Chapter Twenty Eight

The Kapalik, having taken his seat, held out his two arms before Nabakumar. Nabakumar saw that both arms were broken.

It may be in the reader's remembrance that, on the night when Nabakumar fled with Kapalkundala from the seashore, the Kapalik, searching them out, had fallen from the summit of the sand-dune. In the moment of falling he had striven, with his two hands set against the earth, to save his body; thereby his body was indeed saved, but the two hands were broken. The Kapalik, recounting these matters to Nabakumar, said, "For the daily offices my arms can serve me well enough; but in them is no strength left. So much so, that with these to gather firewood is a labour to me."

Then he went on, "Not as soon as I had fallen did I perceive that my two hands were broken and the other limbs whole; the moment I fell I was in a swoon. For a long while I lay unbroken in unconsciousness. Thereafter at one moment I would be sensible, at another senseless. How many days I lay in that state I cannot tell. It must have been some two nights and a day. Toward dawn my consciousness was restored to me wholly. A little before that I was beholding a dream. As it were, Bhavani —" In the speaking the Kapalik's body shuddered. "As it were, Bhavani came and stood manifest before me. With knit brows she rebuked me, saying, 'O wicked one! through the impurity of thy mind hath this hindrance been raised in my worship. Thou, bound thus long in the lusts of sense, hast not till now worshipped me with the blood of this maiden. Therefore, by reason of this maiden, the fruit of thy former works hath been undone. I will receive worship at thy hand no more.' Then, when, weeping, I rolled at the feet of the Mother, she grew gracious and said, 'Good sir! one only atonement for this will I appoint. Thou shalt offer this Kapalkundala in sacrifice before me. Till thou canst do this, worship me not.'"

"In how many days, or by what means, I was made whole, of that there is no need to tell. In time, recovering, I began to essay the fulfilment of the Goddess's command. I saw that in these two arms there was not so much as the strength of a child. Without strength of arm the endeavour could not succeed. Therefore I had need of a helper. But men are little-minded in matters of faith — and chiefly, in this prevalence of the Kali age, under a yavana king, in fear of an impious sovereign's law, none will be one's fellow in such a work. After much seeking I have learned the dwelling-place of the sinful woman. Yet for want of strength of arm I have not been able to fulfil Bhavani's command. Only, for the perfecting of the design in mind, I have performed the rites according to the tantra. Last night, as I was making the homa in the neighbouring wood, with mine own eyes I saw that Kapalkundala met with a young Brahman. This very day she goes again to her tryst with him. Wouldst thou see? Come with me; I will show thee."

"My son! Kapalkundala is worthy of death — at Bhavani's bidding will I slay her. She is faithless to thee likewise — by thee also is she worthy of death. Therefore lend thou me thine aid. Lay hold upon this faithless one, bring her with me to the place of sacrifice; there with thine own hand offer her in oblation. By this shall the offence thou hast committed against the Goddess be forgiven; in a sacred work shall imperishable merit be gathered; the faithless one shall be chastised; the uttermost of vengeance shall be thine."

The Kapalik ended his speech. Nabakumar made no answer. The Kapalik, seeing him silent, said, "My son! come now, behold that which I have said I would show thee."

His body bathed in sweat, Nabakumar went forth with the Kapalik.