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RĀVANA'S EXPEDITION OF CONQUEST
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of the Rakṣases and the Vanaras. Our ancestors formed a mutual friendship in prosperity and in misfortune. Affection was the cause of that, not the state of being served and giving service. We do not know anyone to be served except a god, the omniscient Arhat, a sadhu and a good guru. What is this delusion of your master? Today, thinking himself to be served and us to be servants, he has broken the hereditary thread of affection. I myself, afraid only of censure, shall do nothing to him, sprung from a friendly family, not knowing his own strength. If he shows hostility, I shall make requital; (but) I shall not be the first to cut down the tree of former affection. Your master may act according to his power. Go, fellow!"
Thus dismissed by Välin, he went and told Daśamauli. Broad-shouldered Daśanana, the fire of whose anger was inflamed by that speech, went quickly to Kişkindha with his soldiers. Then putting on his armor, King Välin, resplendent with strength of arms, approached him. Verily a guest in battle is dear to the powerful. Then a battle started between the soldiers on both sides, stone against stone, tree against tree, club against club. In it chariots were broken into a hundred pieces like cakes of meal that have been dropped. Even great elephants were divided like balls of clay. Horses were broken like melons here and there; foot-soldiers were made to fall to the ground like straw-men. Seeing this destruction of life, the compassionate king of the Vanaras, a hero, came in haste and said to Daśānana:
"Killing of any living thing is not suitable for persons with discernment, to say nothing of five-sensed creatures, elephants, et cetera, alas! Even if it should lead to victory over enemies, nevertheless it is not worthy of the powerful. For the powerful seek victory by their own strength alone. You are powerful and you are a (Jain) layman. Therefore stop the battle between soldiers which leads to hell for a long time because of the destruction of many lives."
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