Jain Ramayana Part 1

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

Page 43

Lanka: Its Decline and Rise
31
which you are concealing from me. Don't you have faith in me? Can't you reveal your secret to me ?"
"My lord !” and as she said this, there flowed from her eyes streams of tears, naturally. Her throat became choked. Her lips began to shiver with agitation.
Sahasrar drew Queen Chitrasundari towards himself; and said in a grave manner :
“Whatever may be the problem that has been agitating you; you can tell me what it is without any hesitation. We will find a suitable solution to it. If you remain silent and if you do not tell me the cause for your agitation, I will discard food and drink from today onwards. I may have to die on account of it. I am quite willing to accept death but I can't bear with the sight of your mental agony”.
Sahasrar's insistence was too great for her to resist. She could not continue to be silent. Compelled thus, helpelessly she began to speak to him about the evil desire that had appeared in her heart.
"My dear Lord! The evil desire of enjoying a sexual union with Devendra has appeared in my heart. From the time the evil desire arose in my heart. I have been experiencin agitation and fear. I do not know what kind of Jiva is in my womb. Even before it is born, it is prompting such a sinful and harmful desire in me".
Of course, Chitrasundari told her husband, Sahasrar about the wicked desire that had arisen in her heart; but when she thought of how he might respond to her revelation, she began to shiver with fear.
But Sahasrar was a man of deep wisdom and intellectual and emotional equanimity. He did not misunderstand the Queen's desire but he began to think deeply about her desire. He did not show any displeasure or contempt for her in his actions, activities or thoughts; and he wisely planned to fulfil her desire.
The effects brought about by Karmas are strange and are fraught with irony and mockery. Chitrasundari was absolutely