________________
236
JAIN RAMAYAN
"And what about Shambal ?” Shrishen asked.
"Dear Sir! I too wish to stay with them. Yet I am prepared to act according to your orders”, Shambal said in a humble voice.
“That's all right. You too stay with Virdev”. A broad smile appeared on the face of the Chief Minister. He patted on the back of Shambal commending him.
"All right, set off this very evening. Our camp is not very far. You can reach that place in an hour or two".
“And soldiers ?"
“They will start coming there from tomorrow. Proper instructions have been given to all already".
“When the Chief Minister Shrishen sensed that Yashodhar the king of Magadha and Maniratna the Chief Minister had entertained suspicions regarding him he, at once conveyed to the king of Ayodhya by spies all the secret information he had collected. He had done this also with the idea that there might be no need to send Virdev to Kautukmangal and that he might stay there and assist him in the arrangements for the war”.
The spies went to Kautukmangal; and communicated to king Dasarath all the secret information relating to the war. King Dasarath considered all those details with deep concentration and understood everything. He was profoundly impressed with Shrishen's incisive intelligence, incomparable loyalty and ability in managing political affairs. Having read the letter he asked the spy.
“Has Virdev reached Rajgrihi ?”
“It was only after the Chief Minister received information about Virdev's entry into the Magadha territory that he sent me".
The Chief Minister had written all the details in the letter relating to the situation in Magadha. Kaikayi and King Subh
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org