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INTRODUCTION
15
mately as Bhāmandala. Yajñabali has become Vibhīşaņa. Guņavatī has become Sitā. In her birth as Vegavatī, she first circulated a false charge about a monk, but later on, punished with a swelling face by the Sāsana-devatā, she owned up her falsehood; in consequence Sītā had to suffer false accusation.
Vālin, in his previous birth as a deer had died while hearing sacred texts; in his birth as a Jain layman he led a very pious life; and in his birth as a prince practised many austerities. Hence he was born with extraordinary powers. Sandhi LXXXV. Previous Births of Lavana and Ankuśa.
Kștāntavaktra's Renunciation. Sītā is Reborn as Indra. · Lavaņa and Ankuśâ in their previous birth as sons of a Brahmin offered food to a pious monk. Hence they passed through various high births and were now born as Sitā's sons.
These accounts of various rebriths proved highly instructive to the audience. Rāma's commander Krtāntavaktra renounced the world with a promise to Rāma to enlighten him at proper time. Rāma, repenting his treatment of Sitā, went to her and paid his homage. All returned to Ayodhyā. Rama and Lakşmaņa missed Sītā very much. Sītā practised rigorous austerities. She died and was born as Indra in the sixteenth heaven.
Sandhi LXXXVI. Svayamvara of the Princesses of Kāñcanasthāna. Fate of Bhāmaņdala and Hanumat.
Lavaņa and Ankusa were chosen by the princesses Mandākini and Candrabhāgā in a Svayamvara. Feeling offended by this Lakşmaņa's sons were about to strike up a row, butotheir eight elder brothers dissuaded them. Feeling dejected, they renounced the world.
Once in the rainy season; Bhāmaņdala was struck dead by lightning
Hanumat once while returning from a pilgrimage saw a meteor fall and disappear, and being at once thrown into the mood of renunciation, he gave up the world, and his wives, along with Pavanañjaya and Añjanā followed. Hanumat practised austerities and attained omniscience.
• Sandhi LXXXVII. Lakşmaņa's Death.
Once Indra talked before the gods about the greai merits of the human birth which could lead to liberation. One god pointed
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