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 78

66
JAIN RAMAYAN
armies at Hamsadweep. Accordingly the armies were ordered to proceed towards Hamsadweep. King Hamsarath received the news of the approach of the armies. He had already made the preparations for the war. rianuman sent Nal and Neel to Hamsarath with a message of peace and friendship. He thought that if Hamsarath agreed to the proposal of peace and friendship war could be avoided. Nal and Neel conveyed the message to Hamsadweep. After discussing the matter with them in detail, Hamsarath accepted the proposal and he also agreed to surrender himself to Shri Ram. He received Shri Ram and Lakshman with great veneration and devotion and treated them with great hospitality. The armies were stationed at a safe place on Hamsadweep. Efficient arrangements were made for security. The responsibility of making security arrangements was given to Chandrarashmi, Nal and Neel.
Ravan had already received information of the arrival of Shri Ram and Lakshman with a vast army. In every nook and corner of the city of Lanka, people were talking about the arrival of Shri Ram and Lakshman with armies. A tremendous commotion appeared in Lanka.
Ravan called an emergency war-council. Kumbhakarna, Vibhishan, Indrajit, Hasta, Maricha, Saran, Swayambhu and other Rakshasa heroes attended the meeting and Ravan held a discussion with them. At the outset, Maricha gave his suggestion.
"Shri Ram's armies consist of countless Vidyadhar kings and warriors. Shri Ram has arrived at Hamsadweep accompanied by such great heroes as Sugriv, the king of Vanardweep; Prince Chandrarashmi, the son of Vali; Viradh, the king of Pathal Lanka, the old warrior, king Mahendra; Prince Bhamandal, King Samudra, King Sethu; Hanuman, the mighty hero, Nal, Neel, Jambhavan and other millions of mighty heroes and warriors. I am not daunted by them; nor am I influenced by them in any way but I am thinking of our battle-formations and preparations for war. We have to make large scale preparations with extraordinary caution and foresight.”