________________
CXII
THE EARLIER JANMAS OF LAKSHMAN
AND OTHERS
Shri Jayabhushan muni continued his discourse. Shri Ram, Lakshman, Vibhishan, Sugriv, Lav, Kush and others were listening to his discourse with deep concentration and were experiencing great delight. As soon as they heard the story of Sita's earlier janmas, they imagined the earlier janma of Ravan. Yet out of curiosity, Vibhishan said :
"Revered lord! What happened to Prince Vajrakant ?"
"Noble man! Prince Vajrakant had to pass through many janmas to experience the fruits of his sinful Karmas. He was born in the animal world and he also had to go to hell and experience inordinate torture. After a long time, by some good chance, he attained the human state of existence as the son of a brahmin. He was named Prabhas. After he reached the phase of youth, once he met a great Rishi called Vijayasen. He became very intimate with Vijayasen muni. He learnt from him the mysteries of Dharma; renounced worldly life and became a Sadhu. Vajrakant who was none other than Shrikant had to face spiritual ruin and had to go to hell also. After that, countless years later he attained the human state of existence and was born as a brahmin. He met a muni and received Deeksha from him. You know that is the story of the bewildering powers of Karmas.
Once Prabhas muni happened to see an extraordinary sight.
Kanakaprabha, the Vidyadhar King was travelling through the sky on his way to Sametshikhar. When he saw the extraordinary pomp and splendour of King Kanakaprabha, he desired
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