Story Of Rama In Jain Literature

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

Page 62

Story of Rāma in Jain Literature
CANTO XCI :
Lakşmaņa conquers a number of Vidyadhara kings. The poct tells us that he had 16000 wives of which eight - Višalya ctc., - are the principal ones. Rama has got 8,000 wives of which four - Sitā and others - are the chief ones. The two brothers establish their supreme rule over the three continents. The canto also gives the names of some sons of Laksmana. (Demonstration of the greatness of Rāma and Lakşmana) CANTO XCII :
Canto XCII narrates Sitā's dream which indicates that she would give birth to two sons, brave and handsome, but also forebodes some impending evil; it further tells of Sita's pregnancy-longing to visit Jina shrines which is fulfilled by Rāma. (Sita's Pregnancy-longing to worshipping the Jina(-idols) ]
CANTO XCIII :
Sita's right eye throbs. She is worried and tells Rāma about it. She is asked to devote herself to Jina worship. Now people approach Rama and declare to him the scandal about Sitā. They report to him that the wicked public finds fault with him for having received Sita back after she had been abducted and sported with by the lord of the Rak Sasas As is the king so are his subjects They, therefore, need not reproach a woman if she is attached to a person other than her husband. Rāma is very sad about this. The model king in him cannot bear the reproach that he is setting a bad example. He feels that Sitā had brought a stigma on his family and fame. He condemns woman kind. H: feels very unhappy and miserable owin; to this evil report about Sitā. (People's Reflection)
CANTO XCIV :
Råma sends for Lakşmana; tells him of the scandal about Sita, Laksma va is furious as he is convinced of Sita's purity and innocence. Rāma holl's that Sitā is a stigma on the glory of his Ikşvâku family. Mightily afraid of infamy he is ready to abandon his innocent wise. Laksmana protests; Rāma argues that the very fact that he received back Sità after she had been abducted is bound to reflect on his character. He also puts forth the plea that Sita during her stay in the Padmodyana must have consented to Rävana's proposal of enjoying love-sports. In spite of Laksmana's protest Rāma orders Krtanta.vadana, the general to take Sita to Jina shrines on Sammeta mountain and then abandon her in a dreadful forest. On their way Sità hears a charming sound, inquires whether it is that of Rāna* but learns that it was the sound of Ganga. They cross Ganga. Kitāntavadana breaks the news to Sitā67, with it Sila breaks down. She is somehow recovered. Full of submission
56 A fine natural touch! 57 Rana hears the ugly goss p and s'ander about Sita. He would rather a bai don Sitä tan
bring a stain on the good name of his family. Laksmana pleas for Sita but in vain.