Page:The Katha Sarit Sagara.djvu/181

 from the body of Kártikeya, when struck by the thunderbolt of Indra, there sprang two sons called Śákha and Viśákha, both of incomparable might. Then Śiva, came to his offspring Kártikeya, who exceeded Indra in might, and forbade him and his two sons to fight, and rebuked him in the following words: " Thou wast born in order that thou mightest slay Táraka and protect the realm of Indra, therefore do thy own duty." Then Indra was delighted and immediately bowed before him, and commenced the ceremony of consecrating by ablutions Kártikeya as general of his forces. But when he himself lifted the pitcher for that purpose, his arm became stiff, wherefore he was despondent, but Śiva said to him; " Thou didst not worship the elephant-faced god, when thou desiredst a general; it was for this reason that thou hast met with this obstacle, therefore adore him now." Indra,when he heard that, did so, and his arm was set free, and he duly performed the joyful ceremony of consecrating the general. And not long after, the general slew the Asura Táraka, and the gods rejoiced at having accomplished their object, and Gaurí at having obtained a son. So, princess, you see even the gods are not successful without honouring Ganeśa, therefore adore him when you desire a blessing. After hearing this from my companions I went, my husband, and worshipped an image of Ganeśa, that stood in a lonely part of the garden, and after I had finished the worship, I suddenly saw that those companions of mine had flown up by their own power and were disporting themselves in the fields of the air; when I saw that, out of curiosity I called them and made them come down from the heaven, and when I asked them about the nature of their magic power, they immediately gave me this answer; " These are the magic powers of witches' spells, and they are due to the eating of human flesh, and our teacher in this is a Bráhman woman known by the name of. Kálarátri." When my companions said this to me, I being desirous of acquiring the power of a woman that can fly in the air, but afraid of eating human Hush, was for a time in a state of hesitation; then eager to possess that power, I said to those friends of mine, " Cause me also to be instructed in this science." And immediately they went and brought, in accordance with my request, Kálarátri, who was of repulsive appearance. Her eyebrows met,* she had dull eyes, a depressed flat nose, large cheeks widely parted lips, projecting teeth, a long neck, pendulous breasts, a large belly, and broad expanded feet. She appeared as if the creator had made her as a specimen of his skill in producing ugliness. When I fell at her