________________
Evidential Story - 48
If we turn the pages of medieval history, we see the glorious sun of our civilization and religion going down, but at the same time there were some golden chapters radiant with sun rays of Bhakti Kal, surprising both the king and the subject. The history of the Rajputana's valour is world famous. Jain hero from Rajputana prince Ranpal was a beautiful, healthy, virtuous, adventurous and learned man. His father Urpal, King of Ajmer was seated upon his throne in the palace court. He was visited by a messenger from neighborhood, king of Waspur who was their friend. The messenger brought him a secret letter. The letter said, "Majestic King! May you both live long! Joginpur Nawabshah Sultan is planning to make an attack on your kingdom. I am your friend, hence it's my duty to inform you and warn you in advance. Rest is fine. Awaiting your command. Yours, King of Waspur".
When Urpal, the King of Ajmer read the letter at first he became serious, but after some time he declared with great courage and boldness "Is there anyone in this court so brave, who can fight Shah Sultan and bring him alive to me ?" "I can bring him, O King!" Prince Ranpal accepted the challenge with boldness and he went on war with his soldiers. The medieval history of India is a witness to the truth that the brave sons of this Nation displayed courage and chivalry. They shed their blood for their motherland. The Rajputs and Hindus were not victorious, but the victory went to the muslims and the Foreigners. The same was the result of the battle between Ranpal and Shah Sultan. Prince Ranpal was taken captive and was treated like an ordinary prisoner. Rajkumar Ranpal lay in jail without food for 2 days. He began to think about his works. The truth is that in times of trouble the only job that remains to be done in the solitude of the prison, is that one can relate to Parmatma. The values aquired during one's childhood guide the person. Ranpal began to recite the Mahaprabhavi Bhaktamar stotras which he had learnt during his student life. By the time he started repeating she
46th verse the iron chains broke and he was free. He went to the prince Shah Sultan's palace. The
Sultan and all the courtiers were amazed to see him there.
The kotwals, darogas and the guards were thoroughly questioned. But everyone was surprised and kept quiet. Finally Shah Sultan personally bound prince Ranpal with iron chains and sent him to jai. He set guards to watch over him. He also personally kept a watch on him from his window. Sultan saw with his own eyes that Ranpal due to his bhaktamar devotion was freed from the chain and was moving towards the palace. Shah was amazed and he immediately went to the palace court and received prince Ranpal and said, "Yuvraj, today I have come to know that your meditation has so much power. You are a good and truthful person. One should be friend you rather than have enmity". Saying this Shah Sultan hugged Prince Ranpal & with great honour sent him back with his message of friendship. As soon as Prince Ranpal was back there was rejoicing in the city of Ajmer. Prince Ranpal said to the full court that he had not captured sultan physically but he was himself bound with the thread of friendship. King Urpal's joy knew no bounds. The whole Ajmer was filled with shouts of triumph of the Jain religion. Today, nonviolence has transformed the violent in to non-violent. In this way enmity was transformed into friendship.
