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FAITH INSPIRES COURAGE Faith is a mighty force. Even in the darkest hour of despair, faith kindles a gleam of light in the despondent heart. Nothing is impossible to the man of inviolable faith.
Kumarpal, the ruler of Gujarat, was once forced by circumstances to declare war against Raja Puranrai of Shakambhari for having grossly insulted the nascent culture of his kingdom. ; :
To Kumarpal, this was no ordinary warfare; it was a crusade to vindicate the culture of his motherland. He fought with unprecedented valour, for a defeat in this encounter would be nothing less than the complete annihilation of the culture of his beloved country.
The battle raged furiously; swords flashed, spears gleamed; the clash of arms was heard on all sides; heads rolled on the field and the river ran red with blood.
The foe was momentarily paralysed by this fierce onslaught, but they changed their strategy and succeessfully broke through Kumarpal's ranks. His soldiers were overwhelmed and began to give in.
By now it was near sunset—the hour for Kumarpal's evening prayers. Thé Raja glanced at the Mahavat who drove his elephant in the battlefield.
The old Mahavat comprehended the Raja's
