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The Fall of Nahusha
75 to Indraloka and put up with him a few more days. Be well with all !"
That was the day when Nahusha demanded a meeting with Sachi Devi. He would wait no longer, and he summoned Manmatha, Vasantha and Chandra and commanded them to fetch her to his apartment immediately.
Indrani was already anticipating an invitation from Nahusha. So when Manmatha, Vasantha and Chandra arrived with a message from him, she was not at all surprised. She smiled significantly and accompanied them. They left her outside Nahusha's apartment and, convinced that she could take care of herself, they vanished.
Feeling Indrani's presence, Nahusha was seized with animal lust and he rushed towards her with outstretched hands. When she threatened that the moment he touched her he would be reduced to ashes, he recoiled, knelt before her and began to woo her tenderly. "O Mighty King of the Gods," she said suavely. "Perhaps I am already yours. So you need not fear me. But you must be patient for a little while. I do not know whether my husband is dead or alive." "Oh, he is dead," interrupted Nahusha. "If he is, as you say,” continued she, "there is no point in my prolonging my penance till his return. But let me conclude it with due ceremony, before you touch me."
"When will you do so ?”
"On Friday next. And on the same day you can take me away to your palace and keep me there. I have one more request and I am sure you will grant it. You are greater than all the deities including the Trimurthis. But there are the
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