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286
JAIN RAMAYAN
Only a few people were seen moying about on the streets. While passing through the streets Shri Ram carefully overheard what people were saying to one another at various places. The people were saying the samething everywhere. At every step, he heard some people discussing Sita's affairs.
“Rayan carried away Sita to Lanka! He retained her in the Devaraman garden. Of course Shri Ram fought against Ravan and brought back Sita. He believes that Sita is pure and chaste. But how can we believe that Sita is pure and chaste ? Ravan who was all-powerful in Lanka would not have lost the opportunity of enjoying sensual pleasures with Sita. It is really amazing that Shri Ram has never thought of this. Where love is thick faults are thin. Attachment blinds a man to realities. In this darkness of the night we cannot see anything. Similarly in the darkness of infatuation Shri Ram cannot see anything."
When Shri Ram heard such things being said by the people of Ayodhya he was stunned and he felt dizzy. A tremendous conflict arose in his mind. Dense darkness enveloped him. He found himself in a great dilemma. He felt that his fiery thoughts whose face was violent could never look back. He returned to the palace in this state of mind. He was in a state of absolute stupefaction. On one hand he loved Sita more than his life; on the other he loved the splendid traditions of her royal family. He loved pure glory. He was unable to decide which he could discard.
We do not know when evil karmas emerge to the surface; and produce their effects! When they emerge to the surface they envelop the whole life of a person and cause terrible calamities to him. The jivas in samsar keep wandering thus. Caught in the bondage of sinful karmas they experience inordinate grief and agony. Fie upon such evil karmas ! They should be destroyed.
Shri Ram could not get a wink of sleep. He was greatly agitated. He spent the whole night writhing in agony.
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