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The Kathá Sarit Ságara

Note 1 — Chapter CV

C. H. (Charles Henry) Tawney translation

Then a certain Gandharva, of the name of Vínádatta, saw Naraváhanadatta in that well. Truly if there were not great souls in this world, born for the benefit of others, relieving distress as wayside trees heat, the world would be a withered forest. Thus the good Gandharva, as soon as he saw Naraváhanadatta, asked him his name and lineage, and supporting him with his hand, drew him out of that well, and said to him,1 “If you are a man and not a god, how did you reach this city of the Gandharvas inaccessible to man? Tell me!” Then Naraváhanadatta answered him, “A Vidyádharí brought me here, and threw me into the well by her power.” Then the good Gandharva Vínádatta, seeing that he had the veritable signs of an emperor, took him to his own dwelling, and waited upon him with all the luxuries at his command. And the next day, Naraváhanadatta, perceiving that the inhabitants of the city carried lyres in their hands, said to his host, “Why have all these people, even down to the children, got lyres in their hands?”2

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