________________
402
JAIN RAMAYAN
She was absolutely helpless. But a woman has two images. One of an angel; the other of a venomous cobra. If she loves a man, she will be an angel to him and if she despises a man, she will be a venomous cobra. This was true in respect of Vegavati also. When the wicked prince used force against her, she assumed the form of a dreadful cobra. She cursed Vajrakant thus, "O you wicked fellow. You have robbed me of my chastity. I am now helpless. In my next janma, I shall be the cause of your miserable death."
Vegavati's dreadful curse sent shudders through Vajrakant's veins which shot to the brims of his being. He began to shudder with fear. On account of fear, he released her from his clutches. He pushed Vegavati aside as if he was trying to push away a cobra to avoid being bitten by it.
Vegavati could not continue to live. She found life unbearable, yet she did not think of committing suicide. She approached a great Sadhvi called Harikantashri and received initiation into the Charitradharma from her. She spent the remainder of her life in spiritual austerities and after her death, she was born in Bramhadevalok as an angel. After having ended her life there, she was born as Sita".
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org