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LXVII
IN THE FOREST OF DANDAKARANYA
The forest of Dandakaranya !
It was a dense and dreadful forest. Huge trees and wild bushes abounded everywhere. Sky-high trees stood like giants
cing terror into the beholders. The paths were stony, thorny and flinty. Even during day, the interior of the forest was dark.
Shri Ram, Sita and Lakshman entered the Dandakaranya. The forest abounded in wild animals, venomous snakes, terrible scorpions and countless kinds of poisonous creatures but they walked on fearlessly with pure hearts. While they were thus walking through the forest they noticed a mountain called Mahagiri. Lakshman thought it an ideal place for their stay. After reaching the valley at the foot of the mountain Shri Ram stopped.
"Dear brother, you two take rest here for a while. I will climb the mountain and find some safe cave where we can stay." After having got Shri Ram's permission Lakshman began leaping up a path towards the top of the hill. He did not like to climb the caves at the top of the hill. He liked a cave which was on the side of the mountain a little above the valley. That cave was clean and convenient for their stay. He examined the cave carefully and then returned. Taking Shri Ram and Sita with him he went to the cave.
Sita also liked the cave. Filled with joy she said to Lakshman, “Ah! beautiful...... really beautiful! I feel as though I am at home here."
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