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A Meeting with Madhu at Mathura
217
one single heart. Tell me what has been worrying you. I will do whatever I can to relieve you of your worry”.
"Dear friend ! Do not insist upon knowing it. It is not fit to be revealed to you. If I speak of it to you, it will cause a stain on my honour; and I will be taken for a treacherous person”.
“Dear friend ! I wonder why you are speaking thus. Until you tell me what has been worrying you, I will not move from here. I will not take food and drink until you tell me what it is. From our childhood we have been together. We ate together; and we slept together. But even after all these years, you have not understood me thoroughly. Have you at least glanced at me, these days ? Have you seen my condition? Do you see how run down I am ? Dear friend ! I am grieved by your grief; and agitated by your anguish. I am prepared to cast away and sacrifice my kingdom and my life if that can help to relieve you of your grief”; and Sumitra's throat was choked. The tears began to flow from his eyes.
"Dear King! What can I say? I am unable to find words to say it; but since you have been so greatly insisting upon knowing it, I will tell you what it is. Dear friend! The moment I cast my eyes upon Vanamala, I felt greatly drawn towards her. She has captivated me. I admire her, and I am unable to live without her".
"Oh my friend ! So this is all you desire! And for this trivial matter you were about to die. Not only Vanamala; I am prepared to give up the whole world for your sake. From to-day, Vanamala shall be yours !”
What a deep and blind friendship! Sumitra got ready even to give up his dearest wife for the sake of his friend. What a blind love! On account of his love for his friend, he gave away his beloved to Prabhav. Then, he proceeded straight to the palace of Vanamala
Noticing her lord coming to her chamber unexpectedly, Vanamala stood up. Sumitra sat upon the cot. Vanamala sat upon the ground at her husband's feet.
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