Diggaja. "No, no, Ashman! don't you be so angry. I'll eat."
The Brahmin began to eat again;—as soon as he had taken two or three mouthfuls, Ashmani said,
"Well, you have done,—rise and open the door."
Diggaja. "Let me but finish this handful."
Ashmani. "Your stomach will never cry 'hold'. Get up, or else I will divulge that you have eaten after speaking."
Diggaja. "Confound it! Here you are—I am getting up."
The Brahmin sipped the gandusha,[1] rose up and opened the door.
CHAPTER XIII.
ASHMANI'S AMOUR.
On the door being opened, as Ashmani entered the room, Diggaja conceived that since his dearly-beloved was come, it behoved him to welcome her in a right gallant fashion. He accordingly waved his hand and exclaimed,
"ओं आयाहि वरदे देवि!"[2]
[O blessing goddess hail!]
"This is a very fine piece of poetry" said Ashmani. "Wherefrom have you procured it?"
- ↑ Before commencing and after finishing their meal, Brahmins sip a little water from the palm of the right hand, mentally reciting at the same time certain Sanskrit words.
- ↑ This passage occurs in the hymn, addressed to Gayatri, which itself is a hymn (personified as a goddess) in praise of Savitri or the sun.
