He
said that he had no wife, nor son nor relatives. He had no house to live in. He desired
that Markandeya's daughter should be given to him in marriage.
The proposal seemed prepostorous and Markandeya's head began to reel and his eyes were
filled with tears. He told the august guest that it would be a sin for him to marry at his
age. He requested him to give up his selfish desire at the cost of the future of a young
girl.
He should desist from such thoughts. At this the
old man suddenly held the feet of Markandeya and explained that his mind had already been
set on his daughter Bhoomi Devi and, in case the marriage was riot performed, he would die
before him. Sage Markandeya became horrified at the words of the old man. |
