Hearing it, there stayed below the Ironwood tree the Prince’s elder sister, and the man to whom she was given. After having heard it, as it became light, when they were coming along to the Prince’s house, they saw from afar that they were going to behead the Prince. The elder sister said from afar, “Ā! Don’t behead him. I will solve that riddle.”
Having come near, the Prince’s elder sister explained the riddle in the manner stated by the Dēvatāwā. So the Prince was saved, and they beheaded the Princess.
North-western Province.
In Folk-Tales of Kashmir (Knowles), 2nd ed., p. 227, a Fakīr split a King, and made a wife for him from half his body, but warned him that she would be unfaithful. She fell in love with one of his wazīrs, but they were detected, and she was killed.
[1] A supernatural being who could take at will either a human form or the shape of a cobra (nayā or nāga). [↑]
[2] Dohṭa karanawā = Dashṭa k., to give a poisonous bite. [↑]