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Bahurupinividya
137
warriors and from such a place, Angadh was dragging Mandodari holding her hair. How fool-hardy Angadh was !
Angadh entered the temple; dragged Mandodari by the hair in the very presence of Ravan who was in meditation and then he said to Ravan :
"Look here! I am abducting your wife in your very presence. Can anyone face me now ?”
Even then, Ravan sat mute and silent lost in meditation with a serene face, reciting the mantra as if nothing had happened. Ravan possessed an unexampled self-restraint and self-control.
Immensely pleased with Ravan's spiritual strength and his tremendous concentration and meditation, the goddess of Bahurupini power appeared in the sky and the entire sky became filled with a divine splendour. The skies reverberated with the auspicious sounds of musical instruments. It was as if a new kind of morning had dawned. The voice of the goddess was heard in the skies : "Ravan ! your endeavours have attained fruit. I am immensely pleased with your spiritual strength. Tell me what you desire. If you desire it I will surrender the whole world at your feet. When that is so, what can Ram and Lakshman do to you ?”.
"O you mighty goddess ! You are indeed capable of all things. I am fully aware of your capabilities but for the time being, I do not need anything but whenever I pray to you you must appear before me. No, you may return to your abode. I am grateful to you for your benevolence", said Ravan in a humble manner. The goddess disappeared at once. Angadh and his soldiers ran towards their camp. When Ravan came out of the temple he saw Mandodari lying on the floor in the corridor. Infuriated by the sight, he roared out !
“Dear Mandodari! Which fellow had the courage to insult you thus ?" Mandodari narrated to Ravan all that Angadh had done; his arriving at the temple; the way in which he tried to disturb Ravan and the way in which he had insulted her. Ravan
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