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286
JAIN RAMAYAN
"Dear friend ! I know all that. But what shall I do? I am unable to bear with this disaster. I know very well that this is the bitter fruit of my Karmas, and that I have to experience it. I do not disdain Pavananjay for this even a whit. I am not angry with him. I do not also find fault with him. He is undoubtedly a treasure-house of lofty virtues”.
"I am an unfortunate woman. In fact, I have caused grief to him. Fie upon my life! I could not bring him happiness. It is this grief that has been eating into my heart every moment". Again the tears flowed from her eyes. Vasanta wiped her tears off with the edge of her garment; and raising her voice a little said expressing her anger.
"Oh you mad creature! Who says that you are an unfortunate woman ? Probably, there is no woman upon this earth who is so fortunate as you. You are absolutely faultless and peerless.... perfect as a gem of the purest lustre. It is Pavananjay's fault completely.... Only he is responsible for this disaster! If he did not like you.... if he wanted to slight you.... if he had such mean motives, he could have rejected you even before marrying you. Why did he marry you if he hated you? He should have thought about everything and taken a decision beforehand. He has no right to sport with the lives of others !"
"Don't say so my dear friend! If the clouds of sorrow descend upon any Jiva it is because of his own or her own sinful Karmas gathered in earlier lives. Surely, some sinful Karma of mine has risen to the surface; that is why such a noble man as he has entertained some inauspicious thoughts about me. It is all my fault; not his :
The wheel of time kept revolving. The news that Pavananjay had abandoned Anjana spread like wild fire. Everyone in the royal family and in the kingdom came to know of it. When this news fell on the ears of Queen Ketumati, she felt as if she was hit in the vitals. She was thunder-struck. Her grief and agony krew no bounds. She tried her best to persuade her son to see reason; but Pavananjay did not budge an inch. He stuck
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