In a certain country there are a God Îswara (Siva) and a Princess
(Uma), it is said. That God Îswara was a good soothsayer.
News of it having reached another country, a man called Batmasura came
to learn soothsaying. Having come and been there a long time he learnt
soothsaying. That Batmasura who was learning it went to his village.
Having gone and been there a long time, he again came near the God
Îswara. When he came there the God Îswara was not at home; only the
Princess was there. Having soaked the cloth which the Princess wore
she had placed it in the veranda [before washing it].
That Batmasura taking the cloth, and having gone and washed it, as
he was holding it out [to dry] this Princess saw him. Having seen him
she sat silently. Then Batmasura having come [after] drying the cloth,
gave it into the hand of the Princess.
After that, the Princess gave Batmasura the rice which had been cooked
for the God Îswara. As Batmasura, having eaten the cooked rice, was
finishing, the God Îswara came. After he came that Princess set about
making ready food for the God Îswara.
Then the God Îswara asked at the hand of the Princess, "What is the
food so late to-day for?"
After that, the Princess said, "That Batmasura having come, and that
one having washed and brought and given my (mange) cloth, on account
of it I gave him the food. Did you teach that one all soothsaying?" the
Princess asked at the hand of the God Iswara.
The God Iswara said, "I taught him all soothsaying indeed; only the
Iswara incantation (daehaena) I did not teach him."