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INTRODUCTION
region. He took Sītā with him and gave her shelter as to a sister. Sita gave birth to twins. They were named Lavaṇa and Ankusa. They grew up, strong and powerful.
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Sandhi LXXXII. Exploits of Lavana and Ankuśa. Their Conflict with Rama and Lakṣmaṇa.
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As king Prthu spurned Vajrajangha's proposal to give his daughters in marriage to Lavana and Ankuśa, Vajrajangha took an invasion against him. . He first defeated Pṛthu's ally Vyaghraratha. Later Prthu also surrendered and married his daughters to Lavana and Aikuśa. They conquered all those kings who had not so far yielded even to Rama's might. Thereafter being incited by Narada, who narrated to them their mother's tragic story, they decided to take revenge on Rama and invaded Ayodhya. Accepting their challange Rama and Lakṣmaṇa offered battle. In their combat with Lavana and Ankuśa respectively, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa got into serious difficulties. At last Lakṣmaṇa released the Cakra,over and over again, against Ankusa, but every time it returned without harming the latter. Then Narada revealed to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa the identity of the two princes. The hostilities ended.
Sandhi. LXXXIII. Sitä's Ordeal and Renunciation.
Lavana and Ankuśa were given a royal welcome to Ayodhya. Hanumat and others pressed Rama to accept Sita back. Vibhiṣaṇa called Trijatā to Ayodhya, for testifying to Sita's purity. On her advice Rama decided to hold an ordeal for Sita, who though unwilling, was persuaded by Vibhiṣaṇa and others to come to Ayodhya. Sită undertook to pass the fire-ordeal. Rāma got prepared a terrible fire. Sītā entered it fearlessly. Through her power of chastity the blazing pyre was transformed into a beautiful surging lake. Sita was seated in its midst on a divine throne. All those present there paid their homage to her. Rama offered ample apologies and readily declared his reacceptance of her. But Sita, disgusted with the world, took ordination from the monk Sarvabhuṣaṇa. Thereupon Rāma swooned. Reviving, he rushed to attack Sarvabhūṣaṇa. But as he approached the enlightened sage, his anger subsided.
Sandhi LXXXIV. Accounts of Previous Births of the Principal Characters
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On Vibhiṣaṇa's request monk Sakalabhūṣaṇa narrated the previous births of Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and all other chief personages.
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