________________
402
JAIN RAMAYAN
“So be it! We will undertake the responsibility of liberating your father from the savage kings.”
"If you help us by doing so we shall be grateful to you for ever.” Kalyanmal said in a voice shaken by emotion.
"One point is to be borne in mind Kalyanmal! Until we release your father you must continue to rule over the Kingdom in the guise of a man.”
Then the Chief Minister Subuddhi folded his hands and said, “O you ocean of compassion! Kindly bless us by permitting our princess Kalyanmal to marry Lakshman”. At once Kalyanmal blushed with shyness natural to maids. Sweet smiles appeared on her face. She experienced a sweet thrill through her veins. Her cheeks grew red.
“Dear Subuddhi! At present we are travelling through forests. When we return to Ayodhya, Lakshman will marry Kalyanmal”.
.."Dear Lord! You are indeed benevolent”. Saying this Subuddhi bowed to Shri Ram's feet.
Kalyanmal bowed to him; then she wore on her head, the dust of Sita's feet. Sita embraced her affectionately.
Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita admired the beauties of nature in that area so greatly that they stayed there for three days. During the period, Kalyanmal treated them with great hospitality. She gave all her attention to them. During those three days, Kalyanmal gathered from Sita all the details relating to the occurrences in Ayodhya. She also found out why Shri Ram had to come away to the forests. She said to Shri Ram humbly:
"Dear Lord ! You kindly stay here on the banks of this lake. I will get a magnificent mansion built for you. I will hand over the administration of the kingdom to my Chief Minister and remain here rendering service to you."
But how could Shri Ram comply with her request ? He had come to live in forests. He had voluntarily decided to live in
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
