Valmiki Ramayana - May 31

May 31 - Sargas 5 and 6 of Ayodhya Kanda.

These two sargas describe the fervent anticipation by every single citizen of Ayodhya of the coronation. And also Rama's and Sita's own austerities in preparation for the ceremony on the morrow.

The master story-teller leads us up the garden path and what comes later plunges us into a different sea of sentiment.

***

Once Sir Rama has taken his leave, king Dasharatha, in a display of nervousness, again sends sage Vasishtha to Rama to make sure he spends the night in ritualistic preparation. Sage Vasishtha proceeds in his chariot to Sri Rama's palace, and sees it shining like a white cloud. Valmiki narrates how Rama hastens to receive his preceptor:

***

अभ्येत्य त्वरमाणश्च रथाभ्याशं मनीषिणः।

ततोऽवतरयामास परिगृह्य रथात् स्वयम्  ॥

Sri Rama goes with quick strides to sage Vasishtha's chariot, and respectfully holds the sage's hand and helps him alight from the chariot.

Sage Vasishtha lovingly comes into the palace and instructs Rama on how to do the upavasa (austere ritual) along with Sita through the night preparatory to the coronation. Afterwards, as he proceeds back to the king's palace, he witnesses the upsurge of excitement and joy all around in the city. 

जनवृन्दोर्मि संघर्ष हर्षस्वनवृतस्तदा  ।

बभूव राजमार्गस्य सागरस्यैव निस्वनः ॥

तदा ह्ययोध्यानिलयः सस्त्रीबालाकुलो जनः। 

रामाभिषेकमाकाङ्क्षन्नाकाङ्क्षन्नुदयं रवेः  ॥

The sea of people in a jostle of excitement and joy all through the royal highway resembled a sea with its high noisy waves. 

Every citizen of Ayodhya, child woman and man, moved around in groups. They were full of excited anticipation of Sri Rama's coronation and equally impatient for the sun to rise quickly. 

***

Sage Vasishtha reports to the king that he has given detailed instructions and Rama and Sita will do the needful. King Dasharatha retires to his inner chambers. 

***

Here Sri Rama is in prayer. 

शेषं च हविषस्तस्य प्राश्याशास्यात्मनः प्रियम् । 

ध्यायन्नारायणं देवं स्वास्तीर्णे कुशसंकुरे         ॥

वाग्यतः सह वैदेह्या भूत्वा नियतमानसः       । 

श्रीमत्यायतने विष्णोः शिश्ये नरवरात्मजः     ॥

Sri Rama, son of the king Dasharatha, completed the homa and partook of its prasada along with Sita, praying for their welfare. He proceeded to pray to Lord Narayana in his shrine. Withholding speech, with controlled mind, he lay down along with Sita on the well-spread kusha grass on the floor of Vishnu's shrine and they both slept. 

***

How was the scene in the streets? There was a huge excitement as they got updates that Rama had done his prayers and had now gone to sleep. They were restless in anticipation of the morning. 

सभासु चैव सर्वासु वृक्षेष्वालक्षितेषु च। 

ध्वजाः समुच्छ्रिताश्चित्राः पताकाश्चाभवंस्तदा  ॥

नटनर्तकसंघानां गायकानां च गायताम् ।

मनःकर्णसुखा वाचः शुश्राव जनता ततः   ॥

Every house and building, shops, markets, street squares, every tree and structure seen on every side, was festooned with flags, banners, and buntings. 

Dancers danced in groups, musicians sang and played instruments, people were simply thrilled, listening and watching and taking part in these impromptu celebrations. 

***

The city of Ayodhya resembled Indra's Amaravati. The entire city was in an upsurge. Valmiki compares it an ocean in high tide full of all kinds of aquatic creatures. 

Anyone who has seen dolphins, and even whales, dancing around in the sea, can relate to the imagery. 

I see the whole narrative as about a true democracy where citizens are celebrating their favourite, great, leader's impending coronation. This is how Ayodhya was 5000 years ago on that night! 

***

॥      श्रीरामजयम्       ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - May 30

May 30 - Sargas 3 and 4 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Trust Adi-kavi Valmiki to flood us with imagery and emotions on a scale no modern-day Baahubali type VFX can match, just by his quill. My hair stands on end whenever I think of what a culture I belong to. Remember this was all written five thousand years ago and even the most sceptical estimates place the currently available text several hundred years before CE.

As soon. as Dasharatha announces his plans, Valmiki says the assembled citizens folded their hands like lotuses in delighted reverential acceptance.  

Dasharatha proceeds to request sages Vasishtha and Vamadeva to get everything ready by the next morning, in the auspicious season of spring (Chaitra) that sees all nature resplendent, for the ceremonies.

An elaborate description of the arrangements made by sage Vasishtha follows. We can see an unbroken tradition in our culture of such auspicious festivities full of ritual, prayer and celebration.

The hall of yajnas and such festivities was got up with precious metals -gold and silver, gems, pooja accessories, herbs, garlands of white flowers, freshly washed exquisite white cloth, chariots, horses, elephants, bulls with gold-covered horns, special fans, umbrellas, a hundred golden vessels of holy water glittering like fire, tiger skin for the seat and so on. The entire city with all important gates and doorways had garlands, incense and perfume. The best of sweet rice pudding and curd rice was prepared for the feast for a hundred thousand brahmins.  They would start reciting benedictory verses early morning, being specially seated. Dancers, musicians, and courtesans in all their finery would take their respective places and perform. There would be elaborate prayers and ceremonies of worship in all temples.

The army in their best outfits with long shining weapons would assemble in the fore-yard.

Kings and chiefs from several parts including from outside India were sent for to be present for the occasion.

Satisfied with all the arrangements being made, king Dasharatha sends Sumantra to bring Sri Rama. Sri Rama arrives.

***

गन्धर्वराजप्रतिमं लोके विख्यातपौरुषम्   ।

दीर्घबाहुं महासत्त्वं मत्तमातङ्गगामिनम्      ॥

चन्द्रकान्ताननं राममतीव प्रियदर्शनम्     ।

रूपैरार्यगुणैः पुंसां दृष्टिचित्तापहारिणम्   ॥

धर्माभितप्ताः पर्जन्यं ह्लादयन्तमिव प्रजाः   ।

न ततर्प समायन्तं पश्यमानो नराधिपः       ॥

Beholding Sri Rama arrive, resembling the king of celestials known for their beauty, with his world - renowned valour, long-armed, displaying grand dignity, with the gait of a tusker in musth (a favourite simile among sanskrit poets);

his face radiant like the moon, Sri Rama with his most bewitching form, one to steal the minds and sights of men by his good looks and great virtues - beholding him thus, all those fortunate to see this were like people who had been in the  scorching sun now delighting in cool showers. 

But king Dasharatha!? However much he feasted on the sight of Sri Rama, he was not satisfied!

***

Valmiki delights in describing how Sri Rama ascended the stairs, reached his father who embraced him in utter joy, and made him take his seat among all the courtiers and kings, Sri Rama looked like Mount Meru illumined by sun's golden rays. He looked like the full moon surrounded by a galaxy of stars.

King Dasharatha now spoke to him:

***

ज्येष्ठायामसि मे पत्न्यां सदृश्यां सदृशस्सुतः    ।

उत्पन्नस्त्वं गुणश्रेष्ठो मम रामात्मजः प्रियः      ॥

यतस्त्वया प्रजाश्चेमा स्वगुणैरनुरञ्जिताः     ।

तस्मात्वं पुष्ययोगेन यौवराज्यमवाप्नुहि       ॥

कामतस्त्वं प्रकृत्यैव विनीतो गुणवानासि     ।

गुणवत्यपि तु स्नेहात्पुत्र वक्ष्यामि ते हितम्   ॥

" Oh Rama, you are my son born to my eldest queen, and have taken after her in all qualities. You have been endowed from birth with so many virtues and you are very dear to me.

"The way all people have developed affection for you by your great qualities, you deserve to be my heir. Therefore you shall be anointed the Yuvaraja (heir apparent) in Pushya yoga tomorrow. 

" By your propensities and inborn qualities you are full of humility in addition to all your great merits. Although you are already so virtuous, yet out of my affection and concern for your glory, let me offer you my best advice."

***

King Dasharatha then succinctly instructs Sri Rama in the art of rulership. This is important but I am omitting the details for brevity's sake. Suffice it to say it covers all aspects of economic well-being and military preparedness as well as social concerns.

