mountain in the beginning of night, shines forth — a torch to the world overwhelmed by the gloom. The moon rising from behind the Eastern mountain shines resplendent as she lies in the lap of her beloved night, or as she stands gleaming on Krishna's head.
Such were the days and nights when Chandana and his wife passed their time together. They had a son whose name was Rama, and to him his father taught the mysteries of the divine wisdom.
His mother prayed to Chandra and said: " I have but one only son: I am therefore exceedingly pained with anxiety." Chandra replied: " It is best for you, that you should have but one son: for a son that is clever, gentle, self-denying, discreet, the abode of the arts, the dwelling-place of virtue: one only son such as this is all sufficient. Besides: what is the good of more sons: they may produce grief and care. It is better to be satisfied with one whose nature, whose disposition is noble." But Prabhâvatî was not satisfied; so she took a woman called Dhûrtamâyâ into her confidence, and said: " If you will procure a son for me, able to resist all the deceitful arts of women, I will give you 100 pieces of gold." " I will give you a son," replied Dhûrtamâyâ, " and if he falls a victim to female seduction, I will forfeit to you
