He came !!...Bhakti - 3

[Guest guest]

When Sarvamangala returned, Devicharan sat down

to worship the goddess. Sarvamangala assisted him.

The image seemed to be living and Devicharan's face

shone with joy. The whole room seemed to shine with

light from the goddess.<br><br> At noon the neighbours

began to arrive. Sarvamangala had invited them all to

partake of the fruit offerings made to the

Mother.<br><br> 'Just see what a prank the girl has played,'

Devicharan said, feeling very worried.<br><br> 'We shall

look very foolish when they find we have nothing to

offer them,' his wife said.<br><br> 'Now you are both

to stop worrying,' Sarvamangala said firmly. 'Leave

it all to me. I have invited them and I shall give

them the offerings.'<br><br> Devicharan welcomed all

the guests, and then went 'and sat before the

Mother.<br><br> 'Let me not be put to shame, Mother,' he

said.<br><br> He remained sitting before the image for now he

was afraid to face the guests.<br><br> Sarvamangala

asked the guests to sit down, and then she served the

fruit that had been offered to Durga during the

worship.<br><br> 'My father is poor,' Sarvamangala said, 'so he

cannot give you a big feast. It is his good fortune that

you have come. and request you to partake of these

offerings.'<br><br> The guests began to eat the fruit.<br><br> 'What

delicious fruit!' they exclaimed. 'We have never tasted

anything like it. Just a little of it is quite satisfying.

This is better than a big feast.'<br><br> With great

happiness the guests went home. They showered their good

wishes and blessings upon Sarvamangala and her

parents.<br><br> 'Have the guests all gone?' Devicharan asked.

'Did they laugh at me or curse me?'<br><br> 'Nothing

of the kind,' Sarvamangala said. 'They were all very

happy indeed.'<br><br> 'The strange thing is,'

Sarvamangala's mother said, 'half the offerings still remain,

yet the guests were completely satisfied.' 'It is

indeed strange,' Devicharan said. 'Mother has blessed

us,' he added, and tears of joy flowed down his

cheeks.<br><br> The following day was the last day of the

worship. Devicharan felt sad, for today the Mother would

leave his house. He sat before the image, offering the

goddess a special dish made of rice, curds, and

fruit.<br><br> As Devicharan sat there with his eyes closed he

did not notice Sarvamangala enter the room. Quietly

she began to eat the food that was being offered to

the goddess. Then Devicharan opened his eyes. He was

shocked to see his daughter eating the offering.