Note 11 — Chapter CVIII

I thought to myself, “Śiva still retains his crescent and Vishṇu his kaustubha jewel; but I know what would be the result, if those two deities were to fall into the clutches of a kuṭṭaní.11 But such is this world, full of marvels, full of frauds; who can fathom it, or the sea, at any time?” With such sad reflections in my bosom I went despondent to a temple of Durgá, to propitiate the goddess with asceticism, in order to recover you. And after I had fasted for three nights, the goddess gave me this command in a dream, “Thy master has obtained all he desires: go, and behold him;” upon hearing this I woke up; and this very morning some goddess carried me to your feet; this, prince, is the story of my adventures.