________________
Indra's Exit
251
Ravan approached the Maharshi who had attained Kevaljnan. The Maharshi said :
"Ravan! You are a Prati-vasudev (vice-world ruler) and you will die at the hands of a Vasudev”.
"Oh lord ! What will be the cause for his slaying me ?"
"On account of your lewd desire for another man's wife". The great Muni said in clear words.
Ravan was greatly agitated on hearing the words of the Maharshi. In his mind which entertained noble thoughts generally, there arose a terrible war of perplexing and vexing thoughts. There arose a commotion in his mind when he heard from the Maharshi the cause for his death. He had never conceived of his dying for such a reason. He began to think. "The words of the enlightened can never be false! Moreover, no one can prevent what has to occur. Who can escape the decree of Destiny ? Who can mitigate their severity ?
Just at that time, his innate propensity to maintain nobility in his conduct, which had lain dormant, latent but potent, spoke to him suggesting an alternative :
"The enlightened Maharshi said that my death would be caused by my lewd desire for the wife of another man. If I keep off such thoughts, I can save myself from that disaster. How can the disaster occur if I am careful to see that such a cause does not arise at all ?" Making some determination he said to the Maharshi:
"Oh lord ! I wish to take a vow at your feet that I will not enjoy a sexual union with a woman against her wish; and that I will not even touch her". Ravan took the vow.
How careful and cautious Ravan was ! In order to prevent and block the infux of sin into his soul, Ravan built an adamantine wall with a lofty vow. After having taken a vow to that effect at the feet of the Maharshi, he returned to Lanka.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
