Jain Journal 1971 07

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

Page 16

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a revenge he took for the ill-treatment of his mother. He created a magic army and captured Mahendra's son, Hanumat's own maternal uncle. In the second round of battle, Hanumat suffered a deadly maceblow from Mahendra, but eventually he captured him also. Having achieved the desired result, he revealed his identity and begged pardon of Mahendra. Mahendra highly praised Hanumat's valour and on his advice became Rama's ally.
JAIN JOURNAL
King Dadhimukha had three daughters. They were under a vow to marry anyone that would kill Sahasagati. They were practising austerities in a forest. In the same forest, two Caraṇa monks were also practising austerities. Now it so happened that Angaraka who was their unsuccessful suitor set fire to that forest in anger. Hanumat passing through the air saw the calamity to the sages and extinguished the fire by means of magic waters. The monks blessed him. Just at that time the three princesses too came there and learnt about the death of Sahasagati at Rama's hand. On his advice, Dadhimukha took his three daughters to Kiskindha and gave them to Rama.
Now, Hanumat was on the soil of Lanka. Asali was guarding the entrance to it. Club in hand Hanumat faced her unaided. Asali swallowed him. Hanumat battered open her inside and came out triumphant. As Asali was destroyed, Vajrayudha, the keeper of the fortress, fell upon. When he too was killed, his daughter, Lankasundari, challenged him in a straight fight. With her, however, Hanumat had a double victory and he won her heart. The two were married. Hanumat spent a night in her company and then took leave to fulfil his mission.
He first called on Vibhisana and explained the purpose of his mission. He also delivered him the messages of Jambuvat, Nala and Nila. Vibhisana told him that Ravana was badly in love with Sita so much so that he had not only himself forfeited all reason but even turned a deaf ear to it. Vibhisana further told him that he himself was disgusted with him and might some day be obliged to forsake his brother.
Leaving Vibhisana he searched through the city and eventually came to the park where Sita was kept. He saw her sorrowful and emaciated. Remaining concealed in a tree he dropped Rama's ring in her lap. Sita recognised the ring and a smile brightened her face. This change of her mood was immediately reported to Ravana who deputed Mandodari to try persuasion once again. But Sita would listen to nothing; on the contrary, she sang in praise of her lord. Now Mandodari became fierce and threatened to kill her but Sita remained calm and