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MADAN AND DHANADEVA
93
then what will happen to me? So it is advisable that I liberate myself of both.'
One who has received a shock in life is serve-shaken Madan saw a dark future for himself in the company of Prachanda He felt very much insecure. So he collected some money and silently crept out of the house one day
He walked on and on and arrived at a park in the city of Sankasa He was already tired So le stopped to rest, As he was thinking about the future course of his life, a merchant named Bhanudatta arrived there. Welcoming Madan he said,
"Sir, you are most welcome to my house. In fact, we have been expecting you."
Madan was hesitant to accept the hospitality of a stranger. But the request was too pressiog to be brushed aside After taking bis bath, meal, etc, he sat down for a little chat with the merchant. In the course of the talk, Bhanudatta requested Madan to accept the hand of his beautiful daughter. It was indeed a strange proposal to a person about whom the proposer knew nothing Madan could not answer immediately but was meditating silently tryiog to understand the mystery Bhanudatta started.
"I have four sons and a daughter. My daughter's name. is Vidyullata She is proficient in all arts Now she is grown up and it is but natural that we desire her to be settled in marriage Last night, the family goddess appeared in a dream and said to me "Don't be worried Attracted by Vidyullata's fortune, Madan is coming here and tomorrow morning, you will see him in the park You marry your daughter with him and keep him with you.' So you see, my dear sir, how I have come to you at the command of the family deity. I am a stranger unto you, but you are not so to me, and so I have been able to make the proposal "
When the proposal came to Madan as a windfall, he could not decline. The ceremony was over Bhanudatta gave him a beautiful house where he lived merrily with his wife.
