Note 14 — Chapter XXXVII

Then Niśchayadatta told that Vidyádharí the strange story of Somasvámin, who had been transformed into a monkey, and said to her, “If this friend of mine could by any endeavour on your part be freed from his monkey condition, then my beloved, you would have done a good deed.” When he told her this, Anurágapará said to him—“This is in the way of witches’ spells, but it is not our province. Nevertheless I will accomplish this desire of yours, by asking a friend of mine, a skilful witch named Bhadrarúpá. When the merchant’s son heard that, he was delighted, and said to that beloved of his—“So come and see my friend, let us go to visit him.” She consented, and the next day, carried in her lap, Niśchayadatta went through the air to the wood, which was the residence of his friend. When he saw his friend there in monkey form, he went up to him with his wife, who bowed before him, and asked after his welfare. And the monkey Somasvámin welcomed him, saying—“It is well with me to-day, in that I have beheld you united to Anurágapará,” and he gave his blessing to Niśchayadatta’s wife. Then all three sat down on a charming slab of rock there, and held a conversation14 about his story, the various adventures of that ape, previously discussed by Niśchayadatta with his beloved. Then Niśchayadatta took leave of that monkey, and went to the house of his beloved, flying up into the air, carried by her in her arms.