Note 2 — XXI. HOW A WOMAN REQUITES LOVE.1

Although in the fruition of love passion increased, yet he reflected that, as she was now so possessed by passion, and as of all enmities that of the woman is the worst, he was going to ruin. In accordance with these ideas, he began to take counsel with her, saying, “If your husband finds out that we have lived together, he will undoubtedly do you some injury and put me to death.” She was of opinion that these words were true, and that precautions must be taken. As women are adroit, even without being taught, she wrapped a cloth round her head and lay down on a rock to sleep. When Viśākha saw her sleeping there, as he returned home with roots and berries, he asked her, “Good wife, what is the matter with you?” She replied, “O lord, as my head aches, I feel very unwell.” Viśākha said, “What can be done?” As she had seen wolf’s-milk2 growing in a ravine, she said, “O lord, when I once before suffered from this pain in the head, the physician ordered me wolf’s-milk, by means of which I was cured.” Viśākha replied, “I will seek for wolf’s-milk.” She said, “As it grows in this ravine, I will let you down with a rope and you shall fetch it up.” As august beings are simple and upright, he suspected no guile, and said, “Let us do so; you hold the rope and I will fetch the wolf’s-milk.” When he had let himself down with the rope, she let go of the rope with her hand, whereby he also lost hold of it and fell into the water at the bottom.