Story Of Rama In Jain Literature

Author(s): V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Saraswati Pustak Bhandar

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Story of Rama in Jain Literature
CANTO XLIV :
Candranakhā narrates to Kharadüşana how their son was slain, and she was molested although she has such a mighty husband as Kharadūşana and the emperor Rāvana as her brother. Then Kharadüşana, with his 14,000 warriors, starts out of his capital to fight the two brothers. A messenger is sent to Rāvana asking for his help. A fierce fight between Kharadūşana and Lakşmana follows. Rāvana arrives in his Puşpaka vimäpa rather late. Seeing Sitā he falls in love with her."* By his supernatural lore, called Avalokani, he knows the names etc., of Rama and others. He then thinks to himself : "I will produce sinha-nāda resembling that of Lakşmaņa which will mislead Rāma, who will go to help his brother leaving behind Sitā. I can then abduct Sitā. And Dūşana will kill these brothers.” Accordingly he produces the roar of a lion. Rāma hastens to the aid of his brother leaving Sità in charge of Jațāyus. Rāvana descends from his vimana, takes up Sitā in his arms; when Jațāyus offers resistance, Rāvana crushing his limbs flings him down on the ground. Rāvana gets Sità in his vimāna. Sitā, knowing that she is being abducted, weeps bitterly. With the thought that sooner or later Sitā would accept his love he takes her to Lankā Now Rāma realises that somehow he has been duped. On return he does not find Sitā at his residence. He falls in a swoon, regains consciousness, makes vigorous search for her, comes across the dying Jatāyus, utters that famous namaskara-mantra for the bird's benefit; the bird after death becomes a god. He continues his search accompanied by lamentation; but in vain. Disappointed he returns and sleeps in bis residence. (Rāma's Lamentation at the Abduction of Sitā)
CANTO XLV :
Now Viradhita, the son of Candrodara, who was deprived of his kingdom in Pātāla-Lankā, with his army comes to Laksmana's aid. Killing Khara and other heroes of the Rākşasas they rout the Raksasa army and return victorious. From Rama they learn of Sitā's abduction. Virādhita at Lakşmaņa's instance sends his followers to make a search of Sitä on land, in water and air. Now, Ratnajațin, hearing the piteous cries of Sitā, thought of fighting against Rāvana and thus obliging his lord - Bhāmandala. Rāvana, however, fells him on Kambūdvipa. Virādhita's followers do not find any trace of Sitä and return unsuccessful. Rāma blames his own karman. At Virādhita's proposal they go to Alankāra, the Pātāla-Capital. Sunda with his army gives a fight but is defeated; with his mother Sunda finds shelter in Ravana's Lankā Rāma and Lakş nana stay in Kbaradūşına's palace. Ráma is naturally very upeasy. But saluting the Jjna idol he feels at ease. (Torment at the Separation of Sitā.)
44 Rāvana, although good ctherwise, has weakness for woman. At her very first sight he falls
in love with Sita. He was possibly aware of this weakness when he took the vow of not enjoying pleasures in the company of another's woman who is unwilling (see Canto 14, v. 153). His tragic passion for Sitä brings about the ruin of this otherwise virtuous king !