Book Title: Jain Ramayan
Author(s): Gunratnasuri
Publisher: Jingun Aradhak Trust

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Page 71
________________ 58 you become so complacent, while my brother Rama is tormented by misery? How can you indulge into the pleasures of heaven, while my brother has become almost ill by grief? You promised him that you will personally leave kişkindha in quest of Sitā, the moment you were reinstated, and here you are a slave of sensual pleasures ! Don't you remember your promise. Rise-up and join me, orelse I will be forced to slay you as Sāhasagati." The remorseful Sugriva begged to be forgiven and immediately sent the bravest of his soldiers in quest of Sita. They searched the islands, oceans, mountains, and innermost depths of the earth. Sugriva himself reached Kambudvipa. Ratnajati Vidyadhara thought, "Ravana has deprived me of all my vidyas and now, he has sent his trusted ally Sugriva to kill me." Ratnajati's anxiety was not baseless because Sugriva was really a trusted ally of Ravana. In the meantime, Sugriva came near him and said, "Inspite of seeing me, you didn't arise to welcome me. You are a vidyadhara, proficient in Akasagaminividya - the power of flying. How could you became a victim of lethargy? Have you forgotten the rules of hospitality?" Ratnajați replied, "Neither am I a victim of lethargy, nor have I forgotten the rules of hospitality. When I saw Rāvana flying in his Puspaka aircraft alongwith Sitā, the beloved consort of Rama, whom he had abducted, I challenged him, for! wanted to free Sita from his clutches. I fought bravely, but he deprived me of all my vidyas and dropped me on the earth. Since then, the clouds of fear are hovering above my head. I therefore did not arise, inspite of Jain seeing you. Please forgive me." Sugriva brings Ratnajați at Rāma's feet King Sugriva was endowed with a generous heart. He not only accepted the apologies of King Ratnajați, but also brought him to Rāma. Ratnajati bowed before him. Rama arose and embraced him. He then, smothered Ratnajați with many questions, for the vidyadhara king was the last person who had seen Sita. Ratnajați described the anger, frustratrion and wailing of Sita, vividly. On receiving the news of Sita's abduction, her brother Bhamandala and the emperor of Patālalankā, Viradha joined Rama's side along with their armies. Rāma asked Sugriva and Bhamandala, "How far is Lankā, the empire of King Ravana?" They replied, "It does not really matter whether Lanka is far away from here or near because, none of us can match Ravana in physical strength, and in the art of magic and sorcery." Rama said, "I wish you would only guide us to Lankā. My brother Laksmana has the strength to defeat not only Rāvana, but also his entire army. www.jainelibrary.org

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