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ioteer Naga wore a cheerful look. When he looked at his sons, his heart leapt with joy. All the 32 sons grew up to their youth when they were married with 32 beautiful girls from respective families. The brothers and their wives lived together and worked together.
All of them got employed as the aide-de-camp to King Sreņika. They were experts in the art of welfare. Once when King Bimbisāra eloped with Celana, daughter of Cetaka, through an underground tunnel and was pursued by Ceṭaka, these 32 brothers prevented the latter to proceed any further. This enabled Srenika to return to his palace safely. After Srenika had escaped, there started a fierce battle between the two camps in which one of the aides of Sreņika lost his life, and at once the other 31 fell dead on the ground. In this manner, the 32 sons of Sulasā met with their end.
The simultaneous death of all her sons was the severest blow that Sulasã received in her life. Although she was a pious woman, she was overwhelmed with grief. No less a person than chief minister Abhaykumara came to console her. Sulasa recollected herself and devoted herself to pious meditation.
While wandering from village to village, Bhagavan Mahavira once came to the city of Campa. A congregation was organised outside the city. People assembled to pay their homage and obeisance and listen the inspiring words of the Lord. A follower (śrävaka) named Ambada from Rajagṛha had also come for the same purpose. Ambada was in command of magical powers (vidyas) by dint of which he could change his form. When the sermon was over, he submitted to Bhagavan Mahavira.
"Bhante! My life has been worth living to attend thy sermons. My plans are to depart for Rajagṛha today. May I do anything for you"!
Bhagavan Mahāvīra - "At Rājagṛha, I have a very devoted follower named Sulasa. She is very firm in her devotion to religion. So much devotion in a lay follower is very rare. Look her up if you can".
