The Washerman and His Wife

Rama had informants all over Ayodhya who kept him apprised of his subjects' actions. One day, he asked an informant named Bhadra, "What do my subjects say about me and my family?"

"Your subjects greatly respect you," replied Bhadra, bowing to Rama. "They often discuss your victory over Ravana."

"Please describe in detail what my subjects say about my merits and demerits. Speak without hesitation."

"The people say you achieved the impossible by building a bridge across the ocean, a feat unprecedented even among gods and demons. They also discuss how you killed Vali, befriended the monkeys, and vanquished Ravana."

The next day, another informant approached Rama and said, "O Lord, please forgive me. A certain washerman made unbecoming remarks about you while scolding his wife."

"Tell me everything clearly and without fear."

"I must tell the truth: the washerman was speaking harshly to his wife. 'I cannot forgive you for spending the night outside the house,' he told her. 'I'm not a great man like Rama, who accepted Sita as his wife even after she spent a long time in Ravana's Lanka.' He then denounced his wife and threw her out of the house."