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XLIV
PLANNING THE INVASION OF MAGADHA
“My dear lord ! What kind of co-operation has Emperor Harivahan promised to extend to you?”
“The emperor has agreed to send his Chief Commander with ten thousand chosen soldiers to assist me in the campaign".
“Have you received any news from Mithila ?” "Sunand, the Chief Officer of Mithila came yesterday". “What's the news ?”
"It seems King Janak himself wanted to come here; but thinking that it was not proper to give that trouble to Janak, the Chief Officer dissuaded him from coming here".
“Then...... ?!
“Somaprabha, the Chief Minister of Mithila has already set off with five thousand able soldiers to assist us".
“What does the Chief Officer Sunand think of Somaprabha ?”
"Somaprabha is indeed a gem! He is the gem of Mithila. Even King Janak has nothing but admiration for Somaprabha's valour and heroism”.
Kaikayi was happy to hear all this. Dasarath greatly valued her intelligent co-operation and advice. Already, Dasarath had benefitted by Kaikayi's skill and intelligence. Therefore, he desired to make use of her incomparable intelligence and her invincible strength and ability even in his campaign against
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