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268
JAIN RAMAYAN
The magnificent palace of Sita....
It was mid-day. Sita sat on a cushioned chair. Cool air was blowing into the room through the windows on the western and southern sides of the chamber. A woman who was the most renowned musician of the court was singing a sweet and melodi
Sita was hearing the song with rapture. Just then, Ratinibha, Shridhama and Prabhavati came into the chamber. Sita joyously received them and offered them seats, with due regard. They sat in seats of state near Sita. The three smiling with pretended joy took their seats. Shridhama suggested by means of a gesture to the singer to stop singing, but Sita said; “You may stop now. We will hear your songs tomorrow. You sing excellently."
The musician saluted Sita and left the chamber.
"Now, we shall spend sometime coversing jovially." Sita's voice echoed in the chamber.
"Dear sister! How are you ?” Prabhavati said.
"By the grace of the Paramatma, our spiritual head and our dear lord, all are well and happy.” said Sita.
“Dear Queen! You are indeed fortunate."
"Fortune is inconstant. It keeps changing places. Sometimes we get good fortune and sometimes we get misfortune. We should be ready for both.”
"You are absolutely right. Did not Queen Sita experience the worst of calamities? Did not Ravan, the king of Rakshasas abduct her and keep her in Lanka ?” Shridhama looked at Ratinibha with piercing eyes and made a pretence of expressing compassion for Sita's past misfortunes and adversities.
"But dear sister! If you do not think otherwise I would like to mention a point. May I ?” said Ratinibha.
"O you mad creature! When we are engaged in a jovial conversation, where is the question of anyone mistaking you ?
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