________________
106
JAIN RAMAYAN
fascinating? When the tusks are broken, the elephant is worse than being dead. When the twigs and sprays are cut off, the tree is worse than being dry. When the cloud is shattered, the glory of the rainbow fades away. When man loses his honour, his interest in life disappears.
Probably defeat and digrace fill everyone with worry, agitation, agony and anguish. Those who experience such agony and anguish feel that death is preferable to disgrace. It is in that mood that they realize the futility of hostility; and the fruitlessness of pride.
As Vaishravan kept contemplating, checking that stream of thoughts, some inner voice said, "Is it proper to give up this life which is so valuable just because you have experienced defeat and disgrace? Can these things inspire in you the desire to embrace death ? How far is it proper to end your life for this reason ? If one is alive one can build another house. If distressed by disgrace and defeat you destroy the basic cause itself, then how will it be? "Neither the reed nor the flute will exist". Why should I not renounce the Kingdom for the sake of whi I had to experience this humiliating disgrace? After al dom and prosperity are not permanent; they do not accompany the soul to the other world. This Kingdom to safeguard which I have sweated and bled, has gone out of my hands”.
Vibhishan and Kumbhakarna .are not really my enemies They are my great benefactors. They have bestowed a benefaction upon me, by waking me from my sleep of infatuation and have opened my eyes to the reality !
"Enough! This is the proper thing to do. I will break off all the bondages of power and prosperity; and renounce the Samsar; I will receive the Sadhudharma and live in a forest away from these madding crowds; and maddening illusions. I will dedicate my life which is transient to the Paramatma. This is the true way to felicity and serenity.”
“Vaishravan ! Do not run away terrified by these agitations and agonies. Running away thus daunted by calamities is not true renunciation". A voice from the depths of his heart said.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
