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this firm resolution of Silavati, the wicked merchant Déhila prohibited the giving of food, and drink-materials to her. Although overcome by hunger, and tbirst, Sīlavati did not abandon her firm resolution.
Becoming perfectly satisfied with the pure chastity of Śīlavatī, the Goddess of the adjoining Sea, put Débil's ship into a whirl-wind. She set in motion violent wind resembling the wind of the time of annhilation of the world; she produced waves on water as tall as high mountalns; she created terrible images of gandharva-nagara ( mirages resembling the city of gandharvas ) in the sky, and she displayed clouds accompanied by terrible roarings, and sharp lightning. The pilot of the ship became terrified; armed warriors became confused; oarsmen were alarmed; and Déhila-the owner of the ship was greatly bewildered. At that time, a goddess from the sky said :-Ah! Vile son of a merchant ! Destitute of judgment ! O love-sick, O libidiqus ass ! Ah! Fire-like ! Scornful like a bear! Contemptible to the people like ajāgala stana-( nipple hanging down the neck of goats-an emblem of anything worthless or useless.) If you will harass Sllavatī, you will instantly perish " Then, with a white uttarāsanga (upper garment), he commenced the ceremony of worshipping the deity, and with a brass-vessel of incense, he respectfully entreated the goddess thus :-0 goddess ! Pardon this only fault of mine as of your slave, and leave aside your anger. Henceforward, I will never commit such an offence. Gods are defenders of the obedient." The goddess, then, told Débila :-Ab 1 If you will protect Silavati happily like your own mother, then, alas ! You will be kept alive" Becoming terrified of danger to his own life, Débila fully accepted what the god. dess said. The goddess then removed all the unfavourable circunstances, and became invisible. With favourable winds, the ship took the right course, and the pilot, and other persons on the boat were pleased the merchant was greatly satisfied and bowing down respectfully at the feet of silavati, and having asked pardon for his mieconduct he said :-O lovely lady! You
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