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300
JAIN RAMAYAN
on the board the portrait of Sita which he had prepared mentally. His brush moved briskly. He worked thus until late into the night and then having slept for an hour, he took up the brush again.
After having worked thus for three days and three nights, he could prepare a life-like portrait of Sita. It was Sita herself in the picture. Narad was delighted to see it. He lifted the plank with the help of a couple of artists; saw it from various angles and was satisfied with it and then he covered it with a silk cloth.
Just then, the guard came into the cottage; Narad thanked him for his services.
"Oh divine sage! I have an entreaty to make to you”. “What is it?"
"Prince Bhamandal has come to the garden. If you permit me, I will inform him of your honoured presence here.
"Good! Very good! Dear friend, your idea is good. I feel grateful to you.” Narad said emotionally, almost leaping up. He found that he could implement his plan. The guard could not understand the reason for his great joy. Yet, instead of thinking about it, he went straight to Prince Bhamandal :
"May the Prince be victorious! I have brought some auspicious news for you,” said the guard politely, with a bowed head.
“Come on. What is it?"
"The divine sage Narad has hallowed the garden of Ratanupur."
"Where is he?"
“Please come with me. I'll show you where he is.”
Both hurried towards Narad's cottage. The prince had heard that Narad always kept wandering through the three
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