________________
350
CHAPTER TEN
the bakula and other trees at once bore flowers which were fresh weapons of Manobhu. Sītendra created Sita's figure and women also, and said: "Dear, I am Sītā, your wife, present here. I abandoned you then when you were devoted, thinking myself wise. I became a mendicant, lord, and afterwards suffered extreme remorse. I have been asked by these Vidyādhara maidens today, 'Mistress, be gracious. Make your lord, Rāma, our lord. Do you abandon mendicancy. Be Råma's chief-queen. We shall be his wives now at your command.' Therefore marry these Vidyadhara-maidens, Raghūdvaha. I shall dally with you as before. Pardon this disrespect." While Sitendra was saying this, the factitious Khecara-women gave a concert of many kinds (of music), a remedy for restoring Love to life. Muni Rāmabhadra was not disturbed by the words of Sitendra, nor by the concert, nor by spring.
Rāma's omniscience (227–230) Then on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Māgha in the last watch of the night the brilliant omniscience of the sage Rāma arose. Sītendra, devoted, and the other gods celebrated fittingly Rāma's omniscience-festival. Seated on a divine golden lótus, adorned with divine chauris, having a divine umbrella, Rāma delivered a sermon. At the end of the sermon Sitendra, who had asked for forgiveness, bowed and asked Rāma about the condition of existence of Saumitri and Rāvana. Rāma replied: Future births of Rāvana, Lakşmaņa, and Sītā (231-244)
"Now Daśånana with Sambúka and Lakşmaņa are in the fourth hell. For people's conditions of existence are subject to karma. After experiencing their life in hell Daśānana and Lakşmaņa will become sons of Sunanda and Rohiņī, Jinadāsa and Sudarśana, in the city Vijayāvati, the ornament of East Videha, and they will guard the religion of the Arhats without interruption. Then
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org