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260
JAIN RAMAYAN
ing to the choice are improper. Are not parents responsible for this situation ? If parents realize the likes and dislikes of their children; and act upon that realization the children would not even by a mistake speak of their dispositions and oppose the wishes of their parents.
King Mahendra and Queen Hridaysundari knew very well the thoughts and feelings of their daughter, Anjana who was swinging joyously and buoyantly in the reeling swing of sinuous youth. They knew her dreams and aspirations. So, as soon as the proper time came, they began to search for a suitable bridegroom for her. The centre for their search was Anjana's liking the choice. They thought, "We should find a bridegroom who possesses the qualities that she admires such as a beautiful appearance, noble virtues, a tender and loving heart, valour and heroism. If parents do not realize the wishes and preferences of their daughters and sons and do not act upon that realization; and if they act according to their own ideology, likes and dislikes, disastrous consequences may arise.
Parents must devote time to understand the minds of their sons and daughters inspite of their countless engagements. They should find time to understand sympathetically the minds and hearts of their children.
"Victory to the king !" saying this, a Vidyadhar guard entered the court. He prostrated to the feet of King Mahendra; and said :
“Oh you ocean of grace ! Tomorrow is the holy day on which a pilgrimage to the Nandishwardweep, the supremely blissful holy place has to be made. Lakhs of Vidyadhars with their kings will come there and will carry out the worship of the Paramatma there. Tomorrow, there will be a splendid celebration on the Nandishwardweep".
"Good ! Very good! We too shall make preparations for the pilgrimage. Actually, we do not get such a golden opportunity often in life. We get such opportunities only once in a blue moon,” saying this, King Mahendra gave some ornaments as a
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