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292
JAIN RAMAYAN
“Dear son! I have the fullest confidence in your abilities. You two will undoubtedly rout and drive away the enemy kings. Proceed on this campaign. My blessings will always guard you and guide you. May you be victorious".
Just then Queen Aparajita came there. She heard what Dasarath said but she never thought that Dasarath would send Ram and Lakshman to the wars. She also did not know that he had given his consent to their leading the campaign but even before she could say anything Ram and Lakshman saluted her feet.
“Dear mother! Kindly give us your blessings. To day your sons are leading the first militaric campaign in their lives.”
Queen Aparajita glanced towards King Dasarath. Dasarath said in a serious voice.
"I was getting ready to go to help our King Janak. Your sons came here and requested me to send them, on this campaign”.
"And the father has happily given them his consent and blessings I think !"
"No, No. Our sons have wrung from me, my unwilling consent by laboursome petition and at last upon their will I sealed my hard consent. They won't spare you also. You too will have to bless them and consent to their going on this campaign", Dasarath said smiling.
“Ram ! Now delay should be avoided. There should be no delay in helping noble men”.
“Yes. The only delay is that our mother should deck our foreheads with the mark of victory”. Sixteen maids brought in gold plates such auspicious substances as swastik, coconuts and Kumkum. Aparajita marked their foreheads with Kumkum; placed swastik on the marks and placed the coconuts in their hands.
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