The Time of Scholars
Reading edition
In a certain country there is, it is said, a [man called] Dikpiṭiyā. A [married woman called] Diktalādī is rearing an [adopted] child. While it was [there] no long time, a [female] child was born; to Diktalādī a child was born. On the boy, the [adopted] boy she reared, she put a cloth for ploughing (that is, he grew old enough to plough). After the [female] child grew great and big, [the parents] gave her [in marriage] to that youth whom Diktalādī reared, [and they went to live in another village].
The boy she reared, after no long time went by, seeking oil, honey, flour, and cooking a bag of cakes, and giving them to that woman [his wife, set off with her] in order to go to look at that mother-in-law and father-in-law.
At the time when the two are going together, having seen that much water is going in the river [which it was necessary to cross], both of them became much afraid in mind. Thereupon, when they are staying [there], these two persons, having seen that the one called Dikpiṭiyā was on the opposite bank fishing and fishing, said, “Anē! It is a great hindrance that has occurred to us. Anē! In our hand there is not a thing for us to eat, not a place to sit down at. Should you take us two [across] to that side, it will be charity”; and those two persons make obeisance to Dikpiṭiyā.
“Anē! We are going to look at our mother-in-law and father-in-law.”
Dikpiṭiyā placed the bag of cakes on one shoulder, and placed the woman on the [other] shoulder. Afterwards he crossed, swimming, to that [far] side.
After having crossed to that side [he said to the woman], “What a man that man is! The scare-crow tied in the paddy field! We two are of one sort; let us two go [off together].”
Afterwards, unfastening the bag of cakes [they counted them, and he] having given [some] to the woman, the inferior ones, eating and eating the cakes both of them began to go away.
After that, [when her husband came across and claimed her], Dippiṭiyā having cried out, and dragged her, and obstructed her going with feet and hands, he said, “Having snatched away my wife canst thou strike blows? Come and go [with me]”; and they went for the trial [regarding their rival claims to be the woman’s husband].
Having gone near the King, [and laid a complaint regarding it], the King [finding that both men claimed her], says, “Imprison ye the three of them in three houses.”
Afterwards the King asks at the hand of Dippiṭiyā, “What is the name of thy mother?”
“Secondly, how many is the number of the cakes?”
“Three less than three hundred.”
Having caused Diktalādī’s daughter to be brought, he asks, “What is thy mother’s name?”
“Kamalolī” (Love-desiring).
“How many is the number of the cakes?”
“Three less than three hundred.”
After that, [as both agreed regarding the number] he handed over the wife [to him]. Both of them, making and making obeisance, went away.
Potter. North-western Province.