Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/336

 The lizard was Chandi in disguise. Phullara is bewild- ered, She misun- derstands Chandi. She advises her to return to her own home, 399 BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. [ Chap. The lizard, who was no other than Chandi _her- self, now came out from the noose in which she was tied and assumed the form of a _ beautiful woman. Her complexion was of the colour of Atasi flower and her dark hair fell down her back in luxuriant curls. She looked like a damsel of sixteen. Her silk sdrz, her golden bracelets, her necklace sparkling with precious diamonds, her bodice em- broidered with gems inset by Vigva Karma himself, the god of art, the majesty of her demeanour—all indicated her noble rank, seemingly that of a queen. When poor Phullara came back to her hut, she Bewildered, made a low obeisance to the lady, asking her who could not trust her own eyes. she she was and why she had condescended to grace their lowly dwelling place with her august presence. Chandi gave her story in language which had a She said that her husband was old and poor and showered his favour on her co- double meaning. wife, whom he placed on his head, while she was This referred to Civa, the co-wife being the Ganges, who is re- treated with great indifference. presented as borne on the head of the Great God. But Phullara ordinary sense and did not at all suspect her guest, to be the goddess Chandi. understood the statement in 15 Poor Phullara, living in great poverty, prided the love of her husband and was con- She the damsel to be seen by Kalaketu; so hiding her jeal- herself on tented. did not now wish beautiful ousy as best she could, with smiles, she advised her “the night is approaching, and it is not safe for one of 1 to return to her own home. ‘For”’ said she your position to spend the night in a stranger's