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"Very well!" and Rāma, Sită, and Lakṣmaṇa, accompanied by his sons' armies, went to Nandyavartapura.
Rāma camped in a garden outside and the deity of the place said to him, "Noble sir, what wish can I perform for you?" Raghava replied, "Nothing needs to be done for us, ," and she said, "Nevertheless, I shall confer assistance. I shall turn you and your army into attractive women to disgrace him by people saying, 'Ativīrya was defeated by women.'" Immediately his army became women, like a kingdom of Amazons; and Rama and Saumitri became beautiful women. Rama had the door-keeper announce to the king, "This is his army which was sent by Mahidhara to your assistance.' Ativirya said: "Mahidhara himself did not come. Away with the army of this insolent man who wishes to die. I will conquer Bharata by myself. What need have I of any assistants? Expel this disgraceful army of his quickly.'
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Then some one else said, "Not only did he not come himself, but he sent here an army of women to ridicule (us)." Hearing that, the king of Nandyāvarta became exceedingly angry. Rama and the others came to the door in the form of women. Ativīrya gave orders, "Take these wretched women firmly by the neck, like slaves, and expel them from the city.'
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CHAPTER FIVE
His vassals arose with their soldiers on all sides and, powerful, started to attack the army of women. Rāmabhadra pulled up a long elephant-pillar with his armpillar, turned it into a weapon, and felled them on all sides. Deeply incensed by the destruction of his vassals, Ativïrya himself rose up for battle and drew his terrifying sword. Then Lakṣmaṇa cut down the sword instantly, dragged him by the hair and bound him with his garment. Seizing him, like a tiger seizing a deer, the man-tiger set out, watched by the people of the city with eyes trembling from terror. Then Maithili, compassionate, had him set free and Saumitri made him acknowledge service to Bharata immediately. Then the place-deity destroyed the women's
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