Mahasati Sita Sati Mrugavati

This document is a chapter from the "Jain Balgranthavali Shreni-2" series, titled "Mahasati Sita, Sati Mrigavati," authored by Jaybhikkhu and published by the Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust. The book is part of a larger collection aimed at educating children about Jain principles and figures.

The text is divided into two main sections, detailing the lives of two prominent Jain female figures: Mahasati Sita and Sati Mrigavati.

Part 1: Mahasati Sita

The narrative begins by introducing Sita, the daughter of King Janak of Mithila. Her unparalleled beauty and virtues are highlighted. The story then recounts an incident where the sage Narada visits Mithila and is mistreated by Sita's attendants, mistaking him for an ordinary person. This leads Narada to feel insulted and seek revenge by influencing the Vidyadhar king Chandragati's son, Bhamandal, to desire Sita.

King Janak initially refuses the proposal, stating Sita has already mentally chosen Rama. However, Chandragati suggests a swayamvara (self-choice ceremony) where participants must string a divine bow. During the swayamvara, Rama successfully strings the bow, and Sita garlands him. Lakshmana also demonstrates his prowess.

The story then shifts to King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, his four queens, and their four sons: Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. The narrative touches upon King Dasharatha's promise to Queen Kaikeyi, which eventually leads to Rama's fourteen-year exile to the forest.

Sita, demonstrating immense devotion and loyalty, insists on accompanying Rama into exile, despite concerns about the hardships of forest life. Lakshmana also joins them out of brotherly love. They settle in the Dandakaranya forest.

The text then recounts the incident where Lakshmana, while testing a divine sword (Suryahasa), accidentally beheads the Rakshasa Jambuka, son of Khar Raja and brother of Surpanakha. Surpanakha, seeking revenge, approaches Rama and Lakshmana, but they reject her advances. Enraged, she incites her brother Khar Raja to attack, and then informs Ravana about Sita's beauty and the death of Jambuka.

Ravana, lured by the description of Sita's beauty, abducts her. The valiant bird-king Jatayu attempts to rescue Sita but is defeated by Ravana. Sita, while being taken to Lanka, drops her ornaments to mark her path.

Rama and Lakshmana, upon discovering Sita's abduction, embark on a search. They meet Jatayu, who informs them of Ravana's deed. They forge alliances with various kings and Vanara leaders like Sugriva, Jambavan, and Hanuman.

Hanuman is sent to Lanka, where he meets Vibhishana and finds Sita in the Ashoka Vatika. He gives Sita Rama's ring as proof and receives her Chudamani (hair jewel) to give to Rama.

The text describes the great war with Ravana, where Vibhishana defects to Rama's side. Ravana's powerful sons, Kumbhakarna and Indrajit, are captured, and Ravana is ultimately defeated. Rama and Sita are reunited, and upon completing their exile, they return to Ayodhya, where Bharata has been ruling with Rama's sandals.

The story then addresses the public doubt regarding Sita's purity after her captivity in Lanka. Despite being pregnant, Sita is banished to the forest due to public opinion, influenced by a washerman's remark. In the forest, Sita gives birth to twin sons, Lava and Kusha, who are raised in an ashram by the sage Valmiki.

Lava and Kusha, unaware of their parentage, defeat Rama and Lakshmana in a battle during a sacrifice. Narada reveals their identity, leading to a joyous reunion. However, Sita, seeking to prove her purity, undergoes an agnipariksha (trial by fire), where the fire god himself testifies to her chastity. Overwhelmed by remorse for his actions, Rama requests Sita to return, but Sita, disillusioned with worldly life, renounces it and takes diksha (initiation) as a nun. The narrative concludes by highlighting Sita as an ideal of devotion, duty, and chastity.

Part 2: Sati Mrigavati

The second part introduces Queen Mrigavati of Kaushambi, wife of King Shatanika. She is described as exceptionally beautiful, virtuous, devout, and a devoted follower of Lord Mahavir. She is also depicted as brave and skilled in warfare.

A talented painter, blessed with a divine boon to paint any subject after seeing even a single part, paints a portrait of Queen Mrigavati after seeing her toe. King Shatanika is impressed by the lifelike painting but becomes suspicious upon noticing a mole on her thigh, which the painter had faithfully depicted. Suspecting infidelity, the king orders the painter's execution, but relents and only cuts off his thumb.

The painter, enraged, vows revenge and paints an even more captivating portrait of Mrigavati. He presents it to King Pradyota of Avanti, a powerful and lustful ruler. Captivated by the portrait, Pradyota demands Mrigavati for his harem, proposing a marriage between his sister and Shatanika's queen, implying a polygamous arrangement.

King Shatanika is shocked and distressed by this demand. Mrigavati, upon reading Pradyota's message, fiercely rejects the proposal, rebuking the envoy and Pradyota for their audacity. The people of Kaushambi rally behind their queen, preparing for war.

Pradyota, with his vast army, attacks Kaushambi. During the night, he witnesses two figures on the fortress walls. A duel ensues, where Pradyota is defeated, and a letter is found attached to the arrow. The letter, from Mrigavati, admonishes Pradyota for his lustful intentions and appeals to his sense of honor and family duty, warning him that a chaste woman's body is sacred and unattainable.

Pradyota, realizing Mrigavati's strength and integrity, halts his attack. However, he remains determined to have her. After the death of King Shatanika from illness (during which Mrigavati displays great care and devotion), she takes charge of the kingdom to protect her young son, Udayana.

Mrigavati negotiates with Pradyota, cleverly promising him her hand only after her son's coronation and after he builds an impregnable fort for Kaushambi. Pradyota agrees, believing he has secured his desire. However, once the fort is built and her son is ready for coronation, Mrigavati, still unwavering in her resolve, firmly rejects Pradyota's advances.

Facing a renewed attack from Pradyota, Mrigavati prays to Lord Mahavir. The Lord arrives in Kaushambi, and his presence pacifies the conflict. During the sermon, Mrigavati declares her intention to renounce the world and take diksha. Pradyota, humbled by her spiritual realization, accepts her decision.

The narrative then shifts to Mrigavati, now a renunciate, encountering a snake while sleeping near Arya Chandanbala. She saves Arya Chandanbala from the snake. Upon questioning, Mrigavati reveals her attainment of kevaljnana (omniscience). Arya Chandanbala, realizing her own mistake, also attains kevaljnana. The story concludes by emphasizing the virtues of chastity, courage, and spiritual attainment exemplified by both Mahasati Sita and Sati Mrigavati.