Jain Ramayana Part 3

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

Page 25

Vibhishan
13
care-taker of the empire of Lanka and my dear lord and elder brother. You are the protector of our race. Do not slight my entreaty. Do not reject my humble appeal. I thought I had killed Dasarath and I am amazed to hear that he is alive. With the purpose of falsifying the prediction of that enlightened man, I attacked Ayodhya and I thought I had killed Dasarath, Actually, a great commotion arose in Ayodhya and thinking that I had killed Dasarath, I returned to Lanka. I was absolutely certain that I had killed Dasarath and that Ram would not be born. But my belief has been falsified. I think on account of my carelessness, I killed someone else and thus Dasarath escaped alive. I tried to defeat the decree of Destiny but destiny has mocked at me. What is decreed to happen surely happens. No power in this universe can alter the decrees of Destiny. Therefore. I entreat you humbly to restore Sita to her husband and to save the Rakshasa dynasty. Only this measure will bring welfare to us and to the empire of Lanka."
Ravan just ignored the advice of Vibhishan. He, at once, stood up. He dragged Sita into his Pushpak and began flying over the vast empire of Lanka. Vibhishan, utterly stupefied, stood still and silent like a painted picture.
Gradually, the Pushpak Viman reached great heights. Sometimes he brought his airship to lower levels. Ravan thus tried to show the magnificent city of Lanka; and to fascinate her with his prosperity and unearthly splendour and magnificence.
"Dearest one! The mountain you see there is called the mountain of sports. Gods and goddesses always come there to play games and sports on its peaks. They are always attracted by that mountain. You will experience supreme bliss by engaging with me in sports of love on this mountain. Look at those magnificent cataracts whose waters are sweeter than nectar.
This is a world of resplendent gardens, sinuous rills and fascinating water-falls. Not only the people of Lanka but all creatures and all human beings in this world deem it a supreme bliss to play here. That magnificent bower you see there, resplendent with flowers, festoons and garlands of precious stones is the Bower of Bliss, where lovers forget themselve in amorous