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JAINIJM AND KARNATAKA CULTURE
territories no animalfife should on any account be taken; that his warriors should for a time desist from fighting; and that all his subjects should be diligent in performing the rites of Jina-pūja.
Then entered he the Jaina fane
His palace walls within. Attendant priests before him bore
The sacred vessels, as prescribed In books of holy lore. And there to lord śāntiśwara
He lowly revenence paid ; Omitting no due ritual
That might secure his aid. After worship had been performed with due solemnity, he took a vow of silent meditation; and seating himself in the padmāsana posture, began a course of rigorous concentration of mind and suppression of the bodily senses.
And there he sat, like a statue fixed ; And not a wandering thought was mixed
With his abstraction deep. Upon his hand a chaplet hung, With beads of priceless value strung. And on it he did ceaseless tell
The mantras that would serve him well. When Bibhīşana learned through spies what Ravana was doing, he hastened to Rāma, and urged him to attack and slay Rāvana before he could fortify himself with his new and formidable power. But Rāma replied :
“Rāvana has sought Jinêndra's aid
In true religious form. It is not meet that we should fight With one engaged in holy rite,
His weapons laid aside. I do not fear his purpose fell. No magic spell can serve him well
Who stoals his neighbour's bride."
