Jain Ramayana Part 2

SR No.: 002022
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 518
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, & Story
File Size: 23 MB

Page 293

The Birth Of Sita
281
tate by name Balachandra with five thousand soldiers. Kundalmandit came to know of this. He decided to fight against the army of King Dasarath and he informed his comrades of his decision. All expressed their readiness to take part in the fight.
But fortune did not favour the prince and he was captured by Balachandra. Many of his comrades died in the fight and those who escaped death ran away. Hearing the news of the capture of the prince, Atisundari swooned. At once, all the women of the village gathered there. After regaining her consciousness, Atisundari began to weep aloud. Then those women tried to comfort her and said :
“Dear lady! Do not give way to sorrow. Our leader will certainly return safe and secure. We are all prepared to sacrifice our lives to bring him back".
Balachandra took the prince to Ayodhya. Dasarath ordered that the prince should be imprisoned. But, of course, Dasarath was greatly impressed with his looks and his awe-inspiring appearance. Within a short time, Dasarath came to know from his spies that the young man was none other than the prince of Vidagdhanagar. His anger disappeared. He released the prince honourably.
The prince set off towards his village. On the way, by chance, he met a muni by name Munichandra. From him, he understood the greatness of the human state of existence. He understood the ideals and values of life. He decided to turn over a new leaf in his life. As a result of this, he at once received from him the twelve great vows of a Shravak.
The return of the prince filled the people of the village with great joy. Atisundari overwhelmed with joy embraced the prince. Her face was covered with tears of joy. The prince spoke words of comfort to her and told her about the transformation that had taken place in his life. He told her that he had decided to give up robberies. Atisundari was greatly delighted to hear this. At once, the colony of robbers changed into a cultured village.