Tales froM Indian Mythology

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

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Tales from Indian Mythology
observed Devayani nonchalantly. "Surely, you are not deaf." "What did you say?" demanded Sarmishta who went on hysterically thus: "Feeling fine and exalted in that clean garb of a brahman girl!...” Interrupting her royal companion, now roaring like a wounded lioness, Devayani remarked caustically, "You have an amazing memory." "You disgraceful destitute girl!” exploded Sarmishta. "Do you have the cheek to take liberties with a princess on whose charity you depend?” She slapped Devayani on the cheek severely and pushed her into a deep, waterless well nearby.
The other girls now joined Sarmishta who told them what had happened. Some sympathised with Devayani and the rest with Sarmishta; but they all shuddered at the mere thought of Vrishaparva's violent reactions when he knew that they did not side with his daughter. Presuming that Devayani must be dead by then, they returned to the capital.
The Sun having lost his face was no longer visible. And the moon was too soft and modest and would not dare to pene. trate the jungle. So Devayani, left to darkness and to herself, did not know what to do. Now she would cry, now she would attempt to clamber, now she would just clasp the weeds in the well passionately telling herself that they were her only companions for the rest of her life, now she would chant the mantras, but suddenly realize how ineffectual they were. As she was thus struggling, the silence of the night was broken by the blare of trumpets which she at once identified as those of a hunting expedition. In the meantime she had succeeded in climbing to a position of advantage. Now she stretched her hands and screamed for help. Soon someone from above clasped her right