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THE WAY OF LIFE
year's day. Ramashastri's wife also went to the palace. The women in the palace saw Ramashastri's wife dressed plainly. She wore very simple dress. She was the very embodiment of simplicity. In her dress, there was no show; and no attempt at decoration or ostentation. The women thought: "Like Ramashastri, Ramashastri's wife does not look attractive, without colourful dress and decorations. We shall make her wear splendid dress and valuable ornaments; and make her look beautiful and attractive". The women belonged to the Peshwa family. They surrounded Ramashastri's wife. They made her wear splendid apparel and sparkling jewels. The poor woman kept refusing all those garments and ornaments. But who would listen to her protestations? The women of the Royal family adored Ramashastri's wife for her noble virtues; and they loved her. So, they decorated her with splendid garments and ornaments and took her to the Rajmatha (the queen-mother). The Rajmatha was greatly delighted to see her.
BROTHERS! YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE
After visiting the Rajmatha, when she came out of the palace, a palanquin was there ready for her. She sat in the palanquin; and she was taken home. The King's men knocked on the door. Ramashastri himself opened the door; and came out. He saw his wife seated in the palanquin. At once, Ramashastri realized all that had happened. Ramashastri said to the King's men who had come escorting his wife, "Brothers! I think you have made some mistake. I think you have come to the wrong house. A woman who wears such magnificent dress and decorations cannot belong to my family". Ramashastri went in; and closed the door. Ramashastri's wife heard all that her husband said. She said to the King's men, "Please take the palanquin back to the palace". After going into the palace she took off all those splendid garments and ornaments; and put on her simple dress. She returned home on foot. Shastriji was immensely delighted. He said to his wife, "Do you know who came here when you were not at home".
"Who came here ?" she asked. "Some beautiful woman wearing magnificent dress and ornaments came here and want
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