" The
boy resolved that he too would worship Mahalaxmi. And he joined the
serpent-maidens from Patala and the wood-nymphs, and all night long
they blew on earthen pots to do the goddess honour; and the woods
echoed and re-echoed with the deep-booming noise which they made. [8]
At dawn Mahalaxmi revealed herself, and all of them, the boy included,
prostrated themselves before her and asked for her blessing. She first
blessed the serpent--maidens from Patala and then the wood-nymphs. And
then she blessed the poor old woman's son and said, "You will get half
the kingdom of Atpat and half the king's treasure. He will build you a
house as high as his own, and he will give you the name of 'Navalvat'
or 'Wonderways.' For this very morning the king's mighty enemy will
break his neck and be found lying dead in the king's courtyard,"
With these words the goddess vanished and flew to Kolhapur, [9] and
the old woman's son went home. Now at dawn Queen Patmadhavrani got up
and went into the king's courtyard, and there she saw Nandanbaneshwar
lying dead from a broken neck.
Pages:
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54