“Show this vessel and ask for alms,” the snake told the woman. “And they will give you alms. If they refuse, their head will burst into a hundred pieces.”
Yagnasoma took the vessel and studied the snake. “If what you say is true then give me my husband back, as alms. That is what I ask from you.”
The snake realized that it had no choice and brought the husband out of his mouth and Yagnasoma was alive and unharmed.
Yagnasoma’s wife was thrilled and her husband was back.
Both Yagnasoma and his wife were shocked when they turned and saw the snake.
The snake disappeared and in its place stood a heavenly being.
The heavenly being smiled happily at the couple. “I am Kanchanavega and I am a king of the Vidyadharas. By a curse from Gauthama I had become a snake.” The celestial being smiled even more happily at Yagnasoma’s wife. “I was told that when I met a good and clever woman, my curse would end.”
The king of the Vidyadharas then filled the gold vessel in the hands of Yagnasoma’s wife with jewels.
Then Kanchanavega flew up into the skies.
Yagnasoma and his wife went back to their kingdom and this time they lived happiness because the wealth that they had got from the Vidhyadhara king was inexhaustible.
Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara
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