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SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER : THE HORSES : INTRODUCTION
Title-Ainne-Akirna-horses of an excellent breed. The enticing and elaborate snares of sensual pleasures litter the path of spiritual endeavour. One wrong step and you are caught. With an appropriate example of ensnaring the horses, the outcome of both fondness for and detachment from carnal pleasures has been explained in this story.
Gist of the story-Some merchants from Hastishirsh city set out on a sea voyage. Caught in a storm they arrived at an unknown island, the Kalik Island. There they saw numerous precious minerals and herds of wild horses. They filled the coffers of their ship with these minerals and returned to Hastishirsh.
When they visited the king with gifts he asked them if they had come across any astonishing things during their voyage. They informed the king that the graceful horses of the Kalik island were truly astonishing. The king ordered his servants to go with the merchants and bring some horses.
The king's servants took along a variety of alluring things and devices to attract the horses and came to the island. They fixed a few snares. The herd of horses arrived there and many of them were attracted and trapped. Many others were fearful of the strange contraptions and galloped away to their regular grazing pastures.
The servants transferred the trapped horses to the ship and delivered them to the king. The king called horse trainers to break and train the horses. Thus the horses that were trapped led a painful life. Those who shunned the allurements continued to led a free and happy life.
15 CHAPTER-17: THE HORSES
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