SEETA'S RESOLVE

The King bade Sumantra let the Prince in.

Raama came and bowed to the King from a distance. As soon as he saw Raama, the King suddenly rose and rushed with out stretched arms to embrace him, but dropped in a swoon before reaching his son.

Raama and Lakshmana tenderly lifted him up and put him on the couch. "My Lord," said Raama, "we have come to- seek your leave to go to I the forest. Vaidehi and Lakshmana too are going with me in spite of all I could do to make them desist. Pray give us your benedictions and leave to depart."

Dasaratha then said: "Raama, I am bound by the boons that I have given to Kaikeyi. But you are not so bound. Why do you not brush me aside and seize the kingdom by force?"

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