“And then, I remember, a band of witches came out from the company of the Mothers, and they said to one another, ‘To night we must go to the general assembly of the witches in Chakrapura,[18] and how can this Bráhman be kept safe in this place which is full of wild beasts? So let us take him to some place where he will be happy: and afterwards we will bring him back again; he has fled to us for protection.’ When they had said this, they adorned me, and carrying me through the air, placed me in the house of a rich Bráhman in a certain city, and went away.
“And when I looked about me there, lo! the altar was prepared for a marriage, and the auspicious hour had arrived, but the procession of bridegroom’s friends was nowhere to be seen. And all the people, seeing me in front of the door arrayed in bridegroom’s garments of heavenly splendour, said, ‘Here is the bridegroom at any rate arrived.’ Then the Bráhman of the house took me to the altar, and led his daughter there adorned, and gave her to me with the usual ceremonies. And the women said to one another, ‘Fortunate is it that the beauty of Sumanas has borne fruit by winning her a bridegroom like herself!’ Then, having married Sumanas, I slept with her in a palace, gratified by having every want supplied in the most magnificent style.
“Then those witches came back from their assembly in this last watch of the night, and by their supernatural power carried me off, and flew up into the air with me. And while they were flying through the air, they had a fight with another set of witches, who came, wishing to carry me off, and they let me go and I fell down here. And I do not know the city where I married that Sumanas; and I cannot tell what will become of her now. This succession of misfortunes, which Destiny has brought upon me, has now ended in happiness by my meeting with you.”
When Kandarpa had given this account of his adventure, Keśaṭa said to him, “Do not be afraid, my friend; the witches will have no power over you henceforth; since I possess a certain irresistible charm, which will keep them at a distance: now let us roam about together: Destiny will bestow on us good fortune.” And while they were engaged in this conversation, the night came to an end.
In the morning Keśaṭa and Kandarpa set out from that place together, and crossing the sea, reached in due course a city named Bhímapura near the river called Ratnanadí. There they heard a great noise on the bank of that river, and when they went to the place whence it came, they saw a fish that filled the channel of the stream from bank to bank. It had been thrown up by the tide of the sea, and got fast in the river owing to the vastness of its bulk, and men with various weapons in their hands were cutting it up to procure flesh. And while they were cutting it open, there came out of its belly a woman, and being beheld by the people with astonishment, she came terrified to the bank.
Then Kandarpa looked at her, and said exultingly to Keśaṭa, “My friend, here is that very Sumanas, whom I married. But I do not know how she came to be living in the belly of a fish. So let us remain here in silence, until the whole matter is cleared up.” Keśaṭa consented, and they remained there. And the people said to Sumanas, “Who are you, and what is the meaning of this?” Then she said very reluctantly,
“I am the daughter of a crest-jewel of Bráhmans, named Jayadatta, who lived in the city of Ratnákara. My name is Sumanas, and one night I was married to a certain handsome young Bráhman, who was a suitable match for me. That very night, my husband went away somewhere, while I was asleep; and though my father made diligent search for him, he could not find him anywhere. Then I threw myself into the river to cool the fire of grief at separation from him, and I was swallowed by this fish; and now Destiny has brought me here.”
While she was saying this, a Bráhman named Yajnasvámin rushed out of the crowd, and embraced her and said this to her, “Come, come with me, niece; you are the daughter of my sister; for I am Yajnasvámin, your mother’s own brother.” When Sumanas heard that, she uncovered her face and looked at him, and recognising her uncle, she embraced his feet weeping. But after a moment she ceased weeping, and said to him, “Do you give me fuel, for, as I am separated from my husband, I have no other refuge but the fire.”
Her uncle did all he could to dissuade her, but she would not abandon her intention; and then Kandarpa, having thus seen her real feelings tested, came up to her. When the wise Sumanas saw him near her, she recognised him, and fell weeping at his feet. And when the discreet woman was questioned by the people, and by that uncle of hers, she answered, “He is my husband.” Then all were delighted, and Yajnasvámin took her husband Kandarpa to his house, together with Keśaṭa. There they told their adventures, and Yajnasvámin and his family lovingly waited on them with many hospitable attentions.
After some days had passed, Keśaṭa said to Kandarpa, “You have gained all you want by recovering your longed-for wife; so now go with her to Ratnapura your own city; but, as I have not attained the object of my desire, I will not return to my own country: I, my friend, will make a pilgrimage to all the holy bathing-places and so destroy my body.” When Yajnasvámin, in Bhímapura, heard this, he said to Keśaṭa, “Why do you utter this despondent speech? As long as people are alive, there is nothing they cannot get: in proof of this hear the story of Kusumáyudha, which I am about to tell you.”