________________
Lav and Kush
311
that these two boys are worthy of your guidance, kindly make them your spiritual successors and bestow upon them your knowledge which will surely brighten their minds and enlighten their souls. These two boys are the only props of my life. I have no other interest in life.”
"Revered lady! What you say is true. Yet, I am not willing to stay in the same place for a long time."
"Kindly treat me as your sister and for the sake of these two children, you change your mind a little.'.” Sita's voice was choked with emotion. Siddhartha fell into a strange conflict. He thought, "She is the wife of Shri Ram. She is a sublime woman who has experienced countless calamities and who has been deprived of all joys and jubilations. She has fallen into the depths of bitter despair. If my stay here can inspire in her new hopes and a new enthusiasm then I must stay here. Probably, this may be the decree of Destiny.” Siddhartha's heart overflowed with compassion for Sita.
"Revered sage! You must stay here. I will convey this information to King Vajrajang also. He too will entreat you to stay here and to educate my sons”.
"Revered lady! I am unable to reject your entreaty. I will stay here. Are you satisfied ?"
Sita's joy knew no bounds. She offered her heartfelt devotion to Lord Parameshwar and expressed her deepest gratitude to Siddhartha. Subsequently, she informed Vajrajang of her plan. Vajrajang also was greatly pleased with her plan. He felt happy thinking that Lav and Kush would certainly become masters of all knowledge and experts in wars under the guidance of Siddhartha who possessed extraordinary attainments and virtues. So, he said to Siddhartha humbly. “O you revered one ! You have bestowed a great benefaction upon us. Lav and Kush are really fortunate in securing such a great teacher as you; and I am sure that they are worthy of your able and enlightened guidance. If you bestow your knowledge upon them they will certainly attain extraordinary levels of excellence."
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org