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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
453
Sometime Vankachula raided a village. While returning he was lost in the forest and his accomplices were overpowered with hunger. They found attractive fruits on a particular tree. They
ught them over to Vankachula. Vankachula asked, "What are these fruits ?” But they replied, "we don't know." Vankachula said, "I cannot eat them as I observe a vow not to eat unknown fruits." All his companions ate the fruits and all of them died in no time as they were 'Kimpaka' fruits. He was much wonderstruck and he said, “Such a small vow saved my life. I will minutely observe the vows given by the preceptor.” Anyway he reached his village.
Once upon a time he had left for some other town when some actors came to his village. They thought of inviting the chief of the village before they started with their play. They came to Vankachula's place when Vankachula's sister realised that the players hailed from the enemy's town. If they made out the absence of Vankachula, they would inform the enemy who would raid their town and plunder it to ruins. She said, “You may start the play. Vankachula shall arrive just now.” Thereafter, she wore Vankachula's attire and sat in the audience along with Vankachula's wife. The play ended late at night and she having paid some gratification to the players returned home and slept with Vankachula's wife without taking off her attire.
By fate, Vankachula returned on the same night early at dawn. He found his wife sleeping with some man. He was red hot with rage and was about to strike having drawn out the sword; but he remembered the vow of going back seven steps before he would strike any one with a weapon. He retarded seven steps and his sword struck against the wall with the noise. His sister awoke from sleep and said, "Good Morning, My brother". Then his wife also got up and Vankachula was highly astonished to see all the state of affairs. His sister explained fully what actually happened and Vankachula was pacified. Second vow proved very beneficial and he was very happy. If he were not bound by the vow, his own sister might have been murdered with his own hands.
One day Vankachula entered the royal palace to commit theft. Despite creeping cautiously, his hand touched the queen and she got up from slumbers. Due to some reason the king slept in the adjoining chamber and the Queen was alone. Maid servants slept
