03.095
Lomasha said.
When you, Agastya, in your householder's life acted differently and showed such patience, then approaching, the lord of the earth addressed the lady from Vidarbha. (03-95-1)
O king, my mind is firm on attaining a son. I choose you, O lord of the earth; give Lopamudrā to me. (03-95-2)
Thus addressed by the sage, the distressed king was unable to refuse and did not wish even to give. (03-95-3)
Then the king, having approached his wife, said: "This powerful great sage, being angry, may burn us with the fire of his curse." (03-95-4)
Seeing the king, lord of the earth, so afflicted with sorrow along with his wife, Lopamudra approached and at the proper time spoke these words. (03-95-5)
You ought not to endure distress for my sake, O king. Grant me to Agastya; save yourself through me, father. (03-95-6)
At his daughter's request, the king then gave Lopamudrā to the great-souled Agastya, according to prescribed rule, O lord of the people. (03-95-7)
But having obtained his wife, Agastya spoke to Lopamudra: "Discard these very valuable clothes and ornaments." (03-95-8)
Then that wide-eyed woman, with thighs like plantain stems, relinquished her exquisite and most precious bodies and garments. (3-95-9)
Then she took bark garments, tree-bark clothes and animal skins, and the large-eyed lady engaged in the same ascetic practice and became so. (03-95-10)
Then, having arrived at the gate of the Ganges, the venerable best among sages undertook intense austerity together with his devoted wife. (03-95-11)
She then served her husband with affection and respect. And the lord Agastya felt the highest affection for his wife. (03-95-12)
Then, O lord of men, after many days, the venerable sage saw Lopamudrā, radiant through austerity and having bathed. (03-95-13)
He, pleased by her service, purity, self-restraint, splendor, and beauty, invited her for union. (03-95-14)
Then she, the lady, standing with joined palms and as if ashamed, affectionately spoke these words to the illustrious one. (03-95-15)
Without doubt, a husband sought a wife for the sake of progeny. But, O sage, the affection I have for you—you alone should reciprocate that. (03-95-16)
O brāhmaṇa, just as in my father's house in the palace my bed was (so), even so, you ought to approach me here on such a bed. (03-95-17)
Adorned with divine ornaments, I wish to approach you, garlanded and decked with ornaments, as I desire. (03-95-18)
Agastya said.
No, O Lopamudra, I truly have no wealth, nor do I possess the kinds of riches your father's house has, O auspicious, slender-waisted one. (03-95-19)
Lopamudra said.
You are the lord, O lord, by your austerity you are capable here of gathering all; in a moment, whatever wealth exists in the world of living beings. (03-95-20)
Agastya said.
This is so as you have said, but what causes the expenditure of my austerity—so that my austerity may not perish—please impel me to do that. (3-95-21)
Lopamudrā said.
O Tapodhana, very little time remains in this season for me; and in no other way do I wish to join you in any manner. (03-95-22)
O ascetic, I do not wish to destroy righteousness; but as you wish, you ought to accomplish this by me. (03-95-23)
Agastya said.
If, O fortunate one, this is your determined wish, then indeed I will go, O auspicious one; do as you wish, staying here. (03-95-24)
