resolved to accept the person on whom the garland would fall as her husband. When lo ! the Lord Vishnu in the guise of a young man suddenly makes his appearance and receiving the garland on his neck disappears with the lovely princess. The two suitors, now enraged beyond all bounds, suspect foul-play on the part of the king, and Narada violently kicks the earth, when a fierce-looking spirit (Mâyâ Devatâ) suddenly arises, from the bowels of the earth and asks why she was sent for. Narada asks the spirit to attack the king, upon which, with a piercing yell, the Spirit advances to fall upon the king. The king, strong in his faith in God, bravely withstands the assault and forces her back by the mighty power of his God-given Sudarsana Dise. The Devata is scared by the flames issuing from the Disc and in abiect terror runs back to Narada for protection. The Rishis now realize the greatness of King Ambarisha and teg for his pardon. Ambarisha then offers a heartfelt prayer to the God Vishnu. whereupon the Lord again makes his appearance with his newly-Won bride. The Rishis then understand the actual situation and reproaching Vishnu with having tricked them, curse that he should undergo sufferings on account of his wife no less severe than those suffered by themselves. Vishnu explains and justifies his conduct and with a smile tells the Rishis that their curse to him is only a blessing in disguise, and that he had already made up his mind to incarnate himself on the earth in human form-as Sri Ramachandra of the Solar race—with Srimati taking birth as Sita, and making the abduction of . Sita an excuse for the destruction of the Rakshasa race, re-establish Dharma in the land. MANG ALAM.
