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CHAPTÉR THREE Delighted by Vaidarbhi's courage the Rākşasa said, 'Fair lady, I am satisfied. What can I do to help you?' She said, * If you are satisfied, demon Rākşasa, I ask you, tell me when I shall join my husband.' Knowing by clairvoyance, the Rākşasa told her: ' At the end of twelve years from the day of banishment, illustrious lady, King Nala will come himself and meet you living in your father's house. Now take courage. Fair lady, if you say so, I shall take you in half a second to your father's house. Do not exhaust yourself on the road.' She said: 'I am satisfied by the prediction of Nala's coming. I can not go with another man. Good luck to you. Go!' After showing his own brilliant form, he flew up in the air instantly like a mass of lightning.
After she knew that her husband's banishment would last for twelve years, she made various vows, shoots of the tree of virtuous wifehood, such as: 'Until Nala is united with me, I will not use red garments, betel, ornaments, ointment, and luxurious food.132 Bhaimi reached a cave in the mountain and, devoid of fear, prepared to spend the rainy season right there. She herself made a clay image of śāntinātha and set it up in a corner of the cave as well as in her own spotless mind. Bhīma's daughter brought flowers she had gathered herself and worshipped the statue of the sixteenth Arhat three times a day. At the end of the fasts, the one-day fast, et cetera, a devout laywoman, she broke her fast with pure fruit without seeds, knowing (what was permissible).
The caravan-leader, not seeing Nala's wife in the caravan, went after her, thinking, 'I hope she is safe.' The caravan-leader reached the cave and saw Davadanti worshipping the Arhat's image with concentration. When he saw that Bhaimi was safe, the caravan-leader bowed joyfully and sat down on the ground, his eyes wide open from astonishment. Bhaimi completed the Arhat's pūjā and conversed with the
132 608. Viksti-wine, meat, honey, and butter. Pravac. p. 58, com. to 246.
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