This ncctarous tale sprang in old time from the mouth of S'iva, set in motion by his love for the daughter of the Himalaya, as the nectar of im- mortality sprang from the sea, when churned by the mountain Mumlarn. Those who drink eagerly the nectar of this tale, have all impediments re- moved and gain prosperity, and by the favour of S'iva attain, while living upon earth, the high rank of gods.

May the water of S'iva's sweat, fresh from the embrace of Gauri,* which the god of love when afraid of the fire of S'iva's eye, employs as his aqueous weapon, protect you.

Listen to the following tale of the Vidyadharas, which the excellent Gana Pushpadanta heard on mount Kailasa from the god of the matted locks, and which Kanabhuti heard on the earth from the same Pushpadanta after he had become Vararuchi, and which Gunadhya heard from Kanabhu- ti, and Satavahana heard from Gunadhya.

There is a land famous under the name of Vatsa, that appears as if it had been made by the Creator as an earthly rival to dash the pride of heaven. In the centre of it is a great city named Kausambi, the favourite dwelling-place of the goddess of prosperity ; the ear-ornament, so to si of the earth. In it dwelt a king named S'atanika, sprung from the Panda- va family, he was the son of Janamejaya, and the grandson of king Parik- shit, who was the great-grandson of Abhimanyu. The first progenitor of his race was Arjuna, the might of whose strong arms was tested in a strug- gle with the mighty arms of S'iva ;f his wife was the earth, and also Vish-

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t I believe this refers to Arjuna's combat with the god when lie had assumed tb- form of a Kirata or mountaineer. S'iva is In re rail d Trimiran, the enemy or dertroyat of Tripura. Dr. Broekhaus renders it quite dul'uvntly.