Jain Ramayana Part 2

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 46

34
JAIN RAMAYAN
“Where is Sunanda ? She is not to be seen anywhere.” His voice was full of distress.
"Oh giver of food! The queen has sent Sunanda on some errand; but we do not know where she has gone.”
"Did anyone see her going out ?”
All were silent. The chamber was pervaded with absolute silence. The maids and attendants shook with fear. Just then the king noticed that a maid wanted to say something but that she was unable to speak out on account of some fear. He called her near him; and said in a serious tone;
"You need not fear anything. Speak out plainly whatever you know. I promise you that I will see that nobody can harm you. You can be fearless”.
"Oh thou ocean of compassion ! I did not see Sunanda going out; but I surely saw the queen handing the child to her. At that time, the prince was crying. Sunanda took him into her lap; and disappeared mysteriously but did not go out”.
It did not take much time for the king to realise the truth. Having sent away the maids and attendants, he went back to the queen. When the queen saw the king coming into her chamber again, she began to shudder with fear. She was filled with fear.
“Dear Queen! I wonder why you have been uttering lies and why you have been turning away from truth. I have gone to the bottom of the matter. Our darling ... the apple of our eyes .... the star of our eyes is alive."
"Dear Lord! That is not true. Why should I utter lies ? What you have heard is false. Why should I utter lies at all !"
“Dear Queen! Do not try to conceal the truth. Do not try to escape by making such elusive statements. What do you gain after all by speaking falsehood ? You had better tell me where you have hidden our son".