At
this timie, he began to realise the worries of a girl's father.
The anxiety of Markandeya aroused compassion in Vishnu. He disguised himself as an old
brahmjn clad in rags, holding a stick in one hand and the usual Kamandalarn in the other.
He was coughing often like a patient suffering from a wasting disease and appeared before
the hermitage of Markandeya on Palguni Ekadasi day when Tiruvonam star was ruling.
Markandeya considered himself fortunate to have
such an austere-looking old brahmin near his hermitage on an Ekadasi day. He received him
with due respect. At the hermitage, he washed his feet in the usual Hindu manner and made
him sit on a cushion made of reeds. 'Then he enquired of him the reason of his august
visit. In reply the old brahmin narrated his pitiable story. |
