Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

"AdoredManasa Devioffered the snake some milk, and while it was drinkingshe slipped a noose over its head and made it fast. Thesame thing happened with two more snakes. Then Behulagrew so heavy she could not keep awake she sat on the;bed and her eyes closed, opening every now and then witha start to watch the hole in the wall. At last she fellasleep altogether, stretched across Lakshmindara s feet.Then there crept in the serpent Kal-nagim, the same whohad destroyed Chand s pleasure-garden, and bit the sleepingbridegroom; he cried out to Behula, and she woketime to see the snake going out by the hole in thejust inwall.In the morning Lakshmindara s mother came to the bridalchamberand found him dead, while Behula lay sobbingby his side. Every one blamed Behula, for they did notbelieve a snake could have entered the steel house, andaccused her of witchcraft; but presently they saw thethree snakes tied up, and then they knew that the bridegroom had died of snake-bite. But Behula did not attendto what they said, for she was wishing that at least shehad not refused her husband s first and last request whenshe had been too shy to let him embrace her.It was the custom when anyone died of snake-bite thatthe body should not be burnt, but set afloat on a raft, inthe hope, perhaps, that some skilful physician or snakecharmermight find the body and restore it to life. Butwhen the raft was ready Behula sat down beside the bodyand said she would not leave it till the body was restoredto life. But no one really believed that such a thing couldhappen, and they thought Behula was quite mad. Everyone tried to dissuade her, but she only said to her motherin-law:mother, the lamp is still burning in ourbridal-chamber. Do not weep any more, but go and close3 2 7