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KESARI
far and near who was not a victim. He would commit theft at night and come to the aforesaid forest to hide his booty.
He soon became a source of great terror to everybody. The leading citizens came to the king who, in turn, sent for the head of the police. The police chief made the following submission :
"Your Mgjesty! This thief is somewhat different from the usual ones. He comes through the sky and goes back through the sky, and so he is beyond anybody's catch. Your Majesty may be gracious enough to determine my duty in this situation,"
The king sat silent immersed in thought At last said he,
“A king who cannot catch a thief and ensure the safety of life and property to his people is a bad king I must see what I can do in this matter"
Then attended by a few competent men, the king set out himself.
The party searched every corner of the kingdom, but could find no trace of the thief One day, after the search, the king was taking rest under the shade of a tree when he smelt a fine fragrance that came floating in the air He stood up, and then moving in the direction from which the fragrance came, the king at last reached a temple dedicated to Goddess Chandika. When he entered inside, he saw that the idol was adorned with fragrant objects like sandal wood, deer-musk, etc, and there stood a devotee offering worship. On being asked by the king, he gave the following account of himself
"I am the son of a merchant but am very poor and miserable I worship this goddess everyday in the expectation of wealth and happiness The goddess is well-pleased with my devotion When in the morning I come here, I find lying at her feet precious stones and gems. This has turned my fortune and so I worship the goddess with fragrant objects every day."
The king was now almost sure about the presence of the thief in that temple every night. He returned to the forest and waited there till evening. At night, he moved
