“I was instructed. ‘Give to him who gives and also to him who does not give,’ and this means ‘Be liberal to needy relatives and friends whether they can repay you or no.’ And again: ‘Sit happily.’ And this means—‘When you see your father-in-law or his wife or your husband, you must rise and stand before them.’ ‘Eat happily.’ This means—‘They must be served by you before you eat yourself.’ ‘Wait upon the fire.’ This signifies, ‘These three must be looked upon as beautiful as a flame of fire or a royal serpent.’ ‘Reverence the household divinities.’ This means that these three are your divinities indeed. ‘Sleep happily.’ This means ‘You must not lie down to sleep till you have done all possible services for them.’ All these rules, good sirs, I have kept. Now am I in fault?”
And Migara sat with downcast eyes and the eight said to him:
“Treasurer, is there any other sin in our daughter for she is clear of any wrong in all this.”
And he said:
“No. None.” But Visakha then arose in just anger.
“Good sirs,” she said, “It would not have been fitting that I should be dismissed, yet now I am found guiltless I will go. It is a good time.”
And she ordered her many carriages and slaves to be made ready. But Migara implored her to remain with them, half in fear and half in shame. And when she refused he redoubled his entreaties, and asked her forgiveness earnestly. And she replied:
“Good sir, what there is to pardon I pardon cheerfully. But I am daughter to a family which follows the Law of the Exalted One. If I can be allowed to attend upon the Assembly, then I will stay. Not otherwise.”
And he replied:
“Dear girl, wait on your Assembly as you please.”