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The Fears Experienced In Mithila
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emperor softly entered the chamber and placed the child in her lap. The child began to scream with joy on being brought in contact with a woman. The queen who was startled by the cries sat up on her bed. Her eyes widened with amazement when she saw the child laughing and making loud cries. For a few moments, she kept staring at the child spell-bound..
"Oh queen! This is our son. God has given us this gift. I hope you like it”.
“Oh King! The child is beautiful ... extraordinarily beautiful.". There surged a spring of affection in the barren heart of the queen. Milk spilled spontaneously from her breasts.
In all the streets and circles of Ratanupur, drums were beaten and an announcement was made.
"Queen Pushpavati has given birth to a son."
The King and the people who were overwhelmed with joy made magnificent arrangements to celebrate the birth of the child. All the prisoners were released from jails, as a part of the celebration. In all the temples in the city worship and prayer were organized. Gifts were given magnanimously to the needy. The atmosphere of the city echoed with the auspicious songs sung to celebrate the birth of the child.
When Videha woke up she saw only the female child in her lap, not the prince.
When she could not see the prince near her she was greatly agitated. She was in great anguish on account of the disappearance of the prince. She sat up on her bed and cried, “What happened to my son ? Who took him away ?” Her cries echoed in the chamber. The lights were burning dimly. On hearing the cries of Videha, the maids and attendants woke up. All filled with fear gathered near the queen.
"Who has taken away my son ?"
"Dear Queen ! May the prince live long but no one came into the chamber in the night. Kindly see if the child is sleeping
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