He had had a hundred sons and ten brothers, who were great villains, invincible and a torment to the gods. They had all before this been slain in battle by the king, who saw the distress they had caused to the Brahmans, saints and gods.

The villain, nursing this old grudge, conspired with the royal anchorite in devising a plot for the destruction of their enemy; but, as fate would have it, the king knew nothing of it.

A spirited foe, even though he be alone, should not be lightly regarded. To this day (the demon) Rahu, who has nothing left of him but a head, is able to torment the sun and moon.

When the ascetic prince saw his ally, he rose and greeted him with pleasure and was much relieved. He related to his friend the whole story, and the demon said in delight,-

“Listen, king; since you have followed my instructions, take the enemy as subdued. Now stop worrying and go to sleep; God has cured your sickness without the use of any medicine.

I will sweep away the enemy, root and branch, with all his brood, and see you again on the fourth day.” Having fully reassured the hermit king, the arch-impostor departed full of fury.

In an instant he conveyed Pratapabhanu to his palace, both him and his horse, and putting the king to bed beside his queen, he tied up the horse securely in the stable.