STORIES OF THE TOM-TOM BEATERS
No. 193
The Story of Batmasurā[1]
In a certain country there are a God Îswara (Śiva) and a Princess (Umā), it is said. That God Îswara was a good soothsayer.
News of it having reached another country, a man called Batmasurā came to learn soothsaying. Having come and been there a long time he learnt soothsaying. That Batmasurā who was learning it went to his village.
Having gone and been there a long time, he again came near the God Îswara. When he came there the God Îswara was not at home; only the Princess was there. Having soaked the cloth which the Princess wore she had placed it in the veranda [before washing it].
That Batmasurā taking the cloth, and having gone and washed it, as he was holding it out [to dry] this Princess saw him. Having seen him she sat silently. Then Batmasurā having come [after] drying the cloth, gave it into the hand of the Princess.
After that, the Princess gave Batmasurā the rice which had been cooked for the God Îswara. As Batmasurā, having eaten the cooked rice, was finishing, the God Îswara came. After he came that Princess set about making ready food for the God Îswara.
Then the God Îswara asked at the hand of the Princess, “What is the food so late to-day for?”