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UTTAMKUMAR
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never doubted in the merchant's veracity, but the latter took undue advantage of his goodness. He began to dream of meeting Madalsa alone But the presence of the prince made the fulfilment of his dream impossible. So he hatched a conspiracy to remove this obstacle from his path. One day, Kuverdatta went to a secluded corner of the ship and stood there. Then he called Uttamkumar and began to talk to him so intently that the latter's attention was diverted. Suddenly, the merchant pushed him into the sea
For a pious man, even an adverse situation turns favourable A man who is firm in religion and morality may temporarily be in difficulty, but in the end he comes out with flying colours Trapped even in the greatest misfortune, he would find a way out by some means or other. As soon as the prioce fell into the sea, a giant fish swallowed him up Just then a fisherman threw his net and the same fish was caught into it. The fisherman was happy at the sight of the prize fish He rushed back home and pierced it Out of the fish's belly came out a fine young man He was, bowever, unconscious The fisherman's quick effort restored bim to full consciousness From the man's dress and demeanour, the fisherman had no doubt that this man must be a prince or a man of noble descent and that due to some conspiracy or misfortune, he was in this miserable state When tbe prince regained his senses aod was feeling normal, the fisherman asked him all about him The prince narrated to him the story of his life. The fisherman felt pity as well as consanguinity for him He did not let him go, but insisted upon his staying at his home as an honoured guest
Now let us have a look at the scene on the ship As - Uttamkumar was pushed down into the sea, the merchant himself raised an alarm, shouting, "Uttamkumar has slipped into the sea ” But no trace of him could be visible, and people on board felt sorry for him Soon Madalsa came to know of the unfortunate event and started weeping bitterly. Her sorrow touched the heart of everybody except the merchant who spoke some superficial words in order to console her Madalsa took no time to understaod that
