sight played with a ball and while thus employed, looked like a creeping plant broken in two.  And she touched his body with her own and repeatedly clasped Rishyasringa in her arms.  Then she bent and broke the flowery twigs from trees, such as the Sala, the Asoka and the Tilaka.  And overpowered with intoxication, assuming a bashful look, she went on tempting the great saint’s son.  And when she saw that the heart of Rishyasringa had been touched, she repeatedly pressed his body with her own and casting glances, slowly went away under the pretext that she was going to make offerings on the fire.  On her departure, Rishyasringa became over-powered with love and lost his sense.  His mind turned constantly to her and felt itself vacant.  And he began to sigh and seemed to be in great distress.  At that moment appeared Vibhandaka, Kasyapa’s son, he whose eyes were tawny like those of a lion, whose body was covered with hair down to the tip of the nails, who was devoted to studies proper for his caste, and whose life was pure and was passed in religious meditation.  He came up and saw that his son was seated alone, pensive and sad, his mind upset and sighing again and again with upturned eyes.  And Vibhandaka spake to his distressed son, saying, “My boy! why is it that thou art not hewing the logs for fuel.  I hope thou hast performed the ceremony of burnt offering today.  I hope thou hast polished the sacrificial ladles and spoons and brought the calf to the milch cow whose milk furnisheth materials for making offerings on the fire.  Verily thou art not in thy wonted state, O son!  Thou seemest to be pensive, and to have lost thy sense.  Why art thou so sad today?  Let me ask thee, who hath been to this place today?"’”

SECTION CXII