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164
JAIN RAMAYAN
I am going to die in a natural manner or whether I will be killed by somebody".
Hearing the recondite question of Ravan, the Soothsayer sat silent for a while. Then, he closed his eyes; and fell into deep thoughtfulness. All were eager to know what the great scholar might say. All desired to know the answer to the question of the King of Lanka. There was silence everywhere. Sometime later, the Soothsayer opened his eyes. He looked around intently; glanced at Ravan and then sat still.
"Oh great scholar! Tell us clearly what you want to say. Great scholars never make any ambiguous statements; nor do they utter untruths." ..."Oh great king! You are not going to die a natural death,” the Soothsayer said clearly.
“Then, how am I going to die ?". “Dear king! What is the use of knowing it ?” “So that I may take some precautions”.
“Whatever precautions you may take what has been decreed to take place cannot be altered”.
"A valiant man does not yield to the decrees of fate; on the contrary, fate has to yield to a man of heroism," Ravan spoke with the pride, natural to him.
"Oh king! If you are determined to know, I will tell you. Listen. You will die on account of a woman-another man's wife": Silence prevailed in the entire court when the Soothsayer made this prophecy. All were greatly agitated. The ministers looked at one another greatly shocked and amazed. The state officials and others who had gathered there were astonished to hear this."
"Oh Dasarath! After hearing the prophecy of the Soothsayer, I too felt eager to know what he would say next”.
“Oh you great scholar! What you have said is absolutely true. Once a great man possessing extra-sensory perception
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