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The Forty-Eighth Chapter
293
The time appointed by the knower of omens has arrived for me to depart. I am now going to my own city to rule my kingdom. ||169||
For one who dwells in a kingdom, countless follies arise. And this is a sure cause of destruction, if one falls prey to them. ||170||
"Take this, I give you this excellent bangle. If you desire a life free from calamities, then take it." ||171||
Giving away what one has obtained is praised as bearing great fruit. One gains fame in the world and people worship him. ||172||
Having said this, he took the iron bangle and went to his own abode, and Subhanu also went to his own city. ||173||
Meanwhile, the king's wife had been bitten by a snake and was rendered motionless. She was brought to the cremation ground to be burned. Atma-shreya saw her. ||174||
And seeing her, by the grace of that iron bangle, he revived her and received great honor from the king. ||175||
Now, by the influence of his virtuous deeds, he obtained great enjoyments, bringing supreme happiness, along with all his relatives. ||176||
Once, he placed the bangle on his upper garment and entered a lake. A fierce, wild Ghodher (a kind of serpent) took it away. ||177||
That Ghodher entered its large burrow, situated beneath a great tree. The burrow was covered with a heap of stones, inaccessible and filled with a terrible sound. ||178||
That Ghodher, sitting in its burrow, made a continuous sound, which made the sight of the burrow inspire fear of destruction in the mind. ||179||
Then Atma-shreya uprooted the tree, which was dense with stones, and killed the Ghodher, taking back the bangle and all its treasure. ||180||
So Rama is like Atma-shreya, Sita is like the bangle, the desire for gain is like folly, the sound of the enemy is like the sound of the Ghodher, Lanka is like the great treasure, Ravana is like the Ghodher. Therefore, O Vidyadharas, be fearless now. ||181-182||
1. Take this, I give you this excellent bangle. ||171||
2. Having taken the bangle. ||173||
3. Bitten by a snake. ||174||
4. At the cremation ground. ||174||
5. From afar. ||174||