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JAIN RAMAYAN
surrendered himself at the feet of his father who was a great Muni. He renounced the Samsar and received initiation into the Sadhudharma.
All the people of Mahishmati had gathered on the banks of the Rewa. The dry banks of the river became wet with the tears shed by them. The atmosphere was filled with the grief-stricken cries and lamentations of thousands of ladies, relatives, friends and subjects.
Suddenly Sahasrakiran, the Rajarshi remembered some
thing.
He called a messenger near him and said in a low, soft tone, "At once, you set off to Ayodhya and convey to Anaranya the king of Ayodhya, the news of my renunciation”.
A secret lay behind the message sent by Sahasrakiran.
Anaranya, the king of Ayodhya and Sahasrakiran were bosom-friends. The two friends had once made this decision. "We two shall together renounce the Samsar. If one of us decides upon becoming a sadhu, he should intimate the other and then we two shall together renounce the Samsar". Sahasrakiran sent the message for this reason.
Accordingly, the messenger travelled to Ayodhya with the speed of wind; and appeared before the king of Ayodha :
Seeing a stranger standing before him with folded hands, Anaranya asked him eagerly: "What may be the purpose of your visit? May I know who you are and whence you have come? Who sent you? What message have you brought ?”
“Your Excellency! I have come from a far-off place; I have come from Mahishmati which stands on the banks of the Rewa. Sahasrakiran, the mighty hero has sent an important message to you".
As soon as hearing the name of Sahasrakiran, King Anaranya rose from his royal throne; and stood up. Placing his hand upon the shoulder of the messenger, he said in a cordial manner :
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