Story Of Rama In Jain Literature

SR No.: 022775
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Saraswati Pustak Bhandar
Publication Year: 1990
Total Pages: 278
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 27 MB

Page 125

The Ramayana Version of Sanghadāsa
107
desire to die, why don't you (at least) try to overpower your enemy?" On the way Jatayus reported to them the abduction of Sitā.by Råvana and added that "There is either victory or death for one who fights, but death only for one who is depressed at heart."
Then Rāma and Laksmana in due course arrived at Kiskindhi-mountain. There lived two Vidyadhara brothers called Válin and Sugriva. On account of a woman they had fought; Välin defeated Sugriva, who thereupon with Hanumat and Jambavat- his ministers- stayed in a Jain temple. Seeing Rāma and Lakşmaņa with bows in their hands, Sugrīva was frightened and was about to run. Hanumat cheered him up, met the two brothers. Hanumat and Lakşmaņa in their talk came to know about each other. Then Rāma and Sugriva entered into a pact of mutual help with 'Fire' as witness. Sugrīva assigned to Rama the work of slaying Vâlin after having tested his (Rāma's) strength. The two brothers were exactly alike in form and in their combat Rama could not make out who was Válin and therefore did not shoot his arrow. Sugriva was naturally defeated. Next time Sugriva was made to wear a garland of wood-flowers in order to distinguish him from Välin. Rāma killed Vālin with a single arrow and placed Sugriva on the throne. Hanumat then proceeded to get Sita's tidings. He returned and reported to him the good news of Sita's whereabouts. Then at Rāma's command Sugriva sent Vidyadharas to Bharata. He despatched the fourfold army. It duly reached the seashore. A bridge was built over the ocean. The army crossed the bridge and encamped on Suvela near Lankä. Rāvana ih his (strong army did not care for Rāma.
Now, Vibhisana counselied Rāvana to return Sita to Rama and save their own race but the latter did not accept his advice. Vibhișana then, with his four counsellors, went over to Răma. with Sugriva's consent Rama honoured Vibhişaņa as his follower. Then there ensued a war between the two sides of Rāma, aided by Vibhișaņa, and Rāvana. Everyday Rāma's side grew more powerful. With his principal warriors killed, Rávana began to practise the all-powerful lore called Jválavati. Knowing this, Rama's soldiers entered the city and began to attack; getting wild Rāvana came forth to fight a grim battle. Later on he engaged Laksmana in a single combat. As a last resort he hurled his disc at Laksmana. But that disc did not hurt him at all. Now Lakşmaņa took up that disc and hurled it at Ravana. It cut off Rāvana's head, and went back to Lakşmaņa. The deities showered flowers and declared Lakşmaņa to be the 8th Vásudeva.
Then Vibhìşaņa brought Sita and returned her to Rāma. With Rama's approval he performed Rävana's obsequies, and took Räma, Sitä and others in vimānas to Ayodhyā. Bharata and Satrughna honoured Rāma and with the consent of counsellors and citizens appointed him to the throne. Later on Rama, assisted by Sugriva and Vibhişana, conquered half of Bharata.
Chronologically speaking Sanghadăsa's (Jain) version ranks second. It is, therefore, but proper to examine its relation to the Hindu version and the first Jain version of Vimala. The following comparison will help us to determine this relation :