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XV
A MEETING WITH MADHU AT MATHURA
Ravan had stayed at Rajpur longer than he had expected. He married Kanakprabha the beautiful daughter of King Maruth; so there appeared a deep bond of friendship and alliance between the two powerful kings. Ravan spent some days happily sporting in the fascinating gardens and bowers around Rajpur. One day, Khar, the king of Pathal Lanka said to Ravan:
"Oh King of Lanka ! We have to set off from here. Our objective has not yet been achieved. We have to defeat our powerful enemies and achieve a victory. Our march of victory has to be crowned with success”.
"Yes! Yes! You are right. It is a good thing that you have reminded me of it. We had completely forgotten our objective". And at once, Ravan gave orders to his vast army to prepare themselves for the march of victory; and when all preparations had been made, he set off from Rajpur with his followers and his vast army; and began travelling through the sky.
A short while later, Sugriv, the king of the Vanaras said in a loud voice :
"Dear friend Dashagriv! We are now travelling over Mathura".
"Sugriv! We have to halt here a little. Please give orders to land the airship here”.
Within a few moments, the plains near the city of Mathura began teeming with men and horses and elephants. As soon as
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