________________
304
JAIN RAMAYAN
"Noble woman! You are like my sister. We are followers of the same dharma and so indeed we are brother and sister. Therefore, treat me as your brother, Bhamandal and kindly consecrate our palace by accompanying us. I deem myself fortunate thinking that I have found my sister and for a woman when she cannot stay in her husband's place the best place is her mother's or brother's place. You need not worry about anything. The days of your anguish have come to an end. Shri Ram abandoned you fearing social censure, not because of his suspicion regarding your chastity and fidelity. Moreover, it is certain that he would be experiencing grief and repentance now and like you he too would be experiencing the anguish of separation. I am sure that within a short time he too will set off in search of you. O you noble woman ! On account of the separation from you Shri Ram would be experiencing grief like a chakravaka bird separated from its mate. Venerable lady! Kindly accompany us to Pundarikanagar without any fear or suspicions. Actually, I am fortunate in finding you in this wild forest, and in getting this opportunity of helping you."
King Vajrajang's words gave some comfort to Sita's griefstricken heart. She thought it proper to go to Pundariknagar because she was pregnant. As soon as she gave her consent, a palanquin was got ready for her. Taking her with him King Vajrajang proceeded towards Pundarikanagar.
The commander Kritantavadan returned to Ayodhya. He approached Shri Ram and said:
"My lord ! In accordance with your commands, I left Queen Sita in the forest of Simhaninad. When she came to know that you had abandoned her, she was thunder-struck. She wept like a helpless child and she fell down unconscious several times. Her lamentations filled the whole forest with gloom. This went on for a long time. At the end, when I got ready to return to Ayodhya, she restrained her anguish a little and desired this message of hers to be communicated to you:
"Which code of ethics or which law says that a person can be punished thus without being given an opportunity to defend
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org