|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 135- The legend of Rama -13

Maharishi Veda Vyasa narrates the legend of Rama in a few words “ I shall prostrate before Rama who was born to King Dhasharatha, in the clan of   King Katvanga who elevated his soul in a few seconds and attained the abode of Lord.  King Dhasharatha had four sons Rama, Bharatha, Lakshman, and Shathrugna.  Rama sacrificed the throne of the Kingdom of Ayodhya to keep up the promise of his father and conducted traveling through the dense wood with his wife.  While living in the woods, the sister of Ravana approached Rama,  was disfigured by him.  Ravana came to know about the valor of Rama and his beautiful wife.   Rama chased after a golden deer was left alone in the woods, Ravana abducted Devi Sita.  Rama constructed a vast bridge across the ocean, battled against Ravana and killed him on the battlefield. Later, the coronation ceremony of Rama as the Kingdom of Ayodhya was performed in the guidance of preceptors and Sages. Hence,  I shall repeatedly prostrate before Rama.”

Rama while ruling The Kingdom of Ayodhya his subjects were extremely happy, there was no famine or natural calamities.   Once, Rama disguised as an ordinary citizen and took a visit to the city during the night hours, he could hear someone talking about him “ I am not Rama who blindly loved his wife Devi Sita,   I cannot accept you as my wife, after living in somebody’s home, like Rama did to his wife.” Rama understood that people are not prepared to accept Devi Sita as their Queen after living in the Palace of Ravana.  Rama felt extremely disappointed, went to Palace and asked Devi Sita who is fully pregnant with his child, is there any specific wish she wants to fulfill.  Devi Sita gracefully reveals her desire to be in the association of saintly men in the hermitage.  Rama instructed Lakshman to take Devi Sita to the hermitage of Sage Valmiki and return home without her.  Lakshman was completely awestruck questioning Rama for his unkind act, Rama shut him answering that it is an order of the King.  On the next morning, Devi Sita prepared to leave the palace was unaware of the plans, Rama asks her to keep clothes for the stay in the hermitage.  Lakshman drives the chariot to the hermitage of Sage Valmiki and returning to the palace without her.  While living in the hermitage of Sage Valmiki, Devi Sita was thoroughly aware of the fact that Rama cannot leave her behind; it was the order of the King of Ayodhya for the welfare of his subjects.

Rama continued ruling the kingdom without Devi Sita, even though he was besieged with the sorrow at the separation of his dearest wife, he could elevate his soul with the knowledge that the relationship between a male and female have been frail always, it could bring endless sorrows and grief.   The children born to Devi Sita were highly intelligent, well-versed with the knowledge of the legend of Rama.

Maharishi Veda Vyasa concludes “Once, an illustrious Rishi makes a visits Rama to discuss a highly confidential matter, Lakshman was assigned to take care of the visits of the prominent members in the assembly.  Thus the discussion between Rama and the Rishi has continued with a promise that whoever enters the chamber during the discussion would be sentenced to death punishment.  Maharishi Durvass arrived at the palace, was reverentially greeted by Lakshman.  Maharishi Durvassa informs Lakshman about his arrival to meet Rama.  Lakshman was in dilemma, he informs Maharishi Durvass about the discussion between illustrious Rishi and Rama. Maharishi Durvass was unyielding and angry, he prepared to curse the entire clan of Raghu was amiably handled by Lakshman and took him to the chamber of Rama where he was already in discussion with the Rishi.  Lakshman does not want to put his entire clan in trouble, therefore decided to undergo the death punishment.  The Rishi who was in discussion with Rama reminds the death punishment for the mistake.  Thus Rama had to give death punishment to Lakshman who has been a dearest younger brother,  and dearer than Devi Sita.       Rama discussed with the Rishis and Sages about the death punishment to Lakshman, eventually, Lakshmana was removed from the palace as promised to the Rishi.  Rama once again besieged with intense grief was elevated his soul contemplating upon the supreme Lord who resides as soul.  I shall repeatedly prostrate before Lord Rama who is highly revered by the deities.”

Whoever reads or listens to the legend of Rama would be freed from the worldly matters and bondage.