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JAIN RAMAYAN
upto the last, with oceans of patience and with the dignity and serenity of the ocean of peace.
Seriousness and dignified behaviour do not allow any distortions or aberrations to enter human life. But if man does not possess patience and seriousness, even small agitations cause aberrations.
The innerself of Vali, the valiant, had grown elevated, serious, magnanimous and all-embracing on account of his listening to and contemplating on the voice of the Jins. Therefore, he replied in a pleasant and agreeable voice :
"Dear messenger! We admire your discernment. We have heard carefully the message of Dashmukh Ravan, the King of Lanka as delivered by you. We have also thought about it deeply. You please convey to Dashmukh Ravan this message of mine.
"I am not unaware of the tender and friendly relations that have been in existence through generations between the Rakshasa dynasty and the Vanara dynasty; on the contrary, I am fully aware of the fact that between them there have been in existence friendly and cordial relations. My heartfelt desire is that these relations of mutual cordiality, co-operation and friendship between us should continue unbroken in the future”.
“But let him remember that our relations have not been those of overlord and suzerain; or master and servant at any time in the past; nor will, such relations exist between us in the future. In the past, the two royal families helped and co-operated with each other at times of difficulty and adversity like equals and they will continue to help each other in future also. Was there anytime when one did not extend help and co-opera tion to the other when he was in difficulties ? and was there any time when one after receiving help from the other became averse to him? Can cordial and friendly relations end in becoming the relations of master and slave? Of course, the king of Lanka liberated our ancestors from the hell of Yama; but can this make him our overlord? Can this make us his
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