336 FOLK-TALES OF INDIA.
The AYAKt^^A Jataka * Why fear Demons when the King of Gods is on one's side ?
In days of yore, when Bralimadatta reigned at Benares, the Bodhisat was reborn as Brahmadatta's son by his principal queen. When grown up he acquired all sciences, and after the death of his father he succeeded to the throne and ruled his kingdom with equity. At that time the people were addicted to the worship of devas. Having killed many goats, &c., they made offerings of them to the sprites.
The Bodhisat caused the following proclamation to be made by beating of drums : " No living creature is to be killed." The yakshas (demons) not getting their customary offerings became wroth with the Bodhisat. They met together on Himavant to consider what was to be done, and they sent a fierce yaksha to murder the Bodhisat. He took a red-hot iron sledge-hammer, as big as the peak of a pagoda, saying, " I'll strike and kill him with this." Soon after the middle watch he came and stood at the head of the Bodhisat's couch. At that moment the seat of Indra manifested signs of heat, and on in- vestigation he found out the cause. Taking with him his thunderbolt he came and stood over the demon. The Bodhisat, on opening his eyes, beheld the yaksha, and bethought to himself, "I wonder now whether he is standing over to protect or to murder me ? " Entering into conversation with him he uttered the following gdthd : —
" Aloft he stands with hammer huge in hand Of iron made, much like a mountain peak, The which red hot he whirls with threatening mien Above my head. I'll ask him why he's here !
- Are you, I pray, appointed as my guard.
Or would you slay me sleeping as I lie ? '"
The Bodhisat perceives the yaksha, but not Indra. Through fear of the god, the demon had no power to strike the Bodhisat. After listening to the words of the Bodhisat he replied as follows : " great king, I am not placed here for your protection; but with this red-hot iron sledge-hammer I intended to strike and murder you, but
- Jdtalia Booli., vol. iii. No. 347, p. 145.
