Valmiki Ramayana - August 31

August 31 - Sargas 69 and 70 of Aranya Kanda.

As Sri Rama and Lakshmana proceed in the very dense forest looking for Sita, they encounter a strange rakshasa with a huge headless body who captures them in his massive outstretched arms. With great difficulty, the brothers are able to cut off his limbs and free themselves. 

***

As Sri Rama proceeds with Lakshmana in the dense forest, they enter a region so dense and dark as a dark cloud. They see also a huge cave with no light at all. A monstrous demoness by the name of Ayomukhi emerges and catches hold of Lakshmana. She quickly confesses that she shall be his consort forever and they will have a good time roaming in the mountains and along rivers. Not amused, Lakshmana takes out his sword and angrily cuts off that repulsive monster's ears, nose, and breasts. Ayomukhi runs away, screaming.

Lakshmana sees many bad omens. He tells Sri Rama that some trouble is afoot but he also sees from the strange cries of birds that they will emerge victorious in war.

***

There is a very big explosion of sound like that of a thunderstorm. 

तं शब्दं काङ्क्षमाणास्तु रामः खड्गी सहानुजः     ।

ददर्श सुमहाकायं राक्षसं विपुलोरसम्                 ॥

विवृद्धमशिरोग्रीवं कबन्धमुदरोमुखम्                   ।

  

"Looking around with wonder for the source of that explosion, Sri Rama, his sword in hand, his brother by his side, saw a very huge rakshasa, with a huge chest, without a neck or head. The demon had his mouth and eyes in his huge belly."

Kabandha, for that was the name of that the rakshasa, was devouring all wild animals, smacking his lips. He now stretched his mile-long arms and caught hold of Sri Rama and Lakshmana in a terrible bind. Sri Rama didn't panic at once, but Lakshmana did. He cried out to Sri Rama, "Oh Rama, I suggest you offer me as a sacrifice to this demon and free yourself. I shall be happy as you will find Sita and return to Ayodhya."

Sri Rama would have none of it. Then the monster spoke. He expressed surprise that strangers in the forest, two weapon-wielding strong men had arrived, and would soon become his meal.

Now Sri Rama also mused how Destiny was cruelly placing them in one crisis after another, with no sign of Sita yet. As both the brothers were expressing dismay,  Lakshmana decided to act. At his suggestion, the brothers swiftly pulled out their swords and cut off the demon's arms that were holding them.

The monster Kabandha fell to earth, bleeding profusely. Now Lakshmana introduced Sri Rama as the prince of Ayodhya, son of King Dasharatha, and himself as his younger brother Lakshmana.

Kabandha was very happy to hear this. He had been told by Lord Indra that when the two brothers Sri Rama and Lakshmana would arrive and cut off his limbs, it would signal that the moment for his liberation from this miserable form had arrived.

***

॥      श्रीरामजयम्       ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana

August 30 - Sargas 67 and 68 of Aranya Kanda.

Lakshmana's words calm Sri Rama down. They start searching for Sita again. Then they meet Jatayu, fallen, bleeding, and barely sustaining his breath.

Jataayu narrates how despite his intervention, Ravana took Sita away southward. Assuring Sri Rama that the portent was that he would get Sita back soon, Jataayu brethes his last and is cremated by the brothers reverentially.

***

Reclaiming his composure, Sri Rama starts again to search for Sita along with Lakshmana. The two brothers are very exhausted and deflated. But they go on and soon find a huge bird fallen and bleeding. From a distance, Sri Rama suspects that it must be some rakshasa who has devoured Sita and is now resting. He angrily sets a terrible arrow to his bow and is about to destroy that creature when then discover that it is that ancient bird Jataayu, mortally wounded. Sri Rama realizes that Jataayu has been slain in trying to protect Sita. He cries in dismay:

राज्यं भ्रष्टं वने वासः सीता नष्टा मृतो द्विजः।

ईदृशीयं ममालक्ष्मीर्दहेदपि हि पावकम्      ॥

सम्पूर्णमपि चेदद्य प्रतरेयं महोदधिम्         ।

सोऽपि नूनं ममालक्ष्म्या विशुष्येत् सरितां पतिः ॥

"Alas! What havoc has the goddess of misfortune wreaked on me! First loss of the kingdom. Then banishment to  a life of hardship in the forest. Then the disappearance of Sita. Now the killing of Jataayu. Indeed this deadly misfortune can burn down even fire! I am so wretched in my fate that even if I go to swim in the big ocean, it will dry up to deny me. "

Jataayu is urged to narrate what happened. Between his last few breaths, being cuddled by a grieving Sri Rama, he narrates the battle between him and Ravana and how he was able to bring down the rakshasa after laying low his charioteer, chariot, and horses. Ravana sensed then that the old bird had tired and quickly cut off his wings. No matter, Jataayu is not worried about dying. 

Now Jataayu says something significant:

येन याति मुहूर्तेन सीतामादाय रावणः      ।

विप्रणष्टं धनं क्षिप्रं तत्स्वामी प्रतिपद्यते  ॥

विन्दो नाम मुहूर्तोऽसौ न च काकुत्स्थ सोऽबुधत्।

त्वत्प्रियां जानकीं हृत्वा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः। 

झषवद् बडिशं गृह्य क्षिप्रमेव हनिष्यति   ॥

न च त्वया व्यथा कार्या जनकस्य सुतां प्रति ।

वैदेह्या रंस्यसे क्षिप्रं हृत्वा तं रणमूर्धनि        ॥

"Dear Rama, the muhurta (astrologocal time) when Ravana abducted Sita bodes great loss of wealth and whatever has been acquired in that time for that person.

"The name of that muhurta is Vinda. Whoever has been robbed then will quickly recover his loss. This was not realized by Ravana. By abducting your dear wife, that lord of rakshasas Ravana has courted disaster like a fish that swallows the bait only to lose his life.

"Therefore grieve not, oh Kakutstha! You should not at all be disheartened about losing Sita. You shall soon destroy Ravana in battle and be happy together with your beloved Sita."

Sri Rama sees Jataayu breathe his last in his lap. He mourns his death very much like the death of his father.

Lakshmana arranges for Sri Rama to ceremonially cremate Jataayu and make the ritualistic offering after bathing in the Godavari.

Sri Rama and Lakshmana then move towards the south, like Vishnu and Indra, searching for Sita.

***

॥      श्रीरामजयम्      ॥

मम गीताभिरुचिः

एष लघुप्रबन्दः संस्कृतसमारम्भे हलसूरुविभागे प्रथमबहुमानपुरस्कारेण मानितः 🙏

Valmiki Ramayana - August 29

August 29 - Sargas 65 and 66 of Aranya Kanda.

Who is a true friend, a true well-wisher? It is someone who stands by my side in my gravest difficulty and helps me pull myself together to do what is in my control and not go overboard in sorrow or anger. 

The gold standard for this is Lakshmana. He has always been with Sri Rama as his dutiful younger brother- first when they went as boys with the sage Vishwamitra, and now in this period of banishment. Not only does Lakshmana serve Sri Rama and Sita as an incomparable companion, but he now also speaks words of the greatest importance to Sri Rama who is about to explode in grief and anger.

***

अदृष्टपूर्वं संकृद्धं दृष्ट्वा रामं स लक्ष्मणः       ।

अब्रवीत् प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं मुखेन परिशुष्यता  ॥

पुरा भूत्वा मृदुर्दान्तः सर्वभूतहिते रथः         ।

न क्रोधवशमापन्नः पृकृतिं हातुमर्हसि       ॥

चन्द्रे लक्ष्मीः प्रभा सूर्ये गतिर्वायौ भुवि क्षमा  ।

एतच्च नियतं नित्यं त्वयि चानुत्तमं यशः       ॥

"Seeing Sri Rama in such a rage as never seen before, Lakshmana spoke with folded hands these words of advice in a voice parched with grief and anxiety.

" Dear Sri Rama, you have always been full of softness, self-control, and manifest concern for all creation. Please do not lose yourself to this rage and give up your true nature.

" The cheerful prosperity of the moon, the radiant self-assurance of the sun, the momentum in the wind, and the forgiveness characteristic of the earth, are always present in you, apart from your unequalled glorious reputation."

Lakshmana points out that the debris of the chariot and the scattered remains of a great battle point only to a lone culprit, acting with impudence, unassisted by any army. All that remains for them to do is to find out the perpetrator of this heinous act and deal with that person. There is absolutely no provocation to unleash destruction en masse.

मद्द्वितीयो धनुष्पाणिः सहायैः परमर्षिभिः    ।

समुद्रं वा विचेष्यामः पर्वतांश्च वनानि च        ॥

"Dear brother, I am by your side. Armed with bow and arrows, taking help and guidance from enlightened sages, let us go and search for Sita in mountains, forests, even oceans and caves hidden away from human habitation. 

