BEHOLD A WONDER!

Sumantra accompanied Raama to Kaikeyi's palace, threading the way with difficulty through the throng. Raama entered the Queen's apartment. As he stepped over the threshold, he started as if he had set his foot upon a snake, for he saw with awe-struck amazement his father lying on the bare floor in anguish. The King evidently had been struck down with some great sorrow. His face was like a paarijaata blossom wilted in the sun.

He touched his father's feet and paid the same filial worship to Kaikeyi.

Dasaratha uttered in a low voice the name of Raama and stopped. He could speak no more. He could not look straight into the face of Raama.

Raama was perplexed and filled with apprehension at the sight of his father, lying there unable to speak, in the grip of some great agony-what it could be Raama could not even guess.

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