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with their noses cut off, and that base mendicant with his neck severed, and then he reposed complete confidence in, and was much pleased with, the skilful and successful Vidúshaka, who had saved his daughter's life. And he gave him his own daughter on the spot; what do generous men withhold when pleased with their benefactors ? Surely the goddess of Prosperity,*[1] out of love for the lotus, dwelt in the hand of the princess, since Vidúshaka obtained great good fortune after he had received it in the marriage ceremony. Then Vidúshaka enjoying a distinguished reputation, and engaged in attending upon the sovereign, lived with that beloved wife in the palace of king Ádityasena. Then as days went on, once upon a time the princess impelled by some supernatural power said at night to Vidúshaka; " My lord, you remember that when you were in the temple of the goddess a divine voice said to you, ' Come here at the end of a month.'To-day is the last day of the month, and you have forgotten it." When his beloved said this to him, Vidúshaka was delighted, and recalled it to mind, and said to his wife " Well remembered on thy part, fair one ! But I had forgotten it. And then he embraced her by way of reward." And then, while she was asleep, he left the women's apartments by night, and in high spirits he went armed with his sword to the temple of the goddess; then he exclaimed outside, " I Vidúshaka am arrived :" and he heard this speech uttered by some one inside " Come in, Vidúshaka." Thereupon he entered and beheld a heavenly palace, and inside it a lady of heavenly beauty with a heavenly retinue, dispelling with her brightness the darkness, like a night set on fire, looking as if she were the medicine to restore to life the god of love consumed with the fire of the wrath of Śiva. He wondering what it could all mean, was joyfully received by her in person with a welcome full of affection and great respect. And when he had sat down and had gained confidence from seeing her affection, he became eager to understand the real nature of the adventure, and she said to him; " I am a maiden of the Vidyádhara race, of high descent, and my name is Bhadrá, and as I was roaming about at my will I saw you here on that occasion. And as my mind was attracted by your virtues, I uttered at that time that voice which seemed to come from some one invisible, in order that you might return. And to-day I bewildered the princess by employing my magic skill, so that under my impulse she revived your remembrance of this matter, and for your sake I am here, and so, handsome hero, I surrender myself to you; marry me." The noble Vidúshaka, when the Vidyádharí Bhadrá addressed
- ↑ * Lakshmi or Śri the goddess of Prosperity appeared after the churning of the ocean with a lotus in her hand. According to another story she is said to have appeared at the creation floating on the expanded leaves of a lotus-flower. The hand of a lady is often compared to a lotus.
