Tales froM Indian Mythology

Author(s): A S Raman
Publisher: Kutub Popular

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Tales from Indian Mythology there ! Agastya, I feel like dancing with you on the edge of the cloud. "What a wild dream ! you will say. But it is not so wild, Agastya.”
Caressing her curls, he said softly: "Kaveri, I understand you and all the fears that you imagine. These are only natural where there is true love. But, let me assure you again, nothing shall separate us, my precious Kaveri.”
"I always seem to feel some unseen footsteps behind me. Some strange, distant voices are constantly beckoning to me." She held fast to him. Wiping her tears with the petals of a lotus, he said, "Kaveri, I can certainly protect you from princes and mortals. But if the gods covet you! Perhaps, when I grow up, I shall do penance and recover you from them. No, Kaveri, pure and profound love such as ours knows no danger. It is time we returned to the ashram and allayed Gurudev's fears and anxieties. Also, he will have prepared his sacrificial altar by now, and he will be expecting you to light it."
As they reached the ashram, the munibalakas had got every thing ready for their Gurudev's oblations. They would havd rebuked Agastya for being late but for Kaveri's presence and his own intimidating look. They were mortally afraid of him, including the bully from Anga who, on many occasions, had his ears boxed by his formidable senior. Their Gurudev at the moment was in the midst of his madhyanhikam (Midday Meditation), but he could not help smiling graciously at Kaveri as if to enquire whether her favourite flowers were in full bloom. "Yes, Gurudev, they are all right with your blessings.” She seti. about making the necessary preparations for lighting the sacritt cial fire.