Page Text
________________
JAIN RAMAYAN
went to the northern gate. And queen Simhika stood ready in the fort with twenty thousand young and able soldiers.
78
The spies who had come from the south were stupefied and astonished. Their astonishment knew no bounds. They had not even imagined that such a vast army lay concealed in Ayodhya. Until now they had this illusory belief; "Now Ayodhya is without an army to guard it and without the king to safeguard it. Therefore, our flag will certainly be hoisted at once, upon the palace of Ayodhya". That was why they had launched their attack with a limited army. They had thought of one possibility and they have witnessed a different development. In consequence. the spies returned to their kings and appraised them of the actual situation thus.
"Oh kings! The queen of Ayodhya has entered the battlefield like a veritable goddess of war. The young and the old in Ayodhya are eager and enthusiastic to encounter us. At the same time, a vast army of heroic women is standing ready to carry on the fight. Four thousand soldiers are guarding the impregnable fort of Ayodhya with an extraordinary vigilance."
This news threw cold water upon the enthusiasm of the hostile kings like Rajadev and Sahyadri. Within a moment they lost all their courage and stood in utter despair. They had not even dreamt of such a possibility but now what could be done? There was no other way. They feared a disgraceful defeat. Such was their condition. They found themselves between the devil and the deep sea. If they went back without fighting, that would bring them permanent disgrace and if they fought they would be surely killed. Yet, they had no alternative to fighting in the War.
Therefore, with palpitating hearts, they commanded their armies to march forward. Within a short time, there broke out a terrible war on the plains of Ayodhya which began to resound with war-cries and the metallic noises of their swords.
"O king! We do not see anywhere here anyone to fight against us or to stop our march". Rajadev said to Sahyadri, in natural agitation.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 002022 |
| Book Title | Jain Ramayana Part 2 |
| 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 |