Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c9.23

c9.23

A story is told of the goldsmith, Ratnavalli Navaratna Ābharaṇa of Nilavala, already mentioned, that seeing the King (Kirti Śrī) one day asleep he conceived the idea of setting a gem in the royal great toe nail; which he succeeded in doing without awakening the sleeping monarch. His awakening was awaited with some trepidation, lest he should have presumed too far; but the King was delighted at his skill, and rewarded him with liberality.