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 Rama in Jain Literature
Obtaining the Tidings of Sită
CANTO VII:
Canto VII gives an account of Rama's march against Lanka; the subjugation of Samudra and Setu, kings of Velandhara city; and of king Suvela and of king Hamsa, encamping of his troops at Hansadvipa, War-preparations in Lahká, Vibhiṣana's counsel, Vibhiṣana's banishment, his alliance with Rama; the siege of Lanka, a grim battle between the hostile armies, the single combats between the principal heroes on both the sides (e.g., Nala- Hasta. Nila - Prahasta, Hanumat - Māli, - Vajrodara, Jambumāli, Mahodara, Sugrīva - Kumbhakarna, Indrajit, Bhámandala Meghavahana). Hanumat captured by Kumbhakarna but set free by Angada: Sugriva and Bhamandala taken captive by Ravana's sons but set free by Vibhiṣana; Acquisition of divine weapons through God Mahalocana by Rama and Lakṣmaṇa: Vibhisana's counsel to Ravana on the battle-field; single combats between Vibhisana-Ravana, Rama -Kumbhakarna, Lakṣmaṇa - Indrajit, Nila Sinhajaghana, Angada - Maya, Bhamandala - Ketu, Hanumat Kumbha; the three Raksasa heroes Kumbhakarna. Indrajit and Meghavahana taken prisoners by means of Nagapāsas, Rāvana's discharging of Trisula at Vibhiṣana, Lakṣmaṇa's intervention, Lakṣmaṇa hit by Ravana with his Amoghavijayǎ Sakti, his falling to the ground in a swoon; single combat between Rama and Rāvana, at the approach of night Ravana's retiring to his camp, at the sad plight of Lakṣmaṇa Rama's swoon, on regaining consciousness his lament, Laksmana guarded by the Vidyadharas raising forts around, the episode of Visalya, Laksmana's recovery, Ravana's negotiations unsuccessful, the eight-day observance of the vow of Ahirhsă and Ravana's acquisition of Bahurupā vidya in spite of interruption by the Vänaras: Rāvana's threat to Sita, Sità loyal to Rama even in face of death, Ravana's remorse for his evil deed, Ravana's march to the field, disregarding portents and unfavourable omens, Rāvana and Lakṣmaṇa engaged in a grim combat. Ravana's hurling his disc at Lakṣmana the disc without
In this Canto also we have a few beautiful 'Subhasitas':
1. Satäm sango hi punyataḥ v. 97.
2. Svakaryadadhiko yatnah parakärye mahlyasam v. 102.
3. Na dvitiyă capetă hi harerharimärane
v. 114.
4. Dhigaho kāmavasthā baliyasi v. 142.
In v. 135 Sitá finely brings out the contrast between Rama and Mandodari's husband:
.... Kva sirhhaḥ kva ca jambukaḥ
Kva suparnah kva vả kākah, kva Rāmah kva ca te patih
v. 135.