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18. NAMI
Maniratha was the king of Sudarsana in the country of Avanti; his brother, Yugabāhu was the crown-prince and vice-regent, since the king had no son of his own. Yugabāhu's wife Madanarekhă was an exquisitely beautiful young lady and the King entertained a wicked desire to seduce her; but Madanarekhā ws deeply devoted to her husband and was equally devoted to moral values. The king realised that he would have no chance so long as her husband was alive. He therefore waited for an opportunity to do away with him.
Once on a holy day Madanarekhã and Yugabähu went to an adjoining park to enjoy themselves; the crown-prince was fairly drunk when the king saw his chance. He struck him with his sword and Madanarekha raised alarm. People rushed into the bower where the tragedy had taken place and the king was caught. The eldest son of Yugabāhu and Madanarekha, Candrayasas was informed and he rushed up with medical help. But Yugabâhu was fatally wounded and Madanarekhå started preparing the mind of her dying husband. She advised him to accept the inevitable without any complaint; he should have no bitterness in his mind, no hatred, he should depart with compassion for all and repentance for his own misdeeds. The dying man accepted all her words with due humility, with folded hands and peace in his mind. After his death he went to heaven.
Madanarekha was greatly upset; she cursed her own beauty that had tempted the king and brought about this tragedy. She visualised trouble if she went back to the palace, and she had to seek a safe refuge for the child she was then carrying. She left the town and wandered on and on till she felt too tired to go on. She
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