|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 132-  The legend of Lord Rama -10

On their way Rama and Lakshman meets Hanuman who introduces them to monkey king Sugreevah.  Rama enters peace agreement with Sugreevah who was also going through the pain of separation from his wife.  Rama promises to crown him as the King of Kishkindha,  killed Vali, later crowned him as the King of Kishkindha.  As per the agreement, the search for Devi Sita was decided to conduct after the rainy season, but Sugrivah was completely immersed in the pleasure of family and stately life forgot about the promise to Rama.  Lakshman approaches Sugrivah in a rage, the monkey warriors were terrified, informed Hanuman went in search of Sugrivah who was taking extreme pleasure in the company of Ruma and Thara/wives, was completely under the influence of intoxicating drink.  Hanuman is highly capable to manage any adverse situations, advised Thara who is the wife of Vali to meet Lakshman, and was pacified by the intelligent Thara.  Later, Sugreevah along with Rama and Lakshman prepared a detailed plan for conducting the search for Devi Sita.  The huge armies of monkey warriors were assigned to conduct the search in four directions.

Hanuman and Jambavan in the army of monkey warriors led by Angadha conducted the search for Devi Sita were miserably failed.  The army of warriors got trapped in the cave without food for several days was saved by Swayamprabha.  They met the Eagle Sampathi who is elder to ‘Jatayu’, prompted the monkey warriors to conduct the search for Devi Sita in the city of Lanka located across the vast ocean.  None of the monkey warriors were courageous or confident to cross the vast ocean.  Jambavan noticed Hanuman who was immersed in the meditation of supreme Lord, he patted on the shoulder of Hanuman and speaks “ Oh! Hanuman, you are the son of Lord Vayu, you have possessed immense prowess, you have leaped to the heights of Suryamandal, while you were a child, thinking Lord Surya as a ripened fruit and you have crossed 300 Yojana, therefore crossing this hundred Yojana to the city of Lanka is not an impossible task for you.  You are the greatest devotee of Lord Rama.  You have obtained the ring imprinted the name of Lord Rama, you are the appropriate one to cross this vast ocean. ” In this way, Jambavan inspired Hanuman and roused the immense prowess in him.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 131-  The legend of Lord Rama -9

On their way, Rama and Lakshman met the King of birds, ‘Jatayu’ who was brutally wounded by Ravana while protecting Devi Sita from his custody.  Jatayu could pass on an unclear message about the abduction of Sita, eventually left his mortal coil.  Rama performed the final rite of Jatayu and continued search for Devi Sita.  Rama killed Kabandha and arrives in the hermitage of Sage Mathanga, where he met Shabari who is a passionate devotee of Rama. Even though Shabari was born in a tribal clan, she sincerely served Sage Mathanga and has elevated her soul with an intense devotion to Rama, and qualified herself as the greatest devotee of Lord.  She patiently followed the advice of Sage Mathanga, and waited for the arrival of Rama.  Devi Shabari reverentially prostrates before Rama, and offers berries she has collected from the woods, she bites every fruit and offers the best ones to Rama. 

Rama describes the characteristics of supreme devotion to Lakshman who refuses to tastes the fruits offered by Devi Shabari. “Oh! Lakshman, listen to me carefully, it is impossible to attain the supreme Bhramam by taking a dip in countless holy rivers, recitation of sacred chants and hymns, visiting a number of holy shrines, undertaking numerous vows and fasting, performing various Yaga and Yagna, without the knowledge of the ultimate object.  I shall narrate the significant steps of devotion to you.  The devotion can be cultivated with the association of saintly people,/Sadhusangama which could help for the constant remembrance of supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, he is the constant companion of the living beings/Sakhyam,  Shravanam/keep listening to the glorious myths of supreme Lord, and singing in praise of Lord/Keerthanam,  constant contemplation upon Lord,/Smaranam service to the devotees of Lord,/Sevanam and complete surrender to supreme Lord with the realization of oneness-in-all.”  Thus, Devi Shabari attains liberation at the lotus feet of Lord Rama.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 130-  The legend of Lord Rama -8

