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Pathal Lanka
479
surely send you to the abode of death. You imagine that you are the mightiest hero of the world. Don't you ?"
Lakshman's insinuating words incensed Khar and he grew. mad with fury. At once, he attacked Lakshman. A thousand soldiers joined him in the attack. Viradh's army collided with Khar's army. A terrible war broke out between the two. Viradh's soldiers fought ferociously, cutting off the heads of Khar's soldiers in large numbers. The battle-field was covered with severed heads, mutilated bodies and steaming blood.
Khar drove his chariot face to face with Lakshman's chariot and collided with him. He shot arrows at him and rendered Lakshman's arrows ineffective. Viradh's soldiers on the other side were killing Khar's soldiers and a commotion appeared there.
Just then, a divine voice was heard in the sky.
"Khar's valour is indeed greater than that of Prativasudev, when he is fighting against Vasudev, Lakshman.”
Khar drove nearer Lakshman, without even a moments delay. He attacked Lakshman but Lakshman with great cleverness and skill broke Khar's sword into pieces. Feeling ashamed of himself, he thought. "It is really shameful on my part to be taking such a long time to defeat and kill my enemy”. He leaped from his chariot and sat upon Khar's chest. At once, he cut off Khar's head with his dagger.
Khar's death produced a mighty commotion everywhere. His soldiers began running away. Dushan ran away with the
soldiers. Viradh with his army was supporting Lakshman. His soldiers repeatedly shouted, “Victory to Lakshman !"
Just then, Lakshman's left eye shook. A cloud of fear rose before his eyes. His jubilation became sobered. He began to entertain doubts and fears. He remembered with devotion, Lord Rishabhdev and then he thought of his brother and Sita.
After proclaiming Viradh the King of Pathal Lanka he returned to the Dandakaranya.
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