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310
JAIN RAMAYAN
"But even now you can give your consent. Any difficulty ?"
"King Chandragati ! Probably you do not know that Sita has already been betrothed to the eldest son of King Dasarath of Ayodhya. In other words, as a noble Kshatriya I have promised Sita's hand to Shri Ram".
This was news to Chandragati. Narad had not told him about this development. After having accepted Shri Ram as her husband how could Sita accept Bhamandal? In a way this was absolutely impossible.
"Oh King! I do not at all disapprove of what you say. You should not also think that I am giving up my decision. You have been brought here and honoured here. We have done that only to increase our amity and friendly relations. If only I wanted I could have abducted Sita herself. Under these circumstances you too are helpless. Well, let us drop this discussion but there is one indisputable truth; you might have agreed to give your daughter to Shri Ram in marriage but Shri Ram cannot marry her thus.
My meaning is that you cannot give away yourself this extraordinary gem to anyone. You must arrange a Swayamvar and at the Swayamvar the bride can freely choose a bridegroom. You have committed a mistake and I do not like you to repeat it."
"Then what is your suggestion ?"
"Shri Ram has to win the hand of Sita only after defeating us."
"Then should there be a war ?"
"No. No, dear King. War is not the only means for this. I will suggest another method. In our arsenal, there are two mighty bows called 'Vajravarth' and 'Arnavavarth'. One thou, sand Yakshas are guarding them and they are powerful. They are resplendent bows. We venerate the bows as we venerate our family deities. If Shri Ram can lift at least one of them
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