________________
LITERARY EVALUATION
607 celestial beings shower flowers and sing praises (28.116-119). The description is conventional.
There is an elements of surprise in the description of the multiplying of Rāvana's heads when severed off by Lakşmana at 72. 16-19.
At 102.10-30 Sítā's fire ordeal is described. A fire pit is prepared. The gust of smoke rises therefrom and darkens the sky. The fearful fire bursts into flames like thousand suns. People are in a breath taking suspense as Sita steps towards the fire-gaping death as it were. But no sooner Sitā enters the pit, it is converted into a pond of cool and clear water. It rises up and lo, it is a deluge. People are afraid again but finally cosmos prevails. The water shrinks below the banks and is beautified with smelling lotuses. Sită is seated on a divine throne floating on the surface of the water. There is a striking contrast between the previous and the latter scene. This contrast is enhanced by rythmic and sound effects. It is a wonder, a miracle indeed.
Besides these there are several occasions when supernatural qualities and events associated with Tirtharkaras and other great persons are described. They evoke a sense of wonder, but they are all traditional and conventional.
Sentiment of Humour :-Examples of Humour are not missing in the epic. Episodes of Batuka Kapila, Nárada's entry into Sita's palace and Angada's and his soldiers' exploring into the palace of Rāvaņa are such instances.
At 35.61 Baţuka Kapila is ridiculed. First he drives away Rāma, Lakşmana and Sitā when they enter his house to ask for some water to quench Sīta's thirst. He thinks that the sanctity of his Agnihotrihouse is violated (35. 5-16). But he goes to the palace conjured up by the Yakşa for he has been told that he will be given some wealth by the wealthy occupants of the house. Although Jainism is not his faith, he would chant Namaskāra mantra so that he might be allowed to enter the palace. Then in the palace he is dumbfound to see there Laksmana who had manhandled him previously, in his own house. He suddenly retreats. His excessive anger and intolerance, his lust for wealth and his headlong retreat-all produce an effect of ridicule and laughter.
Muni Nārada (28. 1-5) wistfully visits the palace of Sita. Sitä is frightened to look at Nárada with his long whiskers and matted hair. She shrieks and consequently Narada finds himself surrounded by women-guards of the harem. Poor muni is really in an embarrassed
