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Vali, the Valiant
subordinates and slaves? No. No. Such a thing can never happen. We do not at all agree to that condition. Are we not incomparable devotees and followers of Vitrag? We shall never bear with injustice; on the contrary, we shall not hesitate even a little to lose our life if it is necessary in order to save our selfrespect and honour. The valiant never fear death; they value only honour."
129
"Dear messenger! This Vali bows his head only to Jineshwar Bhagwan and to noble spiritual heads. I deem only them my lords. I consider only them as the greatest benefactors; and I worship them with body, mind and wealth. I really wonder since when the king of Lanka has been entertaining this funny desire for power over us. Actually, the cordial relations that have been continuing like the sacred river Ganga have been sullied today by Ravan's arrogance. He has, as if with a sharp weapon, cut off the bonds of cordiality and amity that have been in existence between the two families.
"Moreover, your king Ravan has been born in a family with which we have been friendly. So, I respect him as my elder brother. His achievements and his mastery over a thousand powers have made him forget sanity, rationality and the limits of decency. But, yet, you may rest assured, that I will not take any step that will bring disgrace to the Vanara dynasty and stain its resplendent glory; or any step which we will regret later. Yes! If he adopts any undesirable and offensive step, we will be constrained to prepare ourselves to face the challenge with all our might. We shall not even by a mistake adopt the path of war; because such a step would destroy our cordial relations which have been in existence for generations. Please inform your king that if inspite of all this, he cannot see the truth blinded by false prestige and pride, we are ready to face every kind of challenge."
At once, the peaks and valleys of Kishkindha reverberated with the news. The news of the impending war between Kishkindha and Lanka spread like wild fire among people in the mansions, streets, circles and squares of the city of Kishkindha.
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