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432
JAIN RAMAYAN
"Oh king! You are right. I should marry your daughter but I am not independent. I cannot accept your daughter without my elder brother's consent.” Lakshman said in a serious voice.
“Who is your elder brother ? Where is he ?"
"My elder brother is Shri Ram, the son of Dasarath and he is taking rest with Sita in a garden outside this city.”
Soon after hearing who Lakshman was, King Shatrudaman descended from the throne and embraced Lakshman with overfiowing affection. Greatly amazed and delighted, he said to Lakshman, "So you are Lakshman !”
And with great honour and affection he held his hand and made him sit beside him on the throne. Then addressing the court and the people, the king said :
"My dear courtiers ! my beloved people ! I am overwhelmed with joy. Princess Jitapadma has been extremely fortunate in getting such a hero for her husband. Shri Ram and Lakshman, the sons of King Dasarath have visited our city. At the same time, Lakshman has become our son-in-law. This is a matter of great delight to us. We proclaim that a grand jubilation should be organised to celebrate this happy event. First of all, all of us should go to the garden and receive into the city, Shri Ram and Sita.”
"Victory to the sons of King Dasarath.” This cry issued by all simultaneously reverberated in the skies. The king, the members of the royal family, the ministers and the people went to the garden. An ocean of humanity flowed into the garden. Shatrudaman entreated Shri Ram and Sita to enter the city.
Shri Ram entered the city. At the main gate of the palace; Queen Kanakadevi performed Arti to receive Shri Ram and Sita and marked their foreheads with holy tilaks. The king was full of adoration for them. The people of the city bowed to the feet of Shri Ram. When they went to the rest-house, Lakshman narrated to Shri Ram and Sita the story of Jitapadma. Sita
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