There she wandered about until
she came to the cave of a rishi or sage. The rishi was sitting lost
in meditation. But she bided her time, and, when he went to bathe,
she slipped into the cave and swept it and neaped it and tidied up
all the utensils used by him for worship. Then she slipped out of
the cave and ran back into the jungle. This went on every day for
twelve years without the rishi showing that he was aware of what she
was doing. But in his heart he was really pleased with her. And one
day he called out in a loud voice, "Who is it who sweeps and neaps my
cave? Whoever she is, let her step forward." The queen stepped into
the presence of the rishi and threw herself at his feet and said, "If
you promise not to punish me, I shall tell you." The rishi promised,
and she told him her story. The rishi took out his magic books and,
consulting them, learned that Mahalaxmi had cursed her. So he taught
her how to worship Mahalaxmi, and all night long they blew on earthen
pots and performed rites in her honour. At dawn she revealed herself
and the queen asked her for her blessing.
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