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CII
THE MARRIAGES OF THE PRINCES
Lav's marriage took place with all grandeur and eclat. For several days, the city of Pundarikanagar swayed joyously in the swing of jubilation. Queen Lakshmivati felt greatly happy when her daughter was married to Lay. She extended the highest veneration to Sita. Siddhartha was supremely happy but King Vajrajang felt that his responsibility regarding Sita and her sons had not ended. So, he began to look for a suitable bride for Kush. Unexpectedly, his mind was drawn towards Prithvipur. He decided to send his Chief Minister to Prithvipur and to negotiate the marriage of Kush with Kanakamalini, the princess of Prithvipur.
But King Prithu did not accept King Vajrajang's proposal. He sent a message to Vajrajang, “How can I give my daughter in marriage to a young man when I do not know his father and his family ?”
King Vajrajang became furious on hearing the message sent by King Prithu. He began to burn with anger. When Lav and Kush heard of this, they too became furious. King Vajrajang suddenly made preparations for a war and invaded prithvipur. King Prithu also had made preparations for a war. King Vajrajang advised Lay and Kush not to join the campaign but they were heroic young men. The blood of the Ikshvaku race ran through their veins. Therefore they refused to budge even an inch. They said to Vajrajang, “Sir! We too want to join this campaign and help King Prithu to know who our father is and which our dynasty is. Please permit us to join this campaign. King Prithu will see personally in the battle-field who we are." Sita was delighted with the valour and heroism of her sons. She
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