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384
JAIN RAMAYAN
The citizens of the city received Pavananjay with great honour. They gave him an enthusiastic welcome. But his m was not in the reception given to him. It was wandering away towards Anjana. He, out of courtesy, and as a matter of formality accepted the honour given to him by the people but his heart was with Anjana. Like a bird his heart wanted to rest in the nest of Anjana's loving heart. Instructing Prahasit regarding the things to be attended to, he went straight to the palace. He met his mother and father, his dear relatives and then he went to the palace of Anjana. But there was no one in that palace. It looked desolate and deserted. The palace which was once full of buzzle and activity was now desolate. There was stillness everywhere. There were no guards or door-keepers or attendants. Seeing that terrible sight his heart sank into despair. .
"Is there anyone inside ?” he said shocked by the stillness in the palace.
Someone said from within the palace: “Who is it ?!! Pavananjay went in the direction of the chamber from which he heard the voice. There he saw an old attendant who was like a skeleton..
"Where is Anjana ?” he asked impatiently:
For a few moments the old woman kept staring at Pavananjay and then said....
"Who are you?"
"Oh! Don't you recognize me? I am Pavananjay ... but where is Anjana. She is not to be seen anywhere,” he said with increasing agitation.
The tears trickled from the old woman's eyes. Her voice became choked, her face wrinkled in anguish.
“Why don't you answer my question? Why are you silent like a stone ? Where is my dearest Anjana ?” Pavananjay became agitated. His heart began to palpitate with fears and doubts.
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