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364
JAIN RAMAYAN
"But dear Chief Minister until Bharath accepts the kingship we cannot say that the king has handed over the kingship to him. Therefore, at any rate Bharath will have to accept the kingship.”
“But he does not at all want to accept the kingship. That is the problem, you see."
"Bharath has to see that my father's promise is kept up. Moreover, he has to accept the throne.”
"Dear Lord! What more can we say ? Queen Kausalya's tears have not dried since you left Ayodhya. Her anguish is endless. A great impediment has appeared on the path of the king who desires to pursue the path of Samyamdharma.”
Queen Kaikayi also has agreed that the King's promise has been kept up. She says, "Now, Shri Ram can be surely crowned king. Hence, we entreat you to return to Ayodhya." The Chief Minister's voice was choked. His eyes welled up with tears. He got up; and held the feet of Shri Ram. Shri Ram embraced the Chief Minister.
"Dear Chief Minister! You are intelligent, wise and experienced. You know very well the lofty traditions of the Ikshvaku dynasty. We should think of the prese with sagacity. If I am present in Ayodhya, Bharat accept the kingship. This is certain. He has great love and regard for me. He venerates me as his father. If I am not present in Ayodhya, if not today, sometime later, he will accept the kingship. Knowing this, I voluntarily came away to the forest."
All were silent and still. All began to think deeply about what Shri Ram had said. Just then, a new idea flashed to the Chief Minister.
"Dear Prince! When Kaikayi herself who demanded the boon, has been saying that the boon has been received, where is the question of the King's promise being broken ! Moreover, Kaikayi also desires that you should return to Ayodhya; and ascend the throne."
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