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great fear, ran away from Tamralipti and being robbed of her ornaments by thieves, arrived at the place called Kus'asthala when the night remained only a quarter. Now there, that very night, the chaplain had commenced the ceremony of offering riceoblation; so that all the obstacles of the queen may disappear. The fire, in a clean place of a square outside the town, was ignited. The guards were placed in all directions, with sharp swords drawn. The oblation, with the rice that were cleansed ( out of paddy ) by nails, was put in. The repeating of incantations commenced. In the meantime, seeing something burning, Laxmi thought that it might be a caravan and came there. She was observed by guards after they heard the cries of jackals. They saw her and were afraid with the idea, 'Oh, this must be that demoness !' They left their swords; and they trembled in their hearts; their hands waver. ed and they fell on the ground as if they were devoid of life. In the meantime, she came before the chaplain, saying, “Eh, do not get alarmed; I am a woman !" She was found naked. Then resorting to his manly courage,
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