Global Hindu Footprint - Spread Beyond India

[Bharatvarsh]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Illustrated on the left is a drawing by I Lunga (c. 1995) depicting the story of Rajapala. Rajapala is often referred to as the first Balinese voyeur or “peeping Tom.” According to the story, Rajapala catches sight of a group of celestial nymphs bathing in a pool. He approaches stealthily, and without their knowledge, steals the skirt (kamben) of the prettiest, Sulasih. As her clothing contains magical powers enabling her to fly, the nymph cannot return home. Rajapala offers to marry her. She accepts on the condition that she will return to heaven after the birth of a child. With time, she and Rajapala have a healthy young son. Years pass, and one day, Sulasih accidentally discovers her clothing hidden in the kitchen. Understanding that she has been tricked, she takes leave of her husband and son and goes back to her heavenly abode.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balinese_art<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This story has close parallels with an old Telugu Janapada of NTR called Jagadeka Veeruni Katha where the hero has to steal the sari one of the celestial nymph's to marry her & her companions but once she gets it back they leave but the hero manages to get them back at the end which differs from the ending of this story.

I wonder what the original source of the story is, perhaps one of the Sanskrit collections of tales such as Kathasaritsagara, Hitopadesha or Panchatantra.