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05
Prajapati. Ašvagriva becoming disturbed mentally began to think :-"Abel Both the signs told by the interpreter of dreams are now substantiated. There is, there-fore a decided danger to me from the sons of Prajapati. But what to do now ! There is a punishment of the God of Death hanging on my head. Royal wealth even if tied tightly with a string of admirable qualities is sure to pass away. Servants subordinated by gifts and honours will be changed. Oh! What does not happen when the Fate is adverse ? However, even now, an Intelligent human effort should not be abandoned, because, under its influence, future misfortunes are also averted and lost property is regained. It is therefore not proper to be indifferent. An Insignificant malady should receive medical treatment even throughout life Even a small particle of fire is sufficient to burn away a mass of wood on Mount Kailasa, Or, it does not ever happen that the young one of a huge snake with poisonous emanations from his eyes will not prove poisonous even if it is distressed (i, e it will always prove to be poisonous). It is, therefore, proper that the sons of Prajapati should be allured to come here and after they have confidence in me by giving them gifts and honours, they should be destroyed,"
With this id. a in his mind, and ordering a messenger to bring the sons of Prajāpati, into his presence, the Prati-văsu. deva' said, “O! Tell Prajapati-you have become disabled for service, therefore, send your sons immediately and they will be given the rank of a tributary chief If he does not send his sons, let him be ready for a fight. Accepting the words of his master, the messenger saying, “Just as your Majesty orders " soon left the place, and in course of time, reached Potanapur. Immediately on seeing him, King Prajapati respectfully offered him a seat and asked him the object of his coming to him. The messenger said "Prati-vasudéve Asvagriva orders you as follows --"You have becoine debilitated by old age - you are unfit for service; send your sons to me, so that I may honour them with my own hands, and giving them excellent elephants,
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