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JAIN RAMAYAN
of his action, with overflowing politeness, saluted the feet of his father who was a great Muni. The Muni saw him with fixed eyes; and blessed him saying, “Dharmalabh”.
Dashmukh Ravan was overwhelmed with joyful emotions. He saw at once, the Mahamuni and his son Sahasrakiran, a mighty hero. Tears of joy streamed from his eyes. Taking Sahasrakiran's hand in his, he said with an intense emotion;
"Oh valiant hero! From today onwards, you will be like a brother of mine and an honoured ally and friend. I honour the Mahamuni as my father. I am now experiencing such a great delight that it cannot be described. Kindly return home. Mahishmati will be yours for ever. Moreover, you kindly accept from your elder brother some land as a gift. Till now we were three brothers; but henceforth, we shall be four brothers".
But these words were not heard by Sahasrakiran. His mind ranging beyond the barriers of the past and the present was piercing the horizons with scorn for mean aims and in thoughts sublime that pierced the bounds of the perceptible universe. He seemed to have been becalmed on the sea of thought while still the land it sought remained unreached and unrealized. Caught in the confounding coils of materialistic existence, he began to search for the ultimate and the supreme meaning of existence. He was searching for a path that would lead him to supreme spiritual felicity.
There appeared on his face an expression of lofty seriousness,
"Brother! I have lost interest in everything". Ravan was rather agitated by the words of Sahasrakiran. "Yes, Ravan ! I have lost my attachment even for my body". "Dear brother, Sahasrakiran! What do you mean?”
“Dear brother ! What is the use of giving way to despair"? I have decided to follow the foot-steps of my noble father. Till now. I have enjoyed countless pleasures. Now, I will renounce
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