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JAIN RAMAYAN
great men and women not to take to Sadhudharma. They said, “Kindly do not receive the deeksha now. Please do not think of it now because you are the only prop to us in this calamitous situation caused by the death of our Emperor Ravan. You are our only hope and stay in this ocean of engulfing sorrow; and the presence of the members of the Royal family would give us confidence and courage in our distress." But the members of the royal family were determined to pursue the path of Sadhudharma. The entreaties made by the people failed to shake their determination because they had no interest in amusements, enjoyments, pomp and splendour. They thought worldly life was futile and pointless.
The great heroes of the Rakshasa dynasty who sometime ago fought against external enemies now became shramans to carry out a fight against the inner enemies. The prince and the queens of Lanka who till the previous day lived a life of enjoyments and splendour now became averse to them and began pursuing the path of Sadhudharma. The beautiful damsels of the harem, who used to spend their days and nights in dances and delights and sensual pleasures now discarded their attachments for such a life and became pilgrims on the path that leads to enlightenment and salvation. They became sadhvis.
It is not humanly possible to know or predict when the human heart changes and under what circumstances the change occurs. Those who were sinners yesterday may become holy men today and those who are holy men today may become sinners tomorrow.
Shri Ram humbly saluted the feet of the new munis. Lakshman, Sugriv, Nal, Neel, Hanuman and Vibhishan also bowed to their feet with devotion. Then turning towards Shri Ram, Vibhishan said :
"O you, revered hero! Now you kindly enter Lanka and meet Sita and bring rain to the drying roots of her life.”
Vibhishan sent for the commander of the armies and ordered him to see that Lanka is magnificently and colourfully decorated. Accordingly, the city of Lanka was made colourful.
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