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The Marvellous Incident At Kauthukamangal
197
"I am not the Emperor. It is this hero who must be given the title”. Harivahan said pointing his hand towards king Dasarath.
"No dear king ! Do not say so. I am a friend of the Emperor of the north".
For a few moments, there was silence everywhere. Dasarath's penetrating eyes watched the feelings that were expressed on the radiant face of Harivahan.
Breaking the silence, King Shubhmati said trying to begin a conversation again, "Dear Emperor ! You are our honoured guest. I desire that you should come to the palace and receive our hospitality”.
"Dear King! I will surely accept your invitation”.
King Shubhmati came out of the prison-house accompanied by King Dasarath and Harivahan. King Shubhmati ordered the head of the prison-house to release the other kings and to extend to them honour and hospitality and to treat them as royal guests. After that all the kings were released and were taken to the royal guest-house.
After having carried out his duties, King Shubhmati went to the residence of King Dasarath taking Emperor Hariyahan with him. King Dasarath received them with honour and offered them seats of state.
"O King! I desire to know who this great hero is. To which noble royal family does he belong ? He must be a descendant of an illustrious royal family because no ordinary man can possess such strength, such intelligence and such ability as he has". Harivahan said looking towards Shubhmati.
"You are right in thinking so". “Then you tell me who he is”. “Dear Emperor! He belongs to the Ikshvaku line”.
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