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MUNIPATI
77
nun was not even ready to express a regret Instead, shesaid, 'I stand in no need of thy advice I am not alone in this sort of behaviour. You will hardly find in Mahavira's entire group of nuns anyone who indulges not in similar lapses As an outsider, oh king, you see only such things belonging to the order,
as are openly visible, but as one I know better what goes on inside So, I wish you bother not about me or the order, but mind your own business'
"But the king did not go He said to the nun, 'Nun ! You have done something which is wholly wrong Now cover it not by implicating the entire order The order is pure, I know. All monks and nuns are sincere to the sanctioned behaviour It may be that due to the coming up of some impious karma, you have had a slip But try to rectify If you like, you may come with me, and, I assure you, I shall arrange for your delivery After that, you return to the order and adhere to the code'
"But the nun was no more, and the deva stood before the king, well-pleased at his steadfastness So said the deva, 'Oh king Thy equanimity is really worthy of praise. I adore thee and bow my head before thee What Indra had said about thee in the assembly of celestial beings was no hyperbole,I am pleased Ask for something'
"King Srenika smiled and said, 'Nicely put, sire But what shall I ask for? Is there anything on the earth which is not available to me?
"But the deva gave a divine necklace and two earthen balls to the king, saying, 'If the necklace breaks by any chance, then the man who repairs it dies at once The deva disappeared The king gave the necklace to Queen Chelana and the earthen balls to Queen Sunanda Sunanda became furious "The necklace for the beloved queen, and the earthen balls for me It's a great insult, What do I do.
