Part 4: The King fasts to obtain a son

Then the King said, “O Queen, be firm. Soon I will fulfill your wish by prayer to the gods. That which is not accomplished by power, which is inaccessible to the wise, which is out of the sphere of sacred charms, to say nothing of spells, which can not be obtained by other means, O Queen, the gracious gods are able to accomplish for men’s sake. Therefore, know that desire of yours already accomplished, honored lady. Enough of grief. I shall remain fasting in the presence of the family-goddess for the sake of a son.”

After so comforting the Queen, the King went from his own house, after he had purified himself and put on pure garments, to the temple of the family-goddess. There the King worshipped the goddess and sat down, firmly resolved not to take food nor drink until he obtained a son. On the sixth day’s fast, the goddess appeared and graciously said, “Choose a boon, O King.” King Vijayasena bowed to the goddess and said, “Grant me a son superior to all men. Favor me.” “A chief-god, falling from heaven, will be your son.” So the goddess gave the boon and instantly disappeared. The King told the Queen the excellent boon granted by the goddess and the Queen was delighted by it, like a crane by thunder.^[1]