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JAIN RAMAYAN
On the eastern side of the garden there was the temple of a nature-god. She worshipped the nature-god and prayed :
"Oh God! I have surrendered myself to Lakshman but I may not secure him in this life as my husband but may Lakshman be my husband in my next janma."
Then she proceeded towards a huge banyan tree. A guard stood watchful beneath the tree. He saw Vanamala coming towards the tree. On account of darkness he could not see her face. So he thought, “I think some goddess of nature is coming there or she may be some Yakshini presiding over this tree.” Even while he was thinking Vanamala climbed the tree. The guard was startled. He wondered what she was going to do.
He too silently climbed the tree. He kept observing carefully every movement of Vanamala. Vanamala turned towards the sky; and folding her hands she said with a voice choked with emotion.
"Oh you nature gods and goddesses! Oh you gods ruling over the eight directions ! Oh you gods flying invisible through the sky ! I loved Lakshman and desired to marry him but in this life I have failed to secure him as my husband. At least, may he be my husband in my next life !"
The guard was greatly amazed and shocked, Vanamala's voice stunned him. He remained breathless with amazement. As he kept watching in the darkness she tied one end of her sash to the branch of the tree and the other end to her neck and then leaped down. The guard at once leaped forward and held Vanamala. He untied the cloth and said :
"Oh you damsel, do not be foolhardy. I am Lakshman."
Lakshman carried her down the tree. The last phase of the night had begun. Shri Ram and Sita woke up from their sleep. Lakshman narrated to them the story of Vanamala. Shri Ram looked towards Vanamala and said in a serious voice.
"Oh noble lady. You took a rash step. You should have thought well before taking such a step. You would have died if
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