________________
134
Just as you wandered over the oceans, carrying me with Candrahasa, so I shall lift you up with the mountain and cast you into the Lavana Ocean.'
""
After saying this, Daśagriva split open the earth at the foot of Mt. Aṣṭāpada and entered it, like a thunderbolt that has fallen from the sky. Daśakandhara recalled the thousand vidyās simultaneously, and lifted up the mountain, difficult to lift, with unbounded pride in his strength of arm. The great muni knew by clairvoyance that the mountain, whose Vyantara-gods were terrified by the noise, 'taḍat, taditi,' with the lower world filled by the ocean moving to and fro with the sound, 'jhalat, jhaliti,' whose forest-elephants were crushed by rocks falling with a 'khaḍat, khaḍiti,' with the trees in the groves on its slopes broken down with the sound, 'kaḍat, kaḍiti,' was being raised by him (Rāvaṇa) and, pure-minded, the ocean of many rivers of labdhis, thought:
"Alas! how this fool spreads far and wide sudden destruction of many lives today because of jealousy of me ! Now, having damaged the shrine of Bharateśvara, he tries to destroy the holy place, the ornament of Bharatakṣetra. I have given up associations and am free from interest in my own body even, devoid of love and hate, plunged in an ocean of tranquillity. Nevertheless, I shall punish him a little, without any love or hate, in order to protect the shrine and save lives."
CHAPTER TWO
Thus reflecting, the blessed Välin pressed lightly the top of Mt. Aṣṭāpada with his toe. Daśāsya's limbs became contracted at once all around like the shadow of the body at mid-day, like a tortoise out of water. His arms bent sharply, vomiting blood from his mouth, he cried out, making the earth cry. From that he became 'Rāvana.' Hearing his pitiful cry, compassionate, Välin released him quickly. The act was merely for punishment, not from anger. Daśakantha came forth, bereft of dignity, repentant, approached Välin, bowed to him and spoke, his hands folded in submission:
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org