Sri Rama leaves the king's presence and the people assembled also disperse, feeling as happy as a crowd exiting a stadium after seeing their favourite team win.

The news reaches in no time Kausalya through Rama's well-wishers. She begins in great excitement to prepare gifts of cows and gold and precious gems to be given to all the people tomorrow. 

***

The next sarga begins with a change in background score hinting at some not so joyful developments. 

King Dasharatha once again sends for Sri Rama. Sri Rama is perplexed and disturbed but comes to the king's private chamber quickly. 

Dasharatha tells him, " Oh Rama, you know I have grown old after ruling Ayodhya for a long period of time. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in every way,  have done my duty by our ancestors and gods, and now am happy that I have you as a worthy successor. By everyone's concurrence you will be made  my heir apparent tomorrow.

"But Rama, there are also ominous portents. Sun, Mars and Rahu are in my birth star and this seems to portend either the king's death or a great calamity. That is why I intend to lose no time in making you Yuvaraja. They say tomorrow is auspicious.

"So Rama, tonight you and Sita should fast and sleep on a bed of darbha grass. Be self-retrained. Make sure you are protected by your well-wishers as many impediments may occur in such situations. Even though Bharata is away, I am going ahead with your consecration. Bharata is very virtuous but even such people may yield to fickleness (stake a claim for the post!?)  So anyway please go and do as I say tonight."

Sri Rama then goes to Kausalya.  She is praying in her private shrine to Narayana and doing Pranayama. Sita too has been called in and also Lakshmana.  Sri Rama tells them of the king's instructions and how he and Sita should prepare for the ceremony.

***

अमोघं बत मे क्षान्तं पुरुषे पुष्करेक्षणे             ।

येयमिक्ष्वाकुराज्यश्रीः पुत्र त्वां संश्रयिष्यति     ॥

Queen Kausalya tells Rama, "my prayers to Lord Vishnu with the lotus eyes have not been in vain. For this goddess of the kingdom of Ikshwakus will be coming to you and gracing you tomorrow. "

Sri Rama turns to Lakshmana and says, 

इत्येवमुक्तो मात्रेदं रामो भ्रातरमब्रवीत्       । 

प्रान्जलिं प्रह्वमासीनमभिवीक्ष्य स्मयन्निव    ॥

लक्ष्मणेमां मया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम्    ।

द्वितीयं मेऽन्तरात्मानं त्वमियं श्रीरुपस्थिता    ॥ 

After he is thus spoken to by Kausalya, Sri Rama turns to Lakshmana, seated most deferentially, and speaks with a smile on his face: "dear Lakshmana, you shall rule along with me this earth. You are my second soul and you shall enjoy this prosperity and kingship as much as me."

***

॥     श्रीरामजयम्      ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - May 29

May 29 - Ayodhya Kanda begins! Sargas 1 and 2.

I am hugely excited to begin reading the Ayodhya Kanda. The poetry is exquisite and Valmiki is himself quite excited to narrate the build up to the choice of Sri Rama for being made Yuvaraja. In fact even a beginner like me starts to understand why some scholars say that Valmiki actually began the Ramayana only with Ayodhya Kanda.

Sage Valmiki begins by making an important point. Both Bharata and Shatrughna go to be with their uncle in Kekaya where they are looked after very much like in Ayodhya. They are also very respectful and affectionate to their uncle and the people there. But they constantly remember their father, Ayodhya and the love they got from their aged father. Dasharatha also thinks a lot about them and misses Bharata and Shatrughna very much.

***

सर्व ेएव तु तस्येष्टाश्चत्वाराः पुरुषर्षभाः   ।

स्वशरीराद्विनिवृत्ताश्चत्वार इव बाहवः    ॥

तेषामपि महातेजा रामो रतिकरः पितुः   ।

स्वयम्भूरिव भूतानां बभूव गुणवत्तरः।    ॥

स हि देवैरुदीर्णस्य रावणस्य वधार्थभिः     ।

अर्थितो मानुषे लोके जज्ञे विष्णुः सनातनः ॥

All the four princes, lions among men, were very dear to  king Dasharatha. It was as if they were his four arms emanating from his body together, all equally dear.

And yet, even among them four, the most luminous Sri Rama was dearest to his father. It was just as Brahma is loved by all creation foremost. Sri Rama was superior in all qualities.

After all, (let's remind ourselves), wasn't he the supreme lord Vishnu himself, born on earth as a human being at the entreaty of gods, to vanquish the arrogant Ravana?

***

The rest of the first sarga and the second sarga amplifies why Sri Rama was the favourite of not only Dasharatha but EVERYONE around.  The poetry, and flow of thought of Valmiki, as he lists the qualities and accomplishments of Sri Rama, are most inspiring. We begin to see why Sri Rama is considered the icon of Sanatana Dharma, the ideal man. In fact Bhagavan Krishna also says that among wielders of arms ( rulers) he is Rama. 

I am at a loss to choose the verses. Together sargas 1 and 2 have 105 shlokas. Which ones to list?

I will try and make do with my prose summary.

Sri Rama was the worthiest son one could have on earth, Kausalya was so blessed. He was incomparable in good looks, valour, and qualities matching Dasharatha's. He was always calm, spoke softly, even if provoked by harsh words.  He would never forget even the slightest help or favour from anyone, and didn’t hold a grudge even if someone did a hundred wrongs to him. 

He was hailed as a role model by wise old men, men of knowledge, those of good character, as well as by warriors.

Highly intelligent, and humble to speak first to anyone without formality, and never conceited.

Not one to entertain idle gossip and cheap talk. Most respectful to the learned, and most loving to the people. He considered it as his ideal to uphold the Kshatriya values of leadership and believed they alone conferred merit in the other world.

Valmiki mentions more than once that Sri Rama was learned in all the scriptures and knew all art forms including music, dance and sculpture. Apart from his unassailable prowess with weapons.

He was sagacious to consider any situation for its eventuality, and was eloquent and persuasive in speech. He knew the four purusharthas well - Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. He knew how to enrich the state treasury without burdensome taxes. He knew how to spend too, for people's welfare. He knew how to maintain law and order and whom to punish. He protected Ayodhya extremely well and no rival dared fight a battle against him as he was a proactive ruler.

Sri Rama was very healthy, very handsome, very valorous, very courteous, and understood men and matters perfectly. No wonder then that he was the soul of every citizen and was loved by all. Valmiki compares Sri Rama to the life-giving and much loved rainfall.

***

एतैस्तु बहुभिः युक्तं गुणैरनुपमैः सुतम्  ।

दृष्ट्वा दशरथो राजा चक्रे चिन्तां परन्तपः  ॥

अथ राज्ञो बभूवैवं वृद्धस्य चिरजीविनः    ।

प्रीतिरेषा कथं रामो राजा स्यान्मयि जीवति ॥

Thus, considering all these unassailable and incomparable qualities of merit of Sri Rama, the mighty king Dasharatha began thinking of the future. He had ruled well for a very long time his kingdom. The question was how to see that Sri Rama was installed as the king during his lifetime itself.

***

Dasharatha lost no time in sending invitations to kings, chiefs, ministers and advisors to discuss this matter. 

One important point made by Valmiki is that in taking this decision and consulting kings and chiefs, Dasharatha did not reach out the Janaka or the Kekaya king. The commentators say that this was to keep the decision-making simple as both of them could be imputed a vested interest.

***

Dasharatha received everyone in his court in full regal splendour and spoke with great deliberation and authority. Valmiki says his words had import like thunder. 

***

अनुजातो हि मां सर्वैर्गुणैर्ज्येष्ठो ममात्मजः ।

पुरन्दरसमो वीर्ये रामः परपुरन्जयः           ॥

तं चन्द्रमिव पुष्येण युक्तं धर्मभृतां वरम्     ।

यौवराज्येन योक्तास्मि प्रीतः परुषपङ्गवम्   ॥

"Oh my dear lords, chiefs, advisors and citizens, I have had a long innings and am getting on in age. My son takes after me in all respects. My eldest son Sri Rama is like Indra himself and is accepted as the supreme one by all kings in this region.  

"Just now, Sri Rama is like the moon in his ascendent glory. He is endowed with all the best qualities of righteousness. I am therefore most pleased to anoint as the prince and my successor Sri Rama, the best among men."

***

Dasharatha's announcement was received with tumultuous enthusiasm. 

