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JAIN RAMAYAN
austerities in order to attain spiritual elevation. Nearly sixty years passed thus. She kept progressing on the path of spiritual perfection.
Shri Ramachandra, Lakshman, Lavan and Ankush were absorbed in carrying out the administration of the Kingdom in an excellent manner. Of course, after Sita became a Sadhvi, Shri Ram remained aloof from all the administrative activities. He remained detached. Lav and Kush were assisting Lakshman in the administration of the Kingdom. Lakshman also begot able and noble sons. His eldest son was named Shridhar. After his sons reached the proper age, he celebrated their marriages with beautiful and learned princesses. Lav and Kush treated their cousins with heartfelt love and affection but sometimes a feeling of jealousy arose in the hearts of Shridhar and his brothers.
Their jealousy was caused by the extraordinary affection that Lakshman had for Lav and Kush. "Father loves Lav and Kush more than us”. This feeling made them jealous. Outwardly they were cordial and friendly with Lay and Kush but in their hearts they had no love or affection for them.
The Vaithadya Mountains !
The City of Kanchanpur ! Kanakarath, the Vidyadhar King had two daughters by name Mandakini and Chandramukhi.
The two daughters were beautiful and possessed exemplary virtues. As soon as they stepped on the threshold of youth, Kanakarath began searching for suitable bridegrooms for them. Inspite of all his efforts, he could not find suitable bridegrooms and he was in great despair. One day, he took his daughters near him and said to them in a voice full of distress.
"Dear daughters! Do you know how much I am worried about you ?”
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