Jain Ramayana Part 1

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

Page 64

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JAIN RAMAYAN
ed everywhere. There was pin-drop silence. Vibhishan took her hand in his; and said in a voice, shaken with emotion. "Mother dear! What is the use of shedding tears now? Aren't you aware of the valour of your dear sons? We are ready to dispel your grief within a fraction of a second. Why we three? Your eldest son, my noble brother, Dashmukh can carry out this task alone and unaided. Indra stands nowhere before him in heroism and valour. Campared to his prowess and heroism Vaishravan and the other Vidyadhars are absolutely powerless. Can they ever face him at all? Never, mother, never! They are all petty and incapable before him. Let alone my noble brother, Dashmukh; my other brother Kumbhakarna can cut off the heads of all our enemies and can decimate them, singlehanded. When you have such capable sons, why should you grieve ?"
He glanced towards Kumbhakarna and Dashmukh expectantly. Even the boy, Vibhishan showed his determination to dispel the dark clouds of despair and grief that had enveloped the mind of his mother.
"Dear mother! If you command me, I am ready to set out at once, without a moment's delay to decimate all our enemies. Only I am waiting for your command".
When Kaikasi heard these words, she was overwhelmed with joyful emotions. She admiringly, took up her son, Vibhishan; and placed him in her lap. Embracing him affectionately she rained kisses upon his cheeks, lips, neck and his magnificent head and hair.
"Dear children! Only seeing your heroic and valiant faces I have been living: Otherwise..
All of a sudden, infuriated with anger, gnashing his teeth, Dashmukh said in a thundering voice. "Mother dear! Do not worry. Do not give way to grief and despair. Utter ruin will seize those that have caused this grief to you. Woe unto those that have thus grieved you! One unfailing blow of my adamantine fist is enough to make them lick the dust. With one