Havell, Ernest B.: Benares, the sacred city: Sketches of Hindu life and religion (London, [1912])

AN OLD LEGEND 89

Pretending that Vajrasena was her relative, she per-
suaded him, out of love for her, to take some re-
freshment to the condemned man. He went to the
execution-ground without the least suspicion of any
treachery, and, as he was approaching Vajrasena, the
executioners, according to the prearranged plan, sud-
denly cut him in two. Vajrasena was hurried off to
the house of Syama by her handmaids.

Syama's passion for Vajrasena grew deeper and
deeper, but he could never forget her infamous con-
duct towards the banker's son, and sought means to
escape from her seductive snares. At last the oppor-
tunity came when they both went down to the Ganges
for a pleasure excursion. Vajrasena plied her with
wine, and when she was quite overcome he smothered
her, and held her under the water until he believed her
dead. Then he dragged the lifeless body to the steps
of the ghats, and fled away to his home in Takshasila.
Syama's mother, however, happened to be near at
hand, and with great exertions restored her daughter to
life. The first step Syama took after her recovery
was to seek a Bhiksuin (a female devotee) of Taksha-
sila, and to send through her a message to Vajrasena
assuring him of her undying love and imploring him to
return.

Buddha ivas that Vajrasena, and Syama, Yasodhara.