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IV
THE JOURNEY TO THE BHIMARANYA
The radiant chariot of the sun-god was declining behind the western horizon. The radiance of the sun was declining and growing dull and dim in the sky. The goddess of the evening was decorating the sky with patterns and designs of various glorious colours. Even the Pathal Lanka looked fascinating with this gorgeous display of decorative designs.
Queen Kaikasi sat on her golden throne studded with precious stones, in the balcony of her magnificent palace built of beautiful marble; and was taking rest. Dashmukh, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishan were playing games nearby. Kaikasi kept watching her sons with fixed eyes. She kept wandering in the ideal world of her imagination; and began to build a magnificent mansion of the future with her radiant aspirations.
All of a sudden, the three boys began to look towards the sky with fixed eyes. They were watching a fascinating supernatural airship flying through the sky.
"Mother dear! Who is flying in that airship?" Dashmukh asked his mother with ebullient eagerness.
"Your brother!" Kaikasi replied in a calm tone.
"Our brother! No. It cannot be true. playing here. Who is this fourth one ?"
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"He is your half-brother. He is the son of my sister. He is Vaishravan, the son of my sister i.e. your aunt, Kaushika", Kaikasi said. The three brothers were till now unaware of the
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