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DISCOURSE 88
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families get destroyed. Domestic relationships are broken. The method called Abhinivesh should not be adopted under any circumstances. No benefit accrues from it. Such a method should not be adopted by noble householders.
Jealousy is the cause for adopting the ignoble method called Abhinivesh. You desire to disgrace and humiliate a person of whom you are jealous. If you do not have the ability or the means to disgrace and humiliate a person that is a different matter but would people refrain from using that method if they have the necessary ability and a congenial opportunity?
PETHAD SHAH'S AFFAIR
King Shri Ram was ruling over Mandavgad. He had two wives by name Lilavathi and Kadamba. Lilavathi was the queen-consort and Kadamba was bitterly jealous of her. Kadamba wanted to disgrace and humiliate Lilavathi and to assassinate her character. The King loved Lilavathi greatly and he was deeply attached to her. Kadamba could not tolerate this. She could not bear with Lilavathi's happiness. She was planning to throw some blame on Lilavathi and to stain her character. One day, she found a suitable opportunity. Lilavathi was suffering from fever. Her fever did not abate though she was given excellent medical treatment. Lilavathi was friendly with Pathamini, the wife of Pethad Shah. Pethad Shah was observing the vow of celibacy by thought, word and deed. On account of his celibacy and purity, the garment he wore at the time of worshipping the Paramatma had acquired miraculous powers. Pathamini gave that garment to Lilavathi, because if she wrapped herself with that garment and slept, the fever would disappear by its efficacy. Accordingly, Lilavathi slept wrapping herself with that garment. Kadamba came to know of this. She, at once, carried tales to the king. She said to the king, "Your highness! you have great confidence in Lilavathi and the Chief Minister. You believe that they are pure and noble. But you do not know what kind of intimacy has developed between them. They have become lovers. Lilavathi loves the Chief Minister so much that she cannot get a wink of sleep unless she
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