Jain Ramayana Part 1

SR No.: 002021
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 452
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, & Story
File Size: 21 MB

Page 39

Lanka: Its Decline and Rise
27
"No dear son! No such thing”, said Queen Indrani and passed her hand gently and affectionately over his head; and then again, she was lost in deep thoughtfulness.
But how could Mali, Shrimali and Malyavan have any peace of mind when their mother was in such deep anguish? They again said to her :
"Dear mother! Kindly tell us the cause for your sorrow; and then see the tremendous valour and affection of your heroic sons. Mother, we will do anything to rid you of your sorrow."
Queen Indrani looked straight into the eyes of her sons; heaved a long sigh; and again she fell into silence and thoughtfulness. She turned her face aside; and wiped the tears streaming from her eyes, with the edge of her sari. Her sons, Mali, Shrimali and Malyavan could not keep quiet on seeing this action of their mother's.
“Mother dear! You have been weeping over some disaster; and you have been concealing it from us. Has any wicked fellow offended you by looking at you with lusty eyes ? or are you afflicted with any serious and secret malady? When you, being the mother of three valiant and radiant sons, keep shedding tears thus, we feel ashamed of ourselves; and we feel that our very existence is futile”.
Since her sons again and again insisted, she composed herself a little and said :
“Dear children ! You know King Ashaniveg, the king of Vaithadhya defeated your father, the king of Rakshasas and his bosom friend Kishkindhi. He captured our country; and installed on the throne of Lanka Nirghat who humbly and slavishly abides by his commands. Since then we have been helplessly living in Pathal Lanka. The sun of my happiness set when we were thus routed and compelled to flee and take shelter here. As long as my enemies are...
"Mother! Is that all ? Here and now, we wear the dust of your feet on our foreheads and swear that we shall never rest