Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/296

 260 BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. [ Chap. resolution not to worship Manasa Devi. He was, however, greatly troubled by the constant wailings of the women of his house, and also by the unso- licited advice of his friends, who came from distant countries to offer him consolation in his distress. He resolved to undertake a sea-voyage with the intention of escaping for some time from his un- congenial surroundings. Seven great ships, headed by ‘“‘ Madhukar,” the royal vessel, started one fine morning forthe great sea, and Chand had a very successful voyage ; he went as far as Ceylon, and, loading his ships with valuable treasures and feeling once more fresh and lively for the change, was on his way home, when upon the dark waters of the lake Kalidaha, a great storm over- took his ships. This storm was raised by Manasa Devi. The ship “Sea-foam’’ sank first, next the “King’s Darling” andthen the ‘Royal Fish” and so on, till the six ships were all wrecked in the bosom of the lake Kalidaha. But the stately “Madhukar,’’ on board which Chand was, defied all storms and as often as the winds inspired by Manasa Devi tried to overthrow it, it struggled and rose to the surface of the waters like a playful fish. The ships Manasa Devi sought the aid of Hanuman, the are wrecked, great monkey, immortal through all ages, and with his aid at last succeeded in upsetting this ship also. Chand fell into the great lake and was about to be drowned. Manasg Devi would not, however, allow the victim of her wrath to perish; because unless she was worshipped by him, she could not be recognised amongst men. She threw the great lotus which formed her own seat down into the lake, and jt floated near Chand. He was struggling to save