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A few moments passed thus. Silence filled the atmosphere. Then all sat down in the shadow of trees. Hanuman sat at the feet of Shri Ram.
JAIN RAMAYAN
"Dear friend! I hope Sita is well."
"Dear lord! How can Sita be well? She has been experiencing agitation and agony like a fish out of water on account of the separation from you. She always keeps repeating, "Ram... Ram... She always keeps reciting that holy name."
"What did she say when you gave her my signet-ring ?"
"My lord! On seeing your signet-ring she was filled with joy and elation. She looked around eagerly and joyously because I sat concealed in the Ashoka tree and dropped the ring into her lap. She, at once, took the ring and pressed it to her heart and her forehead and experienced inordinate joy and happiness.
"Then ?"
Sometime later Mandodari, the queen-consort of Ravan came there as his messenger. Oh! Sitadevi gave her a bitter reply which was like a slap on her cheek. Poor woman! She had to return disappointed and disgraced. Then, I appeared before Sitadevi. I saluted her and conveyed to her your message."
""
"Then what happened?"
"I entreated her to give her golden coronet to be conveyed to you. At once, she gave it to me. For twenty-one days, she had been fasting."
"Fasting for twenty-one days?"
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"Yes! My lord! She had decided not to take food or water until she received news about your welfare. I prevailed upon her to end her fast. She ended her fast and I felt supremely happy."
"Didn't Ravan hear about your visit ?"
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