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RĀVANA'S EXPEDITION OF CONQUEST
141
also.
For you are a fourth to us three,115 taking a part of (our) wealth."
Sahasranśu, freed and so addressed, said: "For the future I have finished with the kingdom and the body. I shall resort to the vow to which my father resorted, which destroys worldly existence. For this road of the noble leads to emancipation." Saying this, he entrusted his son to Daśāsya and he in his last body took the vow at his father's feet. At the very time because of their friendship he sent word to King Anaranya that he had become a mendicant. The king of Ayodhya thought, "There was an agreement between my dear friend and me that we would take the vow at the same time." Recalling his promise to this effect he gave his kingdom to his son Dasaratha and, having the wealth of truth, took the
VOW.
After paying homage to the rṣis, Śatabāhu and Sahasrānśu, Daśānana installed Sahasranśu's son on the throne and left through the air.
Story of Narada (362-514)
Then Muni Närada, weak from blows with clubs, et cetera, lamenting, "This was a crime," told Rāvaṇa:
"King, in Rājapura there is a king, named Marutta. He is a heretic and makes sacrifices, influenced by wicked Brahmans. I saw innocent animals, crying out, bound, being led by his Brahmans like butchers for slaughter in a sacrifice. Then I, compassionate, descended from the sky and questioned Marutta who was surrounded by Brahmans, 'Look! What is taking place?' Then Marutta said: "This is a sacrifice ordered by the Brahmans. The animals must be sacrificed here in the sacrificial ground to please the gods. This is a well-known righteous act for the sake of heaven. Therefore I shall make a sacrifice today with these animals, sir.' Then I said to him: 'The
354. Rāvana and his two brothers.
115
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