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being tormented by the boundless army of the barbarians, who are plundering the temples of Jineśvara ! O Noble King, You are the worthy descendent of the first Tirthankara Lord Rşabhadeva. A man generally remembers his family deity and friends in the hour of emergency. In you, my master has found a true friend. I therefore beseech you to haste and help him."
son. You might probably think that we are too young to tackle the foe, but Sire ! a lion cub, inspite of his tender age, can easily kill a mighty bull.... A tiny cinder of charcoal, in a moment, can turn a mighty forest into ashes, and Sire, we, the noble descendents of Surya, are gifted with two noble traits essential for warrior, valour and kindness, right from our birth. Therefore, do not hesitate in sending us to the battlefield. We shall slay all the barbarians and return victorious."
He further said, "Sir, you and my master are inseparable as the body and soul, one meaningless without the another. The semibarbarians that have attacked us are the inhabitants of the land, which is situated between the southern ranges of mount Vaitadhya and the northern ranges of the mount Kailasa. This stripe of land is known as Mayurasala and it is ruled by the cruel barbarian Antarangatama, who hates the regime of Jineśvara. He is joined by many like-minded kings and together they have attacked the Mithilanagari, like a swarn of locusts. They have vandalised the Jain temples and the sacred places. My master's plight at this moment is like that of the great elephant Gajendra, whose foot has been grabbed by a crocodile."
The words of the noble Rama shows how young men in ancient India revered their parents. They risked their own lives and endeavoured to save their parents. Today we are living in the age of consumption. No matter what we do, our desires and wants are never satiated. We want to eat nothing but the best, we crave to wear nothing but the best, we aspire for nothing but the best of home. We strive for the best of comforts and luxuries, and while todays' youth is in a frantic race to improve his standard of living, the aging and ailing parents still shoulder the yoke of domestic responsibilities.
Having convinced Daśaratha about his own valour, Rāma and Laksmana left for Mithilā alongwith their army. Mithila was seized by the barbarians. Emperor Janaka was under tremendous stress. When
Though Dasaratha was a kind and a gentle soul, the wrath that lay dormant within him was stirred by the words of the envoy. He immediately summoned his army officers. Rama, with folded hands, address thus, "My worthy father, you are indeed a true friend, who never hesitates for a moment while helping a friend in the hour of peril. 1 urge you to grant me and my brothers a permission to teach the barbarians a lesJain Education International
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