________________
310
JAİN RAMAYAN
palace. A lewd woman like her should not live anywhere in our territories. Let the sin in her womb bloom anywhere outside our territories. I have already asked her to get out of our palace and now you too....”
"It is not wise to grow impatient and excited over these things. It will not be proper to our royal family if we punish anyone without impartially examining the case. Moreover, this is not a case relating to a common citizen of our country. It is a question concerned with our royal family. Therefore, we should act with calmness and patience. Moreover, we have to discuss the matter with our relatives and King Mahendra. We have to be extremely cautious to see that no one in our country is unjustly punished; otherwise any unwise or hasty step that we may take will be a thorn in our flesh for ever.”
King Prahlad somehow managed to prevail upon Queen Ketumati to have patience. After she went away from there, he was lost in deep thoughtfulness. After thinking deeply for a long time, he arrived at a decision and sent word for his Chief Minister, Shilaratna.
As soon as he received the Kings' message the Chief Minister, Shilaratna came to meet the king. After the Chief Minister had taken his seat, the king said in a serious manner....
“Dear Chief Minister, a very serious incident has taken place...."
The Chief Minister was silent. He did not utter even a single word.
"Anjana is pregnant. Queen Ketumati actually saw this. Of course until now this is known only in the palace but very soon...."
"My lord ! What do you propose to do ?” the Chief Minister said in a natural tone. The news of Anjana's pregnancy did not shock him; nor was he surprised by it.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
