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Story of Rāma in Jain Literature
Now the two gods Jaţäyus and Kftäntavadana adopt various artifices and suceeed in convincing Räma that Laksmana had expired. He then performs the funeral rites of his dead brother. He thereafter asks Satrughna to take over the kingdom as he himself wants to take to asceticism. Satrughna, however, declines. (Arrival of Celes: tial friends, the gods) CANTO CXIV :
Rāma then installs Angaruha (son of Lavana) on the throne. Vibhișana, Sugriva too act accordingly. Rāma accepts asceticism at the hands of Muni Suvrata. All other heroes follow Rama. Now Råma all alone wanders about, acquires Avadhi knowledge and passes his time in the study of scriptures. (Renunciation of samsára hy (Muni) Baladeva) CANTO CXV :
Once, Muni Rāma enters Syandanasthali to break his fast; the people of that place shower love on him and pressingly invite him to go to their houses to break his fast. The policemen are forced to keep order. Mupi Rāma, without accepting food, goes to the forest. [Agitation caused in the course of (Rama's) begging tour] CANTO CXVI :
Now Rāma takes a vow of not to enter any town Now a king goes to that forcst, ercamps on the bank of a lake, Rama goes there, alms is offered to him. He accepts it. That gift of alms is praised by gods in heaven. (Praise of the gift of pure alms) CANTO CXVII :
In the course of his wanderings Rāma goes to where that Kotisilā was. Standing on it he obseries Platin ā. Now Indra (the soul of Sitā) goes there. He with a view to be in a position to enjoy pleasures in Rāma's company causes Upasargas, tut Rāma is undisturbed, ard attains perfect knowledge. Gods go there to celebrate that event. That Indra (formerly Sītā) too participates in the celebrations. Rāma advises him to give up attachment and practise Dharma. [Acquisition of perfect knowledge (by Rāma)] CANTO CXVIII :
(Sitā-) Indra goes to hell to enlighten Laksmana. He asks him to observe right faith and returns. He then once meets Rāma and inquires of him of the fortune of Dasaratha and his wives who, he informs him, are born in heaven. Lava and Kusa would obtain Nirvăņa. The Canto then tells the story of Bhāmandala, and about the future lives of Laksmana and Ravana. These last named two heroes in duc course, after wandering through some births, would obtain Nirvana. Sitādeva too would attain liberation along with the Arhat - Induratha (the soul of Råvana).
Living for a period of 17,000 years Rāma obtains Mokşa. (Rāma's attaining 19 Nirvana)
