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The Eighteenth Chapter
Thus, O King Shrenik, listen to this story. I will tell you what your parents did after Pavananjay left.
When his friend told them about Pavananjay, all his relatives were overcome with grief.
Then Ketumati, overwhelmed with grief for her son, spoke with a mocking tone, her voice choked with tears. "Oh, Prahasit, was it right for you to do this? To leave my son and come alone?"
Prahasit replied, "Oh, Mother, he sent me with great effort. He wouldn't let me stay there in any way."
Ketumati asked, "Where did he go?" Prahasit replied, "Where Anjana is." Ketumati asked again, "Where is Anjana?" Prahasit said, "I don't know. Those who act hastily without examining things, they are bound to suffer later, those who are the life-force of people."
Prahasit also told Ketumati, "Your son made a firm vow that if he didn't see his beloved, he would surely die."
Hearing this, Ketumati was deeply distressed and began to wail. A group of women, their eyes streaming with tears, surrounded her.
She cried out, "Without knowing the truth, what have I, a sinner, done? That my son has been brought to the brink of life and death?"
"With a cruel heart, a deceitful mind, and acting without thought, what have I, a fool, done?"
"This city, abandoned by Vayukumar, does not shine. Why just this city? Even Vijayardhagiri does not shine, nor does the army of Ravana without him."
"Who on earth is equal to my son, who made a pact even with Ravana, a pact that was difficult even for him?"
"Alas, my son! You were the foundation of humility, always devoted to honoring your teachers, the most beautiful in the world, with your virtues known everywhere. Where have you gone?"
"Oh, my son, who loved your mother like your own life, please soothe your mother's heart, burning with the fire of your sorrow, with your comforting words, and make her free from grief."