At the time when a Vaeddā of another distant place came walking [there] while hunting, he saw that there are six dogs; and having seen that there is a hearth, said, “Why are these six dogs here, and a hearth, without a man?” While he was seeking and looking about, he saw that the man had fallen down. Having seen him, and lifted him up, when he looked [at him] the man was [as though] dead.
After that, the Vaeddā having said, “What is this man dead for?” When he looked [after] going near the body, there was a wound, and the Vaeddā perceived that a snake had bitten him. Ascertaining it, after he had applied medicine the man got up.
Then the Vaeddā asked, “What happened to you?”
This man said, “The journey I came on is thus; the things that happened to me are thus. Having come hunting, and prepared the hearth, in order, after I had cooked here, to eat, when I was breaking firewood a cobra bit me.”
The Vaeddā said, “Come away, and go with me.” This man having said, “Hā,” the six dogs and the man went with the Vaeddā to the Vaeddā’s city. Having gone there, that day the Vaeddā gave him food.
During the time while the man was there, that very day night the King of the city died. On the following day morning, there being no person for the sovereignty, [after] decorating the tusk elephant the Ministers went [with it] to seek a King.
At the time when they were going, this tusk elephant was going along looking at the Vaeddā’s house. As it was going, that man whom the cobra bit was lying down in the Vaeddā’s veranda. The tusk elephant went and knelt near the man.
After that, the Ministers, having told this man to get up, when he arose bathed him with perfumed water, and having decorated him with the royal crown, placing him on the back of the tusk elephant went to the palace.
After he went there, the King caused the Vaeddā to be brought, and said, “Owing to you, indeed, I attained to such exalted things.” Having said, “Because of it, receive the post of Adikārama (Minister),” he appointed the office of Adikārama to the Vaeddā.
Having given him it, he remained up to the end of his life exercising the sovereignty with the ten [royal] virtues.