I went back to my Wise Woman of many years.... “To the ignorant,” she said, “Kali but wants a life--Kali slays and Kali makes alive. Said I not once before, blessing and cursing, death and life, these are the Soul’s eternal doors. In the house of Kali the doors are ever open.... But, for us women, the lesson to hide in the heart is this--Kali, the Great Destroyer, the Nurse of the World, the Dread-Inspirer, is vanquished only by--her husband.” * * * * * Here, then, meet ancient story and modern history, the history of every Hindu woman throughout the Land. The last stage of perfection is wifely submission. III THE STORY OF A WOMAN Now Dokhio, the Father of Durga, was wroth because Shiva, to whom he had given his daughter in marriage, though he had the reputation of a God, was as poor as any beggar. And in his wrath he devised revenge. He made a great Feast, to which he bade Gods and Goddesses, Godlings and baby Godlings--all, save Shiva and his wife Durga. And Narod, the Mischief Man, was made the voice to bear the message to each guest. So Narod went to Shiva, and “This is what your Father-in-law hath planned,” saith he, inciting. But Shiva, “What is that to me?” “Dishonour, insult, affront--see you not?” said the Mischief Man. And Shiva, again, “What is that to me? They who do not honour cannot hurt me.”... Narod then went to Durga, Shiva’s wife: “A Feast of Gods and Goddesses,” saith he. “Let be,” said Durga; “What is that to me?” “Such display of dresses and jewels, such cackling of women’s tongues. ‘Why is Shiva not there? Why not Durga?’ Surely a daughter may go to the house of her Father, by chance, on the day of the Feast, ignorant of what is forward?”... Durga sought her husband. But he was firm. “They will make sport of you to spite me.” “What matter? It were worse not to be seen there--things happening behind our backs.”... But Shiva was firm. Then did Durga use all the wiles of women--coaxing, sulking, flattering--Shiva was firm; so, finally she used the wiles of a more than human ... She took unto herself ten forms each more awful than the last, and ten-headed she passed before Shiva, threatening and mocking. Till--“Go!” said Shiva; “Let happen what will happen.” And Durga, a little fearfully, in that she had got at last her heart’s desire, arrayed herself in garments gorgeous and becoming, and made her way to her Mother’s house. And her Mother embraced her right gladly, so that a great contempt was in Durga’s heart for the trouble at which she had been in coming. But the Mother said within herself: “It is well my Lord is away and busy, it is well ... else might he hurt this child of mine.” Yet soon the question came: “And where is my Father?” “At the Place of Sacrifice, where he makes a great feast,” said the gentle Mother. “Stay with me, my child; leave such-like things to the men-people.”