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Hearing these words, the mother of Shalibhadra came down. Her name was Bhadra. She said, “Why are you so sad? Well, I will buy all your shawls."
The merchant thought that the old woman was under some illusion. So he said, “Mother, these are worth not less than twenty lakh gold coins!"
But Bhadra said, “Do not worry about it." Yes, cost was no consideration for her. She, however, was found worrying as there were only sixteen shawls. She wanted thirty-two; for she had thirty-two daughters-in-law. Therefore, she divided them into thirty-two pieces and distributed them to each of the daughters-in-law.
When the king went home at night, he found that no lamps had been lit in the harem. Nor did the Queen comfort and greet the king with welcome. She was very displeased.
The king asked her, “What is the matter?" Chelana then retorted, “Please build a hut for me and I shall go away to live there". When the king insisted on her being more precise, she turned her back to the king. He soon realised the root of the trouble and therefore said," Well, I am asking the merchant to bring his shawls. After all, I will have to buy them, no matter how empty my treasury is! Only, then, I can have peace of mind."
On inquiry, the merchant was not found. It was known that all his goods had been sold to Shalibhadra. This news staggered the king. He exclaimed, “Is Shalibhadra so rich?"
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