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The Rāmāyana of Acārya Ilemacandra
197
The Abduction of Sitā CANTO VI:
Here we are told of Rāma's lament at the loss of Sitā, the voluntary help given by Virādha to Lakşmaņa in his terrible battle with Khara, the Brothers' visit to PätālaLankā on Virādha's suggestion, their fight with Sunda, Sunda's Refuge in Lankā, the episode of Sugriva, the impostor (Māya-Sugrīva) - his death at Rama's hands, the Brothers' stay in a park outside Kişkindhā, Lanka's lament over the death of Khara and Düşana, Rāvana's efforts to win over Sitā, righteous Vibhişana's advice to Rävaņa to return Sitä honourably, Rāvana's demonstration of his splendour to Sita who, however, remained perfectly calm and quiet, Vibhīşana's deliberations with the ministers and fortification of Lankā, Raina's lament at Sugriva's delay in keeping his word, Lakşmaņa's mission as an envoy to Sugriva, vigorous search for Sità instituted by Sugriva, the report to Sugrīva by Ratnajațin about Sita's rape by Ravana, lord of Lanka, the nervousness of the Vanaras who felt that Sita could not be rescued from the clutches of Ravana. Lakşmaņa's lifting up of the Kotisila, which act convinced the Vanaras of his superior strength in overpowering Rāvana, the sending of Hanumat to Lanká to bring the tidings of Sitā and to comfort her in her distress, Hanūmat's exploits on the way (such as his fight with his grand-father Mahendra, his removing the Upasarga caused to three damsels in their austerities, defeat of Mālikā lore, marriage with Lankā-sundars after briefbut terrible fight, his meeting with Vibhişana, then with Sita, Her doubt, Hanumat's speech, Rama's ring, Sita's speech, and her Gem, the ruin of the park, the death of Akşakumăra, the capture of Hanumat by Indrajit, Rāvana's arrogant speech, Hanumat's angry reply, his breaking asunder the Nāgapăsas, his powdering Rāvana's crown, his return to Kişkindhã and his reporting to Ráma the news of Sitā. 24
The dancing damsel then makes a proposal to Ativirya that he should be a vassal of Bharata .....(Canto XXXVII).
Hemacandra does not refer to Jain temple or the performance of dance by that lovely dancing damsel. As in other Cantos here too we have some fine 'Subhäşitias': 1. Sakunamh cãtakunańca ganayanti hi durbalāh v. 103. 2. Santo hi natavatsalāh
v. 229. Mahatsu jāyate jātu na vrthā prarthanarthinām v. 406. and a proverb : Ito vyāghra itastati
v. 427. The contents of this Canto agree with the Pauma-Cariya (Canto XLV-LIII both inclusive and the opening verses of Canto LIV). There are a few insignificant changes : According to Vimala, 'Kharadūşana' is one man (43. 16, 44. 2. 45.5 etc.) whereas according to Hemacandra 'Khara and Dusana' are two different persons (w. 31 and 32).
24.
