Jinamanjari 1995 09 No 12

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

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The description of the women weeping bitterly at the death of Laxmana follows on the same pattern. Words and phrases also have been repeated (110.30-36).
Sentiment of Heroism
There are frequent displays of enthusiasm in war-messages, counter retorts, marchings of the armies and battle scenes where the sentiment of heroism is brought out. At some places vira and raudra (sentiment of wrath and fury) are overlapping as a result of the simultaneous display of the feelings of enthusiasm and anger.
The raksasa soldiers are depicted to be so actuated upon by superego that they would die in the battle field for the sake of honour. The fire of their enthusiasm would not be quenched by the tears of their wives (56.21-25). Ravana's overflowing pride and enthusiasm and his uncontrolled wrath have been brought out in his retorts undermining the advice of Vibhisana and in his counter challenges to Laxmana ( 73. 13-23). In connection with Kumbhakarna's plundering the country of Vaisravana there is a spirited warning of the messenger sent to Sumalin by Vaisravana. This warning verges on to threatening. Naturally Ravana's spirited youth does not tolerate it because Lanka was his hereditary possession which was usurped by Vaisravana. He angrily retorts and deprecates vaisravana. He even raises his sword to sever off the head of the messenger but Vibhisana saves the situation (8.68-84).
Such hot exchange of words between the messenger of a king on one hand and another king or his army head of the other is an usual feature preceding a war (37.19-25 to 53.129f and 65.12-34).
Non-compliance with the messages frequently lead to a call for battle. In such calls there is a vigorous display of courage and enthusiasm in the belligerent parties.
There are brisk preparations for battle by Vaisravana, Indra and Ravana's soldiers respectively. Then follows their marchings and fierce battles between the parties concerned. These are the spots of heroic sentiment. Soldiers are thrilled and enthused at the very name of war. At the final call they at once rush to the battle field with a positive will. The fierce weapons they are equipped with, the sky-rending cheers
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