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Tales from Indian Mythology
scan its secret message. Suddenly she was disturbed by the harsh sound of the galloping hoofs and by the still harsher cacophony of human voices which she heard in the distance. "Oh, they are coming at last !” she said to herself. "So I am no better than a mere beast, the target of hunters !” The nearer the noises became, the rougher they sounded. Ignoring them, she went on amusing herself with her newly-found pet. All of a sudden, an arrow just missed it by a hair's breadth. Now she was convinced that she had been cast into a world of wanton destruction where the stronger preyed on the weaker, the armed, on the unarmed, the many, on the few. She would stay there no longer, she decided. But where could she go? And how about Vasishtha's curse ? She burst into tears hugging the dove to her bosom. Lo, another arrow! It fell at her feet and lay half-buried in the sand. Pulling it out she held it in her right hand and stood up proudly, ready to take up the challenge, as it were. Now she could see the cavalcade riding towards her. "Who is there ?" she shouted. "Oh, it is a sweet feminine voice !" came the reply. "Who are you? We are defeated, and we surrender our bows and arrows to you. Pray, tell us who you are. You must be some goddess, we are sure." "Is this a ruse to capture my dove ?” she demanded. "Anyway I can concede that a solitary woman can defeat a mighty army. How absurd you men in love look !"
The party arrived. Their leader was Santanu, the king of Hastinapura, whose valour and virtue, beauty and brilliance, splendour and sanctity had inspired minstrels in the Three Worlds. Bowing to her, he introduced himself.
"Oh, you are Santanu !” she observed. "Your name sounds familiar. Where did I hear of you first ?"
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