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294 . TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MANIPATI-CARITA 51. Suddenly I burst open the doors of the house and went
out to return home. On the way I was captured by
thieves, and, 52. despoiled of my ornaments, was taken along and brought
before their leader : he sought to make me his mistress
and when I resisted struck me. 53. As he beat me brutally his mother protested : . This
very chaste woman does not indeed merit ill-treatment, 54. for chaste women if they are in any way offended burn
up evil men by a mere glance.' 55. To enlighten him she related the parable of the crane.
In a forest there dwelt an ascetic. 56. By religious exercises based on wrong knowledge he
acquired a little supernatural force. Then one day
as he stood under a tree 57. a crane voided its ordure upon his head from above.
He was angered and consumed it with his spiritual fire. -
Then he thought : 58. If ever anyone shows contempt for me I will burn him
up.' Thus thinking he arrived at a woman-disciple's
house in the town. 59. Busied with work for her husband she failed to bring
him alms for a considerable time. In anger he gave
vent to his supernatural force. 60. She was not burned by it but was kept safe through her
own virtues, and she said: 'The cranes was chastised
not I.' 61. When asked: How do you know this incident which
happened in the forest,' she replied: "The potter of
Benares will tell you this.' 62. When the ascetic went there he was told by the latter :
'Her knowledge has resulted from her virtue, for that
reason she comprehends. 63. That same knowledge is mine by reason of my virtue :
virtue, sir, is the essential here, exert yourself for it'.
