Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/297

 IV.] BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. 261 himself and at-the sight of the padma flower, stretched out his arms to catch hold of it as a support; but one of the names of Manasa Devi was Padma and the flower also bore the same name, so he contemptuously turned back, preferring death to her aid. But Manasa Devi now appear- ed and begged Chand to submit to her. She would in that case pardon him and reward him with all that he had lost, including the lives of his six sons. But Chand said, he could not defile his hand, re- served for the worship of Mahadeva, by offering flowers to the one-eyed goddess of snakes. Somehow or other the merchant king escaped death, and after three days of severe struggle reached the shore. It was the beautifulcity of his old friend Chandraketu where he touched land. Completely stripped of clothes, as he found himself, he picked up some rags from the cremation-ground, which he warpped round his waist, and straightway went to his friend’s palace. Chandraketu gave him a warm reception, and as the merchant had not tasted any food for three days, he at once ordered a rich repast to be served to him; he also presented him with a valuable attire becoming his rank. When the hungry merchant sat down to dinner, Chandraketu incidentally remarked that it was not well for him to quarrel with Manasa Devi, and in the course of an animated discussion on the point, Chand came to learn that Manasa Devi was the household deity of Chandraketu, and that there was a temple adjoining the palace dedicated to her. On this he would not touch any of the food. In a fit of rage he threw away the clothes presented to him by his friend; and, wearing his former rags Prefers death to Manasa Devi'’s aid. He is warmly received by Chandra- ketu.