Valmiki Ramayana - July 21

July 21- Sargas 107 and 108 of Ayodhya Kanda. 

We are drawing to a close of Ayodhya Kanda. Building up to the grand finale, these are two short chapters.

Sri Rama motivates Bharata to rule Ayodhya as a dutiful son. 

There is a Brahmin sage Jabali who tries to shake Sri Rama from his resolve with some devil's advocate arguments! 

***

Sri Rama speaks to Bharata:

उपपन्नमिदं वाक्यं यस्त्वमेवमभाषथाः        । 

जातः पुत्रो दशरथात् कैकेय्यां राजसत्तमात् ॥

"Dear Bharata, the words you have just spoken are truly a reflection of who you are. You are the worthy son of the supreme king Dasharatha, born to the noble Kaikeyi." 

Now Sri Rama bowls a googly. 

पुरा भ्रातः पिता नः स मातरं ते समुद्वहन्    । 

मातामहे समाश्रौषीद्  राज्यशुल्कमनुत्तमम् ॥

" Dear brother, long ago, our father, at the time of wedding your mother princess Kaikeyi, had committed as dowry (given by the groom to the bride) the supreme gift of the kingdom of Ayodhya to his would-be father-in-law. This meant that her would-be-born son would be the next king of Ayodhya. 

"In addition, during the war between gods and demons, our father had given two boons in gratitude to mother Kaikeyi. She was fully within her right to use the boons as she did, to make you the king, and send me into exile." 

"I am duly honouring father's bounden promise about my exile by spending fourteen years in the uninhabited Dandaka in the company of Sita and Lakshmana. It is your duty therefore to take charge as the king of Ayodhya and fulfil our father's other promise." 

Sri Rama then tells Bharata that a "putra" in Sanskrit doesn't mean just a biological son but an heir born who will ensure that the father does not land in hell. That is why men have many sons so that at least one will go to Gaya and perform the Shraddha (obligatory rites for the departed) and save the deceased father from going to hell. More meaningfully, sons should discharge the promises of their departed fathers. 

Sri Rama praises the current arrangement. Bharata should happily rule Ayodhya. Sri Rama will gladly rule over the forest full of fauna and flora. 

शत्रुघ्नस्त्वतुलमतिस्तु ते सहायः 

       सौमित्रिर्मम विदितः प्रधानमित्रम्       ।

चत्वारस्तनयवरा वयं नरेन्द्रं 

        सत्यस्थं भरत चराम मा विषीद       ॥

"Dear Bharata! Dear Shatrughna here is of incomparable sagacity. He will aid you in your ruling over Ayodhya. It is well known that dear Lakshmana is my chief support and aide. Therefore, the four of us, as worthy sons of Dasharatha, will conduct ourselves well and uphold his honour as a man true to his word and thereby ensure his welfare in the next world. Thus, dear Bharata, you should not grieve any more. "

***

Now, Valmiki, the master story-teller, brings in a devil's advocate. Sage Jabali now speaks to Sri Rama. 

साधु राघव मा भूत् ते बुद्धिरेवं निरर्थिका । 

प्राकृतस्य नरस्येव ह्यार्यबुद्धेर्मनस्विनः     ॥

" Oh Rama, you are a good man, with a noble mindset, and a man of wisdom. Let this foolish line of thought, typical of an ignorant fool, not come to you." 

Jabali debunks all this talk of filial duty. It is nonsense, as we all are born alone and die alone. Here is a kingdom on a silver platter and Sri Rama is a fool to forego the privilege. 

राजभोगाननुभवन् महार्हान् पार्थिवात्मज       ।

विहर त्वमयोध्यायां यथा शक्रस्त्रिविष्टपे         ॥

न ते कश्चिद्दशरथस्त्वं च तस्य च कश्चन         । 

अन्यो राजा त्वमन्यस्तु तस्मात् कुरु यदुच्यते   ॥

"As the incumbent to the throne, thoroughly enjoy the supreme pleasures and comforts as the king. Enjoy Ayodhya like Indra enjoys himself as the lord of heaven. 

"And what is this talk? Dasharatha is nobody to you and you're nobody to him. What he said and did doesn't touch you as you're two different people. Therefore do as I tell you." 

