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The Revenge
197 Narad was silent for a while. Then clearing his throat, he began :
"Shandilya and Parvat complemented each other's efforts. Step by step, they went on together carrying out their plan. By means of his magical powers, Shandilya became a saviour to the people in villages, towns and cities distressed by dreadful diseases and ailments. He went to such places and preached.
“Those who understand and appreciate Parvat's doctrines; follow him and act according to his precepts will be free from the clutches of dreadful diseases". Accordingly, those who followed Parvat's precepts became free from dreadful ailments and agonies. This was the result of the efficacy of Shandilya's magical powers. Hence, very soon there appeared a large number of devoted followers who followed Parvat with implicit faith. While travelling from place to place, they once happened to go to the city of King Sagar raja. Formerly, the city was the abode of all dreadful diseases, agonies and anguish. Many members of the royal family, many courtiers and a large member of people had fallen victims to many dreadful ailments. Plague, cholera, small-pox and other such diseases had cast their net and caught countless people in it.
The news had already reached the ears of Sagar raja that the only person who could deliver people from those dreadful diseases was Parvat. Those who followed Parvat got out of all their agonies and anguish completely. Seeing that several members of his family were afflicted with those dreadful diseases, Sagar raja was looking for Parvat. In fact, he wanted to go out in search of Parvat. Just at that time he received the news that Parvat had come to the city and that he was staying in a garden outside the city. "What does not a dying man do ?" Sagar raja went to the garden with some prominent members of his court to meet Parvat. Parvat was sitting on a wooden seat. His body was shining like gold. On his forehead he wore a colourful circular tilak. There hung on his shoulders an upper cloth
s a red silken garment. Around him there sat a large number of people afflicted with various dreadful diseases.
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