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The seventeenth chapter
Now, O Devi, you will go to the mouth of the lion, which is terrible with its fangs and the cause of the destruction of the proud elephants. || 253 || Alas, O Devi, your time has passed, due to the will of the wicked fate and because of my foolish mind. || 254 || O Lord, Pavana-jaya, protect your wife. O Mahendra, why don't you protect your daughter? || 255 || O wicked Ketumati, what have you done to her in vain? O compassionate one, why don't you protect your daughter? || 256 || This princess is dying in the desolate forest. O forest deities, please protect her. || 257 || What else could be the meaning of the words of that Muni, who knows the true nature of the world, and who has given a good omen? || 258 || Thus, weeping and swinging like a swing, Vasantmala was quickly going and coming near her mistress, that is, she was coming near with courage and then retreating due to fear. || 259 ||
Then, struck by the blow of the Sharabha, the lion was destroyed, and the Sharabha, having accomplished his purpose, disappeared into his own abode. || 260 || Then, seeing the end of the battle between the two, like a dream, Vasantmala, drenched in sweat, quickly went back to the cave. || 261 || Inside the cave, Vasantmala, searching for Anjana with her hands as soft as leaves, was saying, "Where are you? Where are you?" At that time, her fear had not completely subsided, so her voice was choked. || 262 || Vasantmala knew by the touch of her hand that she was lying completely still. Therefore, her mind was filled with anxiety, wondering if she was alive or not. || 263 || Placing her hand on her chest, she kept urging her, saying, "O Devi! Devi! Are you alive?" || 264 || Then, when Anjana regained consciousness from the touch of Vasantmala's hand, and somewhat understood that it was her friend, she said in a faint voice, "I am here." || 265 ||
After a long time, she understood, and then the two friends...