Tales froM Indian Mythology

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

Page 62

38
Tales from Indian Mythology
moned. But they were all barren and there seemed to be a curse on the villages at the foot of the Sahyadri.
"Agastya, can we reach the peak ? I really want to float on that grey cloud hovering over it.”
He said nothing, because he knew that her strange desires would soon deprive him of her. But lest his 'silence be misconstrued, he smiled his assent.
At last, they arrived at the thick shrub a few feet below the summit. They sat there and looked at the sky which was suddenly overcast.
"Agastya, how enchanting! Why did you first hesitate to bring me here?”
"You insist on an answer ? Listen. Here we are so near to Heaven and the gods may snatch you away from me, you see.”
"I do not care for them, Agastya, so long as you love me. I am tired and thirsty. There seems to be a pond behind that rock over there. May I go there ?"
"But see that your feet do not touch the water." "Why not ?" "Lest you become a goddess."
"Oh, your old joke again," she smiled and ran towards the pool. As she drank water from it, he held her fast, and lo ! she suddenly slipped into the pond, melted away into a furious torrent and surged forth with serpentine sweep and splendour, hugging to her bosom everything that came her way. He sat on the rock feeding her with his pent up tears and meanwhile there was a downpour from the heavens too. "Kaveri! Kaveri !” Agastya called out. But the only res