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 148

136
JAIN RAMAYAN
twenty five chosen soldiers and disappeared into the dark night. Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sugriv never thought that Angadh would thus make bold to enter Lanka.
From his spies, Angadh had found out that there were no guards near the temple in which Ravan was carrying out his austerities. So, he, with his soldiers went flying through the sky and arrived at the premises of the temple. When he entered the temple he saw Ravan seated in the lotus-posture deeply immersed in meditation. He was absorbed in meditation seated on a dignified seat studded with gems, in order to attain his objective. At once. Angadh remembered what Sugriv had said. He had said that if Ravan was not prevented from attaining the power called Bahurupini, their success would be doubtful. He shook with a nameless fear and made a strong determination to disturb Ravan and to prevent him from attaining the power. He thought that if he succeeded in doing so, there would be no fear at all.
In consequence, Angadh and his soldiers began to adopt several methods to disturb Ravan's meditation but their actions had no effect on Ravan who was in deep meditation. His meditation was not disturbed; on the contrary, it became deeper and deeper.
Ravan's meditation continued. Every night Angadh and his followers began to disturb Ravan but their efforts were in vain. In consequence, on the night of the seventh day, Angadh adopted a dangerous method. He challenged Ravan to a fight and said, "O Ravan! Have you become a coward? Since now no power in this universe can save you from the dreadful arrows of Shri Ram and Lakshman, have you taken recourse to this hypocrisy ? O you fool! Remember that you abducted Sita in the absence of Shri Ram. Are you not ashamed of that cowardly act? Will it not be improper if I in your very presence abduct your wife Mandodari?" Having said this, Angadh who was intensely agitated and excited held the hair of Mandodari who was weeping aloud and began dragging her away holding her hair. Mandodari was stupefied by this unexpected calamity. She was stunned. The palace of Lanka was always guarded by countless