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Only One Blunder
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popularity. I felt jealous of you because every day countless devotional activities were going on in your palace and people were admiring you. I did not hesitate to do any evil thing to stain your honour and to disgrace you. But all my efforts have been, in vain. Everytime I had to face failure and finally I committed this enormity”. Kanakodari said opening her heart to Queen Lakshmivati.
"Sister who can prevent what is destined to occur. What is the use of weeping now? If mortals do not commit mistakes who else will commit them? To err is human. Human beings commit terrible mistakes; and then they shed tears of repenttance. Human beings naturally commit mistakes. It is not a great sin to commit a mistake but concealing a mistake is an unpardonable sin. You are plain and open-hearted. You have realized your mistake. Your greatness lies in this. You are not a sinner but you are like a traveller who has stumbled on the way. You have realized your mistake and you have become chastened by the fires of repentance. That is enough.”
"No, no, dear sister! There is nothing great or worthy in this. I am a wicked sinner. All this is the result of the advice given by a noble sadhvi. If I had not met that sadhvi, by chance, and if she had not given me that advice I would have committed a terrible sin".
"Do you know the sadhvi ?” Lakshmivati asked enthusiastically.
"I did not ask for her name; nor did I try to find out her whereabouts. But even now I remember her serene and smiling face, her clean white dress and her eyes radiating compassion. Even now, I can remember the kind and compassinate words she spoke to me. Her words keep echoing in my ears". Kanakodari said with a lofty feeling of devotion for the sadhvi.
“Then, we must meet her. We should receive her and honour her and treat her with hospitality. Otherwise, it would be a great mistake on our part”.
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