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THE WAY OF LIFE
against Namiraj. He ordered the gates of the city to be closed and posted armed guards and sentinels to watch over the battlements. He himself got ready for the war. They were brothers; but they did not know each other and they did not know that they were brothers. The two brothers made preparations to fight a war for the sake of an elephant. THE SADHVI'S EMOTION OF COMPASSION
The news of the war spread like wild fire in Mithila. The news reached the ears of Sadhvi Suvrata. "Oh! what has happened? The two brothers are fighting against each other! They do not know that they are brothers. How evil is war ! Human beings die tragically in the war! Enmity will increase between the two brothers". The heart of the Sadhvi melted away in compassion for the suffering that the war would cause. "No. No. I will not allow this war to take place. I will go to the battle-field and I will inform my sons the truth about their relationship. They will not make light of my advice. I will also tell them who I am". Thinking thus, the Sadhvi got ready to go to the battle-field. She began to proceed on the way leading to Sudarshanpur. In the mind of the austere Sadhvi, there arose a number of thoughts.
"Are they fighting for the sake of an elephant ? The elephant is only the apparent cause but actually the causes for the war are arrogance and the sense of self-importance. This is the efficacious charm cast by the wizard, Moha. By means of this mantra, he can make people stupid. Under the influence of this wizard called Moha, people forget their sense of right and wrong, their duties and loyalties. If Chandrayash refused to return the elephant to Nami, the latter would not suffer any great loss. He had countless elephants of equal magnificence. But the problem that worried him was, “Why should he not return to me my elephant?” Would he take the elephant along with him to the other world when he goes there? Is it an immortal elephant? But how can the young men realise this truth? Moreover, they are my children. If I speak to them, they will be convinced of my words. They are men of politeness and of excellent character. Yes. I cannot say anything to Nami because
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