Jabali says that all this talk of duty to one's parents is a stupid idea. A man impregnates a woman and a biological child is born. What is the higher meaning in that? All the rules and scriptures have been created by self-seeking priests and no good comes from wasting so much food in rituals and funeral ceremonies. How can offerings in this world reach someone who is no longer here? 

Jabali says he has only extreme pity mixed with contempt for those who spend all their lives working hard to fulfill duties and practise Dharma. They suffer here and equally,  will suffer surely in the  next world. 

सतां बुद्धिं पुरस्कृत्य सर्वलोकनिदर्शिनीम्     । 

राज्यं त्वं प्रतिगृह्णीष्व भरतेन प्रसादितः       ॥

"Therefore respect the advice of the wise ones. Set an example to the whole world. Gladly accept the kingdom being offered to you by Bharata." 

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्           ॥

Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh on Ayodhya Kanda

 

 As I mentioned the very first time I started writing the blog on Valmiki Ramayana, I am following the suggestion by Samskrita Bharati that every home should have a reading of two sargas of Valmiki Ramayana daily for one year. 

 Since we are approaching the end of Ayodhya Kanda, a special session was organised in which Dr. Ganesh spoke about the speciality of Ayodhya Kanda. Dr. Ganesh is an extraordinary scholar and polyglot and perhaps there is nobody as scholarly or as thorough as Dr. Ganesh, on Indian classics. One simply needs to search in Google to discover the several treasures of his talks. 

I have embedded his talk given today in Sanskrit. He made several points and I am thrilled that many of them have been made by me too in this blog.

1. The Ayodhya Kanda mirrors Ramayana in its predominant rasa - Karuna Rasa.
2. The characters of Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are introduced to us unambiguously and the author shows why they are universally acclaimed. Sri Rama's equanimity, adherence to Dharma, astuteness, friendliness, magnanimity, and far-sightedness, are all on full display. 
3. Sri Rama is the ideal man as depicted in Bhagavadgita.
4. Valmiki has a wonderful skill of narration bestowed on him by Brahma himself.
5. There are many wonderful passages describing nature, for example, the Ganga. 
6. Sri Rama shows his grand nature of generosity and selflessness when he, along with Sita,  gifts away his every belonging, before leaving Ayodhya.
7. The citizens of Ayodhya hold the world's first dharna and demonstrate the power of democracy.
8. The language of Ramayana is the greatest example of the fluidity and grace that the Sanskrit language is capable of.

॥        श्रीरामजयम्        ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 20

July 20 - Sargas 105 and 106 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Bharata argues on behalf of what is needed and sanctioned for the welfare of the state. Therefore the right course for Sri Rama is to return to Ayodhya and rule the kingdom. Sri Rama explains how events like the death of Dasharatha are a normal part of life and the foremost responsibility for everyone is to adhere to truth and word of honour.

***

The next morning, the brothers go and perform their morning prayers at the Mandakini river. On their return, everyone stays quiet for some time. Then Bharata speaks to Sri Rama:

सान्त्विता मामिका माता दत्तं राज्यमिदं मम    ।

तद्ददामि तवैवाहं भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यमकण्टकम्      ॥

"Dear Rama, my mother has been satisfied and pleased by you by handing over the kingdom to me. I now return it to you. Please take over the kingdom and enjoy it without impediments."

Bharata goes on to say that compared to Sri Rama, he is not even remotely qualified for ruling Ayodhya. He compares Sri Rama and himself respectively to horses and donkeys, Garuda and ordinary birds. The honour and merit earned by a competent ruler on whom a whole nation depends are exemplary.

And, after all, we have to see how Dasharatha carefully groomed Sri Rama to step into his shoes. Bharata says, if one plants a sapling and tends it carefully over the years into a mighty tree, he is well within his rights to expect it to flower and bear fruit. He says, एषोपमा महाबाहो तदर्थं वेत्तुमर्हसि - " Oh mighty-armed Rama, I am sure you can understand my analogy." 

