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GLIMPSES ALONG LIFE'S JOURNEY 39 in the wake of sentiment and usage! It will be noticed that the avoidance of gotra aimed at the same result. The Agrawalas of to-day, however, really marry in their own gotra, though professing to avoid it. The explanation of the usage is to be found in the loss of their kingdom and the subsequent change of varna from the Kshatriya to the Vaisya. They were too proud to give their daughters to non-ruling classes, and as reigning princes would not accept them, there was no alternative left except to marry them in the family, but by avoiding the line of one's own ancestor among Ugra Sen's sons !
Manoramā was a very entertaining girl, and soon obtained possession over her lord's heart. A son, Keśava, who was beautiful and brave was born to Subidhi from Manoramā. Keśava was really Srimati's soul, who had re-incarnated in the second heaven after the life of a bhogabhumija. Past love again attracted him in the same family with his friend. Formerly the dearly beloved wife of Bajrajangha, she now became his son in his present incarnation !
Subidhi was much devoted to his son, and did not take to holy orders even in old age, owing to the love he bore for him. But he practised the Householder's dharma fully, and observed all the vows and the pratimās (stages of advancement on
