The Kathá Sarit Ságara; or, Ocean of the Streams of Story

There is a city named Hastinápura, and in it there lived a king named Chamarabála, who possessed treasure, a fort, and an army. And he had, as neighbours to his territory, several kings of the same family as himself, the chief of whom was Samarabála, and they put their heads together and reflected: “This king Chamarabála defeats us all, one by one; so we will join together and accomplish his overthrow.” After thus deliberating, those five kings’ being anxious to march out against him to conquer him, secretly asked an astrologer when a favourable moment would come. The astrologer, not seeing a favourable moment, and not seeing good omens, said—“There is no favourable moment for you this year. Under whatever circumstances you set out on your expedition, you will not be victorious. And why are you so eager for the undertaking, beholding his prosperity? Enjoyment is after all the fruit9 of prosperity, and you have enjoyments in abundance. And now hear, if you have not heard it before, the story of the two merchants.”