Jain Ramayana Part 1

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 25

The Rakshasdweep: The Vanardweep
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springing and skipping in joy and elation for their own amusement. They ate fruits, nuts and flowers. There was no need for anybody to give those things to them. The guards of the forest saw such four-footed animals for the first time. Therefore, they, at once, dutifully informed Shrikant of this strange phenomenon. When Shrikant heard about it, his wonder and amazement knew no bounds. When Shrikant saw personally the way in which the Vanars were sporting about, his heart involuntarily and spontaneously overflowed with affection for them. Shrikant made a royal proclamation, in the country :
“No one should kill the Vanars. The slaying of a monkey is prohibited. If anyone breaks this command of the King, he would be punished severely." Not being satisfied with having issued this command, he began to rule over the Vanars also; and to take care of their welfare. He was never satiated with or weary of watching intently the sports and playful activities of the Vanars. He loved them heartily. He used to make arrangements to supply fruits and nuts and flowers as food to them.
Gradually, taking the example of the King, even the citizens of Kishkindha began to treat the monkeys with love and affection. They gave them food and drink as if they were their relatives and friends. The pictures of monkeys were painted on the walls of houses and mansions. The ornamental arches and festoons were decorated with the pictures of monkeys. Pillars and flags and even toys were designed in the form of monkeys.
Everywhere one could hear the various names of monkeys; and see the various postures and shapes of monkeys. The result of all this was that even the Vidyadhars who dwelt in
rdweep were considered as monkeys. On account of the close intimacy in which they lived with monkeys, even the human beings developed the same instincts as those of the monkeys.
One day, when Shrikant was sauntering about for pleasure on the roof of his palace, he heard an uproar in the sky, unexpectedly. He bagan to look at the sky intently. Thousands of gods, goddesses and Vidyadhars were traversing through the