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15. 15. ]
went to his caravan.
By constant journeying, some days passed by. [15] On the Amavasya day, when the caravan encamped at a place called Ayamukhi, he who had observed a fast saw a Chandala youth. He was clad in tattered clothes. All his limbs were besmeared with red pigment. On his shoulders, sharp gallows were placed. Though not a thief, he was caught as a thief. He was being carried to the execution-ground, while the drums were harshly beating. Seeing this big caravan, on account of the purity of his intention and due to love for life, he spoke before them loudly. "Hark ye, O men of the caravan! I am a Chandala by name Moria, the resident of Mahasara. On some reason, I came up to Kus'asthala. I, an unlucky one, though innocent was arrested by policemen, who having not observed thieves, were misled in belief. So get me freed, O ye, get me freed! I have come to the shelter of you, revered sirs. Moreover, this is more to me, even than the pangs of death that this calumny has come without fault upon the reputation earned by such spotless ancestors
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