________________
408
JAIN RAMAYAN
Anjana with a smiling face sat on a seat. Hanuman sat in her lap, clinging to her. He kept staring at the Commander, with fixed eyes.
"We hope that all are well at Adityapur." King Manasveg said as a matter of courtesy. The Commander merely shed tears, in reply. His throat was choked with grief.
The adamantine heart of the Commander who struck terror into the hearts of the enemy-armies, melted away as he thought of the situation at Aditypur. As he looked towards Anjana, his eyes welled up with tears.
"Noble man! What is the matter? Are all well at Adityapur?" Manasveg asked the Commander.
Anjana's heart began to palpitate with all sorts of doubts and fears.
"Dear King! Now Adityapur is plunged in sorrow and anguish. Since the time Anjanadevi was expelled from the city falsely accused of ignobility, the people of Adityapur have been in deep agitation and distress unable to do anything."
"Did Pavananjay return from Lanka ?"
"Yes, sir! I too had gone with him to the wars. We returned safely to Adityapur. On account of Pavananjay's extraordinary intelligence and political wisdom the two kingdoms were saved from unnecessary violence and loss. As soon as returning to Adityapur, Pavananjay went straight to the palace of Anjana but he was greatly shocked and agonised when he did not find her there. He came to know of the terrible injustice that had been done to Anjana. He became greatly excited over the occurrence. On account of agitation and sorrow, he was beside his wits. At once, he set off in search of Anjana taking Prahasit with him. They wandered in search of Anjana from place to place, from town to town, from city to city and they also wandered in dense dark forests and deep valleys in search of her. They searched for her in every cave and crevice in the mountains but when they did not find any trace of the noble lady
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
