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The demigods went cheerfully to their own abodes, Lord Siva continuing his practice of austerity.
Dharmadhvaja and Kusadhvaja performed harsh asceticism and worshiped GoddessLaksmi. Thereafter, they separately obtained the blessings they desired. ByGoddess Laksmi's favor, they again became the rulers of the earth. Theyacquired great spiritual merits, were married, and begot children. KingDharmadhvaja was married to Madhavi. After some time, she became pregnant witha partial incarnation of Goddess Laksmi. However, the infant remained inMadhavi's womb for one hundred celestial years. Day by day Madhavi's lustreincreased. Then, on an auspicious day and moment, when there was a full moon,in the month of Kartika, on a Friday, she gave birth.
The grace of the Goddess of Fortune, Laksmi, manifested through the baby. Therewere marks of the lotus flower on the infant's feet. Her face looked like theautumnal moon, her eyes resembled blooming lotuses, and her lips appeared likeripe bimba fruit. Her palms and the soles of her feet were reddish, her navelwas deep, and just above it were three folds. Her buttocks were round, and herbody was delightfully warm in the winter and cool in the summer--very pleasantto touch. Her breast was firm and her waist thin, and the light shining fromher body surrounded her like a halo. Her complexion was white, like a Champakaflower, and her hair looked beautiful. Because her beauty was incomparable, thesages called her Tulasi.