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JAIN RAMAYAN
have crept into these rituals under the name of Dharma. I do not know when this harmful tradition will end. Oh king ! I entreat you to prevent the killing of animals at Yajnas wherever that enormity is going on because only you are capable of checking this tradition”.
"Oh Divine sage ! I shall willingly carry out your commands. As long as I am alive, I will see that this kind of killing of animals at Yajnas will not take place”.
Then, Narad expressed his desire to leave that place. Both the kings went upto the door to see him off. Narad went up into the sky and disappeared within the twinkling of an eye.
King Maruth's astonishment knew no bounds. The same question began vexing him again and again, “Who is this divine being whom even such a great hero as Ravan salutes and honours ?"
He could not control his astonishment for a long time. He looked towards Ravan and said :
“Oh you great hero! Who is this gracious divine being who has saved me from a terrible sin ?"
"Oh king ! Don't you know him ? He is the divine sage Narad renowned throughout the three worlds. His previous history is also wonderful and thrilling".
"Dear brother! Please tell us the story of Narad”. This is a day on which we can mentally range up to the horizons of the past”. Vibhishan insisted upon hearings the story of Narad. The day was declining :
After hearing the story of the tradition of killing animals at Yajnas from Narad they were eager to know his story. Moreover, they were all happy that they had got the opportunity of hearing the story from Ravan himself.
Pausing for a few moments, Ravan began narrating the story of Narad.
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