***

रामो लोकाभिरामोऽयं शौर्यवीर्यपराक्रमैः      ।

प्रजापालनतत्वज्ञो न रागोपहतेन्द्रियः          ॥

शान्तैः सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसञ्जननैर्नृणाम्     ।

गुणैर्विरोचते रामो दीप्तः सूर्य इवाम्शुभिः      ॥

स्त्रियो वृद्धास्तररुण्यश्च सायं प्रातः समाहिताः   ।

सर्वान् देवान्नमस्यन्ति रामस्यार्थे मनस्विनः       ॥

तेषां तद्याचितं देव त्वत्प्रसादात् समृध्यताम्      ।

राममिन्दीवरश्यामं सर्वश्त्रुनिबर्हणम्                ॥     

The entire court full of chiefs, ministers, wise counsel and citizens spoke with one voice. In short their reply was:

" Sri Rama is the most beloved of all, and in particular for his bravery, valour and rightful conquests. He is fully knowledgeable about rulership and is not tainted by sense temptations.

"By his qualities of calmness, love for all citizens, and qualities that endear him to all kings, he distinguishes himself like the sun with his incandescent rays.

"Women, the elderly, youth of both genders pray to the gods every morning and evening for Sri Rama's well-being with all their heart.

Whatever is in their minds, oh venerable king Dasharatha, has now been mooted by you. Let it bear fruit, and please anoint as Yuvaraja Sri Rama, who is beautiful like the blue lotus and at the same time capable of vanquishing all enemies of Ayodhya."

***

Remember these few shlokas don't do full justice to the 105 shlokas in these two sargas.

***

॥    श्रीरामजयम्      ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - May 28

May 28 - Sargas 76 and 77 of Balakanda - Balakanda concludes.

Sri Rama comprehensively responds to Parashurama and silences him.

How Sri Rama, Sita and the others spend their time in Ayodhya in great happiness.

***

Sri Rama, cognizant of the tense situation, took matters into his own hands. Paying due regard to his father king Dasharatha, he spoke firmly to Parashurama:

श्रुतवानस्मि यत् कर्म कृतवानसि भार्गव  ।

अनुरुन्ध्यामहे ब्रह्मन् पितुरानृण्यमास्थितः  ॥

वीर्यहीनमिवाशक्तं क्षत्रधर्मेण भार्गव       ।

अवजानासि मे तेजः पश्य मेऽद्य पराक्रमम् ॥

इत्युक्त्वा राघवः क्रुद्धो भार्गवस्य शरासनम् ।

शरं च प्रतिजग्राह हस्ताल्लघुपराक्रमः        ॥

आरोप्य स धनू रामः शरं सज्यं चकार ह ।

जामदग्न्यं ततो रामं रामः क्रुद्धोऽब्रवीद्वचः     ॥

ब्राह्मणोऽसीति मे पूज्यो विश्वामित्रकृतेन च।

तस्माच्छक्तो न ते राम मोक्तुं प्राणहरं शरम्  ॥

इमां पादगतिं राम तपोबलसमार्जितान्। 

लोकानप्रतिमान् वा ते हनिष्यामि यदिच्छसि  ॥

"Oh Brahmin, I have heard of your great deed (Kshatriya-cleansing of the earth) and respect how you have discharged your duty to your father. 

" But you err greatly thinking I am a weakling and lacking in Kshatriya prowess. You don't know my strength. Lo witness my valour!" 

So saying, Sri Rama with lightning speed snatched the divine bow and arrow from Parashurama's grasp and strung the bow in an instant and set the arrow to it. He then spoke in great anger:

" Sir, you're worthy of my respect as a Brahmin. You are also related to my guru sage Vishwamitra. (Parashurama is the grandson of Vishwamitra's sister who married sage Bhargava Richeeka). Therefore this arrow cannot be deployed to take your life (which it is fully capable of). 

"At the same time this divine arrow cannot go in vain. So I give you a choice. Either I will take away your power of locomotion at the speed of thought that you have acquired through tapas. Or I will take away the merits you have accumulated in all the divine lokas through your austerities. Please tell me which one shall it be. "

Parashurama appeared stunned and shorn of all his lustre. (Padma Purana states that all his power was instantly transferred to Sri Rama which was the divine plan behind this episode). He said that since he had vouchsafed all his territory to sage Kashyapa, he could not spend any night on earth. He had thus to go back to the Mahendra parvata before nightfall and needed his power of locomotion. That meant he would give up his spiritual merits acquired in the lokas as the offering to the arrow. 

A calm Sri Rama said let it be so and released the arrow. Celestials had assembled to witness this wonderful event. Parashurama at once left for Mahendra parvata. But before leaving he said:

अक्षयं मधुहन्तारं जानामि त्वां सुरोत्तमम्। 

धनुषोऽस्य परामर्शात् स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु परन्तप ॥

न चेयं मम काकुत्स्थ व्रीडा भवितुमर्हति । 

त्वया त्रैलोक्यनाथेन यदहं विमुखीकृतः   ॥

"Oh Rama, by your handling of this divine bow, I am convinced you're Vishnu himself, the one who killed the asura Madhu. You are the god of gods. 

" Rama, I feel no shame as I have been defeated by none other than Vishnu, the lord of the three worlds. May all good and auspiciousness be with you always." 

Parashurama left. The cloudy gloom lifted and all nature resumed its splendour. Sri Rama had to shake and wake up Dasharatha from his petrified fear and inform him that Parashurama had been got rid of. They should all be commanded by the king at once to proceed to Ayodhya without delay. 

Sri Rama did one more thing. He handed over the divine Vishnu Dhanush and its infallible arrow to the lord of the waters, Varuna. Thereby showing us why we call him the embodiment of Dharma. 

***

The wedding party led by the king and sages arrive in Ayodhya to great festivities. Decorations, dances and playing of celebratory music is on. The queens shower their love on the new brides. 

There is much rejoicing as the four couples spend their time very happily. Dasharatha then calls Bharata and informs him that it is his maternal uncle king Yudhaajit's wish that Bharata should go and live in Kekaya for a while. Bharata gladly accepts the order and goes with Shatrughna (his inseparable younger brother) (and their brides perhaps) to Kekaya. 

How Rama spent his time in Ayodhya is now described. 

***

पितरं देवसंकाशं पूजयामासतुस्तदा      । 

पितुराज्ञां पुरस्कृत्य पौरकर्माणि सर्वशः  ॥

चकार रामो धर्मात्मा प्रियाणि च हितानि च। 

मातृभ्यो मातृकार्याणि कृत्वा परमयन्त्रितः  ॥ 

गरूणां गुरुकार्याणि काले कालेऽन्ववैक्षकत । 

एवं दशरथः प्रीतो ब्राह्मणा नैगमास्तदा ॥

रामस्य शीलवृत्तेन सर्वे विषयवासिनः । 

तेषामितियशा लोके रामः सत्यपराक्रमः     ॥

स्वयम्भूरिव भूतानां बभूव गुणवत्तरः  । 

रामस्तु सीतया सार्धं विजहार बहूनृतून्   ॥

मनस्वी तद्गतमना नित्यं हृदि समर्पितः । 

प्रिया तु सीता रामस्य दाराः पितृकृता इति  ॥

गुणाद्रूपगुणाच्चापि प्रीतिर्भूयोऽभ्यवर्धत । 

तस्याश्च भर्ता द्विगुणं हृदये परिवर्तते      ॥

अन्तरगतमभिव्यक्तमाख्याति हृदयं हृदा । 

तस्य भूयो विशेषेण मैथिली जनकात्मजा  ॥

देवताभिः  समा रूपे सीता श्रीरिव रूपिणी। 

तया स राजर्षिसुतोऽभिरामया 

                   समेयिवानुत्तमराजकन्यया      । 

अतीव रामः शुशुभेऽतिकामया 

              विभुः श्रिया विष्णुरिवामरेश्वरः      ॥

Sri Rama, of great valour, and Lakshmana, served their father, who was like a god, with great affection. 

Sri Rama righteously undertook all adminsitrative duties as per his father's wishes for the care of the people. 

Sri Rama tended to his mothers diligently and dutifully and most lovingly. So did he towards his gurus also. He did this well, time and again. Dasharatha was most pleased with Sri Rama's behaviour and so were the learned sages. 

The people of Ayodhya  prospered under Sri Rama's administration. His fame spread as a great and righteous ruler, much like Brahma was of the gods.

Sri Rama and Sita spent many seasons in connubial bliss. His heart was solely devoted to her.  They were a beautiful couple and they communicated with each other in thought itself. Sita was doubly happy in her divine husband. 

