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CHAPTER FIVE
Birth of Puruşasinha (80-82)
Now, Vikata's soul fell from the second heaven and entered Ammaka's womb, with a birth of a Visņu indicated by seven dreams. At the right time she bore a son with full auspicious marks, dark blue like a sapphire, like a river bearing a blue lotus. The king gave him the name Puruşasinha because "he is a lion among men with remarkable valor."
Their childhood (83-86)
The two boys grew up, cared for by nurses, playing together, wearing dark blue and yellow garments, with palm tree- and garuḍa-banners. They, attentive, seized the arts, like a deposit near at hand which they had made themselves, making their teacher only a witness. Gradually the brothers became of military age and shone like rivals of heaven and earth. Devoted to each other like the two Aśvins, 108 who were full brothers, exceedingly devoted to their father, they acted as his footmen.
Death of their parents (87-133)
One day Śiva sent Sirin, like a divine weapon, to subdue a certain insolent neighbouring king. Puruşasinha followed him several marches from affection. Verily the bond of affection is like cement. With difficulty Balabhadra prevented him from following and Hari remained there, alas! like an elephant lost from the herd. While he was alleviating the pain caused by separation from his brother by various amusements, a man came from his father. Madhava took on his head a letter from his father which he delivered and saw in it the words, "Come quickly, son.' Disturbed, he said to the man, "Is my mother well? Is my father well? Why this sudden summoning of me?" The man replied, "His Majesty summons you hastily, because a strong inflammatory fever has appeared in his
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193 86. Twins really, sons of the Sun.
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