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170
JAIN RAMAYAN
He bowed to Shri Ram folding his hands and said :
“What are your commands, my lord ?”
"Dear king ! We have committed a great blunder which we should not have committed. Completely overwhelmed with your devotion and affection, we forgot our mothers and their feelings and we have remained here for six years without caring to realise their feelings. Now without a moment's delay we have to proceed to Ayodhya and we should meet our mothers as soon as possible and seek their pardon for our unpardonable blunder.”
Vibhishan's eyes welled up with tears. He could not think of Lanka without Shri Ram. He began to weep like a child. He could not say anything since his voice was choked with grief. He could only say, "O you compassionate one !"
"O you emperor, we have to go to Ayodhya and meet our mothers before they die of grief. Kindly agree to our desire of going to Lanka at once."
Vibhishan fell into deep thought. Then he said in a humble manner :
"Dear lord ! Kindly stay here for sixteen days. Meanwhile. I will send our greatest architects and sculptors who will by their skill make Ayodhya, a heavenly city.”
Shri Ram turned his eyes towards Narad. Narad said expressing his opinion.
"Well. Oh king! you must reach Ayodhya on the sixteenth day from today. But I will go to Ayodhya today; and will inform your mothers and Bharat of your arrival so that their sorrow may abate;">
Vibhishan treated Narad with veneration and devotion. Narad who was immensely pleased with the hospitality extended to him; bestowed his blessings on the king of Lanka and on the citizens of Lanka; and proceeded towards Ayodhya. Thou
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