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150
JAIN RAMAYAN
was as if some great sage was sitting in meditation. Then, a few moments later, he opened his eyes and said.
"I think you are planning to wage a war against somebody”.
"You have spoken the truth”, Ravan said. He paused a little and said seriously.
"Dear brother! I am wondering why we should not set off to conquer the whole world. What is your opinion. ?”
"What pleases our brother pleases us also. Why should you ask for our opinion ?" said Vibhishan in a polite voice.
"In that case, from today onwards we have to make preparations for our compaign”.
“You give the commands; and we will carry them out”.
"In that case, we have to consult the court-priest which day is auspicious for our setting out. You two meet him and fix up an auspicious day”.
Vibhishan looked towards Kumbhakarna in a slightly ironical manner and said genially: "Brother ! You too make this mistake! A great astrologer is sitting here. Why should you send us to the court-priest ?”
Even before Vibhishan could complete his sentence Kumbhakarna pressed his hand in a violent manner. He screamed with pain.
"You rogue! Are you making fun of me ?”
"Oh ! I am dead. Please release my hand. I will never make fun of you”, and Vibhishan released himself from the terrible grasp of Kumbhakarna and ran away. Kumbhakarna ran behind him chasing him. Both went running to the house of the courtpriest. It was late in the night. Nothing could be seen in the night. Nothing could be seen in the darkness of the night. Silence and stillness prevailed everywhere. At such a time, the two brothers began knocking on the door of the court-priest's house.
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