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CHAPTER THREE
of virtue, 'If I am a virtuous woman, let his bonds fall completely apart.' After she had made such a declaration of virtue, she splashed the thief three times with the water from a pitcher and his bonds fell apart quickly.
C
As a tumult, arose, King Ṛtuparna and his attendants came there, thinking, "What's this?' Astonished, wide-eyed, the petals of his lips shining with the beauty of his teeth, he said to Davadanti, moonlight to the night-lotus of his eye: Prevention of the law of fishes 145 is the duty of kings everywhere, so there is repression of the wicked and protection of the well-behaved, noble lady. A king, taking taxes from the earth, should protect it from the misdeeds of thieves, et cetera. Otherwise, he himself would be contaminated by the crime of the thieves, et cetera. So, daughter, if I do not punish that jewel-thief the people would strive fearlessly for stealing other people's property.
Bhaimi said: If a person dies, while I took on, what kind of compassion is there on my part, a laywoman, father? Let his crime be pardoned. He sought protection from me. Let his pain (punishment) be transferred to me, like a severe disease, father.' Then King Ṛtuparna released the robber at the importunity of his virtuous adopted daughter. As soon as he was released, the thief went to Bhima's daughter, saying, 'You are my mother, ' making tilakas on his forehead with the dust on the ground. Recalling her, day and night, who had conferred the benefit of the gift of life, the released robber paid homage to Bhaimi daily.
One day Nala's wife asked the best of thieves: 'Who are you? Where have you come from? Tell me fearlessly. ' He told: In the city Tapasapura I was a slave, named Pingala, of a very wealthy caravan-leader, Vasanta. Overcome by evil passions, I dug a tunnel into Vasanta's very house and stole the best part of his treasure. I escaped carrying the plunder, intent on saving my life; and I was robbed on the road by robbers.
145 790. That the strong devour the weak.
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