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150
JAINA STORIES
the king, when other courtiers said in joke, "Sire ! It's the order of his newly-acquired lady which the minister fulfils.. He dares not to disobey," At this the king turned to the minister and said, “Is that right?"
The minister did not hide anything, and this added to the fun. As the minister stood up to go before it was evening, the king detained him The minister-was restless and trembling, but he could say nothing The king allowed. him to go at late hours of the night
Anger blinds and deprives one of sense Bhatta was all fire and latched the entrance The minister knocked and knocked but there was no response for a long time Then the door opened, but Bhatta departed at a hurried. pace without speaking a single word.
This was a sheer folly. To start alone at mid-night could not be a venture free from danger, particularly for a young lady. She fell in the hands of thieves, who were happy to get a nymph-like woman in costly robes and ornaments They took her to their den and stripped her of all her valuables Then, clad in ordinary dress, she was passed on as a gift for the chief's use As the chief approached her, Bhatta thundered, and the thief had no more courage to touch her But she was not allowed to leave the den either, and she was severely tortured everyday What an irony of fate for a woman who had spent her life in great care and comfort' Bhatta silently bore physical torture, but did not deviate from the path of purity It virtually turned out to be a trial of strength between purity and villainy.
The thiet's mother saw the ordeal of the captive ladyday after day At last, she said to her son, “My son' This does not seem to be an ordinary woman In torturing her, you are committing great sins If she curses you, I am sure, you will be nowhere So I suggest that in your own interest, you should desist from torturing her, and. invite not unnecessary danger."
