Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 268

THE KIDNAPING OF SĪTĀ
233
Rāma, Dāśarathi, is in a garden outside. I am always obedient to him." When he knew that they were Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, the king went instantly, bowed to Rāma, and conducted him to his own house. The king showed Rāma great honor. For even an ordinary guest must be honored, how much more the chief of men. Then, as Rāma was leaving, Saumitri said to the king, "I shall marry your daughter, when I return."
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Story of Kulabhūṣaṇa and Deśabhūṣaṇa (259-319)
Rāma set out in the night and at evening reached a town, Vanśasthala, situated on the slope of Mt. Vanśaśaila. Rāma saw its people and the king terrified and asked a man, "What is the reason for their fear?" The man explained: "This is the third day of a terrible noise that takes place on this mountain at night. From fear of it all the population goes elsewhere at night and comes back at dawn. This is the continual unfortunate state of affairs." Then Rama, from curiosity and urged by Lakṣmaṇa, climbed the mountain and saw two munis engaged in kāyotsarga. Jānaki, Rāma, and Lakṣmaṇa praised them with devotion and Rama had the lute, which Gokarṇa gave, play before them. Saumitri sang pleasingly with beautiful gramarāgas and Queen Sītā danced with various gestures and postures.
Then the sun set and the starry night unfolded. A god, Analaprabha, came with several vetālas created by magic. He himself had the form of a vetāla, and, hardhearted, began to attack the two sages, splitting the sky with loud laughter. Leaving Vaidehi with the sädhus, Rama and Lakṣmaṇa, armed, got up to kill him, assuming the form of Death unseasonably. The god, unable to endure their flood of brilliance, went to his own place, and the sadhus' omniscience arose. The gods held an omniscience-festival for them. Rāma bowed and asked them the One of them, the sage Kulabhūṣaṇa
reason for the attack. related: