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· 313781. I SPIRITUAL LIGHT. manavratta ) of keeping aloof from taking any kind of property which does not belong to him, without the permission of the owner. Nāgadatta was the son of Dhanadatta ; he received sound education in his childhood. Being in the constant society of a Jain ascetic, his mind began to withdraw from worldly affairs. Among other vows he strictly observed the above vow. Once upon a time while passing on the road he was seen by Nāgavasu, a daughter of the leading merchant of the city. She being enamoured of him, resolved to take him as her husband. She communicated her wish to her father, who thereupon, after negotiating with the father of Nāgdatta, settled the betrothal. The chief police officer (Kotval) also advanced his proposals for the bride to the leading merchant, (who declined to break the promise ) but could not succeed. So he brooded vengeance against Nāgadatta. Once upon a time the king lost his ear-ornament ( Kundala ) on the path near the Jain Temple, where Nāgadatta was going for worship. He saw the ornament on the road but did not take it in rigid observance of his above-said vow. He then returned to the temple and stood as usual in the contemplative posture. The police-officer, while passing by the road, found the ornament. When in the temple he accidently saw Nāgadatta, the idea of bitter revenge crossed his mind. He stealthily put the ornament in the ear of Nāgadatta and arrested him and brought him before the king, who sentenced him to death. The bride when she saw him being taken to the gallows, vowed to stand
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