________________
330 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MANIPATI-CARITA
507. Alarmed in mind at the sight of it he turned into a sidetrack but was seen by the constable who understood the reason when he espied the ear-ornament.
508. He thought: 'I have found a means to catch him,' and laid the ear-ornament on his neck as he was engaged in the kayotsarga.
509. Nāgadatta was arrested with the jewel and the king informed. At the royal bidding he was taken to the cemetery for execution.
510. Learning that he was being taken away Nāgavasu fell into piteous sorrow and stood in the kayotsarga addressing Sasanadevi :
511. By the power of the sacred law, gracious lady, save my loved one from this tribulation by your grace.
512. Meantime the stake on which he was placed by the men charged with this duty was broken three times through the power of Sasanadevi.
513. At the bidding of the constable he was struck with a sword on the shoulder but the sword was changed into the form of a garland of fragrant flowers.
514. The executioners reported this to the king who had Nāgadatta brought into the city with respect and given a full pardon.
515. The unworthy constable was banished by the king when he had learned about the incident and all his household wealth taken away.
516. When Nāgadatta heard the story of the kayotsarga and so on he married Nāgavasu and enjoyed pleasure with her undisturbed.
517. Later on he received the initiation from a good guru : he kept to the estate of an ascetic and, when he breathed his last came into existence in the world of the gods.
518. So disciple Kuñcika, ponder this well in your heart that if even lay women are thus devoid of desire and firm in the faith
