Sharni was the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Pretty as she was, she was also endowed with the virtues of simplicity and purity. At the tender age of 16, her marriage was fixed.

On the eve of wedding ceremony, her mother gave her a valuable piece of advice, “Remember, my child, purity is the richest possession of a woman. Guard it with your life!” After the nuptial ceremonies, the bridegroom, his parents and other family members who had come with the barat took Sharni back to their village. At nightfall, as they crossed a jungle, a band of robbers attacked the party. Sharni’s husband, her father-in-law and all the others filed, leaving poor Sharni behind. The robbers caught hold of Sharni. They looked at her with evil intentions and said, “ What a pretty girl! Our sardar will be delighted to have her!”

They dragged her to the Sardar who was astounded by her beauty! “Take her to one of my bedrooms,” he told his men. I shall go to her in the night.” Sometime later, intoxicated by drink, on unsteady feet, he made his way to the room where Sharni was held captive. “I want you to become my begum,” he stammered.

Sharni trembled with fright. The words which her mother had uttered just the previous night, echoed as a mantra in her ears, “The richest treasure of a woman is purity. Guard it with your life.”

The words gave her new courage and strength beyond her tender years. “If you dare touch me, I shall kill you!” she said to the sardar, defying him to his face.The robber chieftain laughed contemptuously at the little stripling him to his face. “My dear, why are you so excited?” he said, advancing towards her.

Sharni summoned up all her courage and her strength and rained blow after blow upon him. He was already drunk. Staggering, he fell down and collapsed. Sharni made good her escape. Indeed, purity is the richest ornament of a woman.