"Only after such a thorough search can we decide what to do next. "

***

Lakshmana now changes gear. He tells Sri Rama that misfortune is a characteristic of everyone's life. The secret is to hold oneself together always. 

Lakshmana reminds Sri Rama that his very birth has been unique. King Dasharatha did a huge yajna and got Sri Rama as his son just like the devas had obtained Amrita by churning the ocean. Sri Rama was so special that the king gave up his life after Rama went away to the forest. Therefore Sri Rama had to recognize his own place in the scheme of things and tide over this grief. 

तत्त्वतो हि नरश्रेष्ठ बुद्ध्या समनुचिन्तया।       । 

बुद्ध्या युक्ता महाप्राज्ञ विजानन्ति शुभाशुभे  ॥

"Dear Rama, supreme among men, please apply your intellect and think through our best course of action. Those great men of wisdom don't lose their discrimination and power of judgement when faced with good fortune or ill-fortune".

मामेवंं हि पुरा वीर त्वमेव बहुशोक्तवान्        । 

अनुशिष्याद्धि को नु त्वामपि साक्षाद् बृहस्पतिः ॥

"Dear brother, oh valorous one, indeed it is you who have been always guiding me, speaking to me on many matters. Therefore, how can someone else like me now guide you or instruct you? After all, you're Brihaspati himself, the teacher of the gods." 

***

॥   श्रीरामजयम्   ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - August 28

August 28 - Sargas 63 and 64 of Aranya Kanda. 

As time passes, Sri Rama goes into a frenzy of self-pity and is incensed that nature all around does not give any hints about what has happened to Sita. Lakshmana says that the animals and trees seem to be pointing southward. They proceed in a southerly direction.

They come upon flowers and parts of gold ornaments that have dropped off from Sita's person. They also see footprints of Sita following some monstrously big footprints.

Then they come upon signs of a terrific battle with arrows strewn all around as well as a destroyed chariot. It is clear some people had fought over Sita.

Sri Rama flies into uncontrollable fury. He says he will destroy everything around as nobody is coming to their help in discovering Sita.

***

पूर्वं मया नूनमभीप्सितानि पापानि कर्माण्यसकृत्कृतानि       ।

तत्रायमद्यापतितो विपाको  दुःखेन दुःखं यदहं विशामि       ॥

राज्यप्रणाशस्स्वजनैर्वियोगः  पितुर्विनाशो जननीवियोगः   ।

सर्वाणि मे लक्ष्मण शोकवेगमापूरयन्ति प्रविचिन्तनानि      ॥

सर्वं तु दुःखं मम लक्ष्मणेदं शान्तं शरीरे वनमेत्य शून्यम्        ।

सीतावियोगात्पुनरप्युदीर्णं  काष्ठैरिवाग्निस्सहसा प्रदीप्तः      ॥

"Oh Lakshmana, The series of sinful deeds I had committed gleefully in the past (lives) are now descending on me, bearing their fruits, seeing how I am getting into distress after distress.

"I lost my right to the kingdom and was banished away from my people. My father died. My mother was separated from me. All those memories of misfortune torment me together now.

"I had indeed, Lakshmana, hidden those sorrows away from my mind and my mind was restful after entering and living in this uninhabited and silent forest. But the memories are raging again in my mind after losing Sita. It is like how dry firewood sticks conflagrate instantly when they come into contact with fire."

Sri Rama asks the animals why they don't speak to him. He asks the Godavari river why she is not disclosing what has happened. The poet Valmiki says Godavari was so terrified of Ravana and his atrocities that she dared not speak. Sri Rama begs the Sun god overhead, one who is equal to all and sees everything constantly, why he does not speak now and say what has happened. He receives no answer. 

Lakshmana says something significant now:

शोकम्विमुञ्चार्य धृतिं भजस्व सोत्साहता चाऽस्तु विमार्गणेऽस्याः       ।

उत्साहवन्तो हि नरा न लोके सीदन्ति कर्मस्वतिदुष्करेषु                    ॥

"Oh noble Sri Rama, please abandon this grief. With enthusiasm doubled, search for Sita. Only those with spirit and enthusiasm can face life's troubles and engage themselves in the most difficult tasks." In other words, the tough get going when the going gets tough.

***

Somehow Lakshmana senses that all nature is pointing them in a southerly direction as if saying that Sita had gone southward. Even the skies seem to point that the search should be southward. Listening to him, Sri Rama starts going southward. Valmiki also says Lakshmana was not one to dawdle and walked fast. 

Making progress, the brothers encounter several signals. Sri Rama recognizes many splendid flowers that are strewn on the path. Those same flowers had been used by him that morning to deck up Sita's hair and person. Then they see golden parts and golden beads that had separated from the many lustrous ornaments that Sita was wearing. So this was where Sita had passed!

But wait. They also see her footprints.  Her footprints are following those of a huge rakshasa's footprints. Obviously, someone had dragged her away.

Then signs of a huge battle. Arrows. Broken golden bows. Weapons of all kinds. A broken chariot. A king's white umbrella with a hundred spokes, completely destroyed. His royal staff. A charioteer lying dead. Horses, nay, donkeys, with grotesque faces, all killed. 

Obviously, at least two had fought over Sita.

For Sri Rama, enough is enough. He is now uncontrollably angry with the whole world. He girds up his loins and takes his bow and says he is going to destroy the whole existence, as nothing now makes sense and a good lady has not been saved from a calamity. Virtue seems to find no help anymore.

पुरेव मे चारुदतीमनिन्दितां दिशन्ति सीतां यदि नाद्य मैथिलीम्        ।

सदेवगन्धर्वमनुष्यपन्नगं जगत् सशैलं परिवर्तयाम्यहम्                   ॥   

"If the world around me does not, right now, this very instant, reveal Sita with her blemishless character and beautiful appearance, I shall turn it topsy-turvy, with the gods, celestials, humans, serpents, with all its life-forms and mountain peaks!"

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्            ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - August 27

August 27 - Sargas 61 and 62 of Aranya Kanda.

The sargas are full of distressing descriptions of a desperate and dismayed Sri Rama's lamentations about the disappearance of his dearer-than-life Sita. Lakshmana tries to keep his morale up but in vain.

***

अदृष्ट्वा तत्र वैदेहीं संनिरीक्ष्य च सर्वशः   ।

उवाच रामः प्राकृश्य प्रगृह्य रुचिरौ भुजौ  ॥

क्व नु लक्ष्मण वैदेही कं वा देशमितो गता।

केनाहृता वा सौमित्रे भक्षिता केन वा प्रिया ॥

"After not finding Sita in the hermitage, and searching everywhere in vain for her, Sri Rama held, in agitation and anger, Lakshmana's two beautiful shoulders firmly, shook him, and asked, " Oh Lakshmana, where, where is Vaidehi!? Where has she gone away? By whom has she been abducted? Or eaten up? Or what else happened to my most dear Sita!?"

What could Lakshmana say?

Sri Rama then thought how he would not survive in this world without Sita, and therefore land up meeting his deceased father, King Dasharatha in the next world soon. The king would ask him petulantly, "What, Rama, was my order not clear to you? Why have you come and met me prematurely, before completing fourteen years in Dandaka!? You have failed me, Rama!"

Lakshamana ventures that Sita was fond of the caves surrounded by flowering trees and bushes in the mountains. Maybe Sita would be hiding there. They spend hours searching for her all over the mountains. 

Sri Rama calls out, "Enough of this teasing, Maithili! Don't have fun at my expense! Please reveal yourself!!!"

Hours pass. Repeatedly, the two comb the forest again and again. There is no sign of Sita. Sri Rama cries out, "Oh Sita, don't you see? All the trees are distressed. All the lovely deer are shedding tears at your absence. Are you hiding your comely limbs behind the leaves and creepers and trees to deceive me? Enough, enough of this torment!"

Then Sri Rama imagines what would be King Janaka's reaction if Sri Rama went back alone, without Sita. How would Sri Rama face Sita's father? Impossible.

Sri Rama tells Lakshmana that he will not go back to Ayodhya ever. Lakshmana should go back and somehow manage everybody - Sumitra, Kaikeyi and Kausalya. Sri Rama would now never return to Bharata-ruled Ayodhya. Ever.

***

॥     श्रीरामजयम्     ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - August 26

August 26 - Sargas 59 and 60 of Aranya Kanda.

