ou art a cousin of mine, thy mother being a
sister of my mother Dakshayani, and now I desire to hear thee relate
thine own prowess." The lady replied, "O hero with long arms, I am
_Avala_[30] (weak) but my husband must be powerful. And by the potency
of my father's boon, he will be respected by _gods_ and _Asuras_ alike."
Indra said, "O blameless creature, I wish to hear from thee, what sort
of power thou wishest thy husband to possess." The lady replied, "That
manly and famous and powerful being devoted to Brahma, who is able to
conquer all the celestials, _Asuras, Yakshas, Kinnaras, Uragas,
Rakshasas_, and the evil-minded _Daityas_ and to subdue all the worlds
with thee, shall be my husband."'

[30] _Avala_ is a common name of women. It means one who has no
vala or strength or power. The word is also used as an
adjective.

"Markandeya continued, 'On hearing her speech, Indra was grieved and
deeply thought within himself, "There is no husband for this lady,
answering to her own description." And that god adorned with sun-like
effulgence, then perceived the Sun rising on the Udaya hill,[31] and the
great Soma (Moon) gliding into the Sun. It being the time of the new
Moon, he of a hundred sacrifices, at the _Raudra_[32] moment, observed
the gods and _Asuras_ fighting on the Sunrise hill. And he saw that the
morning twilight was tinged with red clouds. And he also saw that the
abode of Varuna had become blood-red. And he also observed Agni
conveying oblations offered with various hymns by Bhrigu, Angiras, and
others and entering the disc of the Sun. And he further saw the twenty
four _Parvas_ adorning the Sun, and the terrible Soma also present in
the Sun under such surroundings. And observing this union of the Sun and
the Moon and that fearful conjunction of theirs, Sakra thought within
himself, "This terrific conjunction of the Sun and the Moon forebodeth a
fearful battle on the morrow. And the river Sindhu (Indus) too is
flowing with a current of fresh blood and the jackals with fiery laces
are crying to the Sun. This great conjunction is fearful and full of
energy. This union of the Moon (Soma) with the Sun and Agni is very
wonderful. And if Soma giveth birth to a son now, that son may become
the husband of this lady. And Agni also hath similar surroundings now,
and he too is a god. If the two begetteth a son, that son may become the
husband of this lady." With these thoughts that illustrious celestial
r