In long past times, King Brahmadatta lived in Vārāṇasī. There also a
Chaṇḍāla [151] lived, who was versed in spells and magic lore, and who,
employing the Gāndhāra-Mantra, was wont to obtain by spells from the
Gandhamādana mountain [152] such fruits and flowers as were not in
season, and to present them to king Brahmadatta. The King who was
highly pleased thereby, made him presents. Now there was a Brahman
youth who longed after a knowledge of spells. And in his search after
them, in accordance with what he heard spoken thereof, he came from his
own country to Vārāṇasī. After he had recovered from the fatigues of
his journey, he betook himself to the Brahman who was versed in spells
and magic lore. And when he came before him, he said—
“I wish to serve the Paṇḍit.”
“Why?”
“For the sake of learning magic.”
The Chaṇḍāla replied in verse, “Magic lore is communicated to no man.
It dies with its possessor. Or it is vouchsafed to him who has
knowledge and means and renders service.”
The youth said, “O Paṇḍit, if such is the case, and I have to render
service, I ask for how long a time must that be.”
“When you have served twelve years,” was the reply, “it will be seen
whether I shall communicate it to you or not.”
As the youth had a great craving after magic lore, he agreed to this,
and after he had with the greatest joy testified his respect, he
entered upon his service.
It happened once that the Chaṇḍāla came home drunk, and the Brahman
youth said to himself, “As the master has drunk so much more than is
befitting, I will lie down to sleep beside him.” The Chaṇḍāla took to
tossing about on his bed, and as he did so one side of the bed gave
way. The noise this made awoke the Brahman youth, who said to himself:
“As the master is so restless in his sleep, I will support the bed with
my back.” Accordingly he propped up the bed with his back, and
patiently held out all night [in spite of much discomfort,] [153]
thinking that if he moved his body, or uttered a word, the teacher
would hear the noise he made, and would awake, and be unable to go to
sleep again.
When the Chaṇḍāla awoke of his own accord, and saw the youth, he asked
who was there. The youth replied, “O teacher, it is I, the companion of
your fortunes,” and he told him all that had occurred. The Chaṇḍāla was
greatly delighted, and said, “O son, as I am exceedingly pleased, I
will teach you the art of magic.”
As Brahmans are of a conceited nature, the youth could not restrain
himself, but must needs immediately make a trial of his magic art on
the spot, and then depart. So he employed his magic power, and soared
into the sky. When he came to Gandhamādana, he there plucked fruits and
flowers which were out of season on earth, and gave them to the king’s
purohita, who gave them to King Brahmadatta. The king asked where he
had got them. The purohita replied—
“There is a Brahman youth here from a distant country. He it is who
gave them to me. As he is extremely well versed in spells and magic
lore, and as the Brahman is of a better nature than the Chaṇḍāla, who
is despised by the whole world, the question arises of what is to be
done with the Chaṇḍāla. Be pleased to take away his employment from the
Chaṇḍāla, and to confer it upon the Brahman youth.”
The king replied, “Do so.” Accordingly the Chaṇḍāla was deprived of his
employment by the purohita, who conferred it upon the Brahman youth.
But in consequence of the youth’s ingratitude his magic power deserted
him.