“Let me go and devise some scheme to make the princess marry me. This is no time for prayers and penance. O God, how am I to win the maiden?

What is needed on this occasion is great personal charm and surpassing beauty, so that the princess may be charmed when she sees me and cast upon me the wreath of victory.

I might ask Hari for a gift of beauty, but, alas! Much time will be lost in going to him, my friend. Yet I have no such well-wisher as Hari; let him then help me at this crisis!”

So he offered up a fervent prayer and lo ! the sportive and gracious Lord appeared before him. The sight was soothing to the sage’s eyes. He was glad at heart and rejoiced that his purpose would be accomplished.

In piteous tones he told the Lord all that had happened, saying, “Be gracious to me and help me. Bestow on me, Lord, beauty equal to your own; for in no other way can I get possession of her.

Right speedily do that which may serve my best interests; for I am your own servant, my lord.” Seeing the mighty power of his illusion, the Lord, who is compassionate to the poor, laughed to himself and said,

“Listen, O Narada! In such wise shall I act as to bring about your highest good-that and naught else; nor are my words ever untrue.