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CVII
LEAVING PUNDARIKPUR
Vibhishan, Sugriv, Hanuman, Bhamandal, Angadh and others met in the palace of Lakshman. Lakshman extended a hearty welcome to all. All set off to meet Shri Ramachandra. Doubts and fears filled their minds. All were thinking of the same thing, "Will Shri Ram agree to bring Sita back to Ayodhya ?"
They entered Shri Ram's palace and stood before him. After saluting him they sat on seats of state. Shri Ram made polite enquiries and desired to know the purpose of their visit. No one said anything. All were silent. After sometime, Lakshman composing himself a little said in a serious voice.
"Revered brother! We have come to place before you a proposal of ours. The noble lady Sita has been living in Pundarikpur. She has been experiencing inordinate anguish on account of the separation from you; and since now Lay and Kush are not with her. Therefore, Sita must be brought to Ayodhya as early as possible. Otherwise she may not live. She cannot remain alive separated from her husband and her sons. Therefore, if you permit us, we shall bring her to Ayodhya at once."
Lakshman made this entreaty and sat down in a throne near Shri Ram. Then Sugriv, the king of Kishkindha, stood up and saluted Shri Ram and said in a polite voice:
"O you greatest of men! The noble lady Sita should be brought to Ayodhya with all honour. This is what we think is right and proper. She has been experiencing distress, on account of the separation from you. Moreover, now people have not
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