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 The sea- voyage. Dhanapati offends Chandi. The disaster. The wonderful vision, 322 BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. [ Chap. ‘ in reverence, and the matter came to an end, Khul- | lana having aquitted herself triumphantly in all the trials. Dhanapati next undertook a sea-voyage for trade. He fixed a day for setting out from home and called in an astrologer to say whether that date would be auspicious or not. The _ fortune-teller ventured to say that he disapproved of the day, but such a contradiction seemed to Dhanapati like impertinence, and he ordered his servants to turn him out of the house with contumely. Khullang meanwhile was worshipping Chandi in order to gain her favour and win her blessings for her | husband on the eve of his departure. When Dhanapati came to bid farewell to his — wife and found her engaged in this worship of — Chandi, he grew very angry and saying “ What witch is this you are worshipping, wife!” he kicked | over the ghat and went away with a frown, | On the high sea, the six ships of Dhanapati were all wrecked by a storm, which was sent by Chandi,—all, save the Madhukara—that is to say, | the flag-ship in which the merchant himself — had embarked. After this disaster he went to Ceylon. | Near that Island in the great Indian ocean he saw a strange sight. Lotuses with red petals and large green leaves were springing up all over the blue waters, and moving gently in the breeze. On the noblest and loveliest of these flowers was seated a woman of unparalleled beauty. Her | majestic looks and the light that shone about her — face spread a quiet glow over the blue waters, and she looked as if painted against the blue horizon,