Simhasanadvatrimshika 2.p2

2.p2

Thus I have seen a most wondrous place.' Hearing that, the king went alone with him to that place, and experiencing supreme joy, says: 'Ah, this place is exceedingly holy! The Mother of the Universe resides here in bodily form. Seeing this place, my mind becomes exceedingly pure.' Saying this, he bathed there in the waters falling from the sky, bowed to the deity, went to where the brahmin was offering oblations, and said to the brahmin: 'O brahmin, how many years have passed since you began your sacrifice?' The brahmin said: 'When the circle of the Seven Sages stood in the first quarter of the lunar mansion Revatī, I then began the sacrifice. Now it stands in the lunar mansion Aśvinī; a hundred years have passed for me as I perform oblations. Even so, the deity has not become pleased.' Hearing that, the king remembered the deity and himself cast an offering into the sacrificial pit. Even so, the deity did not become pleased. Thereupon the king, thinking, 'I will offer the lotus of my head as an oblation,' was just placing his sword upon his neck when the deity, staying the sword in mid-air, said: 'O king, I am pleased; choose a boon.' The king said: