The hobgoblin's wife
repeated, "If you value your life at all, go away." The Brahman
woman began to cry, until at last the hobgoblin's wife had pity on
her and said, "Do not be afraid; walk a little way until you come to
an altar to the god Shiva, Close by is a bel [24] tree; climb into it
and hide among the branches. To-night the serpent-maidens from Patala
and the wood-nymphs, together with a train of seven demon Asuras,
[25] will come and worship at the altar. After making their offerings
to the god, they will call out, 'Is there any uninvited guest present
to whom we can make a gift?' You must then call out in reply, 'Yes,
I am here.' They will see you and question you, and you must tell them
all your story." The poor Brahman woman agreed. She walked on until
she came to the god Shiva's altar. She climbed into the branches of
the bel tree. She remained there until midnight came. Suddenly the
serpent-maidens from Patala and the wood-nymphs, accompanied by a
train of seven demon Asuras, came and worshipped at the altar. After
making offerings to the god they called out, "Is there any uninvited
guest present to whom we can make a gift?" The Brahman woman at once
climbed down the bel tree and called out in answer, "Yes, I am here,"
The serpent-maidens from Patala and the wood-nymphs, greatly surprised,
asked her who she was, and she told them all her story.
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