Sri Rama takes Lakshmana to task for forsaking Sita and going to find Sri Rama when they all knew what dangers lurked for Sita from the rakshasas. After listening to Sri Rama for sometime, Lakshmana replies, full of sorrow and resignation, how he was reassuring Sita that the wild and desperate cry they had heard in Sri Rama's voice could never be his as he would never be conquered or overpowered by any enemy in battle. 

Lakshmana's total refusal to leave her side and go had drawn some extremely unpleasant words from Sita, senseless with anger and panic :

एवमुक्ता तु वैदेही परिमोहितचेतना         ।

उवाचाश्रूणि मुञ्चन्ती दारुणं मामिदं वचः ॥

भावो मयि तवात्यर्थपाप एव निवेशितः         ।

विनष्टे भ्रातरि प्राप्तुं न च त्वं मामवाप्स्यसे     ॥

संकेताद् भरतेन त्वं मदर्थमनुगच्छसि    ।

क्रोशन्तं हि यथात्यर्थं नैनमभ्यवपद्यसे   ॥

Lakshmana replied to Sri Rama, "After hearing my repeated assurances that nothing untoward would have happened to you, that we should ignore those terrible cries for help in your voice, Vaidehi replied, totally driven insane by panic and grief, shedding copious tears, the following most painful words:

"Shame on you Lakshmana, you are hoping I will become yours after Sri Rama dies like this. This sinful desire of yours will be dashed as you shall never get me.

"For sure, you have been directed by Bharata and you're desiring me. That's why you are ignoring Sri Rama's desperate cries for help and not stirring from here to go help him!"

"Nothing I said to her made any impact. These and more such words of Maithili provoked me to extreme rage, Sri Rama. I am indeed very sorry that I rushed out with my eyes blazing red in anger to go and find you at once."

Sri Rama is not at all convinced by Lakshmana's words. He says,

सर्वथा त्वपनीतं ते सीतया यत् प्रचोदितः    ।

क्रोधस्य वशमागत्य नाकरोः शासनं मम     ॥

"Lakshmana, you have totally disobeyed my order just because you were provoked by Sita's words. Something we all know is that women have a tendency to say such words. You succumbed to anger and came away, exposing Sita to the gravest danger."

Lakshmana is thus further gutted. 

***

Sri Rama again franticallly searches every corner of the hermitage. All the articles are strewn about and everything is in disarray. They rush out and search fitfully in every place. 

हृता मृता वा नष्टा वा भक्षिता वा भविष्यति  । 

निलीनाप्यथवा भीरुरथवा वनमाश्रिता        ॥

गता विचेतुं पुष्पाणि फलान्यपि च वा पुनः   । 

अथवा पद्मिनीं याता जलार्थं वा नदीं गता    ॥

Sri Rama muses aloud, "Timid by nature, poor Sita must have been abducted, or killed, or eaten up by wild animals. Or is it oossible she is playing hide and seek with me? Or gone and got lost in the forest? 

" Or perhaps... She has gone just to gather some flowers and fruits? Or gone to some lotus pond to pick some beautiful lotuses? Or perhaps to the river for a bath.....?" 

***

Wherever Sri Rama goes, he is crying out for Sita. He begins to speak deliriously to trees and animals, asking where is his dear Sita! Valmiki the master story-teller pretty much twists the dagger into our hearts as he lists every tree that Sri Rama addresses, with colourful metaphors that compare Sita's beauty and her goodness to that tree's charms, finally begging, "please tell me, where is my Sita!"

भ्रमरैरुपगीतश्च यथा द्रुमवरो ह्ययम्             । 

एष व्यक्तं विजानाति तिलकस्तिलकप्रियाम् ॥

"This supreme Tilaka tree is buzzing with bees crowding around his flowers. Why is he not telling me the whereabouts of my beloved Sita, who is so fond of putting the Tilaka on her forehead!? "

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्         ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - August 25

August 25 - Sargas 57 and 58 of Aranya Kanda.

The pall of gloom and dismay are being drawn by Valmiki over the minds of the key characters of Ramayana, viz. Sita, Sri Rama and Lakshmana. 

For the umpteenth time too, when we read these portions, our hearts bleed for them.

***

अशुभं बत मन्येऽहं गोमायुर्वाश्यते यथा    । 

स्वस्ति स्यादपि वैदेह्या राक्षसैर्भक्षणं विना ॥

मारीचेन तु विज्ञाय स्वरमालक्ष्य मामकम्    । 

विक्रुष्टं मृगरूपेण लक्ष्मणः शृणुयाद्  यदि   ॥

स सौमित्रिः स्वरं श्रुत्वा तां च हित्वाथ मैथिलीम्।

तयैव प्रहितः क्षिप्रं मत्सकाशमिहैष्यति       ॥

Sri Rama is hastening back to the hermitage after the Mareecha misadventure when he hears jackals howling behind him. There are several ill-omens all around. He ponders in extreme agitation:

"I consider it most inauspicious that the jackal howls like this. Indeed I hope that Vaidehi Sita is safe and has not been eaten up by rakshasas. 

" That Mareecha, disguised as a deer, discovered my voice and mimicked it in his deathly cry. Lakshmana would have heard it. 

" After hearing it, Lakshmana would have left Sita's side thinking I was in danger. Sita would have despatched him at once to my side. Alas!"

Sri Rama knows that there are many enemies in Janasthana after the killing of Khara and his army. They would have plotted their revenge and perhaps had now succeeded in killing and eating up Sita.

Just then, Sri Rama sees Lakshmana coming towards him with a woebegone face. He speaks sternly to him, "Oh! Lakshmana, how come you have left the side of Sita and exposed her to unthinkable danger from rakshasas!? Why did you not adhere to my word!?"

As Sri Rama castigates Lakshmana, they hurry toward the hermitage. Sri Rama starts panicking that Sita has been killed. He shall not live even for a moment without her.

Kaikeyi's scheme of banishing Sri Rama to a life in the forest would have achieved its aim of his meeting his untimely end there. What will happen to Kausalya when Sri Rama lays down his life in grief and Lakshmana alone returns to Ayodhya!?

Sri Rama figures that Mareecha's cry in his voice calling out to Lakshmana must have shaken him to the core and made Sita so afraid that she would have despatched Lakshmana, leaving herself alone and vulnerable to rakshasas. 

Sita was the epitome of love and dedication, suffering every hardship in the forest just to be by Rama's side. A princess of Mithila now being eaten up by rakshasas would be the greatest tragedy and Sri Rama would surely not survive it even for an instant.

स्वमाश्रमं स प्रविगाह्य वीरो

       विहारदेशाननुसृत्य काञ्श्चित्। 

एतत्तदित्येव निवासभूमौ 

        प्रहृष्टरोमा व्यथितो बभूव   ॥

"That valiant Sri Rama entered the hermitage and searched  thoroughly in vain for Sita. He rushed out and looked in all the usual places where she used to roam about. He was most distraught. It dawned on him that she was no more there and his hair stood on end with Sri Rama becoming certain about her disappearance. "

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्         ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - August 24

August 24 - Sarga 56 and the Prakshipta Sarga of Aranya Kanda. 

A fearless Sita responds to Ravana condemning his unpardonable conduct and assuring him of his death soon at the hands of Rama. Ravana is incensed and gives her 12 months to become his dutiful wife or face the prospect of being cut up and served for his breakfast.

Sita is transported to Ashoka Vana and surrounded by rakshasis who torment her constantly. 

In the prakshipta sarga (not considered authentic but featured in most books), Lord Brahma out of concern for Sita and to make sure she keeps her body and soul together until Sri Rama goes to Lanka and saves her, sends Indra to give Sita some celestial food that will see her through the period. Also, Indra assures her that Sri Rama will surely cross the sea and save her,

***

सा तथोक्ता तु वैदेही निर्भया शोककर्शिता      ।

तृणमन्तरतः कृत्वा रावणं प्रत्यभाषत              ॥

"Thus addressed by Ravana, Vaidehi Sita, manifestly fearless, albeit most distressed, placed a blade of grass between them and spoke to him addressing that blade of grass".

The significance here is that Sita continued to be fearless. Showing Ravana his place, she interposed a blade of grass signifying her total contempt and rejection of the rakshasa king. 

Sita began by recounting the glory of King Dasharatha. How his son Sri Rama was the epitome of valour and righteousness. Sri Rama was totally devoted to the welfare of all and was unconquerable. Ravana had only shown his cowardice and impotence by stealing Sita after hoodwinking them through Mareecha. Sita was totally and unalterably wedded and devoted to that glorious Sri Rama.

स ते जीवितशेषस्य राघवोऽन्तकरो बली ।

पशोर्यूपगतस्येव जीवितं तव दुर्लभम्      ॥

"That most powerful Sri Rama is going to be the Yama handing to you your certain death. Your continuing to live is as impossible as it is for an animal at the sacrifice to escape after being tied to the sacrificial post. "

"Sri Rama can bring the moon down to earth, and can dry up the ocean, in order to save me, Sita, his beloved wife."

