Jailer

Author(s): Abhayshekharsuri, Sujata P Kapadia
Publisher: Harshadray Private Limited

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King's signature and his seal, the astrologers were asked to look for the most auspicious time, who then prophesied the present moment to be the most opportune one. The Prince assumed that the King knew that it was the most appropriate time, and since it was not possible for the King to recall the Princess to Vishala, the marriage was to be solemnized then and there. Thus, Aghat Kumar wed the Princess. When the King received the news, it was as if he had been hit by a thunderbolt. He still didn't learn his lesson.
He conceived yet another plan to finish Aghat off notwithstanding the fact that it would have meant that his own daughter would have been widowed. He invited Aghat to Vishala. Aghat was surprised and failed to comprehend the chain of events First, the talk of war, then the marriage and now the departure for Vishala? Nevertheless, he left along with his wife and brother-in-law and reached Vishala where he was received by the King and his subjects with a lot of pomp and grandeur. The King told Aghat in private, "You are married but there is one more ritual to be performed". "Which one?." "The ritual of offering eatables to our family goddess tomorrow, which happens to be the fourteenth night of the dark phase of the lunar month." Aghat agreed to perform the ritual. The King got
"Sitasamani sati kon shani, patipratignathi sada pramani; Kurang hanava mati bhrashta kidhi, vinashkale vipareet buddhi." Meaning: As one's time of destruction approaches, one's discretion gets adverse. This is what happened to a virtuous and wise 'sati' like Sita who had stood by her husband through thick and thin to uphold his solemn vow. However, her covetousness to possess the skin of the golden deer led her astray, resulting in her downfall.
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