Jain Ramayana Part 1

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

Page 82

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JAIN RAMAYAN
were glorifying the greatness of the Rakshasa dynasty. The chests of Sumali and Ratnashrava swelled with pride. The conquest of Lanka ! The time seemed to have come for the fulfilment of their aspiration to recapture their Kingdom of Lanka. They felt jubilant over the astounding achievements and the unexampled heroism of the young princes. .
The sun was slowly declining to the west. The goddess of the night was slowly descending upon the earth covering it with a mantle of darkness. Silence and stillness swayed supreme everywhere. The noises and commotions of the day had completely subsided. At such a time, the three young princes sat around their mother in the harem. Her face was serious. She gently and affectionately passed her hand over the head of Vibhishan; and said :
“My darling children ! Now, I am reckoned among the greatest mothers in the world. Yet, I do not have peace of mind. Until I see the enemies of the Rakshasa dynasty licking the dust and until I see their aspirations crushed to smithereens, I cannot have peace of mind”.
"Mother ! Now, you will see the valour and abilities of your sons. Until we take revenge against our enemies for causing disgrace to our grand-father, Sumali and our father, Ratnashrava, and until we inflict untold miseries on the enemies of the Rakshasa dynasty, we will not have peace of mind. We are going to realize your dream within a short time”. Dashmukh Ravan said taking his mother's hand into his, perturbed over his mother's distress.
"Dear son! I know it very well. You three will prove true to your words. Go to your beds. Sleep. The night is far advanced”.
The three princes got up. They saluted their mother; and then went to their respective chambers to sleep.
Then Kaikasi kept standing for sometime, lost in deep thoughtfulness. She felt that the world was now poised above time. She did not feel any need to puzzle out eternity; she felt