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## The Twenty-First Century Chapter
**Verse 1:** The Muni-punga (great sage) Sri Rama, after observing the second fast of five days, made this vow: "In this forest, filled with herds of deer, I will accept only the alms that come to me. I will not enter the city for alms."
**Verse 2:** While the Muni was thus engaged in this difficult vow, a king named Pratinandin was captured by a wicked horse.
**Verse 3:** His queen, Prabhava, filled with grief, searched for the path of her husband's abduction, surrounded by a multitude of warriors. She mounted her horse and set out, her heart filled with anxiety.
**Verse 4-5:** "What will happen? How will I find my husband?" she thought, her mind racing. She rode swiftly along the same path, her heart heavy with worry.
**Verse 6:** As they were traveling, the wicked horse, carrying the abducted king, got stuck in the mud of a lake, like a householder trapped in a worldly snare.
**Verse 7:** The beautiful queen, upon reaching the lake, saw its lotus-filled waters and smiled slightly. She said, "Oh King, the horse did well!"
**Verse 8:** "If you had not been captured by this horse, how would you have found this beautiful lake, filled with flowers like those of Nandana forest?"
**Verse 9:** The king replied, "Yes, this garden journey has been successful, for you have arrived in the midst of this beautiful forest, which is impossible to tire of seeing."
**Verse 10:** Thus, with lighthearted conversation, the queen, surrounded by her companions, stayed by the lake.
**Verse 11:** After playing in the clear water, gathering flowers, and adorning each other, the king and queen sat down to eat.
**Verse 12:** At that moment, Muni-punga Sri Rama, who had completed his fast and was skilled in the path of action, arrived near them.
**Verse 13:** Seeing him, the king, filled with joy and trembling with excitement, stood up, along with his queen.