Sita was beautiful like goddess Lakshmi herself. 

Sri Rama, son of the sagely king Dasharatha, thus lived most happily with the great Janaka's daughter Sita, much like Bhagavan Vishnu, the god of gods, with Devi Lakshmi.

***

॥     श्रीरामजयम्      ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - May 27

May 27 - Sargas 74 and 75 of Balakanda.

Used as we are to Bollywood movies that throw in a group dance at the slightest provocation, we would expect here much song and dance celebration. That was not to be for Valmiki's narrative.

The wedding concludes. After bestowing abundant blessings on the newly married couples and their families, sage Vishwamitra leaves for his ashrama back in the Himalayas. Indeed a most wonderful and colourful sage to illuminate the Ramayana story so far.

King Janaka bestows abundant riches, cows, elephants, horses, finest ornaments and clothes to all the brides. They also get hundreds of servants and attendants to go with them - male and female.

In an extremely cordial atmosphere, King Dasharatha with the newly married couples, sages, administrators and others start back on the journey to Ayodhya with the army leading in the front.

**f

Some distance later, they all witnessed a scarifying sight of animals and birds shrieking and birds circling above unusually. A terrible dust storm started and engulfed the entire army. Everyone was scared. Dasharatha was distressed by these omens and asked sage Vasishtha what was forthcoming. The sage replied that a calamitous situation was surely portended but the birds circled in such a manner that it indicated also that the danger shall pass.

Everyone was confused and terrified except the king, the sages and the princes. The army was like a fire buried in ashes. 

***

ददर्श भीयसंकाशं जटामण्डलधारिणम्  ।

भार्गवं जामदग्न्यं तं राजराजविमर्दनम्    ॥

Then they all saw a terrifying figure with matted locks, holding a kamandalu. It was Bhargava, Jamadagni's son Parashurama, well known for having eliminated kshatriyas in the form of kings from the face of this earth.

Parashurama was an incarnation of Vishnu, which Valmiki does not state here. His father Jamadagni was a most accomplished sage who had completely eschewed all violence. Knowing this, king Kartiveeryarjuna came and decapitated him. His son Parashurama flew into an untameable rage, took up weapons and destroyed Kshatriyas by going round the earth 21 times. He did what God's plan was - to rein in the the then kings with their unbridled violent and arrogant ways.

After that Kshatriya holocaust, at Indra's request, Parashurama had given up arms, handed over the earth that he had won to sage Kashyapa, and repaired to Mahendraparvata for his meditations. 

And so, the sages in Dasharatha's entourage wondered, how come he was here looking for some terrible action? 

The sages decided to placate him. They took the usual materials for receiving guests and worshipped him. He also calmly received the reception. 

***

Then he addressed Sri Rama:

राम दाशरथे वीर वीर्यं ते श्रूयतेऽद्भुतम्   । 

धनुषो भेदनं चैव निखिलेन मया श्रुतम्  ॥

तदद्भुतमचिन्त्यं च भेदनं धनुषस्त्वया     । 

तच्छ्रुत्वाहमनुप्राप्तो धनुर्गृह्यापरं शुभम्   ॥

तदिदं घोरसंकाशं जामदग्न्यं महद्धनुः    । 

पूरयस्व शरेणैव स्वबलं दर्शयस्व मे       ॥

तदिदं बलं दृष्ट्वा धनुषोऽस्य प्रपूरणे     । 

द्वन्द्वयुद्धं प्रदास्यामि वीर्यश्लाघ्यमहं तव  ॥

"Oh Rama! Son of Dasharatha! I have heard from all about your great valour and how you broke the divine bow. That act of yours was indeed unthinkable and unbelievable. Having heard that I have come here with another bow. 

This terrible bow belongs to my father sage Jamadagni. Take it and string it and set this arrow to it. 

After seeing how powerful you are in using this bow, I shall offer to fight you one to one, something most praised by great warriors. "

***

Dasharatha was deeply aggrieved. He thought Rama would be killed by Parashurama. He bowed down in utter distress and wretchedness and said, "Respected sage, we have known that you have cooled down from your hatred of Kshatriyas and become established in Brahman. How indeed do you now offer battle to my tender sons? You should indeed offer them protection. You belong to the Bhargava line, Renowned for their spiritual quest and penance. You had also eschewed weapons as a promise to Indra. But you have come from your reclusion in Mahendraparvata bent on destroying my line!?! If dearest Rama is killed by you none of us will survive that tragedy. "

Parashurama ignored Dasharatha completely. He continued to Sri Rama:

" This was one of two bows made by Vishwakarma. The first was used by Shiva in Tripura Samhara. The second was given to Vishnu. Once out of the idle curiosity of gods to know who indeed was more powerful, Shiva or Vishnu, they requested Brahma to bring about a duel between Shiva and Vishnu. He sure did so because they waged the most terrible fight  between themselves. Finally Vishnu won. This infuriated Shiva. Afterwards the gods managed to pacify Shiva. That's when he gave away that divine bow of his to the king Devarata, ancestor of Janaka. That is the bow you broke. 

***

ऋचीके भार्गवे प्रादाद्विष्णुः संन्यासमुत्तमम्। 

तदिदं वैष्णवं राम पितृपैतामहं महत्  । 

क्षत्रधर्मं पुरस्कृत्य गृह्णीष्व धनुरुत्तमम् ॥

योजयस्व धनुःश्रेष्ठे शरं परपुरञ्जयम्  ।

यदि शक्नोषि काकुत्स्थ द्वन्द्वं दास्यामि ते ततः ॥

"Oh Rama, Vishnu bestowed that divine bow of his on my ancestor sage Bhargava Richika. That has passed down to me as my father Jamadagni was not interested in weapons. 

Accept my challenge and pick up this divine bow. If you can set Vishnu's arrow, the same one he used to kill Puranjaya, to this divine bow, I shall gladly offer you a one to one fight knowing your capability ". 

***

॥   श्रीरामजयम्    ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - May 26

May 26 - Sargas 71, 72 and 73 of Balakanda.

The marriage ceremony of Sita and Rama, along with her sisters marrying his brothers, is narrated here. May all who read this be blessed!

***

King Janaka now begins to narrate his genealogy. His line starts with Nimi, a great and holy king who was also famous in the three worlds for his righteousness. Nimi's son Mithi was the first king of Mithila and also a Janaka.

Janaka names many successive kings including Devarata we read about before as he received the Shiva Dhanush.

Janaka is the son of Hrasvaroma and his younger brother is Kushadhvaja.

A neighbouring king Sudhanva of Sankashya came and asked for the Shiva Dhanush as well as the hand of Sita. When Janaka refused, Sudhanva attacked Mithila. Janaka defeated and killed him and established Kushadhvaja as the king of Sankashya.

King Janaka now says that he will be pleased to offer the hand of Sita in marriage to Sri Rama who has won her rightfully as Veeryashulka. Janaka has another daughter Urmila he would like to offer in marriage to the valiant brother Lakshmana also.

Today is the Tritiya of Phalgun Shukla and it is Makha nakshatra. This is a very auspicious muhurta for consecrating the wedding. So king Janaka requests that they proceed without delay.

Then sage Vishwamitra speaks and blesses everyone. He also says that Kushadhvaja has two beautiful and virtuous daughters Mandavi and Shrutakeerti and they should also wed the handsome and brave princes, Bharata and Shatrughna. Everyone is highly delighted to go with this advice.

Then king Janaka requests Vasishtha and Vishwamitra that they should very graciously conduct the wedding proceedings and consider Mithila as much their place as Ayodhya.

King Dasharatha says what a wonderful lineage is king Janaka's and that it gives him the greatest joy to establish the strong ties with them through the four weddings.

Dasharatha proceeds to perform the rituals propitiating his forefathers and seeking their blessings. He also gifts thousands of beautiful cows and wealth to Brahmins.

Just then queen Kaikeyi's brother and Bharata's uncle, king Yudhaajit, arrives. He has proceeded from Ayodhya where he heard of the wonderful news of the wedding happening in Mithila.

***

At the propitious muhurta, Sri Rama, dressed magnificently, arrives with his brothers all ready and eager for the wedding.

Sage Vasishtha says to Janaka that the bridegrooms' party is here and king Janaka should proceed to perform the wedding.

