________________
BIRTH, MARRIAGE, AND EXILE OF RĀMA AND LAKṢMAŅA 199
toward me, like that of an ocean for the moon. I hope there is prosperity to the realm, city, clan, army, his own self, and everything else of the lord of Mithila. Tell me the reason for your coming."
The messenger said: "Though there are many respected friends of my lord, you alone are the heart of your friend, or the soul, long-armed one. Since you are always concerned with Janaka's good and bad fortune, now in time of distress you are recalled by him, like a family-divinity. To the south of Mt. Vaitāḍhya and to the north of Kailasa there are many unaryan countries with terrifying people. Among these there is a country named Ardhabarbara, like a family of barbarians, exceedingly cruel with men of cruel customs. In the city Mayuramāla, the ornament of this country, there is a cruel Mleecha-king, Atarangatama. His sons by the thousands have become kings and enjoy territories also, Śuka, Mańkana, Kamboja, et cetera. Now, Ataranga, surrounded on all sides by them as commanders of inexhaustible complete armies, ravages Janaka's country. Hard-hearted, they destroy the shrines everywhere. For from birth the destruction of dharma is dearer to them than wealth. So rescue dharma and Janaka continually beloved. You have become their life."
As soon as Dasaratha heard this, he had the war-drum beaten. For the noble do not hesitate at all in the rescue of the noble. Then Rāma said to Dasaratha: "If my father goes himself to destroy the Mlecchas, what will Rāma and his younger brothers do? Is it from affection for his sons, or am I considered incompetent by the father? Surely from the birth of Bharata heroic deeds have been accomplished by members of the Ikṣvākus. Be gracious! Stop! Command me to destroy the Mlecchas. Soon you will hear, master, the news of the victory of your son.'
After obtaining his father's consent with difficulty in this way, Rama and his younger brothers, surrounded by the army, went to the city Mithila. Near the city
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
