Then a Bana (reading of the Buddhist Scriptures) having been appointed at the pansala near that village, all are going to the Bana. This woman says, “Owing to the fate which my parents have made for me there is also no hearing Bana [for me].”
Thereupon the Python says, “Haven’t you bracelets and rings to put on as ornaments? Haven’t you dresses? Wearing them and adorning [yourself] in a good manner, go with our parents,” he said.
Then the woman says, “Other good caste (raṭē) women go, sending the men first.[4] It does not matter that I must go alone!”
Thereupon, still the Python says, “I am staying at home. Go with my parents,” he said.
Then while the woman was going with her mother-in-law’s party to hear Bana, the Python, having got hid, remained at the road on which she intended to go. At that time the Python having taken off his Python jacket and having placed it on the clothes-line in the enclosure (malu ānē), went to hear the Bana [in the form of a Prince].
Thereupon, this woman having seen her husband who was going to the pansala, came home, and having taken the Python jacket which was placed on the clothes-line in the enclosure and put it [in the fire] on the hearth, the woman, too, went back to hear the Bana. Thereafter, the Python Prince having returned, when he looked for the Python jacket it had been put on the hearth [and burnt]. Thereupon he remained as a husband for that woman.
After that, when not much time had gone, telling her, and having prepared, they went to the house of his mother-in-law and father-in-law. Thereupon the six women who were brought at first for the Python, having said, “Anē! Our husband is coming,” came in front [of him].
Then this younger woman, having said, “At first having said ye do not want him, how does the Prince who has come become yours now? He belongs only to me,” began to quarrel [with them].
Then of those six women the eldest woman having longed for this Python Prince, said, “Father, seek for a Python for me, and give me it,” and remained without eating and without drinking.
Thereupon, the man being unable to get rid [of the importunity] of that eldest daughter, calling men and having gone, and having set nets, when they were driving (elawana-koṭa) the middle of the forest a Python was caught in the net.