Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 170

RĀVAŅA'S EXPEDITION OF CONQUEST 135 : “Again and again 1, shameless, have committed crimes against you. But you, very compassionate, noble as well as powerful, have endured it. I think you abandoned the earth before, showing compassion to me, not from weakness, lord; but I did not know that before. From ignorance, lord, this strength of mine was tested by me, like an elephant struggling to overturn a mountain. Now the difference is recognized between you and me, like that of a mountain and an ant-hill, or a garuda and a vulture. Life was given by you, master, to me who had approached to the point of death. Reverence to you who had this thought for one who had injured him.”.
After saying this with firm devotion, and asking Valin for forgiveness, Daśānana circumambulated him three times and bowed to him. The gods rained flowers on Muni Välin, delighted with such nobility, saying, "Well done! Well done!” After bowing again to Vālin, Råvaņa wept to the shrine made by Lord Bharata which resembled a crown on the mountain. Laying aside his weapons, Candrahása, et cetera, he himself with the women of his household made the eightfold pūjā to the Arhats, Rşabha and others. Having drawn out a muscle and having wiped off the tendon, Daśānana, very impetuous, played on the lute of his arm with devotion. While Daśānana was playing the lute charmingly with grāmarāgas 111 and his women were singing delightfully with the seven notes, 112 Dharana, the lord of serpents, came there to pay homage to the shrine and worshipped the Arhats with a pūjā. Seeing Rāvaņa singing songs devoted to the Arhats' virtues, with clever introductory verses, et cetera, accompanied by the lute, Dharaṇa said:
"This song of yours consisting of praise of the Arbats' virtues is indeed a good thing in accordance with your own character. I am pleased with it, Rāvana.
111 268. See I, n. 163. 112 268. See I, p. 133 and 8. 173.