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214
PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
Condition was very uncommon, but as there was no alternative left for them. they silently walked with her and arrived at the palace, decked with diamonds. All amenities for dalliance were at their disposal.
Both the brothers became engrossed in sensual pleasures unAinchingly. Engaged in such affairs they forgot their relatives, friends and family. When one's mind is fully engrossed in one matter, he does not remember other matters.
After they passed some time in this manner one day Rayanadevi said, "Being instructed by Shakrendra, the presiding Lord of the ocean Susthitadev has commanded me to refine this ocean and to draw out all the filth lying at the bottom for twenty one times.
I am duty bound to carry out the command, so I must leave. Live here in this palace at ease and make merry. When you feel uneasy you may stroll in the surrounding parks but remember, you should not go to the Southern parks. There stays a Cobra with venomous sight and you might risk by going there your life." Thus she gave a few pieces of advice and left.
After the Queen's departure both the brothers felt uneasy so they entered the northern eastern and western sylvan parks and began indulging in various sports, still they could not get delight to their content. They thought "Indeed there must be some mystery in the Southern parks as we are strictly instructed not to enter the same. Let us therefore discover the mystery.”
Then they entered the Southern parks and treaded very silently. When they covered some distance they smelt something extremely awful. Being curious to know the source, they treaded a few steps firmly. Suddenly they spied a big iron spike for hanging the people to death. They found a man pierced through on the spike. Extremely awful odour was emerging out from the adjacent wells. They peeped into the well to find human corpses piled on one another. They were all being putrified. They at once gathered that first of all these men were pierced through on the spike and thereafter were dropped in the well, when dead. One man on the spike was still alive and he said, on being asked, “I am a horse-merchant hailing from Kakandi city. One day I started with horses and other utensils on sea voyage. Suddenly the ship was wrecked in a thunder storm and I reached this island clinging on a wooden log. Then
