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502
JAIN RAMAYAN
moment, the pieces came together and obtained their original form. Even after thus being cut into pieces, they did not die. They could not die though they deeply desired to die. They could not die eventhough they desired death. The jivas have to spend in hell the stipulated span of time and hell is hell. It is not a mere imagination or a mental creation. It is a real and existent world. The jivas that commit serious sins have to undergo punishment there. They have to experience tortures in hell. Neither heavenly beings nor human beings can punish jivas thus but in hell, they experience the bitter fruits of their sinful Karmas.
While Sitendra was passing through the fourth hell. his eyes fell unexpectedly on Ravan. He saw Shambuk and watched Lakshman with concentration. Ravan and Shambuk were fighting against Lakshman. A terrible fight had, broken out there. They attacked each other there assuming the forms of lions, panthers and bears. Just then, a cruel asura by name Paramadharmik (the most ignoble monster) said to them.
"By fighting thus you will not achieve the desired anguish therefore, fight thirsting for each other's blood." All of a sudden, Ravan, Shambuk and Lakshman screamed. They were being burnt in terrible flames. Their bodies were burnt to ashes. Even after that the asuras who were there assuming horrid forms lifted them and threw them into boiling oil in large cauldrons and then began the hellish tortures. The atmosphere was filled with a terrible anguish, agitation and painful screams.
Sitendra could not bear with the sight. He was shocked to see the sight and he began to shudder with fear. Greatly overwhelmed with compassion, he said:
"O you asur! Don't you know these great men? Have you not heard of them? Get away a little. Release these great men."
The Paramadharmik Asur was greatly fascinated by the heavenly splendour of Sitendra. Lakshman, Ravan and Shambuk began to look at Sitendra in great amazement. They thought, "Who may be this great benefactor ?" Just then, Sitendra turning towards Ravan and Shambuk and said.
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