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Some New Events
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embraced Jitapadma and blessed her. Shri Ram bestowed her blessings upon her.
Having stayed there for a short time Shri Ram decided to set off on his journey. Jitapadma insisted upon joining them. Lakshman prevailed upon her not to insist upon following them. He said :
"Dear one! When I return to Ayodhya, I will take you with me. You are still young and you will not be able to live in wild and desolate forests. Moreover, my task of rendering service to my brother may be impeded. So, please do not insist upon following us into the forests.”
"My Lord! When I am with you even a forest is a heaven to me. I will not be a source of impediments to you. I will always be rendering dedicated service to Sita and you."
"That is all right but please give up your insistence. Are you willing to face dangers and calamities at every step in the forest ?"
Jitapadma stopped insisting upon following them. Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita set off on their journey.
It was a mountainous area. The evening sun had rendered the whole world golden.
Shri Ram, Sita and Lakshman arrived at a valley near the Vamshasthal mountain. The city of Vamshasthal lay in the shadow of the sky-high peaks of the mountain. Though it was a beautiful and fascinating area, the king and the people of the city were in a state of fear. Shri Ram could not understand why they were in such a state of fear. Just then, Shri Ram noticed a traveller passing along a road. He stopped the traveller and asked him.
“Why are the king and the people of the city terrified ? What happened ?"
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