200
who was devoted to presents, when addressed in this way, said, " I will do so," and Mádhava fell at his feet. Then whatever Bráhman the chaplain brought, Mádhava refused to receive, pretending that he wanted a more distinguished one. One of the rogues in attendance upon Mádhava, when he saw this, said— " Probably an ordinary Bráhman does not please him. So it will be better now to find out whether the strict ascetic on the banks of Siprá named Śiva pleases him or not?" When Mádhava heard that, he said plaintively to that chaplain: " Yes, be kind, and bring him, for there is no other Bráhman like him."
The chaplain, thus entreated, went near Śiva, and beheld him immoveable, pretending to be engaged in meditation. And then he walked round him, keeping him on his right hand, and sat down in front of him: and immediately the rascal slowly opened his eyes. Then the family priest, bending before him, said with bowed head,— " My Lord, it' it will not make you angry, I will prefer a petition to you. There is dwelling here a very rich Rájpút from the Deccan, named Mádhava, and he, being ill, is desirous of giving away his whole property: if you consent, he will give you that treasure which glitters with many ornaments made out of priceless gems." When Śiva heard that, he slowly broke silence, and said,— " O Bráhman, since I live on alms, and observe perpetual chastity, of what use are riches to me? Then that chaplain went on to say to him, " Do not say that, great Bráhman, do you not know the due order of the periods in the life of a Bráhman?*[1] By marrying a wife, and performing in his house offerings to the Manes, sacrifices to the gods and hospitality to guests, he uses his property to obtain the three objects of life; †[2] the stage of the householder is the most useful of all." Then Śiva said, " How can I take a wife, for I will not marry a woman from any low family?" When the covetous chaplain heard that, he thought that he would be able to enjoy his wealth at will, and, catching at the opportunity, he said to him: " I have an unmarried daughter named Vinayasváminí, and she is very beautiful, I will bestow her in marriage on you. And I will keep for you all the wealth which you receive as a donation from Mádhava, so enter on the duties of a house-holder. When Śiva heard this, having got the very thing he wanted, he said, " Bráhman, if your heart is set on this.‡[3] I will do what you say. But I am an ascetic who knows nothing about gold and jewels. I shall act as you advise; do as you think best." When the chaplain heard that speech of Śiva's, he was delighted, and the fool said, "Agreed"— and con-
