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 478

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JAIN RÅMAYAN
What an amazing transformation! What a profound repentance and what an excellent atonement !
Shri Ram turned his chariot back but instead of going into the city, he stopped in the garden outside the city. The beauty of the garden fascinated him, and he began watching the glories and graces of the garden with joy and elation. There was a magnificent palace in the garden. He stayed there for some days.
Jatayu saw Lakshman's dead body. He also noticed Shri Ram's insanity and then he endeavoured to bring about a spiritual awakening in Shri Ram. He had an attachment for Shri Ram in his earlier life. Jatayu also was deeply agitated by Shri Ram's anguish and insane behaviour. At the same time, Vibhishan, Sugriv and Shatrughna entreated Jatayu to free Shri Ram from his attachment and insanity.
Jatayu promised to do his best and began his endavours. This event took place one day. Shri Ram sat on the bank of a pool in the garden and was giving a bath to Lakshman's body. Just at that time, Jatayu put some manure on a rock and planted a lotus-creeper there.
Seeing this, Shri Ram said;
“O you fool! What are you doing? Can a lotus plant grow on a rock? You are wasting your time in doing this futile job".
Jatayu went away but again he came back and began grinding sand apparently to get oil. Shri Ram said angrily : “Undoubtedly you are the greatest of fools in the world. How can you get oil by grinding sand? Your efforts are bound to fail. Stop this stupid action". Jatayu made a third attempt. He began to water trees that had gone dry. Angered by this, Shri Ram said;
“What shall I say? You are indeed an idiot. San you ever make a dry tree put forth flowers and fruits by watering it ? What is the use of delivering a discourse to a stone ?”