In a certain country, a woman without a husband in marriage bore a son,
it is said. At that time the men living in the neighbourhood having
come, asked the woman, "Who is thy husband?" Then the woman replied,
"My husband is Maraya." [266]
Maraya having heard this word and being much pleased, thought,
"I must get this woman's son into a successful state."
Having thought thus, after some time had gone, speaking to the son
Maraya said thus, that is to say, "Become a Vedarala. I will give
you one medicine only. Should I stay at the head side of any sick
person, by giving the sick person the medicine the sick person will
become well. Should I be at the feet side you cannot cure the sick
person." After that, this son having gone from place to place and
having applied medical treatment, became a very celebrated doctor.
One day when this Vedarala went to look at a sick person whom he very
greatly liked, Maraya was at the feet part of the sick person. At
that time the Vedarala having thought, "I must do a good work," told
them to completely turn round the bed and the sick person. Then the
head side became the part where Maraya stayed. Well then, when he
had given him the Vedarala's medicine the sick person became well.
Maraya having become angry with the Vedarala concerning this matter,
and having thought, "I must kill him," Maraya sat on a chair of
the Vedarala's.
Because the Vedarala had a spell which enabled him to perform the
matters that he thought [of doing], [267] he [repeated it mentally
and] thought, "May it be as though Maraya is unable to rise from the
chair." Having thought thus, "Now then, kill me," the Vedarala said
to Maraya.
Well then, because Maraya could not rise from the chair he told the
Vedarala to release him from it.
Then the Vedarala said to Maraya, "If, prior to killing me, you will
give me time for three years I will release you," he said.
Maraya, being helpless, [268] having given the Vedarala three years'
time went away.
After the three years were ended Maraya went to the Vedarala's
house. The Vedarala having become afraid, did a trick for this. The
Vedarala said to Maraya, "Kill me, but before you kill me, having
climbed [269] up the coconut tree at this door you must pluck a young
coconut to give me," he said.
After Maraya climbed up the coconut tree, having uttered the Vedarala's
spell the Vedarala thought, "May Maraya be unable to descend from
the tree."
Well then, Maraya, ascertaining that he could not descend from the
tree, told the Vedarala to release him. At that time the Vedarala,
asking [and obtaining] from Maraya [a promise] that he should not
kill him until still three years had gone, having released Maraya
sent him away.
The three years having been ended, on the day when Maraya comes to
the Vedarala's house the Vedarala entered a room, and shutting the
door remained [there]. But Maraya entered straightway (kelimma)
inside the room.
Then the Vedarala asked, "How did you come into a room the doors of
which were closed?"