Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/95

Rh And he fervently worshipped Brahmadeva's Queen, the goddess Savitri, and became an anchorite that he might win her favour. For eighteen years he worshipped her, until at last he won her favour and she vouchsafed him a vision. Out of a sacrificial fire which he had built up for her, she rose in all her splendour and glory. "O King Asvapati," she said, "O Lord of Horses, for eighteen years I have watched your piety and your pure life. I have vouchsafed you this vision in order that you may ask me a boon. Ask me a boon, therefore, and whatever it is, unless it is something evil, I shall willingly grant it to you".

"Great Goddess," said King Asvapati, "I long for children. 1 practised austerities and worshipped at your shrine that you might grant me them. If therefore you are pleased with me, graciously grant me this boon."

"O King," said Savitri, "I knew your desires before you told them to me. Before I left Brahmagiri I entreated the Lord Brahmadeva on your behalf. He has graciously listened to my entreaties and has promised me that soon a beautiful daughter shall be born to you. This is the Lord Brahmadeva's command. But do not thank him for he has no need of a mortal's thanks". "So be it," said the king reverently and with bowed head. When he again lifted his eyes Savitri had vanished.

A year later the king's eldest queen, Malavi, bore him a beautiful little baby girl, and because the goddess Savitri had vouchsafed her birth in answer to the king's prayers, he and Queen Malavi called the little girl Savitri also. As the years passed by Savitri grew into the most lovely maiden in all the land of the Aryas. Her father's subjects adored her as if she were a goddess. But her tall form and imperious beauty so awed the young princes of