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Towards the path of Samyam
233
“No, mother ! No. Do not say so. I never thought at any time that you caused distress to me. That thought never passed through my mind. The image of your holy feet is enshrined in my heart, enthroned for ever to be worshipped with the everfresh flowers of devotion and affection. In fact, you always bestowed upon me your benign blessings and your extraordinary affection. I have not tasted anything but sweet affection from you. You have always been bestowing upon me the blessed gifts of boundless affection, blissful amity and extraordinary cordiality.”
“Dear Ram, you say all this because you are noble. It is your nobility that makes you say so. It was on account of this extraordinary affection you have for me that you never cared for the unbearable hardships of life in forests. Blinded by your affection for me you never saw my selfishness. You never entertained any selfish desires. You never thought of your own conforts or delights. You always thought of others' welfare, others' joys and others' pleasures and you mutely endured countless sufferings and calamities. This is indeed splendid on your part. There can be no greater splendour than this in human nature. Dear child, my heartiest aspiration for you is that you must live in felicity and that you must attain progress and prosperity.”
Shri Ram saluted the feet of Kaikayi; and slowly proceeded to his palace. His bright and radiant face had grown bleak and blighted. He was agitated by the decision of Bharath and Kaikayi to adopt the Sadhudharma. Sita also was in great grief. She had inordinate affection for her brother-in-law. Bharath. Hence she was greatly sad and grieved. The two did not say out anything. There was silence in the chamber because neither could find words to speak out. They were silent even during their dinner. After taking his food, Shri Ram went to meet his mother, Queen Aparajita. She had also come to know of Kaikayi's decision. She had just then returned from a visit to Kaikayi. Kaikayi's determination was unshakeable. She was not prepared to change her decision at all. The news of her
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