Ravana approached his uncle Mareecha, who was undertaking penance in the woods.  He informs the purpose of his visit seeking help to disguise as a ‘golden deer’, Mareecha discouraged Ravana and advises to stay away from the path of Rama, was threatened to kill.  Finally, Mareecha decided to follow Ravana's orders, he assumed the form of a golden deer and fleeing around the hermitage of Rama.  Devi Sita took notice of the rare kind of animal and expressed her desire to get hold of it.  Rama chased after the animal, and it took Rama far from the hermitage.   Rama shot an arrow on the deer, it shrieked in extreme pain calling out for ‘Lakshman and Sita’ and left its mortal coil.  Devi Sita heard the shriek, she mistook her husband is in danger, ordered duty-bound Lakshman to go in search of ‘Rama’.  Lakshman who was thoroughly aware of the braveness of Rama discourages Sita, and praises the braveness of Rama who killed the fourteen thousand demons, expresses his decision not to leave her alone in the woods.  Devi Sita fails to appreciate the virtue of Lakshman and blame him as a womanizer.  Lakshman could not bear the harsh words of Devi Sita, therefore, he shut his eyes and ears in utter grief and instantly leaves the hermitage.

Devi Sita left alone in the hermitage; Ravana disguised as an ascetic approached Devi Sita seeking alms.  The ascetic was received reverentially while offering alms she could hear the unpleasant remark from him.  Immediately, Ravana assumed his original form, seized her hand and dragged her to his celestial vehicle ‘Pushpakavimanam’/flower chariot.  Rama and Lakshmana returned to the hermitage and found it was empty.  Rama could not control his emotions, he cries out in grief of separation from his lovely wife.  Maharishi Vedavyasa describes the pathetic state of Rama who is miserable, enquiring each and every creature in the woods, trees, plants, shrubs, creepers, animals, etc.. about the whereabouts of his dearest wife.  Lakshmana pacifies Rama who is in extreme distress, encourages him to conduct a rigorous search for Devi Sita.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 129-  The legend of Lord Rama -7

Rama along with Lakshmana and Devi Sita proceeds to the dense wood of Dhandakaranya.  Rama met Rishis Agasthya, Sudheekshna, and illustrious sages in the woods.  Rama saw a heap of skeletons, Sages described that it was the skeletons of the Rishis and Sages killed by the numerous demons, like Viradha.  Rama promised the Rishis to destroy the entire clan of demons when Rama returned to the hermitage Devi Sita discusses the same and disapproves the promise given to Rishis, that it was the imperfect act of Rama, who is righteous, strictly follows the truth and promises, to destroy the entire clan of demons who were not offenders to him. 

Rama while living in the ‘Panchavati’ met the King of birds ‘ Jatayu’, later he became a sincere servant of Rama. Once, Shoorpanakha met the two handsome men Rama and Lakshman in the woods, she tries to persuade the men and requests, Rama, to marry her.  Rama refuses to yield her, advised to meet Lakshman who put off her with amusing warnings like do not want to make Shoorpanakha who is the queen of Janasthali, and sister of great demon King Ravana, as a servant to Goddess Sita.  The two brothers were not willing to accept her, therefore she felt humiliated, decided to harm Goddess Sita, was brutally wounded by Lakshman.   Later, she complains to her brother Khara and Dhooshana about the two saintly men Rama and Lakshman who disfigured her.  A vicious battle held between Rama and Kharadhooshan with the fourteen thousand demons were mercilessly killed.  Shoorpanakha informs Ravana about the two handsome brave men and a stunning woman Devi Sita in the woods,  she describes the most beautiful appearance of the woman on the Earth and lied that she tried all means to seize her was brutally attacked by her husband and brother-in-law.  Thus Shoorpanakha could persuade Ravana, to fight against Rama and Lakshman, also stirred up a frenzy of desire to possess Devi Sita.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 128-  The legend of Lord Rama -6

