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31. THE STORY OF ABHAGNASENA
On the outskirts of the city of Purimatāla there was a forest where was a large settlement of thieves. It was carefully located in a rugged mountain valley and enclosed by a thick growth of bamboos. On the whole it was an almost inaccessible place where the whole tribe lived comfortably. The leader of the tribe was Vijaya who was a dare-devil and his reputation as a cruel man was well deserved. The group had five hundred thieves. They were all clever in the various branches of their profession such as climbing walls, cutting holes into the walls of houses, pickpocketing and gambling. With their help. Vijaya threatened, harassed and beat upp around and deprived them of their wealth, food-stuffs and even their houses. He often captured their cattle and even kidnapped people from neighbouring villages whom he released after extorting huge ransom. He even went to the extent of imposing his own taxes on the villagers and often looted government treasuries. Vijaya's wife was called Khandasri and his son was Abhagnasena. When he grew up to be a young man, he showed extraordinary capacity of understanding and also of enjoying all sorts of pleasures.
The revered ascetic Mahavira happened to be on a visit to the city of Purimatäla. The discourses that he held were attended even by the king. Once his disciple Gautama saw in the town a section of the royal army consisting of elephants, cavalry units and the infantry getting ready for action. They were all well armed and had put on armour. But Gautama saw amidst them a man whose neck was pulled far behind and tied. He was made to sit in a square of
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