Jain Ramayana Part 1

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

Page 59

The Birth of Ravan
At a certain predestined moment, she gave birth to a male child.
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Soon after being born, the boy displayed a tremendous valour and heroism. There lay a large box nearby. In it there lay a garland of gems, which his ancestors had secured. On account of its splendour every object in the chamber appeared resplendent.
All of a sudden, the child took up the garland of gems; and began to screech with intense joy. For a while, he played with it; and then he wore it around his neck. The attendants who watched this event were greatly amazed. They kept looking on with their eyes opened wide with astonishment. Kaikasi was stupefied with astonishment on seeing this unexpected event.
When Ratnashrava came to see his son, in the sleeping chamber, Kaikasi narrated to him the extraordinary valour of the child. "My dear Lord! Our darling child has with amazing ease taken up and worn the magnificent garland of gems which was once presented to our ancestor, Meghavahan by the Emperor of Rakshasas; which was installed here by the greatest gods and which the members of our family have been worshipping through generations with devotion; and which could not be taken up by any power in this universe, earthly or celestial".
Ratnashrava fixed his eyes on the tremendously radiant face of his son which outshone the radiance of the sun-god. He saw the garland of gems around the neck of his son. He also saw the face of his son reflected in the nine gems on the garland. He thought for a while and said, to Kaikasi :
"My dear queen ! When I see these ten faces of our son, I feel that it would be appropriate to name him Dashmukh (The ten-headed one)".
Accordingly, the child was named Dashmukh. Actually, how relevant and logical this truth is ! It is natural that the radiant face of the child should be reflected in the nine radiant gems in the garland. Only on account of that reason, Ravan could be called Dashmukh or Dashgriva (the ten-headed one).