No. 102
The Decoction of Eight Nelli Fruits[1]
In a certain country there is a Vedarāla. The Vedarāla is a person possessing the knowledge of medical practice, a very clever person at telling prognostics (nimiti kīmen). There is also a child of the Vedarāla’s.
During the time while they are thus, the boy one day came running near the Vedarāla, and said, “Anē! Father, you have been learning so much; you are now dying. Now then, where is your learning that you have taught me?” and he began to cry.
After that, [the Vedarāla] was not [sufficiently] conscious to tell him anything. While he was about to die, just as he was saying, “Anē! Son, you will have the decoction of eight Nelli [fruits]——” the Vedarāla died.
He having died, after a little time went by, a man’s yoke of buffaloes were lost. After that, the man (minissa) speaks, “Anē! What shall I do? If the Vedarāla were [here], he would look at the prognostics [to ascertain] on which hand the yoke of buffaloes went, and he would tell me. It is indeed to our loss that the Vedarāla is lost.” In that manner he spoke a word.
Then one man who was present said, “Why are you saying thus? That Vedarāla’s son is [there]. Go and look for him, and ask it of him.”
After that, the man, having gone to the tree and plucked betel leaves, came in the manner in which they came before near the big Vedarāla also, and having given betel leaves and money, asked that boy, “How, Vedarāla, have my yoke of buffaloes been lost? On account of it you must look at the prognostics.”
Then the boy said regarding it, “Taking eight Nelli fruits, beat them and pour water [over them]; and having made a decoction, and made rock salt into powder, and put it in, and poured castor-oil in, drink it, and go and seek the yoke of buffaloes. Then they will be found,” he said.
Afterwards the man came home, and taking eight Nelli fruits, and having beaten them, and poured water [on them], made a decoction; and having made rock salt into powder, and put it in, and poured castor-oil in, drank it in the morning, and went to seek the lost cattle.