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268
JAIN RAMAYAN
On hearing this, both the Kings were overjoyed. The Jivas are enveloped in ignorance. How can they know what evils exist in the womb of Time. This was the condition of King Mahendra and King Prahlad. How could they have even an inkling of the terrible calamity that was going to occur in the future? They did not know that if their children were married in that Muhurta, it would bring about in future a terrible and heart-rendering effect.
The Jivas that are immersed in happiness and prosperity and who are plunged neck-deep in worldly delights cannot realize that after crossing the cool shadows, they have to face the rigours of the scorching sun. Thorns always exist behind fine-looking flowers.
Both the Kings were supremely happy that the marriage was going to take place so soon, that too, since the marriage was fixed to take place only thirty days later, they were greatly elated.
They decided that the marriage should be celebrated on the beautiful banks of the Manas Sarovar, the most fascinating lake with nature smiling around it with all her graces and glories; and then they set off to that place.
The two Vidyadhar kings, by virtue of their miraculous power created a magnificent city on the banks of the lake. The city surpassed in splendour even the heavenly abode of Mahendra.
Pavananjay, hearing that his marriage was settled and that Anjana was going to be his bride, felt delighted and surprised. At once, he went to his bosom-friend, Prahasit. Without even a moment's delay, he said to Prahasit;
“Dear friend ! Have you at any time seen Anjana ? How is she to look at ?"
"Anjana ! yes, yes. I have seen her. She has such angelic beauty that even the divine damsels, Rambha and Urvashi appear ugly and unattractive in her presence. She is a girl of extraordinary beauty”, Prahasit said smiling.
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