Page:Hindu Feasts Fasts and Ceremonies.djvu/91

Rh The bath in the Mahamakham tank on this - sacred occasion is considered to wipe off all sins. The river Ganges is supposed to run into the Mahamakham tank by a subterranean current, Antarvahini, on this day and the Hindu devotee will assert that if on this sacred occasion the water in the Ganges is examined it will be noticed to have gone down by one foot. Where did the waters go! Of course to the Mahamakham tank! How did they go? By the—Antarvahini—under current. In connection with this strong belief the following story is related:—

In the good old days, before the Kaliyuga had set in, there wasa very pious king reigning over the country of Mithila, north of Benares. He was happy in every way except that he had not a son to succeed to his throne. Once upon a time a holy sage, a rishi, visited the king and told him that if he bathed in the waters of the sacred Ganges on the Mahamakham day he would soon obtain a son. The king had the greatest respect for the sage and desired to follow his advice. He proclaimed his intention among his subjects, and several of these, who were unhappy like