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Bhagawan. Mahavir 1
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boasts of valour and strength ! Prince Achala had to condescend without a word to what his brother said. The weapons were thrown aside and the princes proceeded unarmed.
Now it was the turn of the Achalakumara to be left behind in the forest. The two brothers had not gone very far when Prince Triprishtha stopped suddenly and asked his elder brother for the last time as to whether the lion had got any companion or helper with him. Prince Achala said 'Oh my unsophisticated brother, the lion has got no companion and no helper with him; his own valour is his companion, and it is the valour alone which has made him the king of the forest. No sooner did Achala speak out these words then suddenly Triprishtha requested his brother not to accompany him. He said, dear brother, when I find that the lion, my enemy, is a single being and that his valour is his only companion, I fail to understand why you should accompany me to help me in my enterprise. You are a Kshatriya by caste and are well conversant with the laws that govern a king's moral conduct. I hope you would better realise your duty as a Kshatriya and be pleased not to move a single step forward. I had not beseech you any more, for single foe ought to be met singly in battle, and if I do not act accordingly I shall be disgracing my honourable duty and bringing a bad name to my family. Not only this even the world would dispa rage my valour which would be worse than actual death for the Prince like myself. I therefore request you once more to allow me to fight with the lion in single combat. The sooner I meet my death in the performance of my duty the better it is, for I care only for an immortal life which will last forever in the form of good deeds that I have done and a good name that I shall leave in
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