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EMANCIPATION OF AJITA SVĀMIN AND SAGARA 205 father. That name of yours ‘Brother to other men's wives' which is known is merely for the sake of gaining every one's confidence, but is not real. If it is true, then you are the father of your daughter, see! following her husband by the sole path of the fire.'
The king replied, Child, do as you wish. Henceforth I shall not hinder you. Purify your vow to be a sati.'
Then she, delighted, prepared her husband's body herself and put it in a chariot brought at the king's command. She, her body anointed, clothed in white garments, her hair adorned with flowers, sat at her husband's .side as before. Followed by the king, his head bent by grief, and regarded by the citizens with amazement, she went to the river. There the servants instantly collected fuel and prepared a pyre like the couch of Yama. She, like a wish-granting creeper, gave beggars money in accordance with their wishes, money supplied by the king like a father. There, the hollow of her two hands filled with water, she made three times a circumambulation, which had the beauty of a conch turning to the right, of the fire. Redeeming her promise of sati, she entered the pyre like a dwelling willingly with her husband's body. The fire with oblations of generous streams of ghi blazed fiercely, making the sky filled with a multitude of flames. The Vidyādhara's body, the fuel, and she—all were reduced to ashes instantly like water to salt. After making the offering, etc., to her there, the king went to his own house, filled with grief.
While the king sat in his assembly grieving, the man came from the sky, carrying sword and shield. Looked at by the king and councilors with astonishment, the fictitious Vidyādhara stood before them and said :
Fortunately, you are successful, Your Majesty, indifferent to the treasure of other men's wives. Hear how I have been victorious in the contest, like a gambler. At the time when I left my wife in your protection, O you
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