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JAIN RAMAYAN
affection and amity embraced both the kings and entreated them to visit Ayodhya. He also entreated Narad the divine sage and Siddharth, the teacher to hallow the city of Ayodhya by visiting
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it.
Sugriv communicated to Lav and Kush a silent message through his eyes that Sita had safely returned to Pundarikpur. Lav and Kush were now free from worry.
The Pushpak arrived. Shri Ram, Lakshman, Shatrughna, Lav and Kush sat in it. King Vajrajang, King Prithu, Vibhishan, Sugriv and Bhamandal also sat in the airship. The other members of the royal family also sat in the Pushpak. The sky was reverberating with the melodious songs of birds. The Pushpak began to move slowly over the gardens and the main streets of Ayodhya. The people of Ayodhya were greatly delighted to see the princes Lav and Kush. Their joy and jubilation knew no bounds. The cries of victory issued by the people welcoming Lav and Kush especially reverberated in the skies. The people also glorified Sita. All were swaying with delight. Lav and Kush were entering Ayodhya for the first time. Naturally, they thought of their mother Sita again and again. Shri Ram ecstatically embraced Lav and Kush again and again.
The Pushpak landed at the gate of the magnificent palace of Ayodhya. The courtyard was full of people who had gathered there to see the princes. Their cries of joy and jubilation resounded in the highest skies. All were plunged in the ocean of joy.
"Let grand ceremonies and celebrations and jubilations be organised throughout the kingdom. Let proper arrangements be made to worship gods and the Jins in temples and in the Jin temples. Let generous gifts of food, clothes and money be given to the needy and the indigent. Let all prisoners be released forthwith."
This command of Shri Ram reached every city, town and village of the kingdom. The ministers at once got ready to carry out Shri Ram's commands and began making the necessary arrangements for the celebration.
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