Jain Ramayana Part 1

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

Page 73

61
The Journey to the Bhimaranya
in agonising endeavours. Ask for what you desire. I will satisfy all your aspirations in the twinkling of an eye."
Anadrutdev was silent for a while, to see what effect his words might produce on the princes. He thought that his words expressive of his capacity to fulfil their aspirations would attract the minds of the youngsters and that thus their meditation and concentration would be disturbed, at once. But that was only his conjecture. The princes sat undisturbed carrying out their meditation and Japa with unshakable absorption. There was not even the slightest change in their faces. So, he felt greatly irritated. Every part of his body shook on account of his intense anger. He was greatly agitated with shame. He again said in a roaring voice:
"Oh you idiots! When a god like me is here ready to grant your wishes pleased with your penances, you are sitting like images carved out of stone. Whom do you want to please by this unceasing Japa of yours?"
When he gave a suggestion by means of a sign, to his followers and companions, they assumed dreadful and monstrous forms. Within a few moments, there came about a great change - in the atmosphere. Suddenly, dark, dense clouds appeared in the sky and enveloped it completely and a terrible storm rose which seemed to shake the very solid earth itself. The winds began to blow furiously. Lightnings flashed; and thunders rolled. A dreadful darkness enveloped the trees in the forest. One could not see one's own hands. The followers and companions of Anadrutdev, having assumed monstrous forms, began to cause impediments to the meditation of the youngsters, in various ways. They dealt resounding blows to the youngsters; and rained upon them rocks and stones torn from huge rocks which tumbling down fell around in mighty heaps. Some of those heavenly beings assumed the forms of terrible, black serpents and just as they coil round sandal trees; hold them tight to the point of breaking them, they coiled round the bodies of the three youngsters tightening them in their dreadful embrace; and endeavoured to crush their bodies. The sky began to echo with terrible and heart-breaking cries; yet the princes remained un