Rama meets the ferryman Guha who is an ardent devotee, to cross the river Ganga.  Rama meets Maharishi Bharadhwaja, and enquiring for a suitable place to live in the woods was beautifully explains the all-pervading nature of the supreme Lord.  Rama, along with Lakshmana and Devi Sita proceeds to ‘Chithrakoota’, where Lakshman built a beautiful hermitage.   While living in the ‘Chithrakoota’, Bharatha, Shathrugna with Devi Kausalya and stepmothers approach Rama and inform the demise of his father Dhasharatha left his mortal coil at the grief of separation of his beloved son Rama.

Once Dhasharatha was on hunting expedition, mistakenly shot an arrow on the son of a saintly couple, who were helpless, blind and aged.   They were waiting for the return of their son who went to fetch water to quench thirst.   King Dhasharatha, felt miserable at the death of their only son in his hands, took water to the couple and informs the death of their son.  The blind couple cursed the Emperor that he also will have a painful death at the separation of his children.   Emperor Dhasharatha had no offspring, later the curse has become a blessing for him to obtain children.

Bharatha who returned to the Kingdom of Ayodhya at the news of the death of his father came to know the happenings in his absence.  Bharatha was extremely dejected, showers his mother with hateful words, he blames her as the reason for her husband’s death, he expresses his extreme dislike to address her as mother Kaikeyi who tried all possible ways to keep the throne of Ayodhya to her only son.  Her possessiveness put everyone into extreme agony,  Bharatha who was selfless like Rama, refused the throne at ease.  

Bharatha and Shathrugna meets Rama in Chithrakoota, and prostrate before Rama and inform the death of their father.  The ceremonial rite was performed, and Bharatha was advised to rule the Kingdom of Ayodhya for the welfare of its people as representative of Rama.  Bharatha was firm in his decision, refuses to be seated on the throne, receives the ‘Padhuka’/wooden sandals of Rama.  Thus, Bharatha rules the Kingdom of Ayodhya placing the sandals of Rama on the throne.   He refuses all the stately luxuries, leaves the palace, royal attire, and ornaments.  He embraces a saintly life, saffron robe, and resides in a village called ‘Nandagauv’ away from the Kingdom of Ayodhya.  Bharatha symbolizes ‘selflessness’ lived as a sincere servant and devotee of Lord Rama.  He was neither attached to the throne, nor kingly status, or wealth or people, his life was utterly selfless.  In the fourteen years, he ruled the Kingdom wisely,  in the absence of Rama, lived a controlled life, sacrificing even the necessities of life.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 127-  The legend of Lord Rama -5

Emperor Dhasharatha completely shattered at the request of two boons of Kaikeyi, fallen unconscious on the floor.  Once, he regained the consciousness, refuses to look at Kaikeyi who was once dearest wife, further he reveals hatred through harsh words.  Rama visits his father in the chamber, shocked and enquires the reason for his grief.   Kaikeyi says “ Oh! Rama, you are the reason for his troubles.  Your father has already offered two boons to me, you have to follow his order to protect his promises.”  Rama reveals his willingness to sacrifice anything for the welfare of his father and waits for her instructions.  Devi Kaikeyi speaks “ Oh! Rama, you have to sacrifice the royal attire and ornaments, and offer them to Bharatha. You have to wear saffron robes and leave for woods for fourteen years.”  Emperor Dhasharatha became inconsolable, but Rama was unwavering, he accepted all the orders of his stepmother with a smile, Rama was already earned the highest of the spiritual knowledge/selfless nature while he was in the association of Sage Vishwamithra.  Later, Rama could praise the affection of his stepmother Kaikeyi who gave the difficult task of ruling the Kingdom to Bharatha and the effortless the task of living in the woods to him.  Emperor Dhasharatha could not bear the separation of Rama, soon after left his mortal coil in utter grief.

Lakshman reacts to the whole scenario in extreme anger; he addresses his father as the most selfish, womanizer and deserved to be punished.  Rama advises Lakshman about his demeanor to father, “ Oh! Saumithre, listen to me carefully, leave your anger, I know your affection towards me, do not hurt anyone. Oh! Saumithre, learn to accept that this kingdom is not destined to me.  All these material possessions and happiness are fleeting nature, it is not permanent, and the supreme soul is eternal. The attachment to the material world, and desire to accumulate wealth is the same as a frog that was caught its two legs on the mouth of a serpent and stretching its tongue to get hold of its prey, without the knowledge that all the living beings on Earth are fastened by the ‘Time’.  The human life on Earth is like living together, sharing and caring for each other in a guest home, and leaving to their own destination after the stay.  Oh! Lakshman, all these material things are not permanent, therefore don’t get attached to it, and concentrate upon the ‘Sath’ /supreme soul which is permanent.” In this way, Rama elevated the soul of Lakshmana who was besieged with anger and sorrow. 

Rama, preparing to leave the Kingdom was followed by  Lakshmana and Devi Sita, even though Devi Sita was discouraged to follow her husband who is extremely caring, describing the difficult life in woods, the threat from untamed animals, difficulties involved in living in the woods etc.  Devi Sita who considered the happiness of her husband as hers, instantly sacrificed all the royal comforts and happiness, she reveals her willingness to serve her husband in any circumstance, and make any sacrifice for the welfare of her husband.  This divine couple who symbolizes self-sacrifice receives the saffron robes offered by stepmother Kaikeyi.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 126-  The legend of Lord Rama -4

While returning to the Kingdom of Ayodhya, Rama met Bhargava Rama, who is eminent Kshathriya born to Devi Renuka and Sage Jamadhagni.  He killed numerous wicked Kshatriyas ruled the Earth, and with their blood, he performed the ancestral rite.  Bhargava Rama who is one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu transferred all his brilliance to Rama and withdrawn from the Earth.

Dhasharatha is the symbol of human intellect; it controls the functions of the body that has ten sense organs.  The human intellect gets easily attached to people who give pleasure, matters and material things,  later, it gets troubled with all those and led to unhappiness,  this is the life of ordinary humans on the Earth.  The three wives of King Dharashara, Devi Kausalya, Kaikeyi and  Sumithra, represent Icchashakthi, Gnana Shakthi and Kriyashakthi respectively.  Therefore it is necessary to have a well-balanced mindset with the three powerful tools known as Icchashakthi, Kriyashakthi, and Gnanashakthi.  The four sons of King Dhasharatha represents four attributes known as Jijjyasa/curiosity/Lakshman, ability to conquer enemies as well as one’s own weakness/Shathrugna, Bharatha/wisdom and Rama/blissful nature and spread happiness.  These four attributes are known as Ahamkara/Shathrugna, Manas/mind/Lakshman,  intellect/Chiththam/Rama,  Bharatha/wisdom can be utilized for objective knowledge /material life as well as subjective knowledge/ study of spirituality.

Emperor Dhasharatha announced the coronation ceremony of Rama as King of Ayodhya.  The decision was taken by the Emperor without discussing it with his wives.  The preparation for the ceremony was taken at a great speed.  Devi Kaikeyi came to know about it, she was immensely pleased with the decision of the Emperor, she had loved Rama and spend her time with him more than that of Devi Kausalya.  Mandhara who was the housemaid of Devi Kaikeyi creates intense trepidation about the future of her son Bharatha in Devi Kaikeyi if Rama was crowned as the King of Ayodhya, further reminds her about the promises of Emperor.  Devi Kaikeyi who was completely besieged by the influence of Mandhara, a well-prepared drama was enacted in the ‘Krodhalaya”/ private chamber.  Emperor Dhasharatha reaches to pacify his wife Kaikeyi who is in extreme grief, disheveled hair, scattered ornaments, and attire.  Devi Kaikeyi asks for two boons which were already promised by him, she asks for the performance of the coronation ceremony of her son Bharatha and exile Rama from the Kingdom of Ayodhya for fourteen years.