Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

"""Myths of the Hindus & BuddhistsChand at once prayed to BhagavatI, the wife of Shiva,and she protected his ship. Manasa, however, representedto her father that this was not fair. Is she not contentwith banishing me from Heaven, but must alsointerferewith allmy doings?"So Shiva persuaded his wife toreturn to Heaven with him. He began by swearing:"Bythe heads of your favourite sons, Ganesh andKartikkeya, you must come away at once, BhagavatI,"or"Or what? "she said."Well, never mind," he replied ; but, my dear, you shouldbe reasonable. Is it not fair that Manasa should have herown way for once ? After all, she has been very badlyneglected, and you can afford to be generous."So BhagavatI went away with Shiva, the boat sank, andChand was left in the sea. Manasa had no intention ofletting him drown, so she cast her lotus throne into thewater.But Manasa had another name, Padma, and thisalso is the name of the lotus ;so when Chand saw thatthe floating object by which he was going to save himselfwas actually ^padma he left it alone, preferring drowningto receiving any help from a thing bearing the hated nameof his enemy. But she whispered: Even now worshipme, and all will be well."Chand would have been quite willing to die; but thiswould not suit Manasa at all; she brought him ashore.Behold, he had arrived atthe city where an old friend,Chandraketu, had his home. Here he was very kindlytreated, and began to recover a little ;but very soon hediscovered that Chandraketu was a devotee of Manasa,and that her temple adjoined the house. At once hedeparted, throwing away even the garments his friend hadbestowed upon him.3 2 4