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466
JAIN RAMAYAN
Finally, he had to take recourse to a superhuman power called Avalokini. Ravan found the Avalokini power very helpful. That power appeared before Ravan in the form of an attendant. Ravan folded his hands and said: "O goddess! I desire to abduct Sita and I seek your aid in this".
"O you king of Lanka! It is easier to seize the gem that shines on the hood of the king of cobras, than abducting Sita when she is by the side of Shri Ram. Not only you, no one can do it though he may be a god or a Yaksha or a Kinnar or a Gandhiarva. You are only courting your ruin by planning to abduct Sita."
Hearing the words of the goddess, Ravan felt abashed. His heart sank and he felt grieved and helpless. Throwing away his Chandrahas aside he fell at the feet of the goddess.
"O goddess! If you want to save my life and honour, show me some way. I cannot live even for a moment without Sita."
The great hero who conquered many kingdoms; defeated many heroes and sent shocks of fear and horror through the three worlds now stood devoid of lustre, depressed and helpless.
"O goddess! Show me some way." He said in a humble
voice.
"Yes! There is one way."
"Mother! Kindly tell me what it is?" said Ravan sitting at her feet.
He kept looking towards her.
"Shri Ram should be somehow sent away from here."
"But how is it possible?
alone. No. He will not."
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Would he go away leaving Sita
"He will surely go. Shri Ram has extraordinary affection for Lakshman. Now, Lakshman is engaged in a war against
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