Jain Ramayana Part 3

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

Page 21

Vibhishan
But the attendants in the garden were terrified by those magical tricks of Ravan. Some of them sympathised with Sita and developed great veneration for her. Some of the attendants ran away from there when Ravan began to display his magical and supernatural powers to win over Sita by means of intimidation and terror-tactics. One attendant thought, "Ravan, has been using force and terror-tractics heartlessly to compel Sita to accept his offers of love. His harem abounds in queens, maidens and attendants of outstanding beauty. Yet why does he want to make this noble woman a victim to his passion ? Probably the noble Vibhishan does not know what is happening here. Why should I not inform him of all this? Only he is noble among these heartless Rakshasas. Therefore, I must at once inform him of this tragic situation."
She at once hurried to the palace of Vibhishan. Vibhishan at that time sat on the balcony of his palace watching with delight the beauty of Lanka. Noticing the attendant running towards the palace in great grief and agitation he descended from his palace. The attendant approached him, saluted him respectfully and then said in a humble voice.
"May Lord Vibhishan be victorious!” and then she glanced around carefully to see if anyone was watching her. She was in great fright. Fear filled her heart.
It did not take much time for Vibhishan to understand the situation. He gave her an assurance of safety and said: "Be fearless. Tell me what you want to say, without any fear.”
"My Lord, I think you are aware of what is happening in the Devaraman garden."
"No; but what is happening there.”
"Emperor, Dashmukh Ravan has abducted and brought a noble woman. In order to prevail upon her to accept the Emperor's love, even queen Mandodari came to the garden in the evening but that great woman, Sita is still and dauntless like a rock. She remains unshaken and unmoved by the