Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

"Manasa Devihim, and laid the body down beside her and went on withher work. But when the sun set and her work was done,she sprinkled a few drops of water over him, and he wokeup and smiled as if he had just been to sleep.Then Behulalanded and fell at the washerwoman s feet. Neta carriedher up to Heaven to see if the gods might be moved togrant her prayer. They asked her to dance, and shepleased them so much that they promised her to bring herhusband back to life and to restore all Chand s losses.But Manasa Devi did not agree to this until Behula undertook to convert her father-in-law and persuade him tohonour and worship the goddess. Behula promised.Then Behula and Lakshmindara set out on their way home.After a long time they came to her father s house, and theystopped to visit her father and mother. But they wouldnot stay, and set out the same day for Champaka Nagar.She would not go home, however, until she had fulfilledher promise to Manasa Devi. The first people she sawwere her own sisters-in-law, who had come to the riverbankto fetch water. She had disguised herself as a poorand she had in her hand a beautiful fan on whichsweeper,she had the likeness of every one in the Chand family depicted.She showed the fan to the sisters, and told them hername was Behula, a sweeper-girl, daughter of Saha, asweeper, and wife of Lakshmindara, son of the sweeperChand. The sisters ran home to show the fan to their mother,and told her its price was a lac of rupees. Sanakawas very much surprised, but she thought of the lamp inthe steel house, and when she ran to the bridal-chamberthat had been shut tight for a year, behold the lamp wasstill burning. Then she ran on to the river-side, and therewas her son with Behula. But Behula said : Dear mother,here isyour son ;but we cannot come home till my father-3 2 9