Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/363

 (IV. ] BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. — 327 voyage, and young Crimanta gladly made himself ready for the journey. Khullana gave him sound advices as to how he should proceed with. his mission, and so did the king, who also-ordered seven good ships to be built for him. They were made ready in a short time, and Crimanta set sail in them on an auspicious day. Khullang all the while was engaged in worship- ping Chandi. What else could she do in her utter despair? Her husband was gone and now her child also was to be parted from her. The ghat এ . . He departs. of Chandi was her only solace in this deplorable condition. When the ships sailed, she stood look- ing, with wistful eyes at the southern skies at which the unfurled sails seemed to be aiming. She resigned herself to the will of Chandi and re- mained fixed to the spot like a statue. Crimanta was overjoyed as the sea-wind touched him. He was determined to find his father or die in the attempt. He had felt all along that his mother was sad, without being able to divine the reasons. He had always marked the melan- choly expression of her lovely face, and he now understood, that her sorrow was all for the absence of her lord. If he could not make his mother happy, what was the good of his living at all. 10 divine mother Chandi, do thou help this poor boy to gain his object,’’—he prayed day and _ night and the ships went on, towards Ceylon. There is here a long catalogue of the cargo and a detailed description of the voyage. Last of all he came to Ceylon, but near the Island, upon the waters of the. great Indian Ocean the same spectacle