________________
Lakshman's Death
443
Ram was sitting on Lakshman's throne. He said caressing the head of Lakshman, "Dear brother! What has happened to you? I wonder what disease has made you unconscious. Please speak out" and then looking towards the Chief Minister, he said aloud;
"Why have you not sent for doctors ? Why have they not came yet ?”
"Dear lord ! Have patience. I have sent for the best doctors. They will be here in a few moments with the most efficacious medicines".
Within a few moments, an experienced doctor arrived. Shri Ram holding the doctor's hands said.
"Dear doctor! Look here! Please see what has happened to my brother Lakshman. He is mute and motionless. I do not know what has happened to him."
The physician examined Lakshman's pulse and discovered that Lakshman had already died but he found it difficult to reveal the truth. So, he made a pretence of examining Lakshman's eyes, hands and legs and forehead and then he took out some medicines and smeared them to Lakshman's head, chest and feet.
The treatment went on for nearly two hours but bitter disappointment had to be faced by Shri Ram. If medicines could bring back the life of a dead man, who would die in this world ? Obviously, the treatment was fruitless. Then the Physician said, "Your Highness! I can do nothing. Eventhough I used the most efficacious medicines, there is no hope of Lakshman's recovery".
Shri Ram ordered that all able and expert physicians, magicians and occultists should be brought at once. Accordingly, the Chief Minister sent for the ablest physicians, magicians and occultists. The magicians and the occultists began to recite mantras which were intended to bring about a miraculous cure. The magicians did everything in their power to make Lakshman come back to life. Time passed. None of the efforts succeeded
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
