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380
JAIN RAMAYAN
from Jayabushan muni. Sugriv, the King of Kishkindha, Bhamandal, the valiant were witnesses to this. They were present there. The Mahamuni Jayabushan attained Kevaljnan only a little while ago. Therefore, giving up your grief, please make arrangements to celebrate this great event of his attaining Kevalinan. Dear brother! Sita has taken the five great vows and is pursuing the supreme path of Samyamdharma. Just as she was an ideal woman, now she is an ideal sadhvi, an example to be emulated by others."
Shri Ram kept looking at Lakshman with fixed eyes. After thinking over the matter a little, he realised the truth in Lakshman's words. Within a few moments, his agitation and anguish disappeared. He grew calm and composed. Lakshman's words kept ringing in his ears, "Sita renounced all the pleasures and joys of life voluntarily." Shri Ram exclaimed, "Oh! She has renounced me also; has she? This is natural. I once discarded her fearing social censure and now she has renounced me also. Of course. I knew very well that she was absolutely innocent. Yet I discarded her. Oh! How many years have passed since then? How can she retain love and attachment for me after so many years? I was all in all for her but she has renounced everything. She has done the right thing. It is absolutely natural that she should do so."
After being silent for a while, he said addressing Lakshman, "Sita has done the right thing in receiving the Deeksha from the muni. Under those circumstances, she could do nothing else."
Just then. Sugriv came forward a few steps; bowed to Shri Ram humbly and said, "Dear Lord! Bhamandal and I returned from there."
"How far is that place from here ?"
"Dear Lord! It is not very far. Only a little while ago, the great muni attained Kevaljnan. Gods and goddesses, Gandharvas and Kinnars gathered there and organised a magnificent celebration. Sita received initiation into Samyamdharma from
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