Maudgalyayana compassionately comforted her."You don't need to feel so sad, and you don't need to think that you have no hope. As long as you repent, you can be saved, no matter how serious your cirmes were. When your clothes are dirty, you have to wash them to make them clean. When your body is dirty, you have to bathe to clean it. So in the same way, when your mind is filthy, you can use the Buddha's teachings to make your mind pure. My teacher, the Buddha, can help anyone take a new path in life, as long as that person sincerely desires to do so."

The woman's eyes were filled with delight and she smiled happily."Really? The Buddha is willing to help me?"

"Yes, he is the most compassionate person in the world. He is certainly willing to help you. What is your name?"

"Venerable One, my name is Utpalavarna, and I am from Taksasila. When I was sixteen, my husband was married into my family. After a while, my father passed away. Later I discovered to my dismay that my mother was having an affair with my husband because she was lonely! We already had a daughter! I left the house with hatred in my mind."

"I was remarried later. One time my husband went traveling on business, and when he returned he brought a young concubine with him. When I found out about it, I cried and demanded to see who the girl was. I wanted to know why she had stolen my husband away from me. I was heartbroken when I realized that the girl was my own daughter!"

"I couldn't understand why such terrible things happened to me. First my mother robbed my husband from me, and then my own daughter stole my other husband. So I left. I hated this world and I cursed it. I hated everyone. I became a whore because I wanted to use my body to get back at everyone. And this is how I spend my sinful days."

"Venerable One, I'm willing to do anything if I'm paid, and now you know why I'm here. I'm so glad that you have power against me. I apologize for what I've done."

When Utpalavarna finished telling her story, Maudgalyayana saw that she also had a sincere, honest, beautiful heart, so he comforted her. "You've had a terrible life, but if you are willing to follow the Buddha's teachings wholeheartedly, your future will be totally different. Why don't you come with me to see the Buddha?"

Utpalavarna was delighted that she could go to the Buddha, because she realized that her future would be different. And indeed, she became a disciple of the Buddha and later became a nun.