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156
JAIN RAMAYAN
What the Vidyadhar warrior had said was absolutely true. The pure and pellucid water of the Rewa had been polluted by the dirt of human bodies and there lay on the banks the faded flowers that had fallen off the heads of the queens. Ravan was greatly infuriated by what the warrior had said. It was like adding fuel to fire.
"Ah ! How insolent of Sahasrakiran! His sports have polluted the water and have disturbed the worship of the Jin. He must be properly punished. Who is there?.... Go and bring him here binding him hand and foot. I will teach him a lesson and destroy his arrogance".
As soon as Ravan gave this command, thousands of Rakshasa warriors rushed towards the banks of the Rewa.
Within a few moments the fascinating banks of the Rewa became a battle-field. A terrible war broke out between the Rakshasa army and the army of Sahasrakiran. The Rakshasa warriors began to rain sharp arrows on the soldiers of Sahasrakiran. By virtue of their miraculous accomplishments, they confounded the hostile army. When Sahasrakiran who was absorbed in water-sports noticed his soldiers being killed like insects, he got ready for a war. He took up his bow and arrows. He pulled the string of his bow and released arrows in such a way that the heroism of the Rakshasa warriors faded out like the stars that are covered by the radiance of the sun; and a large number of Rakshasa soldiers fell victims to his dreadful arrows.
Sahasrakiran's heroism was incomparable and unique. His strength as a warrior was invincible and infallible. His arrows flashed like flames of fire and rained fire on the Rakshasa warriors. Hearing the cries : "Save me ! Save me !" and seeing his soldiers running helter-skelter, Ravan himself got ready for the war! and entered the battle-field. Without a moment's delay, with flaming anger, he shot arrows at Sahasrakiran. But Sahasrakiran was not an ordinary warrior. He fought more ferociously than Ravan. He released sharp arrows and humbled Ravan. Ravan stopped shooting arrows and took up his mace, Sahasrakiran also took up his mace. Ravan began to pant for
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