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JAIN RAMAYAN
man. Our father Shri Ram, our uncle Lakshman and we are here to assist you. You find out and fix up an auspicious day and we shall set off on our campaign" Lay and Kush showed their readiness to assist their uncle in achieving his objective. Bhamandal felt greatly elated on hearing what Lay and Kush said. He began to wander about in the world of dreams and said "Dear Lay! Actually, there are not many heroic Kings in the Vaithadhya region. Those who are ruling over the area are spending their time in leisure and sensual pleasures and enjoyments. They are steeped in a stupor of sensuality. Therefore, we are going to win an easy victory. Moreover, when we have the support of Shri Ram and Lakshman and when such heroic Kings as Vibhishan, Sugriv are on our side, we need not at all fear failure.”
Bhamandal made a plan to establish an imperial sway over the Vaithadhya region. He explained his plan to Lakshman also. Similarly, he discussed the matter with Sugriv who had come to Ayodhya on a visit. All assured him of their help ar in his endeavour. Bhamandal's enthusiasm increased a hundredfold. After having stayed in Ayodhya for a short while, he set cff to Ratanupur. He carried out secret, discussions with his ministers and decided upon launching a campaign against the Vaithadhya region.
Sometime passed thus.
Bhamandal was absorbed in making arrangements for launching a campaign against the Vaithadhya region.
Once Bhamandal kept walking to and fro in the balcony of his palace and kept looking towards the sky as if to probe its mysteries. All of a sudden, there appeared in his imagination the image of Sita. He began to think, “What an extraordinary kind of life she is leading! Such a life helps us to attain oneness with the Paramatma. I too desire to lead such a life but before that I must become the emperor of the Vaithadhya region. I must achieve unopposed sway over the area and then I will surely receive the deeksha and become a Shraman and will try to conquer my senses by means of severe spiritual austerities.
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