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In a town called Viśalâ, the ruler of which was Sudarśana, lived a merchant whose name was Vimala. Now Vimala was the possessor of two very beautiful and charming wives, and these ladies had attracted the attention of a rascal named Kuntala. He set his mind on getting hold of them somehow or other, and eventually went to the shrine of Durgâ, and, making a costly offering to the goddess, prayed her to make him exactly like Vimala. Durgâ granted him his petition, and he accordingly went straight to Vimala's house and took possession of it in the owner's absence. He speedily won all the servants over by handsome presents, and made himself so extremely agreeable to Vimala's wives that they gave him everything he asked for. The servants could not quite make out what it all meant, but they supposed that Vimala had at last learnt the fleeting and transitory nature of wealth, and had determined hereafter to be liberal. In due course of time the genuine Vimala returned home, and found the door locked against him. He was in a terrible state, and uttered curses and lamentations without end. While he was thus engaged some of his relations came by and he appealed in