The King asked how that was. The minister related - There was in the city of Ayodhya, a Kshatriya, by name Chudamani. He, longing after wealth, long worshipped Siva (lit. the god who has the crescent-moon for his crest-jewel) undergoing great bodily hardships. Thereafter when he was purified of his sins, the lord of the Yakshas, at the command of the Lord, appeared before him in a dream and bade him thus - Today in the morning you shall get yourself shaved and stand concealed, stick in hand, at the door of your house. Then whatever mendicant thou shalt see coming into thy courtyard, him thou shalt strike mercilessly with thy stick. Then the very moment the mendicant will turn into a pot full of gold coins. With that (wealth) thou canst live happily during the rest of thy life. Then these instructions being carried out the result followed (as directed). Now the barber who was called for shaving saw this and said to himself. Ah, this is the way to obtain a treasure. Why should I not then try the same! Thenceforward the barber, lying concealed in that manner every day, stick in hand, awaited a beggar's arrival. One day he, having found such a beggar, struck him with his stick and killed him. For that offence the barber, being punished by the king's officers, lost his life. Therefore, I say, 'What was obtained by one through the force of merit etc'. The king remarked - How can a stranger (i.e., his real character) be known by narrating stories of the past - whether he is a disinterested friend or a traitor?