V ing either by giving a refusal. To avoid unpleasantness the king fixes a day for his daughter's Swayamvara and invites both the suitors to be present on the occasion and take their chance. ACT IV.–Narada wishing to outbeat his opponent by a stratagem goes straightway to Vaikuntha (the abode of Lord Vishnu) and begs of the God to grant him a boon, viz., that, at the time of the Swayamvara, Parvata should appear like a monkey so that he may win the prize. The Lord sıniles at the weakness shown by the Rishi, but of course, grants him his request. Soon after, Parvata also calls on the Lord with the same mission and begs that he may be pleased to make Narada look like a bear at the time. The Lord grants this request as well, and both the suitors go away, each exulting at his good fortune and feeling a malicious pleasure at the discomfiture that a waited his opponent. ACT V.—The appointed day of the Swayamvara arrives and both the suitors go to the marriage hall with high expectations. The bride arrives accompanied by her parents and attendants, and on being commanded by her father proceeds to the spot with a garland in her hand, but wonder of wonders ! Instead of two human beings, she only sees a bear and a monkey sitting on the seats intended for her suitors, and terror-struck she flies back with a scream to her father. The king is greatly puzzled and looks on helplessly, upon which the two Rishis goad him with reproaches. Fearing unto ward consequences the king at last asks his daughter to choose any one of the two, without minding who and what they were. Srimathi, dutiful daughter as she is, obeys, the command and offering a solemn prayer to the Lord of the Universe, throws up the graland at random,
