“How so?”
“What can be done,” he replied, “with such a man as he, seeing that he has no craving for any kind of love?”
“Oh, sir, that is excellent,” she said. Then, after thinking awhile, “You have given me back my life, you have entertained me with Amṛita,” she said aloud, “I too, O Brahman youth, have no craving for any kind of love.” Moreover she said, “Your appearance has become such a delight to me as is produced by neither delicious sandal nor rohiṇī ointment, being great as is the distance between the rich man and the pauper. But as I am powerless, and my parents have betrothed me, I know not what can be done.”
Then said the Brahman youth Nyagrodhaja to Kapila’s daughter Bhadrā, “O Bhadrā, be of good cheer! I myself am the Brahman youth Nyagrodhaja.”
When Kapila’s daughter Bhadrā heard this, she was greatly comforted, and she said to Nyagrodhaja, “O Brahman youth, enter in and confirm the vows. The virtuous keep their vows.”
After Nyagrodhaja and Kapila’s daughter Bhadrā had held counsel together thereon, he went back to Nyagrodhika.
After this, when the Brahman Nyagrodha had set his house in order, according to the laws of householders, Nyagrodhaja married, and he and his wife were housed by his parents in one and the same habitation, and in it two beds were provided for them. Then said Nyagrodhaja to Kapila’s daughter Bhadrā, “O Bhadrā, remember the previously taken vow.” And just the same did Bhadrā also say to Nyagrodhaja. After they had thus admonished one another, they lived together like a mother and a son.
The Brahman Nyagrodha and his wife asked the women-servants on what terms were their son and his wife. They replied, “On those of a mother with her [[198]]son, a son with his mother.” When the Brahman and his wife heard this, he said, “That is our fault, not the fault of those two. Why did we provide them with two beds?” Then he gave orders that only one bed and one stool should be provided. Nyagrodhaja saw that his parents had taken this step, which was antagonistic to the vow that had been taken, and Kapila’s daughter Bhadrā perceived the intention of the parents. Then she said to Nyagrodhaja, “O lord, on our account have these steps been taken; but be mindful of the previously taken vow.” He replied, “Be of good cheer, and have no fear.” Then during the first part of the night, Kapila’s daughter Bhadrā slept in the bed, and Nyagrodhaja sat on the stool. During the second night watch, Nyagrodhaja slept while Bhadrā occupied the seat. In the last watch Bhadrā again slept, but Nyagrodhaja remained awake sitting on the stool.
The old people next took away the stool too. Then Kapila’s daughter Bhadrā again admonished Nyagrodhaja as before. He replied, “Be without fear or care, and remain mindful of the vow.” Thereupon Bhadrā slept during the first night-watch, but Nyagrodhaja walked up and down. During the middle watch Nyagrodhaja slept, but Bhadrā walked up and down; and in the last watch Bhadrā again slept, but Nyagrodhaja walked up and down.
Thus for the space of twelve years they occupied the same single-bedded room without an amorous thought ever arising in their minds. Then the king of the gods, Śakra, thought, “As it is a very wonderful thing to see such a freedom from passion, I will put these two to the test.” With this purpose he assumed the form of a snake, which glided into their bedroom and coiled itself up under the bed. When Nyagrodhaja caught sight of the black snake with terrible poison fangs under the bed, he feared that it might do some harm. Now in her sleep [[199]]Bhadrā had let one of her hands hang down. Nyagrodhaja considered what could be done, and lifted up her hand with the jewelled handle of the fly-flapper. Awakened and alarmed by the touch of the handle, Bhadrā cried out in displeasure, “My lord, what means this touch? Surely you have not touched me with amorous intent!”