लङ्का वैधव्यसंयुक्ता त्वत्कृतेन भविष्यति  "Lanka will be widowed by your heinous act. " Sita goes on to say how Fate writes her decree indelibly based on one's actions and it is crystal clear that Ravana and his evil forces are soon to be erased from this earth. 

As far as Ravana's coveting Sita's hand, Sita has this to say:

न शक्या यज्ञमध्वस्था वेदिः स्रुग्भाण्डमण्डिता      ।

द्विजातिमन्त्रसम्पूता चण्डालेनावमर्दितुम्             ॥ 

"Oh, Ravana, just as it is impossible for a chandala (outcast from Dharma who feeds on dead animals) to come and defile a sacrificial altar that is blazing with the holy fire, with ladles and offerings arrayed, and sanctified by noble priests engaged in holy incantations,  so it is - totally beyond imagination for you to reach me or defile me.

इदं शरीरं निःसंज्ञं बन्ध वा घातयस्व वा      ।

नेदं शरीरं रक्ष्यं मे जीवितं वापि राक्षस        ॥

"Oh, rakshasa! This body of mine is to me now of no importance. You can bind it with ropes or injure it as you may. I am not interested in preserving this body at all or keeping myself alive. My consciousness and conscience alone are of importance to me."

These words, addressed with total disdain as Sita looked only at that blade of grass showing how insignificant were Ravana and his threat, simply infuriated Ravana.

He spoke in utter rage:

श्रुणु मैथिलि मद्वाक्यं मासान् द्वादश भामिनि    ।

ततस्त्वां  प्रातराशार्थं सूदश्छेत्स्यन्ति लेशिशः    ॥

"Hear oh, woman, Maithili! I give you twelve months to change your mind. After that, my cooks will cut you up into little bits and cook you up for my breakfast."

Ravana also asked those terrible-looking rakshasis to surround Sita and break her will. He asked them to take her to Ashoka Vana, a paradise of pleasures, in the hope she will relent. She would be guarded against all intruders and visitors.

***

Lord Brahma was on the one hand happy with the development of the plot. But would Sita, so distressed, wretched in body and mind, survive the period before Sri Rama would make his way to Lanka? She was in urgent need of nourishment and emotional reassurance. He asked Indra to go at once. Indra took a pot of divine Payasam (elixir) and along with Nidra Devi (goddess of sleep), visited Sita.

On her arrival, Nidra Devi put all the rakshasis into a deep slumber. Indra approached Sita and introduced himself.

Sita was in no mood to entertain anyone, especially someone calling himself Lord Indra. She told Indra to prove his credentials. She had seen gods and even Indra when she had been in the company of Sri Rama and Lakshmana at Sharabhanga's ashrama. 

Indra showed himself in his true divine form that did not stand in contact with the earth. His being was glowing and his eyes were without blinking. Sita now believed him.

इन्द्रहस्ताद्गृहीत्वा तत् पायसं सा शुचिस्मिता                  ।

न्यवेदयत भर्त्रे सा लक्ष्मणाय च मैथिली                       ॥

यदि जीवति मे भर्ता सह भ्रात्रा माहाबलः                      ।

इदमस्तु तयोर्भक्त्या तदाश्नात् पायसं स्वयम्                ॥  

"Then a smiling and reassured Sita took the pot of Payasam from Indra's hands and offered it with love and reverence to Sri Rama and Lakshmana. 

"She said, "if my husband is still alive, and safe with his brother, this is my devoted offering to them", and then partook of it herself."

Lord Indra also assured Sita that soon Sri Rama would arrive, crossing the sea, and save her.  The payasam she had eaten would keep Sita nourished and well until that time.

***

॥       श्रीरामजयम्         ॥ 

 

:

 

Valmiki Ramayana - August 23

August 23 - Sargas 54 and 55 of Aranya Kanda.

Sita sees five giant monkeys (vanaras) sitting on the top of a mountain. Thinking quickly, she ties many of her ornaments in her silken upper cloth of golden colour and drops them which the vanaras notice. They also see that a very beautiful, young woman is being carried away by a rakshasa in a southerly direction as she keeps screaming, "Oh Rama, come and save me!" in a terribly distressed voice.

Ravana takes Sita to his golden palace. He appoints ghost-like rakshasis to guard her. He sends away eight terrific rakshasas to Janasthana to find out what Rama is doing, keeping Ravana informed constantly, and trying their best to kill Rama.

Ravana takes Sita on a tour of his splendid palace and begs her to become his queen.

***

ह्रियमाणा तु वैदेही कञ्चिन्नाथमपश्यती        ।

ददर्श गिरिशृङ्गस्थान् पञ्चवानरपुङ्गवान्           ॥

तेषां मध्ये विशालाक्षी कौशेयं कनकप्रभम्     ।

उत्तरीयं वरारोहा शुभान्याभरणानि च             ॥

मुमोच यदि रामाय शंसेयुरिति भामिनी           ।

वस्त्रमुत्सृज्य तन्मध्ये निक्षिप्तं सहभूषणम्       ॥    

"Vaidehi Sita, being carried off forcibly, was looking around anxiously for some remote assistance to escape. She then saw on the top of a mountain peak a group of five giant monkeys (vanaras). 

"The large-eyed Sita quickly removed her upper golden silk cloth as well as many of her beautiful ornaments.  She dropped them all in a bundle near those monkeys, hoping that they would inform Sri Rama of what they saw and hand over these ornaments bundled in her cloth to him. "

Indeed some really quick thinking by Sita. Her act of dropping those items from the sky to the vanaras below went unnoticed by Ravana who was puffing and speeding away towards his capital.

विक्रोशन्तीं तदा सीतां ददृशुर्वानरोत्तमाः

The vanaras were alarmed to see a young maiden being carried away like this. They heard her crying out to Rama to come and save her. They duly retrieved the bundle.

Valmiki says that demigods and rishis who could see this abduction pronounced that Ravana's death seemed imminent. Ravana himself was clasping the most deadly snake of retribution whose bite would soon prove fatal. 

Once they reached his palace, Ravana quickly hid away Sita in a chamber guarded by ghost-like rakshasis. They should guard her so that no man or woman would meet her unless ordered by Ravana. The rakshasis should fulfill every wish of Sita and give her whatever she asked for, luxuries, adornments, comforts,  as they would do to please Ravana.

Ravana also saw eight terrific rakshasa warriors. Praising their might and reminding them of their past deeds of valour, he despatched them at once as secret agents to Janasthana to fill the void created by Sri Rama by extinguishing Khara with his army. Ravana told them that Rama was his foremost enemy and he would not rest till killing Rama.

***

Then a weeping and pathetic Sita was forced by Ravana to take a tour of his extremely impressive palace. There were precious stone-embedded pillars and walls, ornamented windows, smooth marble floors, and splendour on display in every direction. Beautiful trees harboured singing birds of many kinds. Lakes and gardens were everywhere. It was simply heavenly. Ravana also told Sita that there were 33 crore able-bodied rakshasas ready to lay their lives down for him. He was the supreme monarch of all rakshasas.  And Sita well knew that Lanka was a faraway island (a few hundred miles away) in the sea and nobody had a chance to come there to help her.

Sita was covering her face in a cloth and sobbing bitterly even as she was led by Ravana on this tour. 

न देवेषु न यक्षेषु न गन्धर्वेषु नर्षिषु                ।

अहं पश्यामि लोकेषु यो मे वीर्यसमो भवेत्     ॥ 

राज्यभ्रष्टेन दीनेन तापसेन पदातिना                ।

किं करिष्यसि रामेण मानुषेणाल्पतेजसा         ॥

"Sita, I don't see anyone, either among gods, or other celestials, elves, ascetics, or anyone else who can equal me in strength and come to face me in a battle. 

"What can you hope to do with that miserable Rama, banished from his kingdom, wandering in a most pitiable condition, taking on the life of an ascetic, and travelling on foot? He is after all a mere human, a short-lived mortal and of extremely limited worth.

भजस्व सीते मामेव भर्ताहं सदृशस्तव               ।

यौवनं त्वध्रुवं भीरु रमस्वेह मया सह                ॥

न चापि रावणः काञ्चिन्मूर्ध्ना स्त्रीं प्रणमेत ह      ।

"Come, Sita! Accept me and love me as your husband. I alone am worthy of you. Remember and beware that your youth is but short-lived. Don't waste your life but enjoy it to the full with me. By the way, among us rakshasas, capturing a woman and enjoying her at will is an accepted Dharma.

