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nameless dread. They were unable to say anything. The splendour of Shri Ram's face threw them into a state of stupefaction. They seemed to be experiencing great agitation and distress.
“Noble men ! You need not fear anything. If you have anything to say, please speak out fearlessly. You need not at all worry about anything. I have the fullest confidence in you. I know that you are my well-wishers and that you always endeavour to keep up the splendour of our traditions. I know that your only intention is to keep up the honour and prestige of the Ikshvaku dynasty."
Shri Ram encouraged the leading citizens to speak out fearlessly. They summoned some courage to speak out. Then, Vijayshreshti ventured to speak out. He got ready to speak using all his intelligence; and looked towards Shri Ram. The other seven members kept breathlessly watching him. Shri Ram also kept looking towards Vijayshreshti.
"Dear lord! We find ourselves in a dilemma. Our loyalty and sense of duty impel us to reveal to you what we have heard; but if we reveal it, it will pain you. But you and the people of the city have placed us in this responsible position; and have placed on our shoulders the responsibility of maintaining the safety and honour of the city; and so if we do not inform you of the rumours that are current in the city, we would have failed in our duty. Honoured lord! Throughout the city rumours have spread about queen Sita. Everyone in the city has been speaking of it. But we do not at all like these scandals against Sita. Why did Ravan carry away Sita ? Naturally, out of his lust for her beauty, he took her away; and kept her in Lanka. Even then, we do not mean to say that Sita had any admiration for Ravan. She would not have entertained any sensual desires. We are sure of it. We fully believe that she remained detached in Lanka. She might have remained detached but inspite of it Ravan might have compelled her by using force to yield to him. There might have been other circumstances compelling her to yield to him and she might have lost her chastity. Ravan's sensuality and lust for beautiful women are well known. His
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