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CELANA'S PALACE, DURGANDHA, ARDRAKUMARA
173
One day she was married to a very excellent husband and, when she had gone to the bedchamber at night, said to her husband: Husband, I promised a gardener that as soon as I was married I would go to him first. So give me your permission that I, bound my promise, may go to him. After I have gone to him once, I shall be completely yours.' She left the bedchamber at once, permitted by her husband saying in astonishment, Oh, she is pure in heart, keeping her
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promise.'
As she went along the road, wearing ornaments of various jewels, keeping her promise, she was stopped by wicked highwaymen seeking money. She told the story of the gardener as it was and said to the robbers, O brothers, take my ornaments as I return.' Because of her true story she was released by the thieves who esteemed the keeping of a promise and who said, 'We will take you as you return.'
Further on she was stopped by a Rākṣasa whose stomach was lean from hunger-she, doe-eyed, like a doe by a lion. Astonished by her true story, the Rākṣasa let her go with the thought, I will eat her when she returns.'
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She went to the lustful gardener and said: 'I am the flower-gatherer. Newly married, I have come to you.' 'Oh ! she is a good woman, keeping her promise, high-minded.' With this idea the gardener bowed to her like a mother and let her go.
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She returned to the same place where the Rakṣas waited and told him the whole story of how she was released by the gardener. Thinking, Shall I be inferior in magnanimity to a gardener?" the Rākṣasa let her go, bowing to her like a mistress. She reached the vicinity of the thieves who were watching the road and said, 'Brothers, all of you take my property.' She told the whole story of how she had been released by the gardener and how she had been released by the Rakṣas and after hearing that, they said: 'We are not inferior in magnanimity to a gardener and a Rākṣasa. So go, lady. Good luck to you. You are to be honored. You are
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