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41. 12. ]
Accept me." She said, "If it is so, then throw yourself into the sea, so that I may kill you." Laxmi thought "I am favoured by the divine lady," Then Dharana said, "Friend Suvadana, you should take Laxmi to my elders." So speaking, he threw himself into the flow. She then pierced him[41] with a pike and took him to Suvarna-dvipa. Thus the demoness was satisfied and the ship started towards Devapura.
In the meantime, he, whose life had reached the throat, was seen in good time, by Hemakundala who had started towards Ratna-dvipa. He recognised him. The demoness was known to Hemakundala before. Then speaking Alas, why is this improper act done?" he was released from the demoness. The dressing of his wound was done by the recipe of the twig of the herb described before. He, on account of his life still remaining, became conscious. He recognised Hemakundala, Dharana asked him the account of S'rivijaya. Hemakundala narrated it to him, telling that that high-souled one had his life preserved. Dharana was satisfied. Hemakundala, taking Dharana started to
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