Note 2 — Chapter XCVI · (Vetála 22.)

When the eldest brother said this, his younger brothers said to him, “Sir, why are you, though wise, afflicted with pain merely because you are poor? Do you not know that riches pass away like an autumn cloud. Who can ever count on retaining Fortune or a fickle woman, though he carry them off and guard them carefully, for both are insincere in their affection and secretly hostile to their possessor? So a wise man must acquire by vigorous exertion some eminent accomplishment, which will enable him frequently to bind2 and lead home by force riches which are like bounding deer.” When the eldest brother was addressed in this language by his brothers, he at once recovered his self-control, and said, “What accomplishment of this kind should we acquire?” Then they all considered and said to one another, “We will search through the earth and acquire some magic power.” So having adopted this resolution, and fixed upon a trysting-place at which to meet, the four separated, going east, west, north and south.