________________
124
chating. At that time a tragic weeping was heard from somewhere. Mahabal thought:
'Who can be there to miserable in my Kingdom that he or she has to weep at this hour? I must go and find out.'
He therefore said to Malaya :
'Beloved! You stay here only. I am just returning after finding out who weeps at this hour.'
Mahabal was knowing that Malaya would insist on her accompanying him. So he made use of Form rtransformation magic. He had with him the mango-seed. He made a tilak of it on the forehead of Malaya. Malya was transformed into a male. Mahabal gave her his earning and some extra clothes and said :
'Princess! I would have taken you
with me, but it is proper for you to stay here. I simply went to know what ails This man who weeps ? you remain