श्रेणयस्त्वां महाराज पश्यन्त्वग्र्याश्च सर्वशः             ।

प्रतपन्तमिवादित्यं राज्यस्थितमरिन्दमम्                 ॥

"Dear Maharaja, Rama, let the leading citizens of Ayodhya, guilds of traders and others, see you installed on the throne and resplendent like the sun, the supreme lord who will vanquish enemies."

Bharata lists how so many constituents of Ayodhya will rejoice in Rama's installation. All the people gathered there add their clearly voiced support for the noble Bharata's appeal as full of good logic and merit.

***

Sri Rama smiles and replies:

नात्मनः कामकारो हि पुरुषोऽयमनीश्वरः          ।

इतश्चेतरतश्चैनं कृतान्तः परिकर्षति                  ॥

"Dear Bharata, no man is indeed powerful enough to choose his actions, because he is no god. Providence will push him hither and thither forcibly and he cannot resist it."

Sri Rama then speaks of how impermanent all life is and whilst man is busy making plans, life ebbs away and death awaits everyone. Life is a series of coming togethers and separations among people. Seasons change, everything decays, like how fruits ripen and finally fall to the ground. Even strong buildings erected on stout pillars will one day come to dust. A night that passes will not return. The Yamuna flows on and nobody can reverse its flow. So Sri Rama extols Bharata to grieve for himself and the ephemerality of his own life and not grieve for Dasharatha who died after living and ruling so well.

वयसः यतमानस्य स्रोतसो वानिवर्तिनः                   ।

आत्मा सुखे नियोक्तव्यः सुखभाजाः प्रजाः स्मृताः     ॥

"Life ebbs away constantly much like a river that never flows back. Therefore man should strive for his happiness by righteous means, and that is how people are expected to live, pursuing happiness."

तद्वचः पितुरेवाहं सम्मतं धर्मचारिणाम्                    ।

कर्मणा पालयिष्यामि वनवासेन राघव                   ॥ 

"Therefore, dear Bharata, I shall adhere to the order of our father and follow the course extolled by those who lead righteous lives. I shall follow his order by living in the forest."

Sri Rama concludes by saying Bharata too should stop grieving and do what their father had ordered for him to do, i.e. to rule the kingdom.

Bharata begins his response by showing respect for Sri Rama's extreme wisdom and equanimity that is impossible for others to emulate. No wonder he is a realised soul and thefore immune to worldly issues and problems. Whereas he quotes the support of wise and righteous men, it is indeed they who look up to Sri Rama for showing them the way.

Bharata then says that what Kaikeyi did was unpardonable. He would have killed her off but for the Dharmic injunction against such an act. And that order of Dasharatha, which Sri Rama is sticking to, was given when the old king was totally under the thumb of Kaikeyi and had lost his wits owing to the infatuation he had for her. 

When a dying father does something wrong, it behoves on the son to rectify the matter. Sri Rama should set right the utter wrong perpetrated by Dasharatha when his death was near (owing to his impaired judgement.)

This demand for Sri Rama to return to Ayodhya is going to save Bharata's, Kaikeyi's, and Dasharatha's honour. It will also save the citizens of Ayodhya and everyone else.

क्व चारण्यं क्व च क्षात्रं क्व जटाः क्च च पालनम्           ।

ईदृशं व्याहतं कर्म न भवान् कर्तुमर्हसि                            ॥

"Dear Rama, where is a life in the forest, and where is the life ordained for a kshatriya? Where is the life sporting matted locks fitting into his duties of rulership? This kind of repulsive act does not behove you, oh noble one!"  

Bharata pleads fervently that Sri Rama should be crowned then and there, as sage Vasishtha and all nobility and everyone else important had come. That would immensely please everyone and restitute the folly of this exile. He says that if Rama does not oblige, Bharata vows to stay on with him in the forest. 

Bharata's appeals are waning in spirit in the face of a resolute and immovable Rama. Dasharatha's queens, the ministers and priests, all the lend their voice to Bharata's pitiable supplication to Sri Rama to return as the king.

The onlookers have mixed feelings.

