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LVIII
THE DEMAND FOR THE BOON
"My lord! I hope you remember that at the time of my Swayamviar when you had to fight a war you gave me the
ecious opportunity of being your charioteer. Probably, you have not also forgotten that after the war you gave me a boon."
“Yes, my dear queen! How can I forget that event ? Indeed, it was your skill as a charioteer that enabled me to achieve that tremendous success,” said Dasarath remembering the past.
"Oh lord of my life! Today I entreat you to bestow that boon upon me. I am sure that, you will not break your promise. You respect your word more than anything else. The promise made by great men are as permanent as words carved upon a stone."
"Kaikayi! You are right. You are absolutely free to ask for the boon but while asking for the boon you must bear in yous mind two vital points. You must ask for only such a boon as I can bestow upon you. At the same time, you must not try to prevent me from pursuing the path of spiritual elevation. Apart from these two you can ask for anything you like."
At once, Kaikayi's face grew resplendent with joy. She felt as though her dreams had come true. She felt as if she was floating on the waves of affection for her son. So, she did not think of the consequences of her demanding the boon. If at all she thought of it, she thought of it vaguely not with farsightedness.
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