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10
JAIN RAMAYAN
the emperor of Vidyadhars grew calm. His agitation and anger disappeared. .
Actually, the anger of those who are thoughtful and sensi. ble can be easily pacified by means of an appeal to their reason
we may have to move heaven and earth to pacify the anger of those whose intellects are inert.
The emperor of Vidyadhars thought within himself :
"What is the use of waging a war now and causing the death of thousands of soldiers when my daughter has loved Shrikant and chosen him her husband, after her own heart. Of course, he is my enemy's son; but he is noble, virtuous and valiant. He is a radiant youth of rare and remarkable parts. What is wrong in celebrating their marriage ?"
Within a few moments, Pushpottar's animosity changed into amity; his bellicosity changed into cordiality; and the calamitous prospect of a dreadful war changed into the jubilant
of a happy marriage and the angry fulminations changed into joyous jubilations.
Kirtidhaval made magnificent arrangements to receive Pushpottar with royal honour. The marriage of Padma and Shrikant was performed in a grand manner.
The emperor of the Vidyadhars was supremely happy. He heartily blessed the couple wishing them prosperity and felicity; and then he returned to Ratnapur with his eyes moist with tears.
No one knows the ways of fate which are indeed inscrutable; and no one can know them in the future. The ways of fate are indeed inscrutable and incomprehensible.
(4)
It was morning. The sun-god had set out in his radiant chariot from the east to travel round the earth. Cows, buffaloes and other cattle were going towards forests and pastures to graze. The city of Lanka had awakened and was getting ready
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