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CHAPTER IX
SITA'S PURIFICATION AND TAKING OF THE
VOW
Meeting with Vajrajangha (1-18) Distracted by fear, Sita wandered here and there in the forest, blaming herself alone because injured by wicked acts of a former birth. Screaming again and again, stumbling at every step, going ahead, she saw a large army approaching. Seeing the army, Sitā stood, not at all terrified, with equal hope of life and death, occupied with reciting the namaskāra. When they saw her, the soldiers on the contrary were terrified, saying, “Who is this goddess here on earth ?'
Having heard Sita's scream, the general, expert in sounds, said, “She is some good woman with child." Compassionate, the king approached Sītā. Sīta, alarmed, offered him her jewelry. The king spoke: “Do not be afraid in the least. Let these ornaments remain on your person, sister. Who are you? Who, pitiless even among the pitiless, has abandoned you here? Speak. Do not be alarmed. I am troubled by your trouble.” His minister, Sumati by name, said to Sītā: “This is King Vajrajangha, Lord of Puņdarikapura, son of King Gajavāhapa and Queen Bandhu, a devout Jain, noble, a brother to other men's wives. He came here to capture elephants and is leaving, having accomplished his object. Distressed by your grief, he came here. Tell your trouble.”
Gaining confidence Sitä told her whole story, weeping and making the compassionate king and minister weep. Without guile the king said: “You are my sister in religion. For all who have professed one religion are relatives of each other. Come to my house. I am a brother like Bhåmandala. A brother's house is the proper
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