Jain Journal 1970 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 37

P A UM ACARIU
(from the previous issue )
SVAYAMBHUDEVA
Rama in Dandaka forest
Now Rama with Sita and Laksmana entered the Dandaka forest. As they moved to the interior, they came across a beautiful place. Here they settled and began to live the life of foresters.
Once two Jaina monks arrived there and they were duly received and fed. As a result of this pious act gods manifested the five miracles.
A bird named Jatayin had witnessed the whole scene. Penetent for the sins of his previous birth, the bird fell at the feet of the monks. The moment it was sprinkled with the feet-washing water of the monks, its body was transfigured. It got wings of gold and its body became bedecked with various pearls. It was adopted by Sita as her son. On being requested by Rama, the monks narrated the story of Jatayin's previous births. Then Rama and others took the five vows of the house
c. As a result of this as they entered their room after monks' departure, they found it full of jewels. Laksmana put these jewels to good purpose. He built up a chariot with them.
Riding in the chariot they continued their journey further. They crossed the Krisna and came to the Krauncanadi where they made a halt. It was autumn and nature was at its best. So Laksmana moved about seeing a little of this region. As he was moving about he saw a bamboo thicket and a sword resting nearby in the air. This was indeed curious. Laksmana took the sword and attempted a stroke at the thicket. At this not only the thicket fell but with it fell a detached human head and its trunk. He came back at once and narrated the whole incident to Rama who could see at once that it was a divine sword and that some trouble was in the brewing.
The head and the trunk were those of Sambu, the son of Candranakha, Ravana's sister. He was practising austerities here for twelve years and these were shortly due to be completed. On their