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They
dared not to such sin. It was against their conscience, and so
against God. They vacillated and cursed their Office, for expecting
such ruthless action and heinous crime. Sensing their unwillingness,
Kunala in his capacity as the Governor commanded an outcaste to
pluck out his eyes. He did.
To
complete the rest of the royal command, he left Taxila with his
faithful consort. He wandered aimlessly, begging for food and
shelter hither and thither, for long. The on-lookers commented,
"Oh fate, how cruel art thou to place a begging bowl in the
royal hands, born to hold the imperial Maurya sceptre!" His
sightless misery added fuel to the fire and completed the picture of
woe. His cup of sorrow overflowed. Wandering
through the pathless forests and forlorn mountains, they
providentially came to Pataliputra. Kunala managed to get access to
the palace, and went straight into the innermost court.
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