तदद्भुतं स्थैर्यमवेक्ष्य राघवे 

          समं जनो हर्षमवाप दुःखितः           ।

न यात्ययोध्यामिति दुःखितोऽभवत्            

          स्थिरप्रतिज्ञत्वमवेक्ष्य हर्षितः           ॥

"Every onlooker witnessed this amazing scene of Sri Rama's unshakeable resolve with a mixture of happiness and sorrow. That he was not going back to Ayodhya caused great sorrow, but his firmness of word to his father and resolve to carry it out to the end invoked a joyful respect."

Valmiki Ramayana - July 19

July 19 - Sargas 103 and 104 of Ayodhya Kanda (Gita Press ed.)

Sri Rama is visibly distraught as the news of Dasharatha's death sinks in.

He goes to the river Mandakini and performs the rites for his father.

Kausalya arrives with sage Vasishtha and other queens.

As they all meet Sri Rama, the entire army and everybody comes to see Sri Rama.

Everyone looks to Bharata for his next move.

***

Sri Rama collapses in grief. The four brothers and Sita are terribly sad about the king's sorrowful death. Sri Rama displays the range of human emotions, uttering words to the effect that Ayodhya holds no charm for him any more. How sad is it to think of his return to Ayodhya after 14 years and being unable to present himself to his father, after having carried out the order of exile!? 

Sita, Lakshmana and Sri Rama proceed to Mandakini river. Sri Rama offers his fervent prayer to Dasharatha, cupping the river water in his palms amd pouring in as an oblation, for the king's comfortable journey to the next world. He lays out on darbha grass a few large leaves, and over the leaves, his meagre pinda-daana of mashed fruit and whatever forest fare they eat.

इदं भुङ्क्ष्व महाराज प्रीतो यदशना वयम्     ।

यदन्नः पुरुषो भवति तदन्नास्तस्य देवताः      ॥

"Dear King, be pleased to accept this food offering from us. This is the fare we eat and we offer you the same. It is said that whatever a man partakes of is what his departed ancestors too should be offered."

They return to the hermitage.

The loud noise of everybody's mourning Dasharatha's death is an unmistakable signal to the army encamped some distance away. They hear the noises and conclude that Bharata has met Sri Rama and told him of Dasharatha's death. They all rush as fast as they can, most of them on foot, some others old and infirm riding horses and so on. They are very happy to see Sri Rama in front of the hermitage.

There is a general babel of voices, all speaking about how that cruel deed of Kaikeyi has precipitated the disastrous sequence of events.

Sri Rama receives the army and the people with the warmth of a mother and father.

स तत्र कांश्चित् परिषस्वजे नरान्

               नराश्च केचित् तमभ्यवादयन्  ।

चकार सर्वान् सवय्सबान्धवान्

              यथार्हमासाद्य तदा नृपात्मजः  ॥

"Sri Rama embraced some. Some hailed him and folded their hands in respect. The prince of Ayodhya showed affection and greeted his folks in due order as per their relationship and rank."

***

Sage Vasishtha and the queens, Kausalya and others, hurry as fast as they can towards Sri Rama's hermitage. Kausalya keeps remarking to Sumitra what a terrible irony it is that Sri Rama, and Lakshmana, and the princess of Mithila who is now her daughter-in-law, should be living like this in the forest. They see the Mandakini river. They notice the pinda offerings laid out on the grass on leaves by Sri Rama for his departed father's shraaddha. This naturally draws from Kausalya the remark that the king has to settle for this kind of offering from the prince instead of rituals amd fare fit for royalty.

Soon they arrive at the hermitage and see Sri Rama. Their emotions run high.

तासां रामः समुत्थाय जग्राह चरणाम्बुजान्   ।

मातॄणां मनुजव्याघ्रः सर्वासां सत्यसंगरः       ॥

"Sri Rama, the tiger among men, promptly rose from his seat and clasped the lotus feet of his mothers. He was truly adherent to his word of honour."

After receving and oaying respects to sage Vaishstha, Sri Rama, Vasishtha, Bharata and everybody else, settle down in whatever seats they deem fit. The assembled crowd is agog with anticipation.

