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VI
THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE TRIUMPHAL MARCHES
Dashmukh Ravan spent time enjoying physical and sensual pleasures in the company of his beautiful wife, Mandodari. Time seemed to be flying on the wings of air. Seasons came and passed. Prosperity and felicity flowed like rivers in the city of Swayamprabha. The king and the people were floating on sky-high waves of overflowing joy. Grand-father, Sumali and father, Ratnashrava were supremely happy over Dashmukh Ravan's marriage. They were absolutely satisfied with the alliance. Kaikasi repeatedly thanked her stars for the good fortune that they had bestowed upon her son.
Sometimes, Dashmukh Ravan used to fly through the sky with Mandodari; and would disappear mysteriously among the heaven-kissing peaks of the Vaithadhya mountain and some times, he would remain for a long time, in some fascinating place on the earth spending time joyously with Mandodari, absorbed in amorous sports and delights. Sometimes, they sat on sky-high peaks and contemplated on the magnificent sights around with joy overflowing; and sometimes they sat on the banks of beautiful lakes and heard with delight the melodious murmur of the melting waves. Sometimes, they tasted the sweetness of the nectar of love skimming through green and luxuriant grass, in some beautiful valley, full of green trees, and blooming flowers. Sometimes, they enjoyed heavenly delights in the bushes and brakes of beautiful gardens. Sometimes as she kept watching him, he would run into unknown and perilous places and perform some heroic feat that filled her
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