Jain Ramayan

Author(s): Gunratnasuri
Publisher: Jingun Aradhak Trust

Page 43

Bhāmandala falls unconscious
With his mystical powers, the sage learnt that Bhamandala was frustated because he could not marry Sita. He therefore, in brief, discussed the previous lives of King Candragati and his consort Puşpavati. He also described the "previous births of Bhamandala and Sitä. He then narrated, how Bhāmandala was kidnaped at the moment he was born. When Bhamandala learnt that he was craving to marry his own elder sister, he collapsed.
After regaining consciousness, he informed King Candragati that whatever the sage Satyabhuti said was absolute truth. King Candragati immediately dispatched his vidyadharas to Mithila, to return with King Janaka and his consort Videha. Bhamandala bowed down before his elder sister Sita, and apologised. Sitā also blessed him. Rama embraced him, and thus the wrong was forgiven and forgotten.
When King Janaka and Queen Videha reached Ayodhya, King Candragati told him, how did he find an abandoned baby in the garden on the mount Vaitādhya, how he adopted him and finally declared that Prince Bhamandala was actually the progeny of Janaka and Videha. On learning this, King Janaka and Queen Videhā were elated. Her upper cloth was drenched with the milk that began to ooze out of her bosom, when she knew about her son. Bhamandala prostrated at their feet, and they blessed him. King Janaka then declared that he desired to hand over the royal crown and the scepter to the crown prince Bhamandala and embrace ascetic life. Muni Satyabhuti administered the oaths of renouncement to the great King Janaka.
OGUCIDODODGO
Later on, King Dasaratha requested the sage Satyabhuti to narrate the account of his previous lives. After the sage finished his narration, he once again realised that the world is transitory. Every action of a man adds to the burden of his karmas. Embracing an ascetic life is the only way that will stop the rotation of the wheel of destiny. King Dasaratha too decided to handover his scepter to Rama and become a mendicant.
COVO P700000000
#What was the relation between Satyabhuti muni and King Dasaratha in the previous births ? refer Appendix - 3