Jain Ramayana Part 1

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

Page 65

The Journey to the Bhimaranya
53
kick, I will blow that wicked Indra's empire to smithereens. I do not need any weapons, dear mother! I possess invincible physical strength and immortal courage. I will destroy his empire and decimate him and all his Vidyadhars with a single wave of my hand which possesses the strength of millions of elephants”. Dashmukh tried to cheer up his dejected mother by displaying his tremendous, strong arms and his adamantine physical strength, and he added : “Mother, I have to acquire mastery over all the traditional arts and accomplishments of our line".
“Dear son! What you say is absolutely true. If you have to fight against the enemy who is a master of all militaric skills and accomplishments, mere physical strength is not enough. You have to carry out serious endeavours and attain mastery over the various militaric arts and accomplishments”.
"But mother, in order to carry out those endeavours, I have to go to a forest”.
"Are you afraid of going to a forest ?” “No such thing........ yet ........"
"Dear son! Give up for the time being the idea of going to a forest. If I cannot see you even for a moment, I feel that the sap of my life dries away. I cannot bear with separation from you even for a moment”.
"Mother dear! I am really amazed to hear you too speak thus. You are the mother of mighty heroes! The mother of mighty heroes should never entertain fears or give way to despair. How could you ever entertain such fears ?" Dashmukh said stamping the ground with his feet.
Kaikasi kept staring at the radiant face of her son for a few moments. Her eyes sparkled with a new-born joy. Descending from her throne, she affectionately embraced Dashmukh. Dashmukh, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishan saluted their mother by placing their foreheads upon her feet. They touched her feet; and sought her blessings. Kaikasi who was greatly delighted, blessed her sons heartily. Then, the brothers went to meet their grand-father, Sumali and their father, Ratnashrava.