________________
236
JAIN RAMAYAN
"Impertinent fellow! You talkative fellow ! I think your king is unable to see his limits because of his false notion of his prestige. He has become haughty. Just because some weak and helpless kings have accepted his overlordship he seems to imagine himself to be the supreme emperor of the world. Probably, he fancies himself to be the only capable ruler in the world. And now he desires to subjugate me and make me his subordinate without realizing who I am and what my powers are. . Probably, he has forgotten that I defeated and slew his grand-father, Mali. Till now, Ravan has been living in peace and prosperity but now by provoking me he has provoked his cruel fate. Get away from here; go and tell your master either to yield to me and become my slave or to show his strength in the battle. But, of course, if he fights against me, it will not take much time for him to lick the dust. If a valiant man bears with another man's haughtiness, how can be he be a valiant man ?"
The messenger returned to Ravan's tent. He narrated to Ravan what Indra had said. Dashmukh Ravan's face became red with anger. At once, he commanded his officers to proclaim war.
As soon as he gave his commands the battle-drums were beaten and bugles were blown. The surroundings shook with the noise of the battle-drums and bugles. Ravan's vast army invaded Ratanupur.
Indra also got ready for a war against Ravan.
Within a few moments, the land of Ratanupur became a battle-field.
Seated on his Iravan, Indra marched into the battle-field. Ravan also sat on his magnificent elephant Bhuvanalankar and was impatient to fight against Indra's army. The infantry of Ravan fought terribly against Indra's infantry. Cavalry fought against cavalry. On account of the terrible war the whole atmosphere became dreadful. On account of the ferocious war, every atom of the earth shook. There was a continuous rain of sharp arrows. Mother earth was bathed in the blood of heroes and was covered with dead bodies and severed heads and limbs.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