King Janaka says sage Vasishtha should himself officiate as he is supreme in knowledge of Vedas and scriptures. Janaka's daughter Sita is (and other brides too are) all readied in finery and luminous like the sun in glory. Let there be no delay.

Dasharatha requests sage Vasishtha:

कारयस्व ऋषे सर्वमृषिभिः सह धार्मिक     ।

रामस्य लोकरामस्य क्रियां वैवाहिकीं प्रभो  ॥

"Oh revered sage, kindly conduct the wedding, with the help of other rishis here, of Sri Rama, who brings delight to the entire world!"

Sage Vasiahtha and sage Vishwamitra then prepare the wedding stage with all auspicious materials and decorations in a way we are all familiar with even today in Hindu weddings. Homa materials are ready. Customary laaja grains (corn-like grains) used for sprinkling in blessing are ready. 

There are auspicious musical instruments sounding gattimelam. 

Sage Vasishtha escorts Sita looking divine in her finery to the stage. The rishis are chanting Vedic hymns. 

***

समक्षमग्नेः संस्थाप्य राघवाभिमुखे तदा   । 

अब्रवीज्जनको राजा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम् ॥

इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव        । 

प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना  ॥

पतिव्रता महाभागा छायेवानुगता सदा     । 

इत्युक्त्वा प्राक्षिपद्राजा मन्त्रपूतं जलं तदा  ॥

साधुसाध्विति देवानामृषीणां वदतां तदा   । 

देवदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः पुष्पवर्षो महानभूत्      ॥

In front of the homa fire, facing Sri Rama, king Janaka addressed Rama, who brought great joy to Kausalya always:

"Oh Rama, here is my daughter Sita. She shall be your equal partner in life and all dharma. Please take her hand as your wife. May all good come to you both! 

" May Sita be totally devoted to you, most glorious in all her doings, and follow you like a shadow always." 

Saying this, king Janaka poured the  water oblation sanctified with mantras to mark the giving away of his daughter in marriage.

At that moment gods and rishis showered their blessings,  heavenly drums sounded auspiciously, and there was a big rain of flowers from heaven.

Thus processed Janaka with the other three weddings also. 

***

जनकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा पाणीन् पाणिभिरस्पृशन्। 

चत्वारस्ते चतसृणां वसिष्ठस्य मते स्थिताः    ॥

Then the four brothers, responding to the words of Janaka, and obtaining the permission of sage Vasishtha, took their brides' hands in their own. 

***

The four couples performed the fire worship and went around the homa fire (a ritual we follow even today). They were holding the tender hands tenderly. 

Thus concluded the Sita Kalyana most gloriously. 

***

॥     श्रीरामजयम्     ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - May 25

May 25 - Sargas 69 and 70 of Balakanda.

We read about Dasharatha's journey to Mithila and the cordialities exchanged. Sage Vasishtha also introduces the royal dynasty of king Dasharatha formally to king Janaka and his court.

***

एते द्विजाः प्रयान्त्वग्रे स्यन्दनं योजयस्व मे   ।

यथा कालात्ययो न स्याद्दूता हि त्वरयन्ति माम्  ॥

वचनात्तु नरेन्द्रस्य सा सेना चतुरङ्गिणी        ।

राजानमृषिभिः सार्धं व्रजन्तं पृष्ठतोन्वगात्   ॥

ततो राजानमासाद्य वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम्     ।

जनको मुदितो राजा हर्षं च परमं ययौ    ॥

King Dasharatha asked Sumantra to get all those in charge of the royal treasury to bring abundant riches and gifts for the occasion. He also instructed that his gurus and sages like Vasishtha and Vamadeva should all travel with the entire four-fold forces ahead. His chariot should be got ready without any delay as Janaka's messengers had requested.

King Dasharatha with his gurus and others was preceded by all his forces and they all reached Mithila which had been got up specially for the grand reception.

On receiving the elderly king Dasharatha, king Janaka was immensely pleased. The kings greeted each other in supreme happiness.

***

King Janaka told Dasharatha that it was God's grace that he was able to receive the great king and sage Vasishtha and others. It was as if Indra had arrived with all the gods. 

King Janaka said that Dasharatha would meet his valiant sons on the morrow and the wedding would be conducted after the yajna's conclusion. 

Dasharatha graciously said he would abide by all formalities as it was customary to respect the host (and bride's father) and his arrangements.The sages from both sides mixed with one another in great happiness.

***

Next morning king Janaka informed his preceptor Shatananda that his younger brother Kushashwaja was the able king of the kingdom of Sankashya on the bank of Ikshumati river. He should be kindly requested to come and join in the celebrations. Messengers were sent with glad tidings and a very happy Kushadhwaja arrived.

Now king Janaka sent his able minister Sudamana to escort king Dasharatha, his wonderful sons, sages and rest of the entourage to the assembly.

King Dasharatha arrived and after courtesies said:

वाक्यं वाक्यविदां श्रेष्ठो वैदेहमिदमब्रवीत्   ।

विदितं ते महाराज इक्ष्वाकुकुलदैवतम्      ॥

वक्ता सर्वेषु कृत्येषु वसिष्ठो भगवान् ऋषिः।

विश्वामित्राभ्यनुज्ञातः सह सर्वैरमहर्षिभिः    ॥

एष वक्ष्यति धर्मात्मा वसिष्ठो मे यथाक्रमम्  ।

Then king Dasharatha, expert in speech, said, "Oh Maharaja, it is but proper that you are told the history of my lineage. Sage Vaaishtha is the worshippable preceptor of Ikshwakus. He is therefore our spokesperson also on all such important occasions. With concurrence from sage Vishwamitra and other rishis present, by my request he will narrate to you in order my lineage.

***

Sage Vasishtha began to narrate how the Ikshwakus had descended from the eternal creator Brahma through Marichi, Kashyapa, Vivaswan, Manu, and so on. King Sagara, many others, Dileepa, Bhagiratha, Raghu, Ambareesha, Nahusha, Yayati, Nabha and Aja were each a most glorious name in the history of the region. King Dasharatha was Aja's son. 

इक्ष्वाकुकुलजातानां वीराणां सत्यवादिनाम् ।

रामलक्ष्मणयोरर्थे त्वत्सुते वरये नृप            ॥

Sage Vasishtha told king Janaka, "oh king, you have heard of this glorious line. The scions of Ikshwakus, full of valour and upholders of truth, are Rama and Lakshmana. Please give your daughters in marriage to these princes. "

Post-edit:

Why was king Sagara so named? 

His father Asita was rather weak and so defeated snd exiled by enemies. He went to tge Himalaya mountain with hia two wives and a small retinue of preceptors ans soldiers. There, when his wives werw pregnant, he breathed his last. 

That place was called Bhriguprasravana, sancitifed by the Bhrigu scion sage Chyavana. 

The very distressed pregnant elder wife of Asita, by name Kalindi, went to seek his blessings. She had in fact been poisoned by his younger wife, who did not want her to have a child who would be her own child's rival and apparent heir. 

Kalindi serves the rishi who gave her blessings. He told her that eventhough she had been poisoned, she would deliver a son who would survive and thrive. Si it happened that the child was born with poison in him which still dis not affect him. He was named Sa+gara (one who has poison). 

***

॥    श्रीरामजयम्    ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - May 24

May 24 - Sargas 67 and 68 of Balakanda.

Time for gattimelam (= the auspicious sounds of nagaswaram and tavil during the wedding muhurtam!) 

Sri Rama breaks the bow, and a thrilled Janaka sends the invitation for the wedding to Dasharatha.

***

After hearing about the history of Shiva Dhanush, sage Vishwamitra spoke in a profound tone: "Oh king, let the bow be brought before Sri Rama. "

King Janaka gladly instructed his ministers to arrange for the bow to be brought from the palace into the yajna hall. He asked them to have the bow and its casket duly decorated and anointed. 

The courtiers arranged for 1500 able-bodied men to pull the Shiva Dhanush, grand in its decoration and magnificent in its history, to be brought in a huge casket placed on a 8 wheeled dolly. On bringing it into the hall, they reported, "oh king, this divine bow has been worshipped by your lineage for many generations. We have brought it as you instructed us." 