किमेष वाक्यं भरतोऽद्य राघवं

     प्रणम्य सत्कृत्य च साधु वक्ष्यति      ।

इतीव तस्यार्यजनस्य तत्त्वतो 

     बभूव कौतूहलमुत्तमं तदा              ॥

"What will Bharata here, after bowing down to Sri Rama, and in making his most earnest submission, say to Sri Rama? Those words are sure to be of great appropriateness!", thus thought all the nobility of Ayodhya assembled around them.

Valmiki, the artist, paints the picture that Sri Rama, Lakshmana, and Bharata resembled the three sacred fires that burn bright in every sacrificial altar of worship. (The names of the sacred fires are Garhapatya, Ahavaniya and Dakshina. The idea of these three sacred fires is at the core of Sanatana Dharma).

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्          ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 18

July 18 - Sargas 101 and 102 of Ayodhya Kanda. (I am following here the sequence and shlokas per Gita Press).

Two short chapters of dialogue between Bharata and Sri Rama.

***

यन्निमित्तमिमं देशं कृष्णाजिनजटाधरः.       ।

हित्वा राज्यं प्रविष्टस्त्वं तत् सर्वं वक्तुमर्हसि ॥

"Dear Bharata, you need to explain to me why you have left the responsibilities of the kingdom and come here, entering this forest, sporting matted locks and wearing deer skins and bark garments."

आर्य तातः परित्यज्य कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम्   ।

गतः स्वर्गं महाबाहुः पुत्रशोकाभिपीडितः       ॥

स्त्रिया नियुक्तः कैकेय्या मम मात्रा परंतप      ।

चकार सा महत्पापमिदमात्मयशोहरम्          ॥

" Dear brother Rama, after sending you into exile, father could not bear the grief of separation from you and passed away.

" He was compelled into this heinous act by my mother Kaikeyi. She thus perpetrated this great sin and lost all her glory and reputation."

एभिश्च सचिवैः सार्धं शिरसा याचितो मया   ।

भ्रातुः शिष्यस्य दासस्य प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि    ॥

"Joined by all these ministers, I beseech you, , with bowed head, to accept the kingdom and return. You should most kindly and graciously accede to this fervent appeal by me - your brother, disciple and servant!"

Sri Rama replies, again with a surprising thought:

कामकारो महाप्राज्ञ गरूणां सर्वदानघ       ।

उपपन्नेषु दारेषु पुत्रेषु च विधीयते            ॥

"Dear Bharata, you are full of wisdom and blemishless. You should know that always, the preceptors and wise men have, always, permitted freedom of choice and action by one in respect of one's own wives and children. So our father was fully within his right to send me into exile and confer the kingdom on you."

यावत् पितरि धर्मज्ञ गोरवं लोकसत्कृते        ।

तावद् धर्मकृतां श्रेष्ठ जनन्यायपि गोरवम्      ॥

" Dear Bharata, you know Dharma. Whatever reverence one shows towards one's father should be extended equally to one's mother, too. You know this, O noble one!"

Sri Rama makes it clear that it is impossible for him to break the order from his father and mother and return from the forest to accept kingship. As father directed, Bharata shall rule for fourteen years. Rama will complete his exile and return, and accept whatever share of kingdom Bharata deems fit to bestow on him at that time. 

Bharata makes another attempt:

शाश्वतोऽयं सदा धर्मः स्थितोऽस्मासु नरर्षभ   ।

ज्येष्ठे पुत्रे स्थिते राजा न कनीयान् भवेन्नृपः    ॥

"Oh dear brother! O tiger among men, you know fully well the eternal and unbreakable principle of Dharma accepted and established amongst all of us. When the eldest son is alive and fit to rule, the younger son shall never be made king."

Bharata then says that Dasharatha has sadly died and gone to the next world. Bharata and Shatrughna have performed his last rites. Sri Rama and Lakshmana should now offer their oblations to the departed Dasharatha. His soul will be immeasurably happy to receive it from Sri Rama, his dearest son.

***

॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 17

July 17 - Sargas 99 and 100 of Ayodhya Kanda.

So far we have read over 4700 shlokas of Valmiki Ramayana. The narrative has not allowed our interest to flag even for a bit. Valmiki has in his quiver quills of every description. He describes nature such that we imagine it in VFX. He describes human emotions such that it wrenches our guts. He reports conversations with a skill that we know from Shakespeare. He tells it all in a simple Anushtubh metre in Shloka format which is easy to recite and easy to understand even for a novice like me.

More than anything else, he always gives us the unexpected twist. He is not in any hurry to finish the book. He knows that the Ramayana rasa is so juicy and captivating that we will delightedly journey at the pace he sets.

Of course, our so-called modern tendencies for instant gratification and our unfamiliarity with the Sanskrit classical idiom may rob us of the required temperament for the study of Ramayana. But it is worth a try, every moment, because we are journeying with Sri Rama!

Bharata is speechless with grief when he meets Sri Rama. Sri Rama on the other hand is full of words. Words that show him as a statesman and an embodiment of Dharma who has uppermost in his mind Bharata's good and Ayodhya's welfare and no thought for himself.

***

Bharata tells Shatrughna that this would most likely be the place where they will find Sri Rama as it matches Bharadwaja's description. He sees the Mandakini river, signs of rishis' hermitages, and the forest replete with fauna and flora. Bharata sends Sage Vasishtha to go and bring the royal mothers who are behind at the camp.

As Bharata walks ahead, Sumantra also catches up with Shatrughna. They are unable to hide their eagerness to catch sight of Sri Rama.

Bharata points to many trail marks on trees made by the sagacious Lakshmana thoughtful of the difficulties in finding their way back to the hermitage in the dense forest quickly. These trail marks are little shreds of their bark garments, grass knots, and so on. They find dung cakes set out to dry, made with wild buffalo dung and deer dung.  

Soon they come upon the elegant hermitage of Sri Rama.  The hermitage itself is well-covered with different forest materials like barks and grass for protection against the cold weather. Their garments are put out to dry.  There is the altar with a fire going, for daily worship. The divine weapons that Sri Rama and Lakshmana wield, namely their mighty bows, quivers full of sharp infallible arrows, swords in their scabbards, leather gloves and shoulder pads used by archers, armour and shields, are all set out neatly on the ledge skirting the hermitage.

There he is, seated in Virasana, the posture of a monarch, radiant in all glory. He is clad in antelope skin and barks, with an upper garment of skin. Sri Rama is sitting with Lakshmana and Sita.

Bharata is unable to reconcile himself to seeing Sri Rama amidst wild beasts, clad in hides, sitting on a rock, when he should have been the king sitting on the throne in his palace surrounded by sages and courtiers, in all royal finery,  adornments, and wearing flowers and perfume.

Bharata rushes to Sri Rama and breaks down. He manages to say,

मन्निमित्तमिदं दुःखं प्राप्तो रामः सुखोचितः        ।

धिग्जीवितं नृशंसस्य मम लोकविगर्हितम्            ॥

"Alas, all on my account, has Sri Rama been pushed to this misery, when he deserves to have been in royal comfort. Fie upon me and this life, condemned by all for my causing this calamity!"

Sri Rama embraces, full of tears, Bharata and Shatrughna. Lakshmana is also deeply distressed as he joins them. The four of them look like gods, all come down in a strange way here in the forest.

Sri Rama sees that Bharata is also with matted locks, and wearing bark garments. Bharata looks pale and worn out, hardly his former youthful, royal self. Everyone is reduced to tears.

***

Sri Rama now speaks non-stop. This is a long sarga. First, he enquires after everyone.

क्व नु तेऽभूत्  पिता तात यदर्ण्यं त्वमागतः        ।

न हि त्वं जीवितस्तस्य वनमागन्तुमर्हसि             ॥

क्वच्चिन्नु धरते तात राजा यत् त्वमिहागतः         ।

कच्चिन्न दीनः सहसा राजा लोकान्तरं गतः          ॥

"My dear Bharata, how come you have come away to this remote forest, leaving our father alone? You ought not to have come.

"I do hope father is well. I am worried about his cheer and wellbeing since you have come away. I hope the worst has not happened that he has left the body and gone to the next world."

Sri Rama enquires after Kausalya, Sumitra, and particularly Kaikeyi. Hope they are all in good health and cheer?  He asks if Bharata, being young and inexperienced, has forfeited the kingdom to enemies. He remarks that it has been a long time since he last saw him, as Bharata was away in Kekaya.  Now Bharata looks all emaciated and worn out.

