Now at that time a divinity named Mani-mekhala, which by interpretation is Jewel-zone, had been commanded by the four lords of the world, "If by shipwreck any ill befall men who have gone to the Three Refuges, or are endued with virtue, or who worship their parents, you should save them" ; and to protect any such, the deity took station upon the sea. In her divine power she kept no outlook for seven days, but on the seventh day, scanning the sea, she saw the virtuous brahmin Sankha, and thought she, "'Tis now the seventh day since yon man was cast into the sea: were he to die, great would be my blame." So troubled at heart the deity filled a golden plate full of all manner of divine meats, and hastening wind-swift towards him, came to a stop before him in mid-air, saying, "Seven days, brahmin, hast thou taken no food: eat this!" The brahmin looked at her, and replied, "Take thy food away, for I am keeping fast."

His attendant, who came behind, saw not the deity, but heard only the sound; and thought he, "The brahmin babbles, methinks, being of tender frame, and from his seven days' fasting, being in pain and in fear of death: I will comfort him." And he repeated the first stanza:

"O learned brahmin, full of sanctity,
Pupil of many a holy teacher, why
[18] All out of reason dost vain babbling use,
When none is here, save me, to make reply?"

The brahmin heard, and knowing that he had not seen the deity, he said, "Good fellow, 'tis no fear of death; but I have another here to converse with me" ; and he repeated the second stanza:

"'Tis a fair radiant presence, gold-besprent,
That offers me food for my nourishment,
All bravely set upon a plate of gold:
To her I answer No, with heart content."

Then the man repeated the third stanza:

"If such a wondrous being one should see,
A man should ask a blessing hopefully.
Arise, beseech her, holding up claspt hands:
"Say, art thou human, or a deity?"

[19]"You say well," said the brahmin, and asked his question by repeating the fourth stanza:

"As thou beholdest me in kindly way
And "Take and eat this food" to me dost say,
I ask thee, lady, excellent in might,
Art thou a goddess, or a woman, pray?"

Thereupon the deity repeated two stanzas:

"A goddess excellent in might am I;
And to mid-ocean hitherward did hie,
Full of compassion and in heart well-pleased,
For thy sake come in this extremity.

"Here food, and drink, and place of rest behold,
Vehicles various and manifold;
Thee, Sankha, I make lord of every thing
Which for desirable thy heart may hold."