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In The Forest Of Dandakaranya
447
Once he entertained the desire of meeting his sister Purandarayasha, the queen of Kumbakarakat and to bring about in her spiritual awakening. So, he humbly entreated Munisuvratswami :
"Oh, you venerable lord! I desire to go to Kumbakarakat and to bring about awakening in my sister and others.”
“Dear Skandak, if you go there you may have to face some difficulties. You may have to face dreadful calamities. All your people may have to suffer hellish tortures."
“But my lord, are we going to be adorers of Dharma or opponents of dharma ?”
“Dear son, with you, all will become adorers.”
Then accompanied by five hundred Munis Skandakacharya went to Kumbakarakat. All came to know of the arrival of the Munis. Palak also heard about it. He had not forgotten the event that had occurred in Shravasti once. Even he was smarting under the defeat he had experienced. He knew very well that the muni Skandakacharya was the prince himself who had once disgraced him.
Palak began to think of taking revenge against him. He wanted to make Shandak pay for his actions but he had only one night at his disposal. He would not be able to do anything after the acharya came into the city. So he began to think about it deeply. He spent some hours thinking thus. Then a plan flashed and at once he went to the king's treasurer.
The care-taker of the arsenal was faithful to the treasurer. He woke up the treasurer; explained to him his scheme and said:
"Dear friend, we need some weapons. Please make urgent arrangements."
"But for that the king's order is necessary.”
"Don't worry about it. I have the king's order.” The treasurer knew very well that Palak enjoyed the trust of the king. So he opened the door of the arsenal. He took from the arsenal
oyed the trust of the king
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