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The king, Vandan, repeatedly urged his son, Amittej, to take the kingdom. Though instructed, Amittej did not desire the royal fortune. He said, "If you, the divine one, wish to relinquish this kingdom, then I do not desire it either. May I not be guilty of disobeying your command. I will go to the forest with you. Whatever path you take, I will follow." Knowing his son's firm resolve, Vandan gave the kingdom to his grandson, Pundarika, a young boy who was the protector of the lineage. The king, Vandan, along with his son, Amittej, his wives, and many kings, went to the sage Gunadhar, the disciple of the Tirthankara Yashodhar, and took initiation. Sixty thousand queens, twenty thousand kings, and a thousand sons took initiation with King Vandan. At that time, Pandita, the friend of the queen, also took initiation according to her own capacity. True knowledge is that which liberates one from the cycle of birth and death.
Just as the lotus wilts in the absence of the sun, so too, Lakshmimati and Anundhari were filled with sorrow at the departure of Vandan and Amittej. Those who had not taken initiation, but had gone to witness the ceremony, entered the city with the young Pundarika, led by the ministers. They were all pale with grief. Lakshmimati was deeply troubled, thinking, "A young, unknown boy has been placed on the throne of this vast kingdom. He is my grandson. How can I protect him without any support? I will send this news to the wise Vajangha today. With his guidance, this kingdom will be secure. Otherwise, it will be overrun by enemies."