Angulimala 4 

King Pasenadi suddenly awakened by blinding flashes

by G.K. Ananda Kumarasiri

Later that morning, Bhaggava, as usual, reported to King Pasenadi's Court. He inquired from the monarch whether he had a sound sleep during the night. "How could I have slept well Brahmin?" replied the King. "A strange thing happened last night.

I was awakened suddenly in the middle of the night by blinding flashes of light which gleamed from the Royal Coat of Arms hinging over my bed in my chamber. As I woke up, I saw the Royal Armoury, blazing like a fire. The whole night through my mind was preoccupied over the strange flashes of light in the Palace. I was too perturbed to return to sleep.

Initially, I thought that perhaps what had happened was a nightmare or just my imagination playing tricks on my mind. But upon investigating the strange incident, I realised that this was not to be so. I could not help but feel greatly distressed by the unusual happening. I could not help but wonder Brahmin; could this be an omen signalling a danger to the Kingdom or to me personally?'

To be continued

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