Then Sri Rama launches into a series of questions that in turn outline how Ayodhya should be ruled by Bharata. It is a mini-course in statesmanship and administration. I shall glean only a few shlokas but urge you to read the original (some 50 shlokas).

First, is the priest Suyajna (son of Vasishtha), being treated with due respect, and are the prayers and homas being conducted promptly and well?

Is Sudhanva, master of warcraft and sacred weapons, being treated with respect?

कच्चिदात्मसमाः शूराः श्रुतवन्तो जितेन्द्रियाः      ।

कुलीनाश्चेङ्गितज्ञाश्च कृतास्ते तात मन्त्रिणः         ॥

"Dear Bharata, hope you have appointed ministers equally capable as you, brave, with mastery over their senses, beyond temptations, of noble descent, wise and sensitive in understanding situations, and loyal to you?"

Hope Bharata does not hold counsel with too many people but only a few highly competent and trustworthy ministers who keep state secrets well.  One good minister is better than a thousand fools and sycophants.

Hope all projects are decided on outcomes and effort and cost versus benefit and speedily implemented.

Hope rival kings are not privy to leaked information on important projects in the offing.

Hope ministers are above bribery. Ambassadors are sagacious, conscientious, and brave. The army chief is an exemplary warrior.

Hope Bharata is not meting out unduly harsh punishments for crimes, nor collecting excessive taxes.

At the same time, people who are learned yet dishonest and cunning, a warrior who is aggrandising himself with wealth, and a man poisoning the minds of servants and administrators, should all be dealt with without mercy as they can bring about the king's doom.

Hope wages and rations are distributed fairly and always on time. This is ordained in the scriptures.

Hope Bharata is not encouraging 'liberal" thinkers who misinterpret scriptures and cause chaos and unrighteousness. Hope Bharata is fortifying the Ayodhya defences and augmenting the forces continuously.

Hope temples are being run well. Hope people of all professions are gainfully occupied and happy. Especially farmers in remote villages. Also those rearing cattle.

कच्चिद्दर्शयसे नित्यं मनुष्याणां विभूषितम्        ।

अत्थायोत्थाय पूर्वार्हे राजपु्त्र महारथे              ॥

"Dear prince Bharata, I hope you rise early and show yourself to all citizens in pubic outings dressed up in royal splendour, every day. You are a valiant prince and your appearance will motivate them and keep the state in order." 

कच्चिदर्थेन वा धर्ममर्थं धर्मेन वा पुनः               ।

उभौ वा प्रतिलोभेन कामेन न विबाधसे             ॥

"I hope you are not sacrificing righteousness for prosperity or vice versa. And not sacrificing both righteousness and prosperity for the sake of some quick gain or infatuation."

Sri Rama then lists fourteen failings and faults that kings should avoid at any cost - atheism, anger, inattentiveness, procrastination, evading wise counsel, indolence, sense infatuations, taking decisions without due deliberation with others, trusting the judgement of worthless people,  poor implementation of decisions,  not keeping state secrets, omission of auspicious practices, and taking on all enemies all at once.

Sri Rama concludes, 

या वृत्तिं वर्तते तातो या च नः प्रपितामहः        ।

तां वृत्तिं वर्तसे कच्चिद् या च सत्पथगा शुभा     ॥

"Dear Bharata, I hope you are treading the path trodden by our father king Dasharatha and our forefathers, the path of truth, righteousness, and the one that augurs well for the kingdom."

***

॥                श्रीरामजयम्                 ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - July 16

July 16 - Sargas 96, 97,  and 98 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Three short chapters describing the emotions of Lakshmana, Sri Rama and Bharata respectively after realising that they are about to meet one another.

***

As Sri Rama and Sita were enjoying their lunch after their happy wandering in the forest, Sri Rama observed a huge agitation in all wild animals. 

