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54 taken before the Yaksha, who seized hold of them, and if they were innocent of the charge brought against them they escaped out of his clutches safe and sound. So the good-for-nothing woman being run to earth by her father-in-law, went to her lover and said, " To-morrow morning I have to go through the ordeal before the Yaksha. Mind you are there, and just before I go up to the Yaksha, seize me round the neck." He didn't quite see the point of it, but agreed to do as he was told. Next day Sridevyâ, accompanied by a great crowd of people, having bathed took some fresh flowers, and went before the Yaksha. As she was coming up to him her lover came forward and according to the arrangement seized her round the neck with both arms. She uttered a loud shriek and rushed off to go through some rites of purification, while her assailant was driven off by the bystanders. After completing her purification she came back, and offering the flowers respectfully to the Yaksha said: " Sir ! your reverence ! With the exception of my husband, and that man who just now seized me by the neck, no man has ever come near me. If I do not speak the truth may I suffer the just penalty." So saying she submitted to the ordeal and escaped without injury. The Yaksha, who saw through the whole business, said nothing, but silently