"And you should know, Sita, so far, Ravana has never bowed his head at any woman's feet and pleaded with her to accept him. Women always come easily to me and I have many here. They will all be your slaves. "

Ravana was convinced that he had won a mighty war with Rama by claiming Sita. This was indeed for him a great victory.

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्          ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - August 22

August 22 - Sargas 52 and 53 of Aranya Kanda.

Valmiki describes the sight of Ravana travelling through the skies grasping Sita by her hair as the whole earth below weeps to see Sita's desperate wailing. Many of her ornaments and the flowers in her hair fall off a flailing, writhing, wretched Sita.

***

त्राहि मामद्य काकुत्स्थ लक्ष्मणेति वराङ्गना   ।

सुसंत्रस्ता समाक्रन्दच्छ्रुण्वतां तु यथान्तिके  ॥

"That noble lady cried out repeatedly, "Kakutstha! (Rama!), oh Lakshmana, please come at once and save me!" as if they were near her and could hear her wailing.

Sita realised that that the golden deer was a ploy and she had sent away Rama and Lakshmana foolishly and thus become easy prey to Ravana. She was deeply distressed that the noble bird Jataayu, a friend of her father-in-law's, had given up his life trying to release her from Ravana's abduction.

The trees wailed. The skies darkened. The rishis in heaven felt very distressed. But lord Brahma, who had led the devas to go and beseech lord Vishnu to be born on earth to get rid of Ravana, was quietly pleased at the developments which would ensure Ravana's destruction.

Valmiki describes in detail how Sita was looking like a golden bejewelled girdle around rhe dark giant Ravana as he sped across the sky. Ravana had caught hold of Sita's long tresses in a painful bind. She was writhing and wailing loudly. Many of her flowers, in her hair and around her neck, fell to the ground. Her golden ornaments around her ankles, on her wrists, and so on, were clinking musically aloud as they fell away to earth. 

Valmiki is not letting us forget the vision of this abduction. He describes in several stanzas the astounding, violent, and heart- rending sight of an extremely beautiful royal princess dressed up in lustrous golden silks and wearing so many divine ornaments given to her by Sati Anasuya now being a totally helpless prey as she is carried away by a huge monster in the sky. She was held firmly by her hair and pinned down by Ravana mercilessly. He was looking like the god of Death, Yama himself. But indeed by his unpardonable misdeed, he was hurtling towards his own death. 

***

Sita now spoke to Ravana. Her voice was frail but not her sentiment. 

ईदृशं गर्हितं कर्म कथं कृत्वा न  लज्जसे  । 

स्त्रियाश्चाहरणं नीच रहिते च परस्य च     ॥

धिक्ते ते शौर्यं च सत्त्वं च यत्त्वया कथितं तदा। 

कुलाक्रोशकरं लोके धिक् ते चारित्रमीदृशीम्  ॥

"Oh you scum, how come you don't feel shame after committing such a despicable act of abducting another's wife when she was not in the company of her husband!?

"Fie upon you, fie on your valour and past glories that you boasted of before. I condemn your character, I despise your conduct that will bring definite ruination to your family and will permanently tarnish your clan!"

She reminded Ravana that he will be consumed in an instant by the fire of Sri Rama's rage. The same Sri Rama who had single-handedly dealt death to  Khara and his fourteen-thousand strong army in almost no time.

Ravana, totally unmoved by the pitiable condition of his victim writhing in his painful grasp, sped on towards Lanka. 

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्          ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - August 21

Happy Onam! 

There is a famous Jataayu Park in Kerala. Today's reading showcases the greatness of  Jataayu! 

August 21 -  Sargas 50 and 51 of Aranya Kanda. 

The ancient bird Jataayu stops Ravana and speaks words of wisdom about how it is unrighteous to abduct Sita. Then he warns Ravana that his actions will invite the most severe response from Sri Rama and bring about the end of Ravana and his rakshasa clan. 

Ravana is provoked by these words to launch an attack on Jataayu. Jataayu fiercely responds and a mighty battle ensues. Finally, Ravana manages to cut off Jataayu's wings and feet.

***

दशग्रीव स्थितो धर्मे पुराणे सत्यसंश्रयः        ।

जटायुर्वाम नाम्नाहं गृध्रराजो महाबलः         ॥

तस्यैषा लोकनाथस्य धर्मपत्नी यशस्विनी      ।

सीता नाम वरारोहा यां त्वं हर्तुमिहेच्छसि       ॥

निवर्तय मतीं नीचां परदाराभिमर्शनात्           ।

न तत्समाचरेद्वीरो यत्परोऽस्य विगर्हयेत्         ॥

"Oh ten-headed Ravana,  I am that ancient bird established for long in Dharma. My name is Jataayu, the king of eagles and I am known for my might.

"This lady whom you are trying to carry off is the beautiful and well-known virtuous lady, Sita, wife of the lord of the world, Sri Rama.

"Give up this unbecoming and mean thought of stealing someone else's wife. How can one even stoop to such an act when everyone condemns such acts as most unrighteous?"

Jataayu goes on to explain how a king must place righteousness paramount and control his lustful desires. The king has to be a role model. Ravana has already a reputation for sin since he has stolen Kubera's chariot and also his kingdom. But Ravana should realize that ill-gotten wealth only brings ruin quickly. Rama has not wronged Ravana in any way. Shurpanakha provoked Khara to attack Rama and as a result, that entire army was destroyed by Rama.

Ravana is biting more than he can chew. Sri Rama clad in bark garments single-handedly killed Khara and his entire army. His wrath will destroy Ravana. Ravana is drinking poison thinking it will quench his thirst.

If Ravana is so brave, let him wait for the two brothers to come back and face them in a battle. Even if Ravana is a coward and wants to get away, Jataayu will challenge Ravana to a battle. Despite being an old bird without weapons,  Jataayu is not deterred by Ravana's mighty weapons in his twenty hands.

***

Ravana finds this advice unsavoury.  He attacks Jataayu with all his might. He showers deadly arrows on Jataayu. Jataayu does not care for those arrows but repeatedly attacks Ravana with his talons and sharp beak. His wings thrash Ravana. Jataayu hurts Ravana badly even as Ravana's arrows piece Jataayu. Jataayu attacks Ravana's back and claws out his flesh and hair in many places. His beak wounds Ravana in several places.

As Ravana tries to attack Jataayu, Jataayu destroys Ravana's bows. 

Jataayu, shouting more warnings, attacks Ravana's chariot, his horses, his charioteer, and destroys all of them. 

Ravana is stranded on the ground. Ravana rushes and attacks Jataayu with all his limbs. He lifts Sita with his left arm and flies into the air with his sword. Jataayu manages to tear Ravana's limbs away with his sharp beak. Ravana's arms sprout back magically like snakes emerging from their hole.

In terrific rage, Ravana then deals some deadly blows with his sword. He manages to cut off Jataayu's wings, shoulders, and feet. Jataayu falls to the ground, drenched in blood, and breathing with difficulty.

Sita rushes to Jataayu, wailing.

ततस्तु तं पत्ररथं महीतले

            निपातितं रावणवेगमर्दितम्             ।

पुनश्च संगृह्य शशिप्रभानना 

            रुरोद  सीता जनकात्मजा तदा         ॥

"Then Sita, daughter of Janaka, with her moon-like lustrous face, wept uncontrollably as she clasped repeatedly to her bosom the mighty winged Jataayu, now felled to the ground by the mortal blows of Ravana."

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्           ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - August 20

August 20 - Sargas 48 and 49 of Aranya Kanda.

We are reading the most wrenching scene of Ramayana. Sita, a divinely born princess of Mithila, married to the greatest man ever seen on earth, viz. Sri Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, after spending many years in the Dandaka forest subsisting on marginal comforts and suffering several dangers, is now without the protection of her husband or brother-in-law. A monster that the whole world shudders to think of has cornered her and is about to hurt her very badly.

***

Ravana wants Sita to understand better whom she is resisting.

येन वैश्रवणौ भ्राता वैमात्रः कारणान्तरे                     ।

द्वन्दवमासादितः क्रोधाद् रणे विक्रम्य निर्जितः           ॥ 

मद्भयार्तः परित्यज्य स्वमधिष्ठानमृद्धिवत्                   ।

कैलासं पर्वतश्रेष्ठमध्यास्ते नरवाहनः                        ॥

अङ्गुल्या न समो रामो मम युद्धे स मानुषः                  ।

तव भाग्येन सम्प्राप्तं भजस्व वरवर्णिनि                     ॥

"Oh Sita, know me to be Ravana. The whole world shudders at my very name. My brother is Kubera, the lord of wealth who rides a human as his vehicle (an allusion to humans' surrender to the temptation of wealth). Once he chose to resist me for some reason. He was comprehensively defeated by me. He had to run away in desperation and left behind Lanka and his wealth for me. He is now hiding in Kailsasa. I also grabbed his celestial Pushpaka Vimana which is an incredible aerial vehicle that takes me anywhere in an instant.

