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happened for the second time and again for the third time, so that the whole supply of the medicated oil flowed on the ground. On an occasion like this, it is but very usual for the person concerned to be filled with rage and disgust; but Sulasā did not lose control by herself. With perfect peace in her mind, she came out and narrated the incident to the monk. The monk observed her very carefully and found her to be perfectly at ease. He found that inspite of her loss, which was in a sense due to the monk, she was as respectful to him as ever before. The monk now changed his guise and appeared before Sulasā in his original form as a god from heaven. Sulasā felt completely lost and did not know what to say or do. The very next moment, the god started.
"Worthy lady! In the assembly of gods, Sakra, our Indra, our king, spoke very highly of your great forbearance, Sakra intended to convey that you are so very firm in your e quanimity and so very sincere in the practice of the vows of a devoted follower that neither a god nor a demon, still less a human being, was capable to throw you out from your coveted path. These words of Sakra induced me to come down in order to see you. I appeared before you as a monk and it was by dint of my power that all the three jars slipped from your hand and broke into pieces. But I saw that despite so much loss, you did not lose control on self, nor be disrespectful of me in any way. I am very much impressed by your self control. I am more than convinced that Sakra, our Indra, did not exaggerate. I am very happy and I request you to ask for anything".
Sulasā smiled and said,
"Divine sir, I am in no dearth of money, property or respect from fellow men. But you know very well that I have a hankering for something which is a normal hankering of any woman, and the absence of which hurts her in life. But I am pretty certain that even this hankering of mine will be fulfilled at appropriate time".
