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SETH AKALASA
131
report about your behaviour towards the queen, my blood was boiling in anger. The way you have treated your sisterin-law, who deserves to be respected like the mother, would put our family line to great ignominy. I do not think, after this incident, I can live with you even for a moment Do not show me your blemished face any more I order that you leave this kingdom and move out of its borders before sun rise. If you dare disobey my orders, I am afraid, the result will be very bitter"
As Hamirsingh was glancing through this note, his eyes became stunned. He had never expected such a thing from his brother. As an elder person, as also the ruler, he should have looked into the matter before passing on this crude judgement. He decided not to protest, but silently to accept the verdict and move out of the kingdom But before he could do that, he should make suitable arrangement for the management of his property. Indeed there were many people in the city, but it took him a fairly long time to fix up a suitable attorney.
In the same city, there was a merchant named Akalasa. He possessed a small capital of one lakh Really he was not a business man, but a mere rentier and money-lender. But he was a pious and devoted person and spent much of his time 18 spiritual activities. He believed in, and practised, the ideal limiting possession and was satisfied with his limited earning He was never deceitful to any one
Bhadra was the name of his, wife. She was a fine and accomplished woman, pious, honest and devoted like her husband But she had one ilaw She was given too much to competitive ostentation, and when she saw some neighbouring woman with new clothes or ornaments, she insisted that she too must have similar things The merchant would tell her not to make a blind imitation of others
One day, Bhadra went to visit a neighbour, Laksmidevi, wife of Seth Hirachand. He raz many shops in the city and in other towns He had many employees and servants under him. When Bhadra was in conversation with the Seth's wife, she found that all sorts of people were coming to Laksmi to hold consultation and receive orders from her.
