Jain Ramayan

Author(s): Gunratnasuri
Publisher: Jingun Aradhak Trust

Page 7

The hectic pace of modern life makes the pursuit of Sanskrta and Magadhi an impossible contingency. The chances of their learning and mastering these nearly extinct languages and then studying the original Ramayana are very remote. I therefore felt that Ramayana should be presented to them in hindi, english and gujarati. What's more, it should also be translated in languages like marathi, kannada, tamil, telgu etc to acquaint the people of other faiths with this epic.
Jain Rāmāyana attracts and enchants the readers of any age group. The message of renouncement that this book preaches eloquently appeals the serious readers. After having experienced the bitter and sweet lessons from life, and after seeing many of the near and dear ones willingly or unwillingly embrace the death, they too are shattered like Rāma. When Rama was in a state of delirium because of Laksmana's death, diety Krtāntavadana and diety Jatayu opened his eyes. They acquainted him to the harsh and yet essential reality that Laksmana was dead and Rama too was going to follow him one day. I am sure, what the celestial duo did for Rama, this book would do for you.
The valour and detachment found in abundance in this book will definitely attract the youth. Ravana commited a sinful act by kidnapping Sita. Rama and Lakşmana did not hesitate for a moment before him for his wrong action. Even today, we see a perpetual battle between the good and evil in every walk of life and therefore, like Rama and Laksmana, we too must not wince before taking restrictive measures against evil.
The complex relationship between the major characters in Ramayana is something unique. These relations have the background and bonds of previous lives. Love, hatred, anger, replusion and other vista's of emotions have deep roots in the past lives and unseen fruits in the future. Rama, Laksmana Bharata and Satrughna are always ready to put the 'U' before the T', together they are willing to lay their lives for the happi
ness of their parents. Rāma abandons his luxurious life, without thinking twice, so that his father could renounce the world without any unpaid debt.
Laksmana follows Rama during the exile, in order to serve him. He too does not hesitate a moment before taking this major decision. Bharata bears the burden of the crown and scepter only when Rama orders him to do so. Sita too follows Rama, and leaves the palace and cosy life without grumbling. Though Kaikeyi hatches out the evil conspiracy of exiling Rama, he does not grudge. He bows down to Kaikeyi before leaving the palace and also after he returns. For him, Kaikeyi is not just a stepmother, but a true mother. These relations might be utopian to be true to modern man, but they too can set new ideals for themselves.
In Jain Ramayana, we find sati Sita fully dedicated to Rama. While she was at Lankā, her mind was fully focused on Jineśvara and Rāma. This total surrenderance gave her the strength to endure the enticements and threatenings of Rāvana. She does not blame
Rama, when he abandons her or when he asks her to perform the Jan Educatiemational
ordeal. She faces it with stoic.courage. Mandodari, on the other handww.ainelibrary.org