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The Conquest of Lanka
109
Vaishravan. His voice was choked with emotion; and from his eyes, the tears streamed out. He folded his hands; and said in a humble voice;
"Oh thou great man! Kindly forgive your younger brother's unpardonable blunder, I have committed a great offence against you. You may kindly continue to rule over Lanka without any fear or worry. We will go away somewhere. The earth abounds in gems. It is vast and boundless. We will go away to some other place and settle down there. But you kindly........”
Dashmukh Ravan was not only a mighty hero who had attained mastery over thousands of accomplishments but also a mine of magnanimity and nobility. Every word uttered by him was plain and heartfelt and expressed sincere faith. When in anyone the latent and dormant sublime propensities wake up and become patent, he becomes influential and acquires tremendous personal magnetism. So naturally, we grow humble before such a man and we bow our heads in veneration to his sublime spiritual integrity and excellence."
Vidyadhar Vaishravan was made of a different mettle. What he had renounced, he would not accept again. He was completely free from illusion and infatuation. Dashmukh Ravan made repeated entreaties; and implored Vaishravan again and again to resume his reign over Lanka; but Vaishravan did not budge an inch. The Shraman, Vaishravan did not like to waste his life by entering the Samsar again. Once having entered the path of renunciation, he did not like to retrace his steps. It was impossible now for him to turn his face backwards.
If his renunciation was born out of illusion or sorrow, he would have listened to the words of Dashmukh Ravan; would have accepted his invitation and would have resumed his Kingship of Lanka. But because his renunciation was born out of sublime contemplations and knowledge, he refused to tread the path of worldliness again.
King Vaishravan became a Maharashi, a great sage, in a short while.
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