A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t2.223

v2.c19.s3.t2.223

He should not betray the magic spell to any one; otherwise he must die. One day the king laughs at the comical conversation of ants and gnats. The queen enquires the cause of his laughter and importunes her husband to impart the spell to her, though he tells her that this would cause his death. The king is just about to give in to the insistence of his inquisitive wife. Then Sakka, the king of gods, appears in the form of a goat, and advises the king to give his wife a thrashing ; then she will give up her request for the spell. The king follows the advice, and the desired effect is produced.[^2)