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CHAPTER SEVEN
our sister.' . The excellent woman went and told her husband the true story of the gardener, the Rākşasa, and the robbers, just as it happened. After enjoying pleasure with her through the whole night, at sunrise her husband made her mistress of his property. Now, people, after consideration tell me : who did the most difficult thing--the husband, the robbers, the Rakşas, or the gardener ?”
The jealous men among them said: “The husband did the most difficult thing, by whom his bride, intent on love, was sent to another man.” The ones, suffering from hunger said: “ The Rākşasa did the most difficult thing, by whom, though he was very hungry, she was not eaten after she had been caught.” The lovers said, “The gardener did the most difficult thing, since he did not enjoy her after she had come of her own accord in the night.” The mango-thief said, “The robbers did the most difficult thing, since the bride was released with her ornaments intact.”
Abhaya recognised the thief and had him arrested. He asked, “ How did you take the mangoes ? ” The thief replied, “By the power of a charm." Then Abhaya told it all to the king and handed over the thief. Śreņika said: “The thief has been found. No one else is looked for. However, this man is powerful; so he must be punished, no doubt.”
Abhaya, wishing the king to be free from tricks, said: "“ Majesty, take the charm from him. Later, what is fitting will be done.”
Then the king of Magadha had the Mātanga-chief come before him and began to repeat the charm from his lips. Though the king, seated on the lion-throne, recited it, the charm did not stay in his mind, like water that has fallen on a high place. Then the Lord of Rājagļha blamed the thief, .“ There is some deceit on your part, since the charm does not pass over to me.”
Abhaya said: “Majesty, this man is your charm-teacher. A charm becomes manifest to those showing reverence to
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