***

हन्त लक्ष्मण पश्येह सुमित्रा सुप्रजास्त्वया                 ।

भीमस्तनितगम्भीरं तुमुलः श्रूयते स्वनः                      ॥

राजा न राजपुत्रो वा मृगयामटते वने                         ।

अन्यद्वा श्वापदं किञ्चित्सौमित्रे ज्ञातुमर्हसि                 ॥

Sri Rama tells Lakshmana, "Do you also notice anything strange, Lakshmana, a worthy son of Sumitra!?  Watch how there is a tumultuous sound all of a sudden, like a frightful rumble of clouds. 

"Either a king or a prince is out hunting around these parts. Or some strange animal of prey has intruded and scared all the wild animals to produce this uproar. Please go and investigate."

***

This forest was quite secluded and this was quite extraordinary. Lakshmana hurried and climbed a tall saal tree. What he beheld took his breath away.

उदङ्मुखः प्रेक्षमाणो ददर्श महतीं चमूम्                    ।

गजाश्वरथसम्बाधां यत्तैर्युक्तां पदातिभिः                    ॥

अग्निं संशमयत्वार्यः सीता च भजतां गुहाम्                 ।

सज्यं कुरुष्व चापं च शरांश्च कवचं तथा                     ॥

Looking northward, Lakshmana, perched atop the tall tree, saw a huge army. It was with elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers. He put two and two together very quickly. He called out aloud to Rama and told him, "put out the fire at once, Rama, and let Sita go hide in the cave. Wear your armour and get ready with your bow and arrows." Sri Rama was perplexed. "Did you see properly whose army it might be, Lakshmana?"

सम्पन्नं राज्यमिच्छंस्तु व्यक्तं प्राप्याभिषेचनम्              ।

आवां हन्तुं समभ्येति कैकेय्या भरतः सुतः                    ॥

एष वै सुमहान् श्रीमान् विटपी सम्प्रकाशते                   ।

विराजत्युज्जवलस्कनधः कोवदारध्वजो रथे                  ॥

"Brother! All is crystal clear! Bharata has been crowned. He now wants to enjoy the kingdom without any opposition. So he has advanced with the army to kill both of us!

"What did I see? I saw his chariot with the insignia flag aflutter displaying the royal emblem of Ayodhya - the majestic Kovidara tree with a massive trunk!"

"Rama, prepare for war. We shall stay on top of this mountain so we can defend ourselves against the attack of this mighty army. I look forward to encountering Bharata in battle.

फूर्वापकारी भरतस्त्यक्तधर्मश्च राघव                            ।

एतस्मिन् निहिते कृत्स्नमनुशाधि वसुन्धराम्                    ॥  

  

अद्य पुत्रं हतं सङ्ख्ये कैकेयी राज्यकामुका                    ।

मया पश्येत् सुदुःखार्ता हस्तिभिन्नमिव द्रुमम्                 ॥

कैकेयीं च वधिष्यामि सानुबन्धां सबान्धवाम्                   ।

कलुषेणाद्य महता मेदिनी परिमुच्यताम्                         ॥

"Dear brother, this evil Bharata, who has already wronged you, and abandoned Dharma, shall be killed by me. That will free the whole earth for you to rule over.

"Let that Kaikeyi, terribly covetous of the kingdom, see today her son being slain by me. She will be plunged in great sorrow when I fell her son like an elephant brings down a tree (incapable of any defence against such force).

"And then I shall kill Kaikeyi also, With all her relatives and well-wishers. It is better that this earth is rid of such a despicable blot as Kaikeyi and her lot. "

Lakshmana says he will slay the entire army and the elephants and horses too. The wild animals of Chitrakuta will drag away their carcasses.

***

पितुः सत्यं प्रतिश्रुत्य हत्वा भरतमाहवे                       ।

किं करिष्यामि राज्येन सापवादेन लक्ष्मण                 ॥

श्रुत्वा प्रव्राजितं मां हि जटावल्कलधारिणम्               ।

जानक्या सहितं वीर त्वया च पुरुषोत्तम                     ॥

स्नेहेनाक्रान्तहृदयः शोकेनाकुलितोन्द्रियः                   ।

द्रष्टुमभ्यागतो ह्येष भरतो नान्यथाऽगतः                     ॥

"Dear Lakshmana, forbid