dead. Her prayer was granted, with the caution that the fan should not be moved in the wrong way.
With grateful acknowledgments for the favours received, Kanchan left the celestial regions, and in the twinkling of an eye reached the terrestrial. She then went to the palmyra tree into which the malini's niece had been changed. But the tree was not there; for the wicked malini had by the assistance of the evil one changed it into a snake, doomed to pass its life in the adjoining tank; the loving service the girl had rendered Rup having stirred up the witch's venom against her. The shock was so great for Kanchan and Rup that they fell into a swoon. This did not escape the eyes of Indra in heaven; and alighting where they were, he ordered his Oirabat[1] to drink up the water of the tank. The elephant did his bidding, and a snake with a hooded head was seen at the bottom. The god touched it with one of his toes and it vanished, leaving in its place the malini's niece, in full splendour of beauty. The reptile, however, was alive, and walking on its breast to where the witch was, bit her on the heel and dragged her before Indra, who at a glance turned her into a frog. Justice done, he left the scene, blessing his favourite Kanchan and her husband with long life, and ordering that the malini in her changed body should ever remain in the custody of the snake, which would continually torment her with its fangs, but never swallow her up and thus put an end to her sufferings. The god advised Kanchan to reward her who had suffered so much for Rup's sake by taking her as the co-sharer of his bed. The advice was gratefully followed; and the merchant passed his days happily with his two wives, Kanchan of course being his sole guide in matters temporal and spiritual.
- ↑ Indra's favourite elephant.
