And behind him strolled out
his companions. But when they had gone out of sight, the beautiful
golden temple by the lake vanished for ever. After looking at the
lake the king came back to fetch his turban which he had left in
the temple. But he could not find the beautiful temple all of pure,
yellow gold, with its jewel-studded pillars and its crystal jars. The
king asked the little daughter-in-law the cause. She said nothing,
but straightway walked deeper into the forest. And the king and his
companions, although weary to death, followed her. At last they came to
the temple where she had worshipped, together with the serpent-maidens
from Patala and the bevy of wood-nymphs. It was a tiny temple,
and inside it there was a rough altar. At the foot of the altar lay
the flowers which the ugly daughter-in-law had offered to the god,
and close by on a peg hung the turban left by the king. Again the
king asked his daughter-in-law the meaning of what had happened. She
replied, "This temple that you see is my own poor little temple. But,
because of my prayers, the god Shiva showed himself to you in the
beautiful temple, all of pure, yellow gold, with its jewel-studded
pillars and its crystal jars.
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