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30.AGASTYA
She grew with
years into a maiden of such rare beauty
and charm that she became celebrated in
the kshatriya world. But no prince dared
to woo her for fear of Agastya.
Later, the sage Agastya came to Vidarbha
and demanded the hand of the king's
daughter. The king was reluctant to give
the delicately nurtured princess in
marriage to a sage leading the primitive
life of a forester but he also feared the
anger of the sage if he said nay, and was
plunged in sorrow.
Lopamudra, greatly concerned, discovered
the cause of her parent's unhappiness and
expressed her readiness, nay her desire, to
marry the sage.
The king was relieved, and the marriage
of Agastya and Lopamudra was celebrated
in due course. When the princess set out
to accompany the sage, he bade her give
up her costly garments and valuable
jewels.
Unquestioningly Lopamudra distributed
her priceless jewels and garments amongst
her companions and attendants, and
covering herself in deerskin and garments
of bark, she joyfully accompanied the
sage.
During the time Lopamudra and Agastya
spent in tapas and meditation at
Gangadwara, a strong and abiding love
sprang up between them. For conjugal
life, Lopamudra's modesty shrank from
the lack of privacy in a forest hermitage.
And one day, with blushing and
humbleness she expressed her mind to her
husband.
She said: "My desire is that I may have
the royal bedding, the beautiful robes and
the valuable jewels I had when I was in
my father's place and that you too may
have splendid garments and ornaments.
And then we shall enjoy life to our heart's
content."
Agastya smilingly replied: "I have neither
the wealth nor the facilities to provide
what you want. Are we not beggars living
in the forest?"
But Lopamudra knew her lord's yogic
power, and said: "Lord, you are allpowerful
by the strength of your
austerities. You can get the wealth of the
whole world in a moment if you but will."
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