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388
JAIN RAMAYAN
this, he turned back to leave Ketumati's chamber. Just then Ketumati held his hand and said,
"Where is the need for your going in search of her, dear son? I will at once send guards and spies and other officers, in all directions in search of her. They will certainly find out her whereabouts."
"No mother, I must make atonement for the mistake committed by you. Moreover, this tragedy is the result of my blunder. For twenty-two years I never refrained fro nuously reprimanding her. I pushed her into the abysm of grief. Therefore, I myself should go in search of her." Having said this, he went away. Accompanied by Prahasit, he went travelling through the sky and reached Mahendrapur. Both the friends went straight to the palace of King Mahendra. At the entrance itself they met Prince Prasannakirti.
"Dear brother-in-law! You have come so unexpectedly ?” Prasannakirti said, taking Pavananjay's hand into his.
“Is Anjana here ?” Pavananjay asked eagerly.
Prasannakirti fell into deep thoughtfulness. He knew that when Anjana was expelled from Adityapur, Pavananjay had gone to the wars and that Pavananjay had returned from the wars on that day. He could see that Pavananjay was deeply agitated and worried.
• "Have we done injustice to Anjana ?” Thinking thus he became deeply disturbed and worried. He said, "Yes, she came here but...."
"Where is she now ?”
“Please come in; I will tell you what happened.”
"First, you tell me where Anjana is,” Pavananjay's voice showed that he was very angry. His face had become red with anger. His eyes were red with indignation. Hearing the voice of Payananjay King Mahendra with the Chief Minister came
with the Chi Hearing the voice
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