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JAIN RAMAYAN
the empire. But Ravan was worried over a strange problem. King Varuna was like a thorn in his flesh. He thought so highly of himself that he desired to capture King Varuna and defeat him somehow or the other. Of course, Pavananjay had brought about a compromise between him and King Varuna to prevent the unnecessary death of countless innocent people. Yet, Ravan was unhappy because he could not subjugate an ordinary king like Varuna. This sting continued to agitate him. It was like a hammer-stroke upon his pride. In consequence, Ravan was waiting for a suitable opportunity to make a war against King Varuna and to subjugate him for ever.
It was night. There was silence everywhere. The whole city of Lanka was deep asleep. There was absolute silence but for the noise of the steps of the sentinels keeping guard around the palace. But Ravan could not get a wink of sleep. His dream of a vast empire had been defeated by Varuna's independence. He tried his best to keep off this thought but he could not. After thinking for a while, he stood up and then went to a corner of his bed chamber. He pressed with his toe a large stone that lay there. At once, the armed guard who was walking up and down outside the chamber came in and saluted him. Ravan ordered him to bring Kumbhakarna, Vibhishan and Indrajit. Soon, the hurried into Ravan's chamber. "Dear brother, what is the matter? Why have you sent for us at this time of the night ?”
"What can I do? I have not been able to get a wink of sleep." · "What has happened ?” Vibhishan asked eagerly.
"Ring Varun has made me sleepless ...."
"Has he planned to invade Lanka ?” Indrajit asked with an excited voice.
"No. No such thing has happened. But until I can humiliate that arrogant king, until I defeat and subjugate him I cannot get a wink of sleep,” Ravan explained his problem to them.
“But now he is our friend and ally. What is it that we can do ?” Vibhishan asked.
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