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Tales from Indian Mythology
me to destroy you and all those who are dear to you, including Durvasa? He should have thought twice before sharing his power with a silly, little girl.”
"Please do not destroy anyone. The fault is mine and I must pay for it. The price is my honour !"
"No, I am not demanding it. I am here only because you invoked me. Of course, I can understand your childish curiosity to test the efficacy of Durvasa's mantra. But you should have taken it for granted. I have no time to lose. The world will be dead without me. So release me soon. Out of pity for your age and respect for your virginity, I grant you one favour and that is : May your honour remain unsullied even after you become a mother by me !" At once the darkness deepened and enveloped them both : nothing was visible.
Soon the sun began to shine again benignly on the world. His rays fell particularly softly on the infant son crying in Kunti's arms. Born with the Sun's own ear-rings and armour on, the baby was impatient to assert his supermacy in the world, as it were. But his 'embarrassed mother was anxious to hide him. When she looked around, she found a large exquisitely carved wooden case mysteriously floating on the river. She seized it, and piteously sobbing, slipped the child softly into it, and, kissing for the last time, consigned it to the waves again. It drifted along, as she stood staring at it with tearful eyes. As it gradually disappeared from her view, she collapsed on the river-bed and began to cry her heart out.
After some days, an intriguing report reached Dhritarashtra, the King of Hastinapura. It concerned his charioteer,
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