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224
JAÎN RAMAYAN
Just then, a secret emissary came there. He folded his hands and saluted Ravan; and then going near him, he whispered something into his ears. Ravan at once, became serious. Thinking a little, he stood up. Then, he proceeded towards his tent. Kumbhakarna, Vibhishan, Sugriv and Khar also followed him. When all of them had joined him, he said, in a grave voice :
"Kumbhakarna !"
"Dear brother !”
"We should at once set off to Durlangpur; and capture Nalkuber".
"Lord! what is there to think about in this ? As soon as you give your commands we shall set off”. Kumbhakarna said cheerfully.
"Dear brother ! You need not proceed to Durlangpur. We shall go and rout him”. Vibhishan said observing the changing expressions on the face of Ravan. He knew that Ravan desired to stay on the Meru for some more time; and that he wanted to spend some time in worshipping the Paramatma. *** "In that case, auspicious plans are to be carried out at once. Get ready for the journey”.
And within a short while, Ravan's vast army marched towards Durlangpur.
Actually, Ravan had set off on his march of victory with the determination to defeat and rout King Indra of Ratanupur. But he also desired to subjugate the Kings ruling over other Kingdoms, on the way. Nalkuber was an important organ of the artificial administration that Indra had established in imitiation of Devendra's administration; and was also the ruler of one direction. He was reputed to be an intelligent and courageous King. Through his spies, he came to know that Ravan's vast army was marching towards his Kingdom to invade it. Therefore, he used his miraculous power called Ashali; and created a wall of fire around his capital, Durlangupur. At the same time,
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