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II
LANKA:
ITS DECLINE AND RISE
The mighty flood of time keeps flowing with the greatest speed. Countless Yugas (millenia) have passed. Countless Tirthankars have passed into eternity on the ever-flowing floods of time. Countless Chakravartis, Vasudevs, Prati Vasudevs, Baladevs, human beings and demons have floated away on the impetuous river of time.
In course of time, countless kings occupied the thrones of Lanka and Vanardweep, and slept for ever in the lap of Time.
After the millenium of Bhagwan Shreyansnath, the millenia of Vasupujya, Vimalnath, Ananthnath, Dharmanath, Shantinath, Kunthunath, Aranath, Mallinath etc., passed.
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Then, the millenium of Bhagwan Munisuvrat Swami, the twentieth Tirthankar came. Tadithkesh the great hero was ruling over Lanka. There existed a strong bond of friendship between the kings of Lanka and those of Vanardweep. They were bound together by the bounds of love and friendship. Dhanodhadirath, the king of Vanardweep and Tadithkesh, the king of Rakshasdweep were like two bodies having one life. In other words, there was a deep friendship between them.
Once, Tadithkesh, the king of Lanka entertained the desire of visiting the Vanardweep to enjoy seeing the beauties of nature in Kishkindha such as its magnificent forests, and its glorious and well-maintained gardens and orchards. He sent a
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