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The Most Auspicious Festival
Then, the ever-joyful Rama and Lakshmana said to Shatrughna, "Accept the kingdom that you desire." [1]
"Do you wish to take half of Ayodhya, or the excellent Podanapuram, or the city of Rajagriha, or the beautiful city of Paundrasundara?" [2]
Thus, Rama and Lakshmana suggested hundreds of capitals to the valiant Shatrughna, but none of them found a place in his heart. [3]
Then, when Shatrughna requested Mathura, Rama said to him, "Do you not know that the king of Mathura is Madhu, our enemy?" [4]
"He is the son-in-law of Ravana, adorned with many battles, and the god of the sky, Chandra, has given him a spear that never fails, which is invincible even by the gods, as unbearable as the sun in the summer, and which, after taking thousands of lives, returns to his hand." [5-6]
"For whose sake, we are constantly worried and cannot sleep at night, even for a moment." [7]
"Just as the sun, rising, illuminates the entire world, so too, he, upon his birth, illuminated the vast lineage of the Haris." [8]
"And whose son, Lavanaarnava, is invincible even by the celestial beings, how can you, O valiant one, conquer him?" [9]
Then, Shatrughna said, "What is the use of talking so much? Give me Mathura, and I will take it myself." [10]
"If I do not crush Madhu in battle, like a bee crushing a honeycomb, then I will not be proud of being the son of Dasharatha." [11]
"If I do not pulverize his army, like a Sarabha destroying a group of lions, then I will not be your brother." [12]
"If I do not put that enemy to eternal sleep, then I will not be called a son born from a noble womb, and I will not be protected by your blessings." [13]
Thus, the valiant Shatrughna, the bearer of great brilliance, having obtained the aforementioned vow, ... [14]