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Abhayarani's Decision to Entrap Sudarshana in the Snare of Passion
Yogashastra, Second Illumination, Verse 101: "He should not sit idle and indulge in unnecessary activities." Therefore, I make this resolve that "from today, I will never go alone to anyone's house." Thereafter, the embodiment of virtuous conduct, Sudarshana, engaged in auspicious religious activities and began to live his life happily. He was constantly mindful that no wrong conduct should occur in his life.
One day, the grand Indra festival, a source of joy for the worthy citizens and the entire world, was taking place in the city. Radiant like the autumnal moon and Agastya, Sudarshana and the priest Kapila reached the royal garden together. Meanwhile, Abhayarani, seated like a goddess in a palanquin, was also going to the garden with Kapila. At that very moment, Manorama, the wife of Sudarshana, who was the embodiment of chaste virtue, was also going to the garden in a chariot with her six sons. Seeing her, Kapila asked Abhayarani, "O mistress! Who is this beautiful woman, like a divine damsel, seated in the chariot and going ahead?" Abhayarani said, "Learned one! Don't you know? She is the virtuous wife of Sudarshana, the very embodiment of the household goddess." Astonished, Kapila said, "She is the wife of Sudarshana? Then her skill is truly amazing!" The queen said, "In what skill do you consider her amazing?" Boldly, Kapila said, "She has performed an amazing feat by giving birth to so many sons." Abhayarani said, "If the husband and wife have mutual, exclusive love for each other, then for a woman to give birth to so many sons is no feat. Irritated, Kapila said, "Yes, it is true that if the husband is a man, then it is possible. But Sudarshana, in the guise of a man, is a eunuch." "How do you know that he is a eunuch?" Abhayarani asked. Thereupon, Kapila narrated her own experience with Sudarshana. Abhaya said, "Innocent Kapila! If that is the case, then you have been cheated! He is a eunuch for other women, but not for his own wife." Kapila was embarrassed and, out of jealousy, said tauntingly, "I was a fool and innocent, so I was cheated. You are the most cunning of all. I will only consider you superior when you bring him under your control." Abhaya said, "Even hard stones melt with love and generous gifts; then what is the challenge for me with this living being? Before me?" Irritated, Kapila said, "Don't boast in vain, O Queen! If you are so proud of your skill, then demonstrate it by engaging in sexual play with Sudarshana." The arrogant queen said, "Kapila! Just know that I have already enjoyed intimacy with Sudarshana. If a woman is clever, then even the most austere forest-dwelling ascetics come under her control. Then what chance does this tender-hearted householder have? Bringing him under my control is a mere child's play for me. If I do not engage in intimacy with him after bringing him under my control, then I will enter the fire." Thus, the two continued their boastful conversation and reached the garden. There, they began to play freely, as if the celestial nymphs were frolicking in Nandana forest. Exhausted from the play, they went to their respective places.
Abhayarani shared her vow with the wise, learned, and skilled in statecraft, the nurse-mother named Sarvajna, Pandita, and Kutaniti Nipuna. Hearing this, she said, "Oh daughter! Your vow is not appropriate. You are still unaware of the fortitude of great souls. Sudarshana's mind is firmly established in the service and devotion to the Jinas and the great ascetics. Fie on your futile vow! Even an ordinary layman considers a woman other than his wife as his sister. Then what to say about this great being, whose gurus are the ascetics devoted to brahmacharya (celibacy) and other great vows? How can he, who always lives in the guru's abode, constantly engaged in meditation and silence, be brought under your control? It is good to make a vow to seize the jewel on the head of a snake, but it is never good to make a vow to destroy the virtue of such a steadfast person." Thereupon, Abhaya said to the nurse-mother, "Mother! Somehow or the other, you just have to bring him here. I will take care of whatever needs to be done after that. You don't have to use any deceit; just bring him here by some means." The Pandita, after a moment's thought, said, "Daughter! If this is your determination, then there is only one way to bring him here; on the day of the festival, Sudarshana remains steadfast in dharmaddhyana (contemplation of the Dharma) in some empty house. In that state, he can be brought here. Apart from this, it is impossible to bring him here."
The queen, pleased, said, "This is exactly what I wanted."