“ Impossible, but true! “ Lord Indra materialized in a flash of lightning. “ Menaka has dared to build herself a throne higher than Mine! “ Thunder swept through my chambers, lightning fell like rain on the floating balconies; squalls twisted my towering tear-bed. “Menaka, you’ve become arrogant. You must be punished!”
At last! I flew down, flung myself at His feet and agreed, “Yes, Highest of Gods, I deserve the worst punishment! Change me into a mortal. “ “Ha, I will, “ He roared. Space blackened and I waited, but nothing was happening. I opened my eyes to redness; Lord Indra was red with rage.
“ Do you think I, Lord Of The Universe, don’t have ideas of My Own? “ He stormed. I couldn’t see for the lightning. I heard the roar of thunder, His Voice. “Hear My Curse. You will continue to dance till the end of Time.’ Lord Indra paused; lightening quaked but did not fall. With a crash He resumed, “Henceforth you will dance in every man’s heart -but with a difference. He might lust and assault your ilk. Yet he will not be blamed nor need hold himself responsible for the violence he inflicts, for you, Menaka, most foul temptress, will be charged, each time, with robbing him of virtue. You will be held liable.“