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PAUMACARIU OF SVAYAMBHU
out the infatuations the human beings were proñe to, citing Rāma as a good illustration. Indra explained that Rāma did not give up the world out of unbounding love for Lakşmaņa, who cannot endure separation from Rāma even for a moment. Two gods, out of curiosity, went to Rāma's "palace and loudly uttered the words. Alas, Rāma died, so as, to reach Lakşmaņa's ears. That very moment he fell dead. Taken aback, the repenting gods hurried back to the heaven. Laments of Laksmana's queens and mothers. Overwhelmed with the grief, Lavaņa and Ankusa renounced the world. Rāma's lament; uthe whole of Ayodhyā wept. Vidyādhara kings, on receiving the news, rushed to Ayodhyā. Vibhīşaņa tried to console Rāma. Sandhi LXXXVIII. Rāma's Loss of Reason and Renunciation.
Due to great grief Rāma went out of his mind. Under the delusion that Lakṣmaṇa was alive, he daily bathed arid clothed and fed the corpse and carrying it on his shoulders he wandered for six months. Taking advantage of his plight, the sons of Indrajit and Sunda invaded Ayodhyā. But Jațāyin and Krtāntavaktra, born as gods, drove them away by creating a magic army. Then Kịtāntavaktra, with a view to cure Rāma, appeared before him as indulging in many an absurd &ctivity. Jațāyin too appeared, carrying a corpse on his shoulders. These opened Rāma's eyes. The two gods exhorted him. Being asked by Rāma, they revealed their identity. Rāma renounced the world. So did Satrughna, Vibhīşaņa, Sugrīva and others, including Rāma's mothers. Rāma practised austerities on the Koțiśilā.
Sandhi LXXXIX. Rāma Attains Omniscience.
Seeing Rāma practising austerities, Sitendra, out of attachment, tried to tempt him by assuming the form of Sītā and inviting him to share choice pleasures in her company. Ten thousand Vidyādhara damsels were also created to lure Rāma. But he remained steadfast in his meditation and conseqnently attained Kevala. Sitendra apologized, and thence went to hell to exhort Lakşmana. Sambuka, Rāvaņa and Lakşmaņa were suffering torments of hell and still fighting with each other. Sītendra exhorted them to give up anger. They were pacified. His effort to lift them from hell failed. He returned to Rāma after persuading Rāvana and Lakşmaņa to, accept
Samyaktva. Rāma admonished him to give up attachment. Jain Education International
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