which had been previously assigned him by the heavenly voice. His father

v;is delighted when he saw him make his first two or three tottering steps, in which gleamed the sheen of his smooth fair toe-nails, and when he heard him utter his first two or three indistinct words, shewing his teeth which looked like buds. Then the excellent ministers brought to the infant prince their infant sons, who delighted the heart of the king, and com- mended them to him. First Yaugandharayana brought Marubhuti, and then Human vat Harisikha, and then the head-warder named Ityaka brought Gomukha, and Vasantaka his son named Tapantaka. And the domestic chaplain S'antikara presented the two twin sons of Pingalika, his nephews S'antisoma and Vaisvanara. And at that moment there fell from heaven a rain of flowers from the gods, which a shout of joy made all the more auspicious, and the king rejoiced with the queens, having bestowed presents on that company of ministers' sons. And that prince Naravahanadatta was always surrounded by those six ministers' sons devoted to him alone who commanded respect even in their boyhood,* as if with the six poli- tical measures that are the cause of great prosperity. The days of the lord of Vatsa passed in great happiness, while he gazed affectionately on his son with his smiling lotus-like face, going from lap to lap of the kings whose minds were lovingly attached to him, and making in his mirth a charming indistinct playful prattling.

• Peace, war, march, halt, stratagem and recourse to the protection of a mightier king.