Jain Ramayana Part 3

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

Page 14

JAÍN RAMAYAN
patient. You are absolutely safe here. You are absolutely free from danger here. Live in Lanka happily. Nobody can harm you here and remember! I will destroy the fellow who killed your husband and your son in such a heartless and heinous manner.”
Ravan moved forward a few paces; wiped off Chandranakha's tears and tried to comfort her, with soothing words. He lifted her faded face; looked at her with unwinking eyes; and then embraced her. Later, he arranged a proper residence for Chandranakha; and went into the palace.
Ravan was greatly agitated by Chandranakha's story. There arose in his mind countless conflicting thoughts and feelings. He was greatly agitated by his desire for a union with Sita, maddened by her fascinating beauty and the tremendous attraction her beauty had exercised upon him. He had become blinded by his infatuation for Sita. He was beside his wits. Her beauty made him yearn for her, day and night. He had lost his wits on account of his blinding infatuation for her.
A little later, Mandodari came into the chamber. She saw the King of Lanka. She saw the King of Lanka lying on his bed in a state of intense mental agitation. She had not seen before that at any time her husband in such a state of deep worry and agitation. She went near him and stood by his side. She stroked him affectionately and said in a tender voice :
"My dear Lord! What is the cause for your worry ?” There was perfect stillness in the chamber. Perfect silence pervaded the whole chamber. Ravan did not break his silence. He lay motionless upon his cot. He had closed his eyes. Holding his head with his hands, he lay deeply thinking. Agitated by his condition, she shook him gently; and said in a perturbed tone;
“What serious problem has been causing such worry to the Lord of Lanka that he has lost his wits and is thus lying in deep agitation?”