Chapter 31
Far away from Videha an infant announced its arrival in the world. It was, for Maitreyi, as if music suddenly transposed to a different key. For Katyayani, it was dissolution of every element in her body. She lay spent up and unaware of all else except the knowledge that the greatest mission was fulfilled. She swooned into unconsciousness.
After bathing the infant with the greatest gentleness, Maitreyi wrapped it in clean clothing and laid it beside Katyayani. She stroked Katyayani's head and wiped the beads of perspiration off her brow. Katyayani responded weakly and opened her eyes with effort.
“It's a boy,” said Maitreyi, holding the baby slightly up. The child was wide awake and stared at the world around it as if it knew what it was all about.
…..................
Winter was over and there broke out a dust-storm which was unusual. The sand was everywhere- between one's teeth, under one's garments, stinging and scorching the skin. The sapling in the courtyard was swaying in the sultry wind. The storm abated soon and with the abatement of the wind and the storm there appeared a delicate shade of verdure here and there.
The hermitage greeted the changed season and the new rhythm that life took on with the arrival of Yajnyawalkya and Katyayani's son. Life was made up of little moments of pristine joy and beauty that seemed never to end. God smiled and showered happiness on all.
Katyayani and Maitreyi were breathless with joy. Disciples rallied around Katyayani and her baby. There was not a moment of idleness. Everything revolved round the child. His two mothers doted upon him.
The disciples were eager to set out for Videha, but were forbidden by Katyayani and Maitreyi, rigid in their resolve to rear the child without his retrograde father!
Far away from Videha an infant announced its arrival in the world. It was, for Maitreyi, as if music suddenly transposed to a different key. For Katyayani, it was dissolution of every element in her body. She lay spent up and unaware of all else except the knowledge that the greatest mission was fulfilled. She swooned into unconsciousness.
After bathing the infant with the greatest gentleness, Maitreyi wrapped it in clean clothing and laid it beside Katyayani. She stroked Katyayani's head and wiped the beads of perspiration off her brow. Katyayani responded weakly and opened her eyes with effort.
“It's a boy,” said Maitreyi, holding the baby slightly up. The child was wide awake and stared at the world around it as if it knew what it was all about.
…..................
Winter was over and there broke out a dust-storm which was unusual. The sand was everywhere- between one's teeth, under one's garments, stinging and scorching the skin. The sapling in the courtyard was swaying in the sultry wind. The storm abated soon and with the abatement of the wind and the storm there appeared a delicate shade of verdure here and there.
The hermitage greeted the changed season and the new rhythm that life took on with the arrival of Yajnyawalkya and Katyayani's son. Life was made up of little moments of pristine joy and beauty that seemed never to end. God smiled and showered happiness on all.
Katyayani and Maitreyi were breathless with joy. Disciples rallied around Katyayani and her baby. There was not a moment of idleness. Everything revolved round the child. His two mothers doted upon him.
The disciples were eager to set out for Videha, but were forbidden by Katyayani and Maitreyi, rigid in their resolve to rear the child without his retrograde father!
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