Jain Ramayana Part 3

SR No.: 002023
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 518
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Story, & Literature
File Size: 24 MB

Page 109

The Terrible War
"My dear brother! I extend a hearty welcome to you. Do you know why I have come to meet you ? Shri Ram who is like the god of death-incarnate was about to come to fight against you; but I pleaded some pretext and dissuaded him from doing so. I have come to talk to you. Do you realize why I have come here ? Even now there is time to mend matters. Please realize that I have come here to persuade you to pursue the path of righteousness and truth. I came here under the pretext of fighting against you; but the truth is I wanted to speak to you. Dear brother! Please listen to me. Please release the noble lady, Sita; and send her back to Shri Ram. Oh you lord of Lanka! I am your younger brother. I will never entertain any evil thoughts against you. I always wish for your welfare. I did not surrender myself to Shri Ram either because of the fear of death or because of a desire for the status of Kingship, but I came away from Lanka and sought Shri Ram's refuge fearing dishonour, disgrace and the ridicule of the people at large. Therefore, I entreat you to release Sita and to avoid disgrace to yourself. As soon as you do so, I will give up Shri Ram and return to you with all love and devotion." Vibhishan's serene voice reverberated in the battle-field. Ravan began to bu anger. He felt choked with anger and agitation. He wondered what he should do with Vibhishan who was his younger brother whom he had brought up with affection; whom he had elevated to a high position and today who was preaching sermons to him. Incensed by this thought he said thundering:
"O you coward ! O you stupid Vibhishan! Are you trying to intimidate me ? On that day, I allowed you to escape alive because I did not like to commit the sin of fratricide but today your death has become essential and inevitable.”
Ravan made a terrible noise by pulling the string of his bow.
"O you lecherous fellow ! O you meanest of mortals ! I too did not kill you on that day because I did not want to commit the sin of fratricide. If I had killed you on that day, this disaster would not have befallen the Rakshasa dynasty, and this disgrace would not have besmirched the lofty history of the Rakshasa