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6 1 St PICTURE.
The court of King Aseka. The King's wife is madly enamoured of the beautiful eyes of her step-son Kunala. The young prince rejects the seductions of the incestuous woman. The stepmother swears vengeance. Kunala is sent away to govern a distant province.
62nd PICTURE.
The King's private chamber. The Queen enters furtively and robs the royal seal. She writes : « I order that the eyes of my traitor son Kunala shall be torn out in the presence of the whole city ».
63rd PICTURE.
The Governor's house. Kunala is intent on giving orders for the good of the people. A royal messenger hands to him a sealed packet. Kunala opens it and says « Let my father's orders be obeyed, whatever they be ».
64th PICTURE.
The central square of the city. A stand is erected in the middle. Kunala mounts it, followed by his despairing wife. Horror is depicted on the faces of all present. Ten executioners, one after the other, refuse to carry out the abominable sentence. At last an imbecile butcher makes up his mind to gouge out first one of the prince's eyes and then the second. Kunala takes the two bleeding orbs in his hand and exclaims: « I have lost the sight of the body to attain that of the spirit ! I forgive my persecutors ». He is led away by his wife. Kunala walks off while the crowd weeps and shudders with horror.
65th PICTURE.
Kunala blind, and led by his wife, plays on a lute and sings under Aseka 's window.
66th PICTURE.
Aseka is seen listening to the familiar voice and grows agitated. He calls a soldier and orders that the singer be brought into his presence. The father recognizes his son. The queen's diabolical treachery is discovered. She flings herself at the sovereign's feet and implores mercy. Kunala intercedes for her and exclaims « If I have sincerely forgiven this woman may the light be restored to my eyes ! ». Kunala's sight is at once miraculously restored to him.
67th PICTURE.
The Buddha's sermon comes to a close. Anathapindika moved by his holy words, promises him a rich reward.