Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words
This page describes Sita visits Lakshmana in hell which is the thirteenth part of chapter X 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 13: Sītā visits Lakṣmaṇa in hell
After hearing this, Sītendra bowed to Rāmabhadra and, because of former affection, went where Lakṣmaṇa was enduring pain. He saw Śambūka and Rāvaṇa fighting angrily with Lakṣmaṇa with factitious shapes of lions, et cetera. Saying, “There is no pain to you fighting thus,” the Paramādhārmikas, angered, threw them into firepits. The three, being burned, crying aloud, their bodies dripping, were dragged by force into a jar of hot oil. Their bodies, oiled, were thrown on a gridiron for a long time and bursting open with the noise, taḍat ṭaditi, dripped again.
Seeing their pain of this kind, he said to the demons, “Villains, do you not know that these were the best of men? Go far away, demons. Release these noble men.” Restraining the demons with these words, he said to Śambūka and Rāvaṇa, “Why do you not abandon your former hostility, on account of which, you have come to this hell, now that its consequences have been seen?” Restraining them with this speech, Indra related to Saumitri and Rāvaṇa the story of Rāma’s omniscience for the sake of their enlightenment.
They said: “You have done well, ocean of compassion. By your pure instruction our pain has been forgotten. A long dwelling in hell has been won for us by the various cruel actions committed in a former birth. Who will take away its pain?” Filled with compassion; Sītendra said, “I will take you three from this hell to heaven.” With these words he lifted up the three of them with his hand, but they fell from his hand, splitting into pieces instantly like quicksilver. Their bodies went together again and he raised them in the same way, but they fell again just as before. Then they said to Sītendra, “When we are lifted up, the pain is very great. So let us go. Go to heaven.” heaving them, Sītendra went away, bowed to Rāma and then went to Nandīśvara, et cetera, to make a pilgrimage to the eternal Arhats. As he was going in the country, Devakuru, he saw King Bhāmaṇḍala’s soul. From former affection Sītendra enlightened him completely and went to his own heaven.