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154
· JAIN RAMAYAN
In the eastern horizon, the early rays of the sun shot out. The horizon appeared reddish. Birds began twittering on the branches of trees. Sodas called his guard. At once, the guard came into the tent and bowed to him.
"Bring the Chief Minister, at once".
Within a short time the Chief Minister came into the tent, saluted the King and sat down.
"Dear Chief Minister! I want you to go to the camp of Simharath, the king of Ayodhya”.
"As commanded by the King”.
"You have to convey this message to him. “The king of Ayodhya and the king of Mahapur can fight a duel and settle the matter. What is the use of causing the death of all the soldiers? We both are descendants of Lord Rishabhdev. So it is not proper for us to cause the death of thousands of people to attain our objectives.” You have to convey this message to Simharath."
"All right, I will go at once”. “And you must take our chief commander also with you”.
“Where is the need for this, dear king ? On account of the boundless grace of Bhagwan Jineshwar, I am absolutely fearless. I do not fear anything."
You may go. The Paramatma will safeguard you.”
The Chief Minister went up to the door of the tent and then stopped for a while. Then he remembered and recited the Namaskar Mahamantra and set off towards the camp of Simharath. He straight went to the camp of the king of Ayodhya. The guard at the entrance stopped him and said :
“Who are you? Where do you want to go ?”
“I am the Chief Minister of Mahapur and I want to meet the king of Ayodhya at once". Hearing the words of the Chief
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