"Fie on Rama. He is a wretched mortal and not equal even to my little finger. It is your supreme good fortune that I am now wanting you to be my wife. Accept me gladly and be happy, oh lady of exquisite complexion!"

Ravana also says Dasharatha chose Bharata as the abler son and Rama, a weakling and a stupid man, had run away from his kingdom and his people on the word of an insignificant woman. Rama had only a short life ahead and was worthless in every way. Sita dare not reject the amorous advances of someone like himself.

Sita, amidst her sobs and cries, defies Ravana. 

अवश्यं विनिशिष्यन्ति सर्वे रावण राक्षसाः     ।

येषां त्वं कर्कशो राजा दुर्बुद्धिरजितेनद्रियः      ॥

न मादृशीं राक्षस धर्षयित्वा  पीतामृतस्यापि तवास्ति मोक्षः ॥

"Certainly, Ravana, all the rakshasas are going to die soon, with their king and lord being such a harsh and terrible one like you, evil-minded and a slave to his senses.

"Having molested someone like me, know, oh Rakshasa, that there will be no salvation for you even if you drink Amruta (ambrosia that confers heaven). "

***

Ravana made his next move in terrible rage at this resistance from a piffling woman like Sita. He assumed his huge monstrous form like a huge cloud, with ten heads and twenty arms. He was so menacing that all the deities of the forest were frightened out of their wits.

वामेन सीतां पद्माक्षीं मूर्धजेषु करेण सः    ।

ऊर्वोस्तु दक्षिणेनैव परिजग्राह पाणिना     ॥

"Ravana violently grabbed Sita, with her lotus eyes and cascading black hair, by her hair with his left hand, and lifted her by her thighs with his right hand firmly. " 

Ravana called out to his aerial vehicle. He thrust Sita violently onto the vehicle and took off. 

Sita was screaming. She screamed, "Oh Rama! where are you! You are the embodiment of righteousness and the protector of all! Look how I am being molested and carried away most sinfully by this rakshasa! Don't you see me? Oh Lakshmana, please come and release me from this terrible abduction!"

"Oh dear trees, oh dear Godavari, oh birds and animals of Dandaka, please tell Rama what has happened here! Tell him and Lakshmana that Ravana has carried me off!"

***

Then Sita sees that ancient bird Jataayu perched on a tree, She cries to him:

जटायो पश्य मामार्य ह्रियमाणामनाथवत्     ।

अनेन राक्षसेन्द्रेणाकरुणं पापकर्मणा          ॥

नैव वारयितुं शक्यस्त्वया क्रूरो निशाचरः       ।

सत्ववाञ्जितकाशी च सायुधश्चैव दुर्मतिः       ॥

रामाय तु यथातत्त्वं जटायो हरणं मम            ।

लक्ष्मणाय च तत् सर्वमाख्यातव्यमशेषतः     ॥  

"Oh revered Jataayu! See me being carried away like someone without anyone to protect her! I am being carried away by this terrible king of rakshasas, full of evil conduct and without any mercy!

"You won't be able to restrain this monster, who is extremely violent and merciless, also physically very powerful and with deadly weapons, and possessing despicable mind indeed.

"Dear Jataayu, kindly do me this favour. Please tell Sri Rama and Lakshmana in detail the exact sequence of events, and how I was abducted, leaving out no detail."

 

***

॥      श्रीरामजयम्       ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - August 19

August 19 - Sargas 46 and 47 of Aranya Kanda.

Enters Ravana in the guise of a mendicant. While Sita offers him courtesies and hospitality, he is unable to contain himself. He is swept away by lust and proposes to Sita that she become his principal queen in his capital, Lankapuri. 

***

A very angry Lakshmana leaves, impatient to go and meet Sri Rama. There sits Sita in the hermitage, crying piteously.

***

Ravana was in wait. He now entered, dressed impressively as a mendicant, wearing fine ochre robes, matted locks, holding an umbrella, wearing leather sandals, with the traditional staff pinned under his left shoulder and the kamandalu waterpot in his left hand - indeed a very good deception. He came to Sita as darkness encompasses an evening caught without the sun or the moon, as Sita was alone, without Sri Rama or Lakshmana. The extremely cruel Ravana looked at the most auspicious Sita, wife of Sri Rama as Ketu looks at Rohini when the moon is not around.

Valmiki says that even the trees of Jansthana shuddered with fright and the Godavari flowed tamely in fear, seeing the blood-red-eyed Ravana. Valmiki compares Ravana to Saturn approaching the Chitra star. His appearance was most deceptive like shrubs and grass camouflaging a well in the path of an unwary traveller.

Sita wore a splendid yellow silk cloth. Her eyes were lotus-like, her face like the full moon, and right now she was looking most distressed. Ravana began chanting the Vedas. But overcome with lust, he spoke to Sita, a supreme beauty who looked like goddess Lakshmi albeit without lotuses in her hands.

ह्रीः श्री: कीर्तिश्शुभा लक्ष्मीरप्सरा वा शुभानने ।

भूतिर्वा त्वं वरारोहे रतिर्वा स्वैरचारिणी           ॥

"Oh lady with the beautiful face, shapely waist,  you're shyness personified, who are you? Lakshmi, goddess of fame, a celestial maiden, or the goddess of fortune, or Rati, who roams at will and does what she pleases?"

Ravana went on to describe every part of Sita's beautiful feminine anatomy, leaving no detail to our imagination. He said her beauty ravished him like a river in flood breaches its banks. What was such a lady doing alone in this forest, full of dangers from rakshasas and wild animals? She deserved to be in the company of a husband who could provide her with the choicest of luxuries and comforts! Who was she, indeed?

Sita offered the holy mendicant a seat, water, and forest fare. All the while, Ravana was making up his mind to abduct her quickly. Sita looked out anxiously in vain for signs of Sri Rama and Lakshmana returning to the hermitage.

***

Sita was afraid that the brahmin may curse her if she did not introduce herself. She dutifully narrated the whole story of her being the princess of Mithila wedded to the noblest Sri Rama, son of the king Dasharatha. About how Kaikeyi thwarted the king's plans to coronate Sri Rama and banished him to the forest. Sri Rama was 25 years then, and Sita was merely 18 years of age. They had been married for 12 years then.

Sri Rama was righteousness and duty personified and came away to the forest accompanied by Sita. His noble and valiant younger brother Lakshmana followed them.

दद्यान्न प्रतिगृह्णीयात् सत्यं ब्रूयान्न चानृतम्  ।

एतद् ब्राह्मण रामस्य व्रतं धृतमनुत्तमम्        ॥

"Oh Brahmin, this is Sri Rama's firm and most praiseworthy vow: One should always give and not take. One should speak only the truth and nothing but the truth."     

Sita said that Sri Rama and Lakshmana would return very soon from their hunt, with the choicest of meats to be offered to the Brahmin for lunch. Meanwhile, he should introduce himself in detail along with his gotra. How come he was roaming in the forest like this?

***

"Sita, everyone knows me as Ravana, the supreme lord of rakshasas, whom gods, humans, serpents, and all demons fear the most. After seeing you, oh beautiful lady, I have lost interest in all my wives. Come and be my chief queen! My capital is the glorious city of Lanka on a mountain in the sea. You should stroll in its pleasure gardens with me,  carefree and happy, and not languish here in the forest. I shall have five thousand ornamented attendants and handmaids constantly serving you."

Sita was most infuriated by Ravana's words. She replied with great spirit that she was not available. The shlokas of Valmiki are many and sonorous indeed. I shall quote only a few here:

पूर्णचन्द्राननं रामं राजवत्सं जितेन्द्रियम्      ।

पृथुकीर्तिं महात्मानमहं राममनुव्रता          ॥

"Know that I am the faithful wife of Sri Rama, who has a moon-like beautiful face, who is a royal heir, known to be a master of his senses, renowned all over the world, and a magnificent soul!"

त्वं पुनर्जम्बुकः सिंहीं मामिहेच्छसि दुर्लभाम्   ।

नाहं शक्या त्वया स्प्रष्टुमादित्यस्य प्रभा यथा  ॥

"You are like a jackal coveting a lioness, who will be impossible to get.  I am totally unattainable and impossible for you to touch much like the radiance of the blazing sun."

