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The Seventeenth Chapter
Then, hearing this, the father, in order to punish his daughter, became extremely angry and said to his son, Prasanna Kirti, "Drive that sinner out of this city. Hearing her story, my ears feel as if they have been struck by a thunderbolt." ||38||
Then, Mahotsaha, a minister who was very dear to the king, said, "O King, it is not right to do this to her." ||40||
"Just as Vasantmala has spoken to the gatekeeper, perhaps it is the same in this case. It is not right to hate her without reason." ||41||
"Ketumati is cruel, influenced by worldly gossip, and completely thoughtless. She abandoned her daughter without any fault." ||42||
"Just as this daughter, who is devoted to virtuous conduct, was abandoned by her wicked mother-in-law, so if you also reject her, where will she go for refuge?" ||43||
"Like a deer that has seen a tiger, this innocent woman, terrified by her mother-in-law, has come to you for refuge, who are like a great forest." ||44||
"This young girl is suffering as if from the scorching rays of the summer sun, and knowing you to be like a great tree, she has come to you." ||45||
"This unfortunate woman, like Lakshmi who has fallen from heaven, is extremely distraught and trembling like a creeper due to the scorching heat of slander." ||46||
"She has been greatly humiliated by the gatekeeper's refusal to let her in. Therefore, she has covered her entire body with her clothes, including her head." ||47||
"This daughter, who was always pampered by her father's love, is now standing at the gate. O King, the gatekeeper has told you this news." ||48||
"So, show her mercy and let her in, for she is innocent. Indeed, everyone knows that Ketumati is wicked." ||49||
Just as a cluster of water droplets does not find a place on the lotus leaf, so the words of Mahotsaha did not find a place in the king's ears. ||50||
The king said, "Perhaps the friend, out of affection, has spoken untruthfully. How can we be certain without knowing the truth?" ||51||