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The Abandonment of Sita
291
Lakshman was shivering like a leaf shaken by violent winds. Shri Ram's blighted face revealed his determination. He said refuting Lakshman's arguments :
“Dear Lakshman! The abandonment of Sita is unavoidable.”
Then he clapped his hands. The door-keeper came in at once and saluted Shri Ram. He ordered the guard to bring the commander Kritantavadan. Accordingly, Kritantavadan appeared before Shri Ram within a few moments. He saluted Shri Ram and Lakshman and stood before them with a bowed head.
"Kritantavadan! Take Sita to some forest and leave her there."
“But dear lord ! Think over the matter a little calmly. Sita is pregnant. It is not at all proper to send her away in this condition."
"She may be pregnant but she has to be abandoned. There is no other way out.”
Shri Ram stood up. Lakshman overcome with grief fell at his feet. The tears streamed down his eyes. With great difficulty, he said;
“Dear brother! It is highly improper to abondon such a noble woman as Sita. Please do not abandon her.”
“Lakshman! Be silent. The king who fails to act according to the law is unfit to be a king and now according to the laws of our kingdom, the abandonment of Sita is unavoidable.”
There was silence everywhere. Nobody could say anything. All were silent and petrified and sat like stone-images.
"Dear Commander ! Sita once expressed her desire to go on a pilgrimage to Sametshikhar. Therefore, take her away under the pretext of taking her to Sametshikhar and leave her in some wild forest.” Shri Ram's command echoed in the chamber,
Lakshman returned to his palace overwhelmed with anguish. He felt helpless against Shri Ram's sense of justice and duty.
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