FOLK-TALES OF INDIA. 179
place for the purpose of taking liis evening meal, the snake, as sjon as he put his hand into the bag, would bite him, and he would die. This would be the cause of his death while on his way home. But if he should go straight home the wife would get hold of the bag, and, in seeking to learn the contents of it, would thrust her hand into it, and then she would be bitten and die, and so the brahman's return would be the cause of his wife's death.
Then it occurred to him that this black snake must be lying in the bag unconscious of fear and danger, for the bag striking against the broad ribs of the brahman did not give any signs of movement or of struggling, nor manifest its being alone in the midst of such an assembly. By his knowledge and skill in expedients the Bodhisat, as if seeing things with his divine eye, became aware that this black snake was fearless and secure. So the Bodhisat, all skilful and wise, just like one who had stood and seen the snake enter the bag, gave an exact answer to the brahman's question as he uttered the following gdthd in the great assembly : —
" Your question has my thoughts engaged. And divers reasons tum'd I o'er ; What I shall say the truth will be (No falsehood shall my lips defile). I think, O brahman, wise and leam'd, That in thy bag, which meal contains, A snake full fierce and black of hue Has entrance gain'd, unknown to thee."
When he had thus spoken the Bodhisat inquired, " Is there any meal in your bag?" ** There is, sir." *' Did you eat meal at break- fast-time ? " "I did, sir." " Where did you sit ? " " In a wood, at the foot of a tree." " When you had eaten, and went in search of water, did you tie up your bag or leave it open ? " " I left it open, sir." " When you returned, did you, before tying up your bag, look inside it ? " "I tied it up without looking into it, sir." " I beb'eve, brahman, at the time you went to get water, that unknown to you a snake, enticed by the smell of the meal, crept into your bag. This is the reason (of the sprite's words), therefore, put down your bag, set it in the midst here, and leave it open ; then, standing a little
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