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On getting hit, the husband held her foot and said "Darling! Your soft foot, as delicate as the ketaki (screwpine) flower, has struck my hard head. It must have hurt you." With these words he affectionately massaged her foot.
Next morning the elder daughter came and narrated what happened last night. Dodini was very much pleased. She could understand the nature of her son-in-law with this reaction. She said to her daughter-"You will be the master of your household. The behaviour of your husband indicates that he will always be under your command."
As advised by her mother the second daughter also kicked her husband. He was stunned but he expressed his anger only in words "Your behaviour is not becoming ladies of cultured families. You should refrain from doing so." And he ended the matter there.
Next morning the second daughter also narrated what happened last night. Dodini was very much satisfied. She said to her daughter-"You will also do as you like in your household. Your husband's nature is such that no matter how angry he gets at you, he will soon forgive and forget everything and do as your please."
The third daughter also kicked her husband. He got flared up and shouted-"O wicked woman! Why this disgraceful behaviour?" He then beat her up and threw her out of the house. Wailing and weeping she came to her mother and told her everything.
Dodini understood the nature of her son-in-law. She at once came to the son-in-law, pacified him with her sweet soothing words and added-"Son! This is a tradition in our family that to remove the ill effect of some past curse the husband is kicked on the head on the first night immediately before consummation. That was the reason for my daughter's behaviour. She did not do it with some ill intent or wickedness. Please calm down and forgive her for what she did."
This pacified the son-in-law.
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Illustrated Anuyogadvar Sutra
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