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When the time was right, the sacrificial horse was led forward. With pomp and ceremony it was taken to the borders of Kosala and let loose, to wander at will across the land for an entire year. Lakshman, together with a small band of priests and warriors, followed the horse around, watching for any challenge to Ram's sovereignty. If the horse remained unchallenged, it would be brought back to Kosala after a year. But if someone were to stop the horse and capture it, it would mean a challenge to Ram's authority and Lakshman and his warriors would have to answer that challenge.
The horse wandered freely over the land. No one stopped it, or came in its way. In fact, wherever the horse went through a village or a town, the people came out in crowds to welcome it, and acknowledged the authority of Ram freely and gladly.
Till one day the horse wandered into a quiet forest by the banks of the Ganga. Lakshman and his warriors followed, quite certain that neither they nor the horse would meet any challenge. Suddenly 'Stop!' commanded a voice. Lakshman and his warriors stopped in surprise to see who had challenged them. A boy was standing in their path, while another the same age, was holding the sacred horse.
'Who are you?' demanded Lakshman. 'How dare you stop the sacrificial horse from proceeding on its way? Don't you know the penalty for challenging my king's authority? You will die for this!'
'We acknowledge no man's sovereignty except that of our father Ram's,' said the boys with equal pride and anger.
Lakshman's face changed. He dropped his weapons. 'Did you say your father Ram's?' he asked in surprise.
Lav and Kush, the Royal Twins cont'd...
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