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 83

Ravan's Marriage
71
that she rose to some high skies and was floating gleefully on some mysterious waves of mesmeric impetuosity that seemed to take her to the ends of the universe. She then became aware of herself; dimmed the blazing lights; and slowly moved into her sleeping chamber; and sat on her cot. She offered a heartfelt prayer to her deities and Lord Shantinath; and then lay quiet on her bed. But she did not get sleep. As on other days, on this day also, she could not get sleep. She kept tossing and turning on her bed. But there was no sign of sleep at all. Again and again, thoughts relating to her sons kept rising in her mind like the ever-rising and never-ending waves of the sea. Naturally, she kept thinking of the future of her sons.
She had noticed that her sons had stepped on the threshold of youth. Her mind was worried over the puzzling question of finding suitable brides for her sons. Riding on the viewless wings of imagination, she ranged through the harems of some Vidyadhar kings. She visualized one after another some Vidyadhar maidens. But she could not find anyone among them who could match her sons in respect of appearance, family, line, virtues and heroism.
Then, she sat up on her bed; she set right her dress. She raised the wicks in the lamps and macs: them burn bright. She came out of her chamber slowly, quietly and silently so that the silence of the night might not be disturbed. She passed in front of several sleeping chambers; and, at last, she stood at the door of a magnificent sleeping chamber. She made a sign to the door-keepers to move away from there. They bowed to her respectfully and moved aside. She soon entered the sleeping chamber. The interior door of the chamber had been bolted from inside.
Ratnashrava woke up from his sleep hearing the noise of someone, trying to open the door. He asked in a startled voice;
“Who is it ?" "It is me”, said she; and approached the cot of Ratnashrava. “You ! and at this time of the night !"