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 165

The Rāmāyana Version of Acārya Harisena
147
she once came across Ramadeva who was living in Dandaka-forest. She made him a request to accept her as worthy bride. Rama thereupon said: 'I have a wife, you better approach Laksmana'. She then went near Laksmana as directed by Rama and spoke: 'I will be your wife'. Lakşmana in anger cleft her nose and ears away, and drove her away from that place. She then went to Khara. When Khara saw her in that condition he was in rage and asked her who it was that maimed her and marred her thus. At these words of her husband she replied that it was Lakşmaņa who brought her to that distress. At this Khara was enraged; and the three brothers Khara, Dusana and Trisiras? with their forces went to where Rāma and Laksmana and Sitä were staying. Ramadeva in the battle killed those three brothers along with their army consisting of 14000 Rákşasas. Sürpanakhā then went to her brother Rāvana. Seeing his sister maimed he was furious and went to where Ramadeva was. At the sight of Sitä he was overpowered with passion for her. Marica assuming the form of a golden deer went near Sīta. She called Rama to view that wondrous deer (and bring it for her). Rāma followed the deer and struck it with an arrow. That Mārica in the form of that deer gave a lion's roar and called aloud with eager cry ('Ho, brother Lakşmana! I am dead!' Sitā thereupon asked Lakşmaņa to run and seek Rāmadeva. Lakşmaņa told her that Rāma had asked him not to leave her alone unguarded in that dreadful forest. Sitä, then, blind with rage, accused him of guilty love of her. At those words of reproach Lakşmaņa, leaving her, hastened to Rāma's aid. While Laksmana was away Rävana in the red garb of a mendicant stood before Sitā for begging alms. 'Give me alms, O fair one!' saying thus he seized her and went to Lanka. When Daśānana had gone to Lanká, Rama asked Laksmana why he, leaving Sitä alone, had gone to him. He replied that it was Sita who had sent him to his aid. Ramadeva thereupon exclaimed that some danger must have overcome that lonely Sitā! The two brothers then arrived at the spot where Lakşmaņa had left her. Not finding his beloved Sītā, Rama with fond lamentroamed in that forest but in vain. Lakşmaņa tried to comfort him. Then with the aid of Vānara army led by Sugriva, Angada, Hanumat, Nala, Nila etc., Rāma got constructed a bridge and crossed the ocean and reached Lanka. Then in a fierce battle Rāma killed Ravana and became himself a sovereign ruler. The great war involving the death of many beings was fought between Rāma and Rävaņa, the cause being a woman. There have been fought many other dreadful wars by men just for the sake of a woman. Alas! Women are the source of war!
The text, accepted by the editor gives Trisaras; and the v. l. gives Tristras. It is extraordinary that the author devotes full four verses to Rāma's lament whereas many other important events he disposes of in one verse only, e.g., the battle between Rāma and Ravana.