Sita tells that Ravana will see "golden trees" ( a Sanskrit idiom for a dying man) if he dared to possess her. His attempt would be as ill-fated as that of one trying to pull the sharp teeth of a hungry and mighty lion or the fangs of a king cobra. Ravana by coveting her was piercing his own eyes with a needle and licking the blade of a razor. Ravana was trying to wrap in his cloth a blazing fire.

यदन्तरं काञ्चनसीसलोहयो-

           र्यदन्तरं चन्दनवारिपङ्कयोः     ।

यदन्तरं हस्तिबिडालयोर्वने

           तदन्तरं दाशरथेस्तवैव         ॥

"Just like the difference between gold and lead, between sandal paste and sea-slime, between an elephant and a  small cat in the jungle, is the difference between Dasharathi Rama and yourself."

Sita started trembling in her limbs from fear of Ravana.

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्          ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - August 18

August 18 - Sargas 44 and 45 of Aranya Kanda.

Two short sargas that tell a whole story of what happened vs. what might have been. As the poet says,

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,

Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit

Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,

Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.

***

बद्धासिधनुरादाय प्रदुद्राव यतो मृगः        ।

तं स्म पश्यति रूपेण द्योतयन्तमिवाग्रतः   ॥

With his sword, his famous bow curved in three places, and quivers full of arrows, Sri Rama pursued the deer wherever he went, as the glittering deer darted off ahead.

The deer ran out of his reach, hiding and reappearing repeatedly, drawing Sri Rama farther and farther away in the forest. This hide and seek went on for some time. Then Sri Rama decided that enough was enough. He picked up an extremely sharp arrow given by Brahma himself and aimed it at the deer. The arrow hissed as it went and pierced the deer.

व्यनदद् भैरवं नादं धरण्यामल्पजीवितः          ।

म्रियमाणस्तु मारीचो जहौ तां कृत्रिमां तनुम्    ॥  

"Crashing to the ground, with his life ebbing away, Mareecha gave a monstrous scream as he abandoned his deer form. He was seen by Sri Rama to be a huge rakshasa."

Mareecha remembered that Ravana was waiting to abduct Sita, and he had been instructed to lure Lakshmana also away from the hermitage.

स प्राप्तकामाज्ञाय चकार च ततः स्वनम्      ।

सदृशं राघवस्येव हा सीते लक्ष्मणेति च       ॥

" Knowing the moment had come, the rakshasa uttered a cry that rang through the forest, uttering in a voice mimicking Rama's, the words, "Oh Sita, Oh Lakshmana!" "

Sri Rama at once realized what had happened. The warning that Lakshmana had sounded had come true. He had just killed Mareecha but they all had fallen into a well-set trap.

Thinking what must have passed through Sita's mind on hearing this cry of distress in his voice, and what must be happening back in the hermitage, Sri Rama shuddered in utter fright.  Sri Rama hurried back towards the hermitage after killing a deer and taking its meat. 

***

Sita heard that call of distress in a voice that she thought was Sri Rama's. She asked Lakshmana to go at once and find out what had happened.  She feared that rakshasas had hurt Sri Rama badly and some calamity had occurred.

आक्रन्दमानं वने भ्रातरं त्रातुमर्हसि - "look Lakshmana, you should go immediately and save your brother who is crying out for your help in the forest. "

When Lakshmana stood firm, simply adhering to his brother's order, in spite of Sita's anguished cry to go and help Sri Rama, the worst possible thoughts flooded Sita's mind. She immediately concluded that Lakshmana was indeed an enemy and not a friend of theirs!

यस्त्वमस्यामवस्थायां भ्रातरं नाभिपद्यसे         ।

इच्छसि त्वं विनश्यन्तं रामं लक्ष्मण मत्कृते    ॥

लोभात् मत्कृते नूनं नानुगच्छसि राघवम्         ।

व्यसनं ते प्रियं मन्ये स्नेहो भ्रातरि नास्ति ते      ॥

"What, Lakshmana! Seeing that you are not interested in going to help your distressed brother, it is clear to me that you want him destroyed, just for getting me.

"It is clear to me that out of your lustful greed for me, you are not going to help Sri Rama. You seem happy at Rama's distress because you have absolutely no affection for your brother."

Sita went on to add that it was inexplicable that Lakshmana had come to the forest ostensibly only to serve and protect Rama but now was least interested in carrying out his duty. She burst into a flood of tears.

Lakshmana was tested to the limit. He said to Sita that he knew that there was no god or celestial or human or any other type of creature or any demon who could hurt Sri Rama. Nobody could defeat him in any encounter.

यो रामं प्रतियुध्येत समरे वासवोपमम्           ।

अवध्यः समरे रामो नैवं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि          ॥

न त्वामस्मिन् वने हातुमुत्सहे राघवं विना         ।

अनिर्वार्यं बलं तस्य बलैर्बलवतामपि            ॥ 

"Oh lady, you ought to not speak thus. Whoever may meet Sri Rama in battle will find him to be as powerful as Indra himself.  Sri Rama is simply indestructible in a battle."

"I do not wish to leave your side and my duty of protecting you when Sri Rama is also not here. I know for certain that Sri Rama's prowess is unexcelled by an enemy using any power."

Lakshmana told Sita that to him it was not Rama's voice they had heard. It would have been that demon who had mimicked his voice to mislead them. It was an illusion much like when a magician conjures the apparition of a city that doesn't exist. Rama had left a clear instruction to Lakshmana that protecting Sita was his sole duty. Since the killing of Khara and his army, they three had made many enemies in the forest and Lakshmana had notice all kinds of suspicious activities.

This riled Sita uncontrollably. With blood-shot eyes, she said very hurtful words: 

"Oh Lakhmana, you are cruel and evil. How can you speak such words when Sri Rama is in terrible danger? No wonder people like you move about misleading others and going to any extent to harm their rivals. It is clear that you are in the employ of Bharata and here only to harm Rama.

"Know for sure that I have held Rama's hands (a metaphor for marriage in Hinduism). I am totally devoted to Rama, with his lotus-like eyes and the complexion of a blue lotus. I shall not ever be interested in another man. I shall not live even for a moment without Rama."

We should try and imagine Lakshmana's sentiments on hearing such words. 

He just says,  उत्तरं नोत्सहे वक्तुं दैवतं भवती मम "Dear lady, I choose not to respond to your harsh words. You are indeed divine to me (I see my god in you). It is unfortunate that women speak like this in this world, it is known to be their nature. Your words have pierced my ears like red-hot darts. They are unbearable."

Lakshmana now says something under extreme stress. "The forest and all its denizens are my witnesses. I swear I have no evil intentions. I am simply carrying out my brother's orders. By doubting me, O lady, you will go to ruin."

Sita says she will drown in the Godavari, set herself on fire, or consume poison if Sri Rama dies. That is her only course. 

Lakshmana has to go. He prays to all the deities of the forest to protect Sita. He wishes Sita well.  He wonders aloud if he will see Sita here in the hermitage when he returns with Sri Rama. Sita is crying uncontrollably.

***

॥              श्रीरामजयम्                ॥ 

  

Valmiki Ramayana - August 17

August 17 - Sargas 42 and 43 of Aranya Kanda.

The die is cast. Ravana takes Mareecha near the Panchavati hermitage of Sri Rama. The subterfuge of the golden deer succeeds in tempting Sita and drawing Sri Rama away from the hermitage.

***

Mareecha sighs deeply and says in a tone of resignation that his end as well as Ravana's end is near. He is ready to accompany Ravana on this inauspicious mission.

Ravana commends Mareecha on resuming his earlier rakshasa mindset. He takes Mareecha in his aerial chariot drawn by donkeys with grotesque gargoyle faces. Soon they reach the wooded region of Panchavati. There nestles Sri Rama's hermitage, surrounded by a banana grove. 

स रावणवचश्रुत्वा मारीचो राक्षसस्तदा        ।

मृगो भूत्वाऽश्रमद्वारि रामस्य विचचार ह       ॥

"On order from Ravana, Mareecha then assumed the form of the deer and roamed around  the entrance to Rama's hermitage."

There is considerable detail provided by Valmiki to kindle our imagination about a fantastic golden deer that could tempt anyone. Mareecha assumed the form of a golden deer with glittering silver spots, antlers studded with gems, his underbelly glowing with an uncanny whiteness, his face of mixed hues that glowed, his hooves too aglow, his ears and eyes being shining gems. There never was such a deer ever except here.

Mareecha wandered around, all very naturally, darting here and there amidst the local herds of deer. They came and smelled him, and were repelled by this strange and unholy specimen. Mareecha did not harm them as was his wont, for fear of discovery.

