The numerous uncouth names, which cannot well be shortened or translated, will, it is feared, cause some annoyance to the reader. As many as possible have been omitted, and of those which occur a list is given in the Appendix, together with a few terms which seemed to require explanation. This will save the reader the trouble of, referring, when a name recurs, to the place where it is first mentioned in order to find out to whom it belongs. The Appendix also contains a few pages of a very close literal translation, which will enable the reader to form some idea of the nature and style of the original, and to see how far it has been departed from in the preceding pages. P. W. J. GUILDFORD, _December_, 1872. PRONUNCIATION OF PROPER NAMES. The vowel _â_, is always to be pronounced as in father. The vowel _a_, as in America, or as u in dull, i in bird, &c. The vowel _e_, always as a in cake. The vowel _í_, as e in cede, or ee in reed. The vowel _i_, as in pin. The vowel _ú_, as in flute. The vowel _u_, as in bull. Pati is therefore pronounced putty, &c. CONTENTS. TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. ADVENTURES OF SOMADATTA. ADVENTURES OF PUSHPODBHAVA. MARRIAGE OF AVANTISUNDARI. FURTHER ADVENTURES OF RÂJAVÂHANA. ADVENTURES OF APAHÂRAVARMA. ADVENTURES OF UPAHÂRAVARMA. ADVENTURES OF ARTHAPÂLA. ADVENTURES OF PRAMATI. ADVENTURES OF MITRAGUPTA. ADVENTURES OF MANTRAGUPTA. ADVENTURES OF VISRUTA. LITERAL TRANSLATIONS. PROPER NAMES OCCURRING IN THE TALES. There was formerly, in the most fertile part of India, a city called Pushpapuri, the capital of Magadha, magnificent as a mine of jewels, abounding in every kind of wealth, surpassing all other cities in splendour and prosperity. The sovereign of this city and country was Râjahansa, whose armies were formidable with countless elephants and horses, whose glory was unsullied as the moon in a cloudless sky, or the plumage of the swan, and whose fame was sung even by celestial minstrels. Though a terror to his enemies, he was beloved by all his subjects, and especially by the learned and pious brahmans, who were continually employed in prayers and sacrifices to the gods, for the welfare of the king and his people. The queen Vasumati was worthy of such a husband. She was of high birth and of a sweet temper, and so great was her beauty that it seemed as if the god of love had formed her for his own special delight, by uniting in her single person everything that is most beautiful in the world. Among the king's counsellors were three appointed to the highest offices of state, men of great probity and intelligence, who had been long in his father's service and enjoyed his entire confidence. Their names were, Dharmapâla, Padmodbhava, and Sitavarma. The first of these had three sons, Sumantra, Sumittra, and Kâmapâla; the second, two, Susruta and Ratnodbhava; and the last had also two, Sumati and Satyavarma.