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CHAPTER FIVE
went to get water. As he went, he saw a pool adorned with many lotuses, giving delight at a distance like a dear companion. Then the king of Kübarapura, King Kalyāṇamāla, came there and saw Lakṣmaṇa. At once he was pierced by Kama's arrows whose nature is to pierce and, bowing to Lakṣmaṇa, said, "Be my guest for dinner.' Observing the agitation of love and bodily characteristics, Lakṣmaṇa thought, "She is a woman, but dressed as a man for some reason." With these reflections, Saumitri said, "My lord and his wife are in a place not far from here. I can not eat without him." He had Raghüdvaha and Sītā conducted to that place by distinguished men with good manners and gentle speech who had invited them. He, noble-minded, bowed to Rāmabhadra and Maithili and had a tent set up at once for their use.
He approached Rāma there after he had bathed and eaten, accompanied by one minister, having a woman's appearance, and without attendants.. Rāghava said to her whose face was bowed from embarrassment, "Why do you conceal that you are a woman by men's clothes, sir ?"
Then the lord of Kübara said: "In the city Kübara there is a king, Välikhilya, whose wife was named Pṛthvi. She became pregnant. One day Valikhilya was taken away by Mleccha soldiers who had come for an attack and had captured him. Afterwards Queen Pṛthvi bore me, a daughter, and the minister Subuddhi proclaimed, 'A son was born.' The lord, Sinhodara, when he was informed of the birth of a son, said, 'Let the boy be king there until the return of Välikhilya.' I grew up gradually, wearing men's clothes from the beginning, unnoticed by others except my mother and ministers. Known by the name of Kalyāṇamāla, I exercise sovereignty from suitable advice of ministers. There can be truth even in pretense. I have sent a great deal of money to the Mlecchas for my father's release; they take the money but do not release my father. Be gracious. Release my father from them
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