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CXVII
THE NIRVAN OF LAV AND KUSH
The bondage of Moha (infatuation) is a terrible one.
Moha (infatuation) has a tremendous effect on jivas. Though Lakshman had died, Shri Ram could not believe it. Nobody had the courage to tell Shri Ram that Lakshman was really dead. He was still thinking that Lakshman had not really died and that he could not die. He was completely overwhelmed with the darkness of Moha (attachment). His attachment for Lakshman had made him blind to realities. Dark clouds of grief covered the city of Ayodhya. The countless kings and princes who came there were grieved by Lakshman's death and by Shri Ram's anguish which had taken away his wits. There was no sign of any attempt made to carry out Lakshman's funeral. Shri Ram could not keep away from Lakshman's body even for a moment. Shri Ram continued to believe that Lakshman was still alive and that he could never die.
One day passed thus.
The second day also passed. The city of Ayodhya appeared desolate like a burial ground. No one took a bath, and no one thought of carrying out their routine activities like worshipping the lord. No one thought of food or drink and no door was opened. The merchants closed their shops and the workers stopped their work. The streets and alleys of Ayodhya became desolate and silent. Street-dogs kept yelling on the streets.
Shatrughna, Lav and Kush were in great grief. Vibhishan and Sugriv were deeply agitated. Kausalya, Sumitra and Suprabha were pluged in grief. But they wondered how long Shri
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