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Self-Control

 

Once, Ashtavakra begged the great Rishi Vadanya of his daughter, Suprabha. The Rishi promised to give his daughter if Ashtavakra makes a journey to the scared North and visits a female ascetic named Disha. Ashtavakra agreed to this. He then reached the palace of the ascetic lady and informed of his arrival. Seven beautiful ladies welcomed him. He then entered the palace and saw an old lady with white robes. Both of them greeted each other. The other ladies left. They conversed with each other for sometime and soon it was night time. Both, of them went to their respective beds but soon the lady began to tremble with cold and went to the bed of the Rishi and hugged him. But, Ashtavakra remained stable. He told her that he had promised to marry Suprabha, the daughter of Vadanya. The lady said she wanted him to only stay in the palace for a few days. Ashtavakra agreed. Soon, it was evening time and Ashtavakra asked the lady to fetch some water for ablution. He finished his ablutions and then had the food which the lady had prepared. Again it was night time and the lady leapt for Ashtavakra's bed and wanted to sleep with him. Again he said he had already promised to marry Suprabha. Then she said she had done this to test his celibacy as per the instructions of Rishi Vadanya. Ashtavakra then begged to return to his hermitage and Disha agreed. Ashtavakra then went to the abode of Rishi Vedanya and related his adventure. Rishi Vadanya was pleased and happily married his daughter to Ashtavakra.




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