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 69

Hanuman's Heroism
Hanuman's words fell upon Ravan's ears like hammerstrokes. His anger shot up to the skies. He was incensed by Hanuman's words. This was the first time that he had heard such insulting words. He could not tolerate the disgrace. He angrily stepped down from his throne. Blood streamed from his eyes. He began to shake with anger. With a furious frown, he said: "You stupid fellow! You have unnecessarily antagonised me. Now you cannot escape death but you have come here as a messenger. It is against political ethics to kill you. Therefore, I order my men to take you in a procession on a donkey through the streets of Lanka and to drive you out."
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Even as Ravan was saying this, Hanuman grew monstrous in stature and broke off the Nagapash. He became free in a moment and began leaping about. It was like an elephant breaking off the bondage of a lotus-creeper with its trunk and leaping about in elation.
As soon as he broke off the boondage of Nagapash, Hanuman with the speed of a lightning leaped and dealt a terrible blow to Ravan; and with an another stroke he broke Ravan's crown into pieces. The precious stones that had been studded to it fell all over the floor of the court. All the people who were there were stupefied but Hanuman dashed out of the palace; created a mighty commotion in Lanka and went away from
there.
Thousands of warriors cried, "Catch him! Kill him! Do not allow him to escape, but no one had the courage to go anywhere near Hanuman. Indrajit kept gazing with stupefaction at Hanuman who broke off the Nagapash; disgraced Ravan and disappeared in a moment, in a magical and supernatural manner. He felt that he could not catch Hanuman. He stood utterly dazed and confounded.
Indrajit was non-plussed by Hanuman's heroism, his slaying of Akshakumar and the way in which he had disgraced Ravan himself. Ravan's fury was futile. Even a warrior of Shri Ram displayed such heroism! This shook Indrajit if not Ravan.