How Mārayā was put in the Bottle
In a certain country, a woman without a husband in marriage bore a son, it is said. At that time the men living in the neighbourhood having come, asked the woman, “Who is thy husband?” Then the woman replied, “My husband is Mārayā.”[1]
Mārayā having heard this word and being much pleased, thought, “I must get this woman’s son into a successful state.”
Having thought thus, after some time had gone, speaking to the son Mārayā said thus, that is to say, “Become a Vedarāla. I will give you one medicine only. Should I stay at the head side of any sick person, by giving the sick person the medicine the sick person will become well. Should I be at the feet side you cannot cure the sick person.” After that, this son having gone from place to place and having applied medical treatment, became a very celebrated doctor.
One day when this Vedarāla went to look at a sick person whom he very greatly liked, Mārayā was at the feet part of the sick person. At that time the Vedarāla having thought, “I must do a good work,” told them to completely turn round the bed and the sick person. Then the head side became the part where Mārayā stayed. Well then, when he had given him the Vedarāla’s medicine the sick person became well.
Mārayā having become angry with the Vedarāla concerning this matter, and having thought, “I must kill him,” Mārayā sat on a chair of the Vedarāla’s.
Because the Vedarāla had a spell which enabled him to perform the matters that he thought [of doing],[2] he [repeated it mentally and] thought, “May it be as though Mārayā is unable to rise from the chair.” Having thought thus, “Now then, kill me,” the Vedarāla said to Mārayā.
Well then, because Mārayā could not rise from the chair he told the Vedarāla to release him from it.
Then the Vedarāla said to Mārayā, “If, prior to killing me, you will give me time for three years I will release you,” he said.
Mārayā, being helpless,[3] having given the Vedarāla three years’ time went away.