***

इदं धनुर्वरं ब्रह्मन् जनकैरभिपूजितम्     । 

राजभिश्च महावीर्यैरशक्यं पूरितुं तदा     ॥

नैतत् सुरगणाः सर्वे नासुरा न च राक्षसाः। 

गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवराः संकिन्नरमहोरगाः          ॥

क्वागतिर्मानुषाणां च धनुषोऽस्य प्रपूरणे । 

आरोपणे समायोगे वेपने तोलनेपि वा      ॥

तदेतद्धनुषां श्रेष्ठमानीतं मुनिपुङ्गव  । 

दर्शयैतन्महाभाग अनयो राजपुत्रयोः     ॥

"Oh Brahmarshi, this sacred bow has been worshipped by generations of Janaka kings. Also by many other kings, who found it impossible to handle. 

" Neither gods, celestials, demons, demi-gods, serpent-kings and others have been able to lift it, string it or even shake it. What then of humans? 

" This supreme bow has now been brought here. Kindly show it to these two princes. "

***

Vishwamitra spoke endearingly, "Dear son, Rama, please have a look at the bow." Sri Rama proceeded to open the casket and look at the bow. He asked for permission from the king and the sage for touching it, and if possible lifting it and stringing it. 

***

बाढमित्येव तं राजा मुनिश्च समभाषत     । 

लीलया स धनुर्मध्ये जग्राह वचनान्मुनेः    ॥

पश्यतां नृसहस्राणां बहूनां रघुनन्दनः      । 

आरोपयत्स धर्मात्मा सलीलमिव तद्धनुः   ॥

आरोपयित्वा धर्मात्मा पूरयामास वीर्यवान् । 

तद्भञ्ज धनुर्मध्ये नरश्रेष्ठो महायशाः       ॥

तस्य शब्दो महानासीन्निर्घातसमनिःस्वनः  । 

भूमिकम्पश्च सुमहान् पर्वतस्येव दीर्यतः     ॥

Both the king and the sage gave the green signal. Sri Rama grasped the bow easily in its middle. As thousands of men witnessed, he lifted the bow very easily, with a smile on his face. 

The brave and righteous prince now bent the bow to string it. As he was stringing it, it broke in the middle. Only one who was supreme among men and bound for great glory could have done it. 

The sound of the divine bow's breaking was as if at once there occured the clap of thunder, the rending of mountains, and an earthquake. It was heard all over and people tottered in fright. Except the king, the sage and the two brothers. 

***

भगवन् दृष्टवीर्यो मे रामो दशरथात्मजः । 

अत्यद्भुतमचिन्त्यं च न तर्कितमिदं मया ॥

जनकानां कुले कीर्तिमाहरिष्यति मे सुता । 

सीता भर्तारमासाद्य रामं दशरथात्मजम्     ॥

King Janaka, delighted beyond measure said, "Oh revered sage, this prince Rama has displayed to me his valour which is super- fantastic, unthinkable, and something I fail to get my head around. 

" Our daughter dear princess Sita will bring the greatest fame to our dynasty by becoming the wife of Sri Rama, son of Dasharatha." 

***

King Janaka asks his ministers to speed to Ayodhya with the best of news and kindly invite King Dasharatha and everyone else for the grand wedding ceremony. 

The messengers speed by the swiftest of means and reach Ayodhya in three days. They inform the palace guards that they have a message from King Janaka for Dasharatha. He at once asks for them to be received in his court. They speak in the sweetest of tones with the most cordial of greetings from Janaka and present the news. 

***

तच्च राजन् धनुर्दिव्यं मध्ये भग्नं महात्मना। 

रामेण हि महावीर महत्यां जनसंसदि           ॥

अस्मै देया मया सीता वीर्यशुल्का ममात्मजा  । 

प्रतिज्ञां तर्तुमिच्छामि तदनुज्ञातुमर्हसि           ॥

सोपाध्यायो महाराज पुरोहितपुरःसरः           । 

शीघ्रमागच्छ भद्रं ते द्रष्टुमर्हसि राघवौ           ॥

प्रतिज्ञां मम राजेन्द्र निर्वर्तयितुमर्हसि        । 

एवं विदेहाधिपतिर्मधुरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्        ॥

His emissaries delivered king Janaka's extremely endearing, sweet, message to king Dasharatha:

"Oh king, greetings and enquiries. Hope all is very well in Ayodhya. As you know I have had the great Shiva Dhanush. I had made it a pre-condition to win my daughter's hand that the bow should be lifted and strung. 

"I had the unexpected good fortune of receiving the great sage Vishwamitra and your sons who are at present in his care. I told them about the divine bow. 

"That divine bow, oh king, was not only lifted but broken while stringing it by your worthy son Rama. He did it in the presence of my large assembly. Indeed it therefore behoves on me to offer the hand of my daughter Sita in marriage to Rama as Veerya Shulka. 

"So king, kindly travel with your gurus, priests and full entourage immediately. You can meet your dear sons soon. And help me in fulfilling my vow and giving Sita in marriage to Sri Rama! "

*** 

Valmiki narrates how Dasharatha received the news in boundless joy and instructed everyone to prepare to leave for Mithila the next morning itself. 

I received some. special cholocates to celebrate this beautiful moment! 

***

॥    श्रीरामजयम्    ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - May 23

May 23 - Sargas 65, 66 of Balakanda.

We read of Vishwamitra's finally succeeding in attaining Brahmarshi status. After recounting of the wonderful past of sage Vishwamitra,  king Janaka shows utmost respect to him. 

The story of the Shiva Dhanush begins.

***

After this setback, Vishwamitra moved away from the banks of the Himalayan river and went eastward. His severe penance continued. He remained silent for a thousand years and did the most difficult penance. His body resembled a tree trunk. Several impediments came but he was unmoved and not provoked. He was so determined. At the end of the vow of a thousand-year tapas, he began eating. Just then Indra approached him in the guise of a Brahmin and asked for food. Vishwamitra gave him the entire portion of food that he had, didn't express any feeling, and silently continued his penance for another one thousand years, sans food and air.

Fire and smoke started emanating from his locks. All the gods, serpents and living entities were distressed and stunned. 

The gods went to Brahma.

***

न ह्यस्य वृजिनं किञ्चिद्दृश्यते सूक्षमप्यथा  ।

न दीयते यदि तस्य मनसा यदभीप्सितम्    । 

विनाशयति त्रैलोक्यं तपसा सचराचरम्    ॥   

सम्मूढमिव त्रैलोक्यं सम्प्रक्षुभितमानसम्       ।

ब्रह्मन्न प्रतिजानीमो नास्तिको जायते जनाः  ॥ 

"Oh Lord Brahma, the three worlds and all creation are distressed beyond measure. We see now no lacunae in Vishwamitra. The same man was tempted and tormented by us before but now we cannot see even the slightest trace of any defect or shortcoming in him. If you do not grant him his desire,  he will destroy the three worlds and all creation. 

"People will be distraught and lose all their sense of right and wrong. People will lose faith in the course of tapas and worship."

***

Brahma heard their request that Vishwamitra should be granted his desired status. Brahma approached him and said:

***

ब्रह्मर्षे स्वागतं तेऽस्तु तपसा स्म सुतोषिताः ।

ब्राह्मण्यं तपसोग्रेण प्राप्तवानसि कौशिक    ॥

" Welcome oh Vishwamitra, to the exalted status of a Brahmarshi.  We are all extremely pleased by your tapas. You have attained this state of Brahmanhood by sheer tapas of the extreme kind. Congratulations!"

Brahma also gave him long life and felicity of every kind for a happy future. Vishwamitra replied, expressing his great joy and gratitude, 

क्षत्रवेदविदां श्रेष्ठो ब्रह्मवेदविदामपि।     ।

ब्रह्मपुत्रो विसिष्ठो मामेवं वदतु देवताः    ।

यद्ययं परमः कामः कृतो यान्तु सुरर्षभाः  ॥

"Lord Brahma, I have one request. The best among knowers of the science of warfare, the best among knowers of Brahman, the very son of Brahma, sage Vasishtha, may kindly be asked if he will certify my status. Oh gods, kindly carry out this important request of mine to get his endorsement. Then you may depart."

Sage Vasishtha was approached. He was most pleased to endorse the new status of Vishwamitra, and extended his most cordial congratulations. The gods departed after accomplishing their plan, and sage Vishwamitra respectfully worshipped sage Vasishtha. 

Sage Vishwamitra henceforth travelled around the earth, full of tapas and conferring his grace. This is the story of this incomparable sage Vishwamitra and his attainments. He is the ultimate embodiment of tapas. He is always engaged in righteousness and he is the supreme among brave warriors also.

***

Sage Shatananda completed his most wonderful narrative. King Janaka said, "oh sage Vishwamitra, most blessed am I to be graced by your presence. I have acquired so many merits just by receiving you." 

