No. 258
The Story of Koṭā
In a certain country there were two brothers, it is said. Of these two the elder one got married. The younger brother had a secret friendship with his elder brother’s wife. One day, the elder brother having succeeded in ascertaining about this, and having gone summoning the younger brother into the midst of the forest, cut off his two hands and his two feet.
Then the younger brother says, “Elder brother, you having cut off my hands and feet gave me the punishment that is to be inflicted. Please stop even now,” he said.
Thereupon the elder brother, having placed this Koṭā[1] without hands and feet in a boat and launched it in the river, sent him away. Prior to launching and sending him off, because he told him to bring and give him a Bana[2] book that was at the younger brother’s house, he brought the book and having placed it on Koṭā’s breast sent him away.
Well then, this boat with Koṭā also, going drifting by the margin of the river, two old women having been [there], one said, “That boat which comes drifting is for me.” The other woman said, “Should there be anything whatever inside the boat it is for me.” Well then, when the boat drifted ashore, out of these two women one took the boat, one having taken Koṭā gave him to eat.
During the time when he is thus, having heard that they were beating a notification tom-tom on the road [to proclaim] that to a person who having seized gave him the thieves who are stealing flowers in the King’s flower garden, [the King] will give goods [amounting] to a tusk elephant’s load, Koṭā caused this notice tom-tom to stop, having said, “I can.” Causing them to build a little house in the flower garden, and he himself having told men, they lifted him up and went [with him there]; and lying down inside the little house, on the loft, in a very sweet voice he began to read his Bana book.
At the time when he is saying Bana in this way, at night seven Princesses having come to pluck flowers, and having heard the sweet sound of Koṭā’s saying Bana, went near the house and told him to open the door. Then, because in order to arise he had not two feet nor also two hands, when Koṭā said that he was unable to open the door, one person out of these Princesses having put on a ring able to display extreme power which she had, caused Koṭā’s hands and feet to be created [afresh]. Then Koṭā having opened the door said Bana for the Princesses.