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372
JAIN RAMAYAN
"But....?"
"But what....?” “What will be his condition ?"
"He will have to face unhappy circumstances. He probably is searching for us." Anjana's eyes looked far into the horizons. The sun had disappeared behind the western mountains.
After having given his signet-ring to Anjana and after having taken leave of her, Payananjay, accompanied by Prahasit, returned to the banks of the Manas Sarovar. Just then, the sun was rising in the east, sending out his silvery radiance. In the golden splendour of the morning sun the whole area had become resplendent. Birds were twittering in the trees, fifying from branch to branch. The water in the lake was calm and cool. The cool morning breeze was wafting a message of some new life. The radiant rays of the sun fell on everything and made it golden in colour as if by some heavenly alchemy. The sungod had sat in his chariot drawn by seven horses and had set off on his journey around the earth. Orders were given to the army to move. With his vast army, Pavananjay travelled through the sky and reached Lanka. After having given orders to his men to pitch tents there for his camp, Payananjay went straight to the court of the King of Lanka. Prahasit was also with him. Dashmukh Ravan was seated on his magnificent throne studded with precious gems of rare and serene lustre. Pavananjay stopped a little. Ravan came forward a few paces and embraced Pavananjay. Ravan was supremely happy to see that Pavananjay had come with his army.
"Pavananjay! I am supremely happy to see you. Now, the task is such that only youngsters can carry it out. You know that in Pathal Lanka Varuna is going beyond his limits causing dread to all. He has captured our ablest commanders Khar and Dushana and has imprisoned them."
the
"Oh king! I heard about Varuna's enormities from messenger sent by you."
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