तस्मिन्नेव ततः काले वैदेही शुभलोचना     ।

कुसुमावचयव्यग्रा पादपानाभ्यवर्तत         ॥

अनर्हारण्यवासस्य सा तं रत्नमयं मृगम्       ।

मुक्तामणिविचित्राङ्गं ददर्श परमाङ्गना       ॥

अदृष्टपूर्वं तं दृष्ट्वा नानारत्नमयं मृगम्            ।

विस्मयं परमं सीता जगाम जनकात्मजा       ॥

  

"Just then came the beautiful-looking  (it also means one who sees only good in everything) Vaidehi Sita, in order to gather flowers and went around the trees and plants there.

"That princess, unfamiliar and out of sorts in this forest-dwelling, then beheld this golden deer studded all over with a variety of gems. That supreme lady was simply bewitched by the deer sporting pearls and gems.

"This unprecedented sight of such a deer made of gold, silver, gems, and pearls simply drove Janaka's daughter Sita to extreme astonishment."

***

आहूयाहूय च पुनस्तं मृगं साधु वीक्षते      ।

आगच्छागच्छ शीघ्रं वै आर्यपुत्र सहानुज   ॥

"Sita could not take her eyes off that magical deer and called out, "Come, come, at once, Aryaputra! (that's how she addressed Sri Rama - Oh one of noble birth!) Please come with your brother at once!"

When Sri Rama and Lakshmana rushed to Sita's side and beheld that wonder of a deer, Lakshmana was quick to say:

तमेवैनमहं मन्ये मारीचं राक्षसं मृगम्           ।

चरन्तो मृगयां हृष्टाः पापेनोपाधिना वने       ।

अनेन निहता राम राजानः कामरूपिणा        ॥

अस्य मायावदो माया मृगरूपमिदं कृतम्     ।

भानुमत् पुरुषव्याघ्र गन्धर्वपुरसंनिभम्         ॥    

मृगो ह्मेवंविधो रत्नविचित्रो नास्ति राघव    ।

जगत्यां जगतीनाथ मायैषा हि न संशयः      ॥

"Dear Rama, I am certain that this deer is none other than that rakshasa Mareecha. I know that many times, he has used his deception and powers of assuming any form at will to kill and eat up kings who came into the forest for their celebratory hunting expeditions. 

"This form, of a golden deer, has now been assumed by that magician rakshasa Mareecha. He has become lustrous like the sun and has a glittering form that we associate with celestial creatures. 

"Otherwise how do you explain this? There can never be a deer like this, made up of gems and pearls! You are the lord of the earth, Rama, you can see that this is nothing but a magic trick unprecedented in this world."

***

Destiny had taken a firm hold on the proceedings. 

Sita begged Rama that he should go and catch that deer without fail. She described how she would bring up the deer and take him back to Ayodhya and have him roam around the corridors of her palace to everyone's unending astonishment. And if at all the deer escaped being caught alive, Rama should kill him and bring at least his glittering hide that would make a fabulous love seat for both of them hereafter. "Come on, Rama! Please get me that deer", kept saying, Sita.

Sri Rama was most anxious to please Sita. He rationalized: What if the deer were indeed magical? As long as he could capture him, Sita's wish would be fulfilled. And such a beautiful deer too! 

कस्य रूपमिदं दृष्ट्वा जाम्बूनदमयप्रभम्        ।

नानारत्नमयं दिव्यं न मनो विस्मयं व्रजेत्    ॥

"Oh Lakshmana, who can not be bewitched by this fabulous creature, made of gold and so many precious gems and pearls!? He is simply divine! Even Indra and Kubera would not possess such a deer. 

"And Lakshmana, this desire to capture such a prized deer is all but utterly human. When someone desires to possess something in this world, his desire displaces all reason and he doesn't stop and ask himself whether the desired object is worth possessing and if it is within his reach or not.

"And by the way, I hear what you are saying, dear brother. If, as you say, this indeed is Mareecha dressed up to fool us, then he certainly deserves my punishment. Remember how the sage Agastya put an end to the menace of the rakshasa Vatapi? That demon used to waylay ascetics and brahmins and invite them for a meal. He would enter their bodies in the form of a goat served up for dinner. Once he was inside them he would tear them open and come out, assisted by his younger brother, the rakshasa named Ilvala. The sage Agastya ate him up, and digested him, saying to Vatapi, "enough is enough, oh evil rakshasa! I am putting here and now an end to your menace. I am digesting you forever."

Sri Rama is supremely confident of catching Mareecha alive or dead. Before he leaves, he gives stern instructions to Lakshmana to protect Sita from all dangers:

प्रदक्षिणेनातिबलेन पक्षिणा 

               जटायुषा बुद्धिमता च लक्ष्मण   ।

भवाप्रमत्तः प्रतिगृह्य मैथिलीं

               प्रतिक्षणं सर्वत एव शङ्कितः      ॥

"Dear Lakshmana, be on your guard and protect Sita constantly, looking for danger from every side. Take the help of that mighty Jataayu, the ancient bird who has come to help us. He will be circling overhead, ever vigilant, so that Sita will not face any danger."

***

॥                               श्रीरामजयम्                               ॥ 

  

Valmiki Ramayana - August 16

August 16 - Sargas 40 and 41 of Aranya Kanda.

Ravana shows his extreme displeasure at Mareecha's unsolicited advice. He says Mareecha has no choice but to help him in his scheme by assuming the form of a golden deer and leading Rama and Lakshmana away from Sita. If Mareecha does not obey his order, Ravana will kill him instantly.

Mareecha sees the writing on the wall. But he again says harsh but well-meant words to Ravana as the course Ravana is hell-bent on will kill both of them without a doubt.

***

We have a very good example here of a man good at debate but poor in the judgement of what is good for himself or others.

Ravana replies to Mareecha's advice:

"Oh Mareecha, your "wise words" are wasted like seeds sown in a barren land. I have not come to you for advice. I need your help and I am ordering you.  It seems you do not know how to respect a king or what kind of advice is correct.

"This man you praise so much is a fool and a coward. He listened to a lowly woman's words and abandoned the king, his father, his mother, his well-wishers, and his kingdom, and ran away to the forest. 

अवश्यन्तु मया तस्य संयुगे खरघातिनः     ।

प्राणैः प्रियतरा सीता हर्तव्या तव संनिधौ  ॥

सम्पृष्टेन तु वक्तव्यं सचिवेन विपश्चिता     ।

उद्यताञ्जलिना राज्ञो य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मनः ॥

"It is most essential that this Rama's - the one who killed Khara in battle- Rama's beloved wife Sita, who is dearer to him than life itself, is abducted by me with your help.

"You should know that a wise counsellor will open his mouth only when asked to speak and that too to speak most deferentially to his king if at all the counsellor cares for his own welfare."

अपक्रान्ते च काकुत्स्थे दूरं गत्वाप्युदाहर     ।

हा सीते मक्ष्मणेत्येवं रामवाक्यानुरूपकम्    ॥

"Draw Rama way from the hermitage by assuming the form of a golden deer with silver spots that Sita will hanker after. Take him far away. Then scream in a voice similar to his, "Ha Sita! Ha Lakshmana!" 

"It is certain that Lakshmana with his devotion to Rama and on the insistence of Sita will also leave her side and rush in the direction of this distressed call. The coast will be clear for me then to easily carry off Sita." 

आसाद्य तं जीवितसंशयस्ते

           मृत्युर्ध्रुवो ह्यद्य मया विरुध्यतः     ।

एतद् यथावत् परिगण्य बुद्ध्या 

           यदत्र पथ्यं कुरु तत्तथा त्वम्        ॥

"Oh Mareecha, if you are fearing that you will die at Rama's hands by obeying my order, know for certain that I will kill you this instant if you disobey me. Therefore apply your mind and do what you think is right for you."

***

Mareecha was certain that the course pursued by Ravana was disastrous. He knew that fate had drawn him also into this terrible enterprise. He did not hesitate to express his advice again to Ravana. 

"Oh Ravana, who is that sinner who has instigated you thus? Perhaps it is other rakshasas who have found a way to get rid of you by putting you up against a much stronger enemy. Honest and wise ministers think deeply of the welfare of their king and advise suitably so that the state prospers and they in turn prosper. Those who lead the king astray will perish. An evil or inconsiderate king brings down everyone. Alas, even good people, for no fault of their own, suffer under a bad king."

दर्शनादेव रामस्य हतं मामवधारय                  ।

आत्मानं च हतं विद्धि हृत्वा सीतां सबान्धवम्    ॥

"Oh Ravana, know for certain that I shall die the moment I set eyes on Rama. And know again for certain that you will also die very soon after along with all your people, in case you abduct Sita."

Mareecha's words made no impression at all on Ravana, just as a man about to die resists any medicine. 

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्            ॥