Jain Journal 1972 01

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

Page 37

JANUARY, 1972
When news reached of Rama's return, Bharata hastened to welcome his brother. It was a happy reunion and a glorious home-coming. The joys of the mothers of Rama and Laksmana knew no limit to see their darlings after so many years. Now Bharata felt that he had played his part in the world and it was time he should lay down the reign of office and embrace the religious order. He expressed his desire to Rama. But Rama could not afford to miss such a loving and devoted brother. He ordered all material comforts for Bharata. But these had no charm for him any more and he was bent on renunciation. The opportunity came from a small event. One day a palace elephant had gone mad and it was impossible to control him. But when he saw Bharata, he was pacified. Thereupon the monk Kulabhusana explained the reason which was connected with one of Bharata's previous births. After this delineation Bharata was decided to leave worldly life and joined the order of monks with many others, the most notable among them being his own mother Kaikeyi. The responsibility of running the state at Ayodhya now fell on Rama who was duly crowned king. On this occasion all his friends and allies including the king of Lanka joined.
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After his corronation, Rama bestowed territories on his associates and allies in recognition of their very honest and faithful service during the days of his adversity. Satrughna then expressed a desire to conquer Mathura of which the king was Madhu. The city was beseized. Satrughna was a mighty warrior. There was a severe battle in which Madhu's son Lavanamaharnava was killed and Madhu himself was fatally wounded. This was followed by the fall of Mathura. Satrughna was now crowned the king of Mathura.
Sita's exile: Birth of Lavana and Ankusa
Meanwhile Sita had become pregnant and she expressed a desire to worship the Jina. Rama was anxious to fulfil readily the desire but it was ordained otherwise. Some messangers came to Rama and conveyed to him the popular gossip about Sita who had spent a year in Ravana's custody. The theme of popular gossip was that a young and charming lady like Sita could not have remained unmolested for such a length by a powerful monarch like Ravana. Kim Rāmu na bhuñjai Janaya-sua barisu basebi ghare Ramanaho. (Is not Rama enjoying the company of the daughter of Janaka who had spent a full year in the house of Ravana ?) Rama was shocked at the popular gossip. It was scandalous though he had no shade of doubt in his own mind that Sita was above adultery. But vox populi is too powerful to be con