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A Meeting with Madhu at Mathura
219
“But you are the King's wife”.
"My husband's word is precious to me. I consider his word as the word of the Almighty. To relieve the anguish of his dear friend he is prepared to give up his kingdom, his wealth and grandeur. When that is so it is not a difficult thing for him to give up a poor slave like me".
Prabhav's eyes were unable to see anything. A dark cloud seemed to have blocked his eyes. He felt as though he was falling from the sky to earth. He stood stupefied for a moment. He stood silent and motionless like an image of ice, hard and cold. His heart melted away.
"Why are you so apathetic ? My...”
"Enough. Please stop saying it. Mother ! Please stop saying it”. Prabhav became unconscious and sank upon his cot. When a short while later he recovered his consciousness he began to weep like a child. He covered his face with his hands and sobbed. His voice became choked with emotion. With a hoarse voice he said :
"Fie upon my life ! Fie upon my existence ! I curse myself. My friend is heroic, patient and large-hearted. His feeling of love is unshakable like the Himalayas. What am I but a worm compared to him? What am I but a week, feeble-minded creature ? One may sacrifice one's life for the sake of others but not his beloved wife. What a great man he is! How stupendous is his magnanimity; and how mean I am; and to please me he has sarificed his beloved who was everything to him ! Actually, I am a low, mean, petty creature.... I am, indeed, a sinner. I am a wicked fellow and there is no word of abuse or curse that can be used to condemn me who am a low-minded worm. A mean fellow like me may say anything and may ask for anything. He has been a great benefactor to me all these days. He has bestowed every grace and favour upon me".
Having said this he fell into silence. He thought deeply for a while. He was completely out of his wits. He said :
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