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CHAPTER V
THE KIDNAPING OF SITĀ
Story of Vajrakarna (1–76)
152
Rāma seated Janaki, who was worn out on the road, at the foot of a banyan tree to rest, like the lord of Guhyakas.15 After inspecting the place in every direction, Rāma said to Saumitri: "This country has become depopulated now from fear of some one. The gardens with canals with water, cane-fields with cane, and granaries with grain show that the depopulation here is recent." Then Rāma questioned a solitary man who was passing, "Why have the people of this country left and whither are you going, good sir?"
He replied: "In this country Avanti in the city Avanti there is a king, Sinhodara, irresistible to enemies like a lion. In this territory he has a noble vassal, Vajrakarna, chief of Dasangapura, who is subject to him. One day, when he had gone into the forest to hunt, he saw Muni Pritivardhana engaged in kayotsarga. He asked the muni, 'Why do you stand in the forest here like a tree?' and he replied, For my own profit.' Again Vajrakarna said, 'How, pray, does any profit to you arise in this forest devoid of food, drink, etc.?' Knowing that he was a suitable person, the muni told him about the dharma which is beneficial and he, intelligent, at once become a layman before him. In his presence he made the firm resolution: 'I shall pay homage to no one except. to a god, an Arhat, and sadhus.'
Then he paid respect to him (the muni) and went to Daśāngapura. Observing laymanship, he reflected, 'Since I have made a resolution, "There is to be no other homage The banyan is a favorite haunt of the attendants of Kubera. Cf. Crooke, Popular Religion and Folk of Northern India, II, 98.
152 I.
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