The
goddess Mahalaxmi disguised herself as an old beggar-woman and
came to Atpat. First she went to the part of the palace where Queen
Patmadhavrani lived. But no one there was paying the least honour
to the goddess Mahalaxmi, although it was the 8th of Ashwin, and
therefore specially sacred to her. Mahalaxmi was dreadfully put out
at this, and when she saw Queen Patmadhavrani she said, "Lady, lady,
Patmadhavrani, mother of sons, what have you in your house to-day?" The
queen replied, "I have nothing in my house to-day." The old woman
went on, "Lady, lady, Patmadhavrani, mother of sons, if you give
this beggar-woman a little water, you will acquire merit sufficient
for all your kingdom." But the queen replied, "Even if I were to
give you a copper cauldron of water it would not suffice for all my
kingdom." The old woman then said, "Lady, lady, Patmadhavrani, mother
of sons, if you give this old beggar-woman a little rice and curds,
you will gain enough merit for all your kingdom." The queen replied,
"Even if I were to give you a big dinner of nothing but rice and curds,
I should not gain enough merit for all my kingdom.
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