Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

SR No.: 001004
Original Sutra Author: Hemchandracharya
Author: Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1954
Total Pages: 449
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, & Story
File Size: 9 MB

Page 160

RĂVAŅA'S EXPEDITION OF CONQUEST
125
look you! these younger brothers of Råvaņa. They, insolent, thinking themselves heroes, do not know the (comparative) strength of themselves and others. Living in Pătălalankā, they are like frogs in a well. They make attacks on our city through trickery, excited by having the semblance of conquerors. For a long time I have paid no attention to them. If you do not control them, little fellow, I shall send them with you, too, by the path of Malin." You do not know our strength.”
Noble Rävaņa, angry, replied with these words: "Sirrah ! who is this Vaiśravaņa, who is tributary to an enemy? Is he who rules Lankā at another's command not ashamed of himself, speaking so? This is great audacity on his part, indeed I You are a messenger. Therefore, I shall not kill you. Go !"
So addressed by Daśamauli, the messenger went to Vaiśravana and related everything as it happened. Immediately after the messenger, Daśakantha started to Lankå with his brothers and his army in great anger. His advance having been announced by the messenger who had gone ahead, Vaisravana went forth from Lankă with his army to fight. Daśakandhara destroyed his army in a moment, like a wind destroying a forest, advancing unchecked. When his army had been destroyed by Rāvana, considering himself destroyed, Vaiśravaņa reflected, the fire of anger extinguished:
"Shame upon the continued existence of a proud man broken by enemies, like a pool whose flowers have been plucked, like an elephant whose tusks have been broken, like a tree whose branches have been cut, like an ornament without gems, like a moon whose moonlight has been destroyed, like a cloud whose water is gone. Or rather, let there be continued existence of him striving for emancipation. A man who has abandoned little, desiring much, is not an object of shame.100 Enough for me of this
90 II1, Indra had killed Malin and given Lankı to Vaiśravana. 100 121. The' little'is the kingdom and the'much' is emancipation.