As it was nightfall, they adjourned. Next morning, the sage and the brothers revisited Janaka's court.

Janaka bowed down to the sage and felicitated Sri Rama and Lakshmana. He asked sage Vishwamitra what was to be done next. 

Sage Vishwamitra replied cordially, " these brothers, brave sons of king Dasharatha, are keen on seeing your divine bow. Kindly oblige them." 

King Janaka began the story of this dhanush. 

"Lord Rudra Shiva was deeply insulted during the Dakshayajna. The gods had been complicit in this by their silent accord. Lord Shiva took up this giant bow, strung it effortlessly, and in his rage said he would decapitate all the gods. The gods in utter fright apologised and sang many hymns to cool him down. Soon Rudra was pleased and in fact gave away this bow to the gods. The gods then entrusted this bow to my ancestor Devaratha. There is no other bow like this in the three worlds. It is the crest-jewel.

"Once I was tilling the field with a plough. A female child appeared in the mud. I gladly brought the child home and brought her up as my dearest daughter Sita. 

"Sita is not born in a human womb. She is special. So I have decided to give her hand in marriage only against payment of Veerashulka (act of great bravery and valour as a qualification for becoming worthy of her hand).  Many many kings wanted Sita's hand in marriage.  I told everyone that Sita was no ordinary princess and in order to win her hand they had to give Veerashulka. They all came and assembled here in Mithila and discussed what should be the Veerashulka (deciding the nature of the contest)."

***

तेषां जिज्ञासमानानां शैवं धनुरुपाहृतम्      ।

न शेकुग्रहणे तस्य धनुषस्तोलनेऽपि वा      ॥

आत्मानमवधुतं ते  विज्ञाय नृपपुङ्गवाः        ।

रोषेण महताविष्टाः पीडयन्मिथिलां पुरीम्।   ॥

"In the middle of their debate on what should be the scope of the contest to assess their valour, I presented before them  this Shiva Danush. None of them could either hold it or lift it to know its weight. "

" This enraged them. Knowing me to be a reclusive sage, they attacked in many ways and destroyed Mithila."

***

King Janaka summoned the gods and told them of his situation and asked for help. They readily sent him a fully equipped army. The army scattered away the enemies in a short time. 

***

तदेतन्मुनिशार्दूल धनुः परमभास्वरम्          ।

रामलक्षणयोश्चापि दर्शयिष्यामि सुव्रत       ॥

यद्यस्य धनुषो रामः कुर्यादारोपाणं मुने        ।

सुतामयोनिजां सीतां दद्यां दाशरथेरहम्        ॥

" This oh best of sages, is the story of the supremely glorious bow.  I shall surely show it to Rama and Lakshmana. 

"If Rama succeeds in lifting and stringing the bow, oh sage, I shall gladly give this worthy prince and son of Dasharatha in marriage the hand of my daughter Sita, special in her birth as she was not born in a human womb, 

***

॥       श्रीरामजयम्          ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - May 22

May 22 - Sargas 63 and 64 of Balakanda.

The challenges faced by Kaushika Vishwamitra during his exertions of tapas continue.

After a thousand years of tapas, he is visited by the gods who grant boons. Lord Brahma says in a pleased voice, "Oh Vishwamitra, as a result of your auspicious exertions, you have earned the title of Rishi  (Implying that his kshatriya tendencies have disappeared)."

Vishwamitra, who is after the holy grail of Brahmarshi status, continues his tapas for many more years.

Then one day the celestial beauty and enchantress Menaka is seen bathing in the lake near his ashram. He is competely smitten by her beauty.

***

दृष्ट्वा कन्दर्पवशगो मुनिस्तामिदमब्रवीत्  ।

अप्सरः स्वागतं तेऽस्तु वस चेह ममाश्रमे   ॥

अनुगृह्णीष्व भद्रं ते मदनेन सुमोहितम्      ।

इत्युक्ता सा वरारोहा तत्र वासमथाकरोत्   ॥

अहोरात्रापदेशेन गताः संवत्सरा दश ।

काममोहाभिभूतस्य विघ्नोऽयं प्रत्युपस्थितः ॥

Swept away by Cupid (overcome by lust), Vishwamitra said to Menaka, "welcome, oh divine beauty, please come. and live with me in my ashrama. I have been overcome by the influence of Manmatha, and seek your favours. My best wishes for your welfare, too." Menaka coyly accepted his love and moved in.

Ten years fled. Days and nights were a whirl of love-making. Suddenly Vishwamitra's eyes opened to the fact that his tapas had been again rendered ineffectual, given his surrender to lust. He blamed the gods for this "set-up. " Menaka was terrified of his imminent outburst. But he sent her away with a wry smile, without pronouncing any curse. 

Full of chagrin and remorse, he redoubled his tapas. he proceeded to the himalayan banks of the Kaushiki river, and performed severe tapas for another thousand years. 

The gods went to Brahma and recommended that Vishwamitra should be granted the title of Maharishi. When a pleased Brahma did him the honours, he replied, without joy or sadness, "oh lord, gratified am I that you have pronounced me a Maharishi. But tell me, have I managed to conquer my senses with their attachments to outside objects?" Brahma said, "No Vishwamitra, not yet!", and left. 

Now Vishwamitra, who knew only one thing, "if you don't succeed  try harder!", escalated the tapas. He neither ate nor drank anything. With arms raised, with no support, he stood balanced in summer with fires on all sides, in rain with no cover, immersed in  water day and night during winter. 

Now Mr. Indra got worried. He summoned Rambha from his court, the most fabulous of all apsaras. He told her to go and seduce Viswamitra. 

Rambha said, "come on, I shall only incur a most terrible curse if I do anything. Please take back your order, oh lord Indra"! Indra told Rambha, as she shook in utter fear and foreboding, that she need not worry and he, with Manmatha, and all the forces of nature to sway Vishwamitra, would be with her and she will have to do his bidding. He told her to enhance her beauty multi-fold for maximum effect. 

Thus did Rambha go. She tempted Vishwamitra with all her wiles. Cuckoos cooed, trees blossomed and cast a magical spell with a seductive breeze. 

A pleasantly surprised Vishwamitra then saw Rambha. Now he wised up to Indra's plot. 

***

यन्मां लोभयसे रम्भे कामक्रोधजयैषिणम्   । 

दश वर्षसहस्राणि शैली  स्थास्यसि दुर्भगे  ॥

ब्राह्मणः सुमहातेजास्तपोबलसमन्वितः       । 

उद्धरिष्यति रम्भे त्वां मत्क्रोधकलुषीकृतम्   ॥

"Oh Rambha, you wicked one, since you have come to tempt me away from my austerity to conquer lust and anger, I curse you to be pertified and remain in a stony state for ten thousand years. 

" Only a Brahmin with a great brilliance of powers from long tapas can come and redeem you from this curse uttered by me in rage". 

***

Indra and Manmatha vanished from the scene, having succeeded in their plot. 

A defeated Vishwamitra felt great contempt for himself. He shall never again allow anger, temptation and such lapses. Not any more. He uttered a terrible oath that he would do tapas with neither food and not even air (breath) for a thousand years to achieve this end. 

***

॥  श्रीरामजयम्  ॥  

Valmiki Ramayana - May 21

May 21- Sargas 61 and 62 of Balakanda.

Today we read of the strange situation of rishikumara Shunashepa and the stranger involvement of Viswamitra to save him.

After the Trishanku episode, Vishwamitra told the host of rishis who had been engaged in tapas along with him that somehow their tapas in the southern direction had come to nought by many disturbances and his tapas power had been dissipated. Therefore they should shift their base to a congenial forest location in the west with all its lovely lakes.

So they all travel and encamp near the sacred lake of Pushkara in the west. They are involved in severe tapas when the Shunashepa episode occurs.

The king of Ayodhya is the famed Ambareesha. He embarks on a special yajna. Indra, well known to us by now, promptly steals the sacrificial animal. The priest chides Ambareesha for his dereliction of duty in guarding the animal. He says the loss of Yajnapashu is a very bad portent and the king will be destroyed by this unholy event. To avert this, he had better mount a search for the animal and bring it back or bring a human for sacrifice as replacement without delay.

Ambareesha takes a hundred thousand cows and along with his army goes everywhere hoping to find the missing sacrificial animal or at least as an alternative to secure in a barter a human replacement. After visiting many places and ashramas, he comes to the ashrama of Richeeka rishi. He reverently narrates his situation and requests that in exchange for a hundred thousand cows, the rishi may give him. one of his sons to become the human to be sacrificed.

