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214
JAIN RAMAYAN
Her heart was eager to render hospitality to the stranger whom she had enshrined in her heart as her god. Seeing that her father sat near him conversing with him, she shyly moved back a few steps.
The village-head addressing his daughter said, "Come here daughter. You need not hesitate. Come here and salute him. To-day, our house has become sanctified by his arrival. He is our king. Probably, you do not know him. He is king Sumitra, the ruler of our kingdom”.
Vanamala was not amazed at what her father said about him. She had already tested him on the touchstone of her heart; and had enshrined him in the temple of her heart. She was now eager to surrender herself absolutely at his feet. King Sumitra ate those delicious fruits and appeased his hunger.
Vanamala's mother noticed the transformation that had come over her daughter after the arrival of the stranger. The change could not be concealed from her experienced and shrewd eyes. Noticing that her daughter had fallen in love with king Sumitra, she thought : "If the king marries her, it will be a great good fortune to us. Vanamala will attain extraordinary prosperity and position and the bud of her life will bloom into bliss". At once, she explained her thoughts to her husband. He was delighted to hear this. He approached King Sumitra and said in a humble manner :
"My lord ! By the touch of your feet, my house has become hallowed. We will be supremely happy if you will graciously :- accept a small presentation we wish to give you”.
King Sumitra smiled and said, “Dear sir. Your treatment has greatly pleased us. Now we do not need anything”.
"But my lord! We wish to place at your feet a unique presentation".
King Sumitra guessed what the village-head desired to say. Just then, he placed his daughter's hand in the king's hand. Taking Vanamala with him, he returned to his capital riding on the same horse.
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