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In the Forest of Simhaninad
299
me. Is it proper to abandon an absolutely pure and innocent woman and to cast her away in a wild forest thus, in order to safeguard the honour and prestige of your royal dynasty ? Were you not sure of my chastity and integrity ? Did Lakshman or any other member of the royal family suspect my integrity and purity ? Was there no other way to silence the people and to eradicate the scandals against me ? My lord! I will face and endure with calmness and courage all the calamities and adversities that will befall me on account of my sinful Karmas. This samsar is an ocean of misery. This samsar is a morass of conflicts, confusions and agonies, but we have to face the samsar, but kindly do not abandon the Dharma just because it is condemned by some ignorant or unenlightened people just as you have abandoned me on account of your fear of popular censure.” Sita's voice was choked with anguish. Her eyes welled up with tears. She shuddered with a nameless fear and collapsed to the ground unconscious. Kritantavadan's patience gave way. He began to weep in a heart-rending manner. Even the horses shed tears of sorrow. After a short while, Sita again regained her consciousness. She rose to her feet and looking towards Kritantavadan said in a voice filled with grief.
"Oh! How can Shri Ram live without me? How can he bear with this separation from me ? Alas? I am indeed a wretch, a sinner, an unfortunate woman. Though alive, I am unable to reside at the feet of my lord. Dear child Kritantavadan ! May Shri Ram be prosperous. Kindly convey my heartfelt blessings to Lakshman and my salutations to all our relatives and friends and now dear son ! May all travellers be blessed with felicity. You at once return to my lord Shri Ram."
Kritantavadan thought for a while about the irony of fate. He shed tears thinking of the separation between the noble woman, Sita and Shri Ram. He sat holding on to a stone in absolute anguish looking at Sita. He saluted Sita again and again. He went near the horses and stroked their backs tenderly. The horses neighed loudly. They lifted their faces up and refused to proceed in the direction of Ayodhya. Kritantavadan.
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