The rishi replies that he will not give his first son. His wife says that fathers are always attached to the fitst son whereas the last son is the darling of mothers. So she is very attached to their last son and will protect him. 

The middle one is Sunashepa.

***

उक्तवाक्ये मुनौ तस्मिन् मुनिपत्न्यां तथैव च।

शुनःशेपः स्वयं राम मध्यमो वाक्यमब्रवीत्   ॥

पिता ज्येष्ठमविक्रेयं माता चाह कनीयसम्   ।

विक्रीतं मध्यमं मन्ये राजन् पुत्रं नयस्व माम् ॥

Oh Rama, as soon as the rishi and his wife had spoken thus, their middle son Shunashepa himself came forward and spoke. 

"My father doesn't want to give (literally sell) his eldest son, and my mother says no to the youngest. Therefore king, please barter your cows and take me along as I have been sold." 

***

The delighted king does the needful and proceeds to travel with Shunashepa back to his yajna. On the way they halt at Pushkara. A hungry, tired, and terribly distressed Shuashepa goes and meets Vishwamitra at his ashrama. 

It so happens that Vishwamitra is Shunashepa's maternal uncle.

Thw boy says he is now orphaned and being taken to be sacrificed. The great rishi should kindly save him. This should be done without affecting the deal made with Ambareesha for completing his yajna. 

Vishwamitra calls all his sons. He tells them they have to now undertake this dharmic act and go and offer themselves for sacrifice at the yajna as this act would be their best way to go to heaven.

The sons are not amused. They mock their father for trying to save someone else (the son of another) at the cost of killing his own sons. This act of his would be heinous and equal to eating dog meat.

Vishwamitra's short fuse blows off and he curses his sons. They shall suffer the same fate as Vasishtha's sons who had been cursed by him to be born as the lowliest of the low and live on dog meat for a thousand years.

After dealing with his sons thus, Vishwamitra turns to Shunashepa. He gives him the blessing of protection (raksha). 

पवित्रपाशैरासक्तो रक्तमाल्यानुलेपनः  ।

वैष्णवं यूपमासाद्य वाग्भिरग्निमुदाहर  ॥

इमे तु गाथे द्वे दिव्ये गायेथ मुनिपुत्रक ।

अम्बरीषस्य यज्ञेऽस्मिंस्थितः सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥

"Oh Shunashepa, son of the rishi Richeeka, fear not. When you are bound with sacred sacrificial ropes, garlanded with red flowers, and tied to the sacrificial Vishnu post, pray to lord Agni, and recite these two powerful mantras I now teach you. Not only will you be saved and blessed, the yajna will also be successful. "

***

A happy Shunashepa urges Ambareesha to lose no time and restart the yajna.  They hasten to the yajna site and rituals pan out exactly as Vishwamitra has said.

At the correct moment, Shuashepa invokes Agni and recites the two esoteric mantras bestowed on him by Vishwamitra. A happy lord Indra appears to first bless Shuashepa with long life and all prosperity. Then Indra grants Ambareesha a thousand-fold enhanced merit as the fruit of the yajna.

And Vishwamitra resumes his tapas at Pushkara and continues it for a thousand years.

***

॥   श्रीरामजयम्   ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - May 20

May 20 - Sargas 59 and 60 of Balakanda.

The story of Trishanku's ascent to heaven by the dint of a stubborn Vishwamitra' efforts is telling. We understand the extent of Vishwamitra's ego and how spiritual power quickly evaporates when used for whimsical agendas.

***

हस्तप्राप्तमहं मन्ये स्वर्गं तव नराधिप       ।

यस्त्वं कौशिकमागम्य शरणयं शरणागतः  ॥

Vishwamitra told Trishanku, "Oh king, I consider (and so should you too) that heaven has come within your grasp already, now that you have chosen to come under my refuge (and I am the right person for giving you refuge)."

Then Vishwamitra marshalls his very capable rishi sons and disciples. He asks them to get ready a big yajna and also go and invite every rishi from all over the world to come and take part in this unique yajna being done by none other than himself. He tells the disciples to come back and narrate exactly what every invitee had replied.

***

The disciples go and round up many rishis from every nook and corner. They all accept the invite and come, except Vasishtha's sons and a rishi by name Mahodaya.

Vasishtha's sons angrily dismiss the invitation:

क्षत्रियो याजको यस्य चण्डालस्य विशेषतः ।

कथं सदसि भोक्तारो हविस्तस्य सुरर्षयः     । 

ब्राह्मणा वा महात्मानो भुक्त्वा चण्डालभोजनम् ॥

"What a fine yajna indeed you are telling us to attend!? Bah! A kshatriya is the priest! (kshatriyas have too much rajas to have spiritual powers). The one doing the yajna is a chandala (lowest of the low, devoid of any eligibility!) 

Do you think the gods and sages will come and accept the havis offerings in such a yajna? Do you think Brahmins will accept the food from a chandala!?"

His disciples come back and report this to Vishwamitra verbatim. As can be expected, Vishwamitra utters the vilest of curses to reduce Vasishtha's sons to ashes and condemns them to being born hundreds of times in the vilest of forms. He also doesn't spare Mahodaya.

The rishis who have come to the yajna are now mortified in fear. They say that Vishwamitra's uncontrollable anger will damn them if they don't comply with his instructions. So they meekly set about the yajna appropriately.

Vishwamitra conducts the yajna with Trishanku as the yajamana. The time comes for havis offerings to be given to the gods. Vishwamitra calls out to them repeatedly but they don't come.

An enraged Vishwamitra holds aloft the sacrificial ladle and proclaims,

दुष्प्रापंयस्वशरीरेण दिवं गच्छ नराधिप।

स्वार्जितं किञ्चिदप्यस्ति मया हि तपसा फलम् ॥

"Oh king, I now launch you to ascend to heaven in your present chandala form, a feat in fact known to be impossible. If at all I have accumulated any merit through my tapas, I stake it for this purpose now."

Trishanku takes off and tries to enter heaven. Indra, the lord of heaven, says,

त्रिशंको गच्छ भूयस्त्वं नासि स्वर्गकृतालयः ।

गुरुशापहतो मूढ पत भूमिमिवाक्शिरः        ॥

" Oh Trishanku, go back, you have in no way earned merit to enter heaven. You fool, accursed as you are by your guru, hurtle down to earth, head first. "

Trishanku starts falling down and screams to Vishwamitra to save him (त्राहि त्राहि!). Vishwamitra commands him aloud," तिष्ठ! तिष्ठ! "

"Stay where you are and stop falling! "

Vishwamitra now takes on the role if the creator Brahma himself and creates constellations of stars and the Saptarshi Mandala also in the southern heavens. He is in uncontrollable rage. He screams that he will rid the worlds of Indra himself. He will create a complete alternative set of gods.

Then the gods plead with Vishwamitra:

अयं राजा महाभाग गुरुशापपरिक्षतः। 

सशरीरो दिवं यातुं नार्हत्येव तपोदन  ॥

" Oh most glorious sage, this king has been damned by the curse of his guru. He is not qualified to enter heaven in his own body. Kindly understand what we are saying, oh treasure of tapas powers!" 

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा देवानां मुनिपुङ्गवः। 

अब्रवीत् सुमहद्वाक्यं कौशिकः सर्वदेवताः ॥

Having heard their words and allowing them to sink in, a more reasonable Vishwamitra replies the gods with these great words:

सशरीरस्य भद्रं वस्त्रिशङ्कोरस्य भूपतेः । 

आरोहणं प्रतिज्ञाय नानृतं कर्तुमुत्सहे      ॥

स्वर्गोऽस्तु सशरीरस्य त्रिशङ्कोरस्य शाश्वतः। 

नक्षत्राणि च सर्वाणि मामकानि ध्रुवाण्यथ   ॥

"oh gods, having promised this king Trishanku that I will make him ascend successfully to heaven in his own body, I cannot now render my promise false. 

" Let it be that he will flourish in his own body in his own heaven, replete with all constellations amd even the pole star, permanently and undisturbed." 

The gods are happy to accept this. Therefore Trishanku hangs even now, to this day, upside down in his heaven, fully furnished by the power of Vishwamitra's creative efforts. It is an alternate universe outside the path of the zodiac. 

***

॥   श्रीरामजयम्    ॥