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CHARACTER-BEST ORNAMENT DURING the administration of Madhav Rao Peshwa, the learned Ramshastri adorned three of the highest positions in the State. He was minister, judge and head priest. His counsel and judgment were irrefutable.
On New Year's Day, Ramshastri's wife went to the palace to offer her respectful greetings to the Queen Mother. The ladies of the royal household were amazed to see her clad in such plain garments, They dressed her in costly' apparel, decked her with gold ornaments and sent her home in a state palanquin.
The bearers lowered the palanquin at Ramshastri's house and knocked at the door. The great man answered the knock personally but seeing the grand palanquin and his richly-dressed wife inside it, he said to the bearers, “There seems to be some mistake, this cannot be the house you are seeking. How can a grand dame like this live in a humble house like mine?" -and with that he shut the door. His wife was sharp enough to catch the veiled reproach. Returning to the palace, she once again changed into her modest attire and walked back home.
Opening the door, her husband greeted her most affectionately. “Do you know what happened during your absence:” he asked with seeming innocence. "Some grand lady wanted to sneak into our house! How can an avowed monogamist like me allow such an intrusion"
