of Brahmanas, devoted to penances, of cultivated minds, and possessed of capabilities with reference to the matter of rain being granted by the lord of gods, saying, ’How may the heavens grant us the rain?  Think of an expedient (for this purpose).’  And those same cultured men, being thus questioned, gave expression to their respective views.  And one among them—­the best of saints—­spake to that same king, saying, ’O lord of kings! the Brahmanas are angry with thee.  Do some act (therefore) for appeasing them.  O ruler of the earth! send for Rishyasringa, the son of a saint, resident of the forest knowing nothing of the female sex, and always taking delight in simplicity.  O king! if he, great in the practice of penances, should show himself in thy territory, forthwith rain would be granted by the heavens, herein I have no doubt at all.’  And, O king! having heard these words Lomapada made atonement for his sins.  And he went away; and when the Brahmanas had been appeased, he returned again, and seeing the king returned, the people were again glad at heart.  Then the king of Anga convened a meeting of his ministers, proficient in giving counsel.  And he took great pains in order to settle some plan for securing a visit from Rishyasringa.  And, O unswerving (prince)! with those ministers, who were versed in all branches of knowledge, and exceedingly proficient in worldly matters, and had a thorough training in practical affairs, he at last settled a plan (for gaining his object).  And then he sent for a number of courtesans, women of the town, clever in everything.  And when they came, that same ruler of the earth spake to them, saying, ’Ye lovely women!  Ye must find some means to allure, and obtain the confidence of the son of the saint—­Rishyasringa, whom ye must bring over to my territory.’  And those same women, on the one hand afraid of the anger of the king and on the other, dreading a curse from the saint, became sad and confounded, and declared the business to be beyond their power.  One, however, among them—­a hoary woman, thus spake to the king, ’O great king! him whose wealth solely consists in penances, I shall try to bring over here.  Thou wilt, however, have to procure for me certain things, in connection with the plan.  In that case, I may be able to bring over the son of the saint—­Rishyasringa.’  Thereupon the king gave an order that all that she might ask for should be procured.  And he also gave a good deal of wealth and jewels of various kinds.  And then, O Lord of the earth, she took with herself a number of women endowed with beauty and youth, and went to the forest without delay.”

SECTION CXI