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XCIX
IN THE FOREST OF SIMHANINAD
Actually, Sita was a plain-hearted and noble-minded woman.
She was the very embodiment of gentleness, amiability and ingenuity.
She entertained no fears or doubts regarding Shri Ram's commands. She had the fullest confidence in his greatness. She deemed him her god.
Plain-hearted people do not suspect others. They do not entertain any doubts or suspicions regarding their friends or relatives. Therefore, Sita did not entertain any doubt regarding what Kritantavadan had said. Of course, on the eve of her departure from her palace, she witnessed some evil and inauspicious omens but Sita fearlessly sat in the chariot. No fear or suspicion rose in her mind. The chariot sped away from Ayodhya. Sita did not ask the commander these questions. "Is my noble lord accompaning me or is he following me in another chariot? Are any other members of our family accompanying me? Why do I not hear the noise of other chariots ?” She did not ask him any question, because she had unshakeable faith in Shri Ram. She believed that whatever he did was right, and that he would not do anything unjust or unfair. She never had even dreamt that she would be thus deceptively deserted. She had never dreamt that her dear lord would adopt any deceptive or guileful methods. Therefore, she remained calm and serene and kept watching the graces and glories of nature with elation.
The chariot halted in a beautiful and peaceful place on the bank of the Ganga. A raft was kept ready by previous arrange
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