No. 196
The Story of the Gamarāla’s Son
In a certain country there is a Gamarāla; the Gamarāla had no wives. While he was thus, at one time (eka pārama) he brought seven wives; all the seven had no children. Again he brought yet a woman; that woman also had no children.
After that, when the man was going in order to escort the woman [on returning her to her parents], they met with a Sannyāsi. The Sannyāsi asked, “What is it? Where are you going?”
The man said, “I brought seven wives; all seven had no children. After that, I brought this woman. Because the woman also had no children I am going in order to escort her [to her parents again].”
Then the Sannyāsi says, “I will perform a protective spell (ārakshāwa) for children to be born, if you will give me the lad who is born first of all.” The Gamarāla promised, “I will give him.”
Afterwards the Gamarāla having come back, when a little time had gone she bore a boy. After the boy became somewhat big he planted a flower tree. The Gamarāla having told the Sannyāsi to come gave him the boy; the Sannyāsi having taken him went away. The lad says to the Gamarāla, “Should I die the flowers on the flower tree will fade.” Younger than this lad [the Gamarāla’s wife] bore yet a boy.
When the Sannyāsi was taking the lad he met with a man. This man said to the lad, “Lad, the Sannyāsi will give you a thread. Tie it to a tree, and having got out of the way remain [there].”
The Sannyāsi having gone with the lad near a hidden treasure, gave a thread into the boy’s hand, saying, “Remain holding this.” The lad tied the thread to a tree; having hidden himself he remained [there].
The Sannyāsi put “life” into it.[1] Then the Yakā [who guarded the treasure] having come, asked from the Sannyāsi, “Where is the demon offering (billa)?”