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One day, the merchant returned home from another village. It was already past midday. He walked on foot, and was very hungry and thirsty by the time he reached home. So, on reaching home, he sat down to clean his feet. Candanavàlà fetched water for him. As the merchant rubbed his feet, she poured water on it. Suddenly, her hairs became loose and scattered on the ground. To save them from being soiled in unclean water, the merchant gently picked up the bunch of her hairs and placed them on her back. Seated at the window, Mula observed all this. She was alarmed to discover that her apprehension, was not unfounded. Her whole body was ablaze as if with fire, and from that very moment, she started her conspiracy against her.
The merchant regularly visited other villages on business. One day, when the merchant was absent from home, Mula caught hold of Candanavala, cut her hairs, tied her legs with a chain and pushed her into a vault. Then she locked her home from outside and went to her parental home. The merchant was absent from home for three days. When he came back, the home was locked.. He had surprise as well as irritation.
He took another door to go inside the house. One by one, he checked all the rooms, and they were looked. Then he came near the vault at the basement, and heard somebody groaning inside. He shouted,
"Is it Candanā"?
"Yes, dad, I am here"
These words came in a very low voice. The merchant's sorrow knew no bound. With a great difficulty, the merchant rescued her from the vault. He asked,
"My daughter! Who did this to you"?
But Canadanavala was calm. She did not lose her patience. She said,
"Dad! Could you help me with some food"?