He came !!...Bhakti - 2

[Guest guest]

As Devicharan and his wife prepared for the puja,

their thoughts turned very often to their daughter.

Sometimes they wept because they felt so lonely without

her.<br><br> 'She will not be allowed to come to us now,'

Devicharan said, 'because she will be too busy. In that rich

family they will perform Durga puja in a big way and

Sarvamangala will be a great help to them. We shall have to

manage without her.'<br><br> The very next day, however,

Devicharan's wife fell ill.<br><br> 'What shall we do?' she

wept. 'Tomorrow the puja begins, but I am too ill to

move from my bed. Who will cook? Who will help us? Oh,

Sarvamangala, we need you.'<br><br> Devicharan comforted his

wife.<br><br> 'Don't regret,' he said. 'I shall go at once and

see Sarvamangala. Perhaps her father-in-law will

allow her to come, as you are ill.' Devicharan went to

Sarvamangala's home, but she was not allowed to go back with

him.<br><br> 'I am very sorry,' her father-in-law said to

Devicharan, 'but my wife just cannot manage without

her.'<br><br> Feeling sad and worried, Devicharan said good-bye

to his daughter, and set out for home. He talked to

Mother Durga as he walked along.<br><br> 'The

image-maker has made a beautiful image for me,' he said, 'and

tomorrow I want to worship you. But now my wife is ill and

my daughter cannot come home. What am I to do?' At

that moment Devicharan heard someone calling him from

behind. It seemed to be his daughter's voice. He stopped

and looked back. To his surprise there was

Saryamangala hurrying towards him.<br><br> 'Wait for me,

Father,' Sarvamangala cried, 'I am coming home with

you.'<br><br> 'How is it possible for you to come?' cried

Devicharan. 'What will your mother-in-law say?'<br><br> 'Do

not worry about anything, Father,' Sarvamangala

replied. 'Everything is arranged. Take me home with

you.'<br><br> 'Now Devicharan and his wife were very happy.

Their daughter had come home. She seemed more beautiful

than ever and her face was bright with joy. She took

care of her mother and did all the work of the

house.<br><br> The same evening Sarvamangala helped her father

to dress the image of Durga for the worship, which

would begin the next day. The image stood in a

decorated shrine and when they had finished they were

amazed at its beauty. Sarvamangala's mother now felt

much better and she too praised the image.<br><br>

'See how beautifully Sarvamangala has dressed the

image,' she said. 'And see how beautiful Sarvamangala is

herself. We have no costly silks and jewels, yet our

goddess and our daughter will find no equal anywhere for

charm and beauty.'<br><br> The first two days of the

festival passed happily. Devicharan worshipped Durga and

his heart was filled with peace. The third day came,

and this was the day when guests should be

fed.<br><br> 'Today we must give a feast to all the

neighbours,' Sarvamangala said.<br><br> 'Are you joking,

child?' Devicharan replied. 'How is it possible for us to

give a feast? We have only a few fruits to offer.' 'I

am not joking, Father,' Sarvamangala said. 'You have

worshipped the Mother in your house. The worship will not be

complete if you do not give a feast. I am going now to

invite all the neighbours.'<br><br> Sarvamangala went to

the neighbours' houses. Devicharan prepared for the

worship.<br><br> 'Now that my daughter is married to a rich man's

son,' Devicharan thought, 'she thinks' it is easy to

give a feast.'