Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words
This page describes Plot of the co-wives which is the twelfth part of chapter VIII of the English translation of the Jain Ramayana, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. This Jain Ramayana contains the biographies of Rama, Lakshmana, Ravana, Naminatha, Harishena-cakravartin and Jaya-cakravartin: all included in the list of 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.
Part 12: Plot of the co-wives
Her co-wives, jealous and scheming, said to her, “What did Rāvaṇa look like? Draw a picture of him and show us.” Sītā said, “I did not see Rāvaṇa’s whole figure.
I saw only his feet. How can I draw him?” “Draw, even his feet. We are curious to see them.” So urged, she, naturally naive, drew Daśāsya’s feet. Rāma came to that place and they said to him: “Your wife, Sītā, remembers Rāvaṇa even now. With her own hand Sītā drew Rāvaṇa’s feet. Look at them, lord. Know that Sītā prays to them alone.” Even when he had seen it (the picture) just so, Rāma, noble-minded, from sagacity treated Queen Sītā just as before, without discrimination. The queens had the business of Sītā’s fault made known to the people through their own slave-girls. Generally, slander is started by the people.
In the spring Rāma said to Sītā: “The Lakṣmī of Spring has come here as if wishing to amuse you depressed from your embryo. The trees, such as the bakulas and others, blossom with pregnancy-whims given by women. Let us go to play now in the garden Mahendrodaya.” Sītā said, “I have a pregnancy-whim to worship the gods. Fulfil it with various fragrant flowers from the garden.” Immediately Rāma had a pūjā to the gods celebrated and went to Mahendrodaya with Sītā and his retinue. There Ra ghūdvaha, comfortably seated, watched the spring festival with various town-sports, a festival with pūjās to the Arhat.
Just then Sītā’s right eye twitched. Terrified, she told Rāghava at once. Rāma explained, “That is not favorable” and Sītā said, “Is not our fate satisfied yet by my living in Rakṣodvīpa? Will that fate give me now greater grief than the grief from separation from you? This omen is not false.” Rāma said to her: “Do not worry queen. Necessarily happiness and unhappiness must be experienced in accordance with karma. Therefore, go to your house. Worship the gods. Give gifts to suitable persons. In misfortune religion is a refuge.” Sītā went to her house and with very great self-control made a pūjā to the Arhats and gave gifts like a glorious act.