IV.] | BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. There in high- heaven Behula was ordered to dance before the assembled gods, and she did her part so well that the gods were mightily pleased, and Manasa Devi was requested by them to restore Laksmindara to life. Manasa Devi complied with this request after having extorted a promise from Behula that she would induce her father-in-law to worship her. Manasa Devi was pleased with her devotion and wished to know if she had any other boon to ask.. With clasped hands and tearful eyes, she said, ‘‘ The sight of my widowed sisters-in-law will pain me, Divine mother! In your mercy restore my husband's brothers to life.” This Manasa Devi did and further rewarded her by giving back the seven ships loaded with treasures, which Chand had The Guabari of Chand was also restored to its original condition. lost in the waters of Kalidaha. _Behula embarked with her husband. and _ his brothers on board the ships and started homewards. She related to her husband the story of her suffer- ings, pointing to the places of their occurrence as ‘they sailed back up the noble river Gangoor, and her beautiful eyes swam. with tears at their recollec- ‘tion. But the heart of Laksmindara_ was like to break for pain as he listened to the story of all she had endured. _ When the ships came near Nichhaninagar, Behula besought her husband to allow her to pay a flying visit to her poor parents, striken with grief. To this Laksmindara readily consented, saying, “Let us both go there under the guise of a Yogi Behula agreed gladly and immediately clothes ) and Yogini.’ adopted the earings, the ochre-coloured 35 273 Manas4 Devi grants all that Behula4 seeks, On her way home. Behula and Laks= mindara visit Nichhani- nagar in disguise.
