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272
JAIN RAMAYAN
"When something unpleasant occurs to you and when we come to know of it, we deem it our first duty to inform you of it.” Ratinibha said with pretended concern and anxiety.
"Speak out fearlessly. What is it that you want to say. I am ready to listen to you." Shri Ram said in a calm voice.
“Then dear lord, please take the trouble of looking at this picture.” Shridhama placed before Shri Ram at once the picture of Ravan's feet. Shri Ram observed the picture closely for sometime and then looking towards Shridhama said.
"Dear Shridhama! I am unable to understand anything. What do you want to say ? Whose feet are drawn in this picture?"
"Dear Lord! These are the feet of Lankesh Ravan. Sita has drawn them in this picture.”
“Yes. Sita has drawn that picture.... The same Sita whom you loved more than your life. She always keeps remembering
nkesh Ravan. She utters his name with love and devotion. She takes delight in thinking of him and she deems Ravan, the lord of her life and how could such a woman win your love ?” Ratinibha said expressing her pretended grief.
Shri Ram glanced at Ratinibha and Shridhama and then went to the window and stood there looking at the vacant sky. He fell into deep thought.
"Dear Lord! We do not like to say anything more. We know that we have wasted only our breath. We know very well that you do not like to hear even a word of complaint against Sita. You are blinded with your love for her. Well! A truth can never remain concealed for ever.”
"Dear Queen ! I heard what you said with attention. Do not worry. Action will be taken in this regard." and Shri Ram left Prabhavati's palace and went straight to Sita's palace.
The three queens stood like stone-images looking at each other for some time.
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