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

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Story of Rāma in Jain Literature
Description of the Origin of the Dynasty of Rākşasas and of the Dynasty of
Vanaras and of the Birth of Rävana CANTO II:
Dasamukha once saw king Vaisramana moving in his Vimāna. From his mother he knew how they were robbed of their kingdom of Lankā. Vibhişaņa, Kumbhakarna and Rävaņa then went to a forest Bhima to practise austerities and secure supernatural powers. Anăndệta, the Yakşa-chief of Jambu-dvipa who had come there with his harem for sports sent his women to interrupt their religious meditation. They by their lovely ways tried to win the brothers from their avowed course of austerities. The damsels smiled and appealed to the brothers in the most fascinating words of love, but they did not swerve in the least degree from their great spiritual vows. Without change, the more confirmed in their attitude of calm, they spoke not a word. Then Anándrta himself came there but his words too the brothers did not heed to. He got enraged and sent his servant-deities (Vänamantara) to interrupt the brothers' austerities by causing dreadful Upasargas. They then turned into lions, etc., and surrounded the brothers. They all set up a loud uproar and tried to frighten the ascetics, but in vain. Then the illusion of their father, mother and sister appeared before them. They piteously appealed to them for help saying that they are horribly oppressed by the beasts, and requested the Raksasa ascetics to come to their rescue. But these illusions also could not move the brothers. The lions, etc., then tore their parents and sister before their very eyes. Though it was a heartrending sight they were not moved. Next, all of a sudden, fell before Kumbhakarna the heads of Rāvana and Vibhîşana. Kumbhakarna felt a sudden thrill but gradually controlled himself, and Vibhlşaņa also did so when he was confronted similarly with the heads of Råvana and Kumbhakarna. But Rāvana proved the most heroically calm of the brothers when he faced similar apparitions. He, the knower of supreme bliss, did not care about the danger, but remained absorbed in his high contemplation, immovable like the prince of mountains. Now the Yakşas fled away. Then one thousand Vidyas!! appeared before Râvaņa and yielded to him. Kumbhakarna and Vibhîşana too acquired some Vidyas by virtue of their penance. The Yakşa-chief then created a town for the brothers, their parents, sister and other relations. Later on Rāvana observing fasts obtained Candrahāsa sword.
Then Răvana got married to Mandodars, daughter of Hemavati and Maya, the Vidyādhara king of Surasamgita. Once he went for sport to Mt. Megharava. There he married 6000 Vidyàdhara damsels by Gāndharva form of marriage. Kumbhakarna and Vibhisana were married to two Vidyadhara damsels Sürupanayanā and Pankajasri
11.
We have given above a detailed summary of the Vidyā-sadhana as it throws a flood of light on the character of the three brothers. The severe austerities they practise invest them with a spiritual grandeur and strength that are at once striking. The list of the Vidyas is not materially different from the one given in the Pc.