________________
The Abduction Of Janak
311
and fix an arrow to it, he will be considered victorious. If he succeeds in doing so he can marry Sita. We will not at all oppose it.”
On hearing the words of Chandragati Janak was absorbed in thought. He was greatly worried and agitated. He felt rather stunned by this unexpected calamity.
“Oh king! Where is the need to worry thus about this affair. My suggestion is absolutely just. You need not hesitate to accept it.”
King Chandragati stood up and began walking to and fro in the chamber. King Janak sat mute and motionless like a picture. The night had advanced. Some untoward things might happen if there was any delay. He had to return to Mithila at once. Otherwise, the news of his abduction would sprea where and cause great distress and anxiety among people. Therefore, Janak said :
"I will certainly think of your suggestion."
"Oh king there is no need to think about it further and there is no time also. It is well-known that my son has grown mad after Sita. So at least you have to think of my difficulty". King Janak was speechless. For sometime, there was silence in the hall, King Chandragati went near King Janak and said "Oh king you cannot go out of this palace, until you give your consent to my proposal."
The king of Mithila was stupefied. He felt that Chandragati might use even force to secure his consent. He thought about Chandragati's condition for Sita's marriage; “Cannot Shri Ram lift up both the bows of Chandragati ? Shri Ram who routed and drove away the barbarous kings of the north ! He is certainly a hero of immeasurable strength and heroism. He will surely lift the bows but if fortune does not favour him what are we to do? Sita will have to accept Bhamandal as her husband or she will have to commit suicide.” King Janak was agitated by countless thoughts of this kind. But he had no alternative to accepting Chandragati's condition under those
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
