Jain Ramayana Part 3

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

Page 38

26
JAIN RAMAYAN
Bhamandal gave his assent to Sugriv's proposal. After being quiet for a while, he said : “Why should not I myself go to Lanka ?”
"You cannot. Gaining entry into Lanka is the most difficult task demanding extraordinary abilities. This can be achieved only by an experienced hero and in my view, no one is capable of carrying out this task except Hanuman. He knows Ravan very well and he also knows the method of entering Lanka."
And Sugriv at once ordered a messenger by name Shribhuti to go to Hanupur. Accordingly, Shribhuti sat in an airship; and set off in the direction of Hanupur.
Shribhuti went to Hanupur; met Hanuman and conveyed to him the message, of Sugriy, the King of Vanars. Soon after receiving the message Hanuman came to Lanka accompanied by Shribhuti and approached Shri Ram with great humility. He touched the holy feet of Shri Ram with his hands and saluted him. Sugriv, the king of Vanars got up from his seat; requested Hanuman to be seated there and introduced him to Shri Ram. He explained to Shri Ram Hanuman's extraordinary abilities and potentialities.
"O Lord of compassion! This is Hanuman, the son of Pavananjay. His humility, his heroism, his sense of justice, his ethical excellence and his militaric abilities are unprecedented and unexampled. He is a great friend of ours. He is an incomparable warrior. In the entire Vidyadhar world, there is no one who can match him in ethical virtues or militaric abilities. Therefore, I entreat you to send him to bring us the news of Sita's welfare. He will surely succeed in carrying out this task.
For a while, Shri Ram kept looking at the resplendent face of Hanuman with fixed eyes. His well-built body and extraordinarily strong limbs showed that he was a mighty hero. Shri Ram felt a natural affection for Hanuman. Laksh