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ANTUKARI BHATTA
151
From that day, the thief stopped his tortures, and after some time, he sold her out to a trader in exchange for a. handsome amount Now, it was the trader's turn to feel attracted towards her and he started seeking her company. But Bhatta was firm like a rock The trader then started torturing her Everyday, he contrived to take blood from her body so that the lady soon became pale and weak. Bhatta had a most miserable time
One day, Bhatta's brother came to the same city He saw her from a distance and recognised her He came to the trader to make enquiries about how he came to have her in his house, but the trader did not give him true facts But the little that he came to know about her from the man was enough for him to understand his sister's misery. He at once paid the price to the trader and recovered his sister. He bought good clothes and ornaments for her and took her to his home When the minister came to know of this, he took the lady back with all honour and dignity due to
her
This brought a major change in Bhatta's life. She was no longer dominant, but became the very embodiment of humility and docility This earned her great esteem at home and even outside,
Once there was a discussion on this point in heaven, and the king of the gods spoke in very eloquent terms of Bhatta's patience and forgiveness "None can knock her out from these," said he, One god thought of taking a test and came down to the earth and hid in a corner of Bhatta's house, wholly invisible It was at this time that two monks came to beg oil for Monk Munipati who had been severely burnt (Vide P 54) Bhatta asked her maid to bring the container, but the invisible god pushed it down from her hand Bhatta remained calm and asked the maid to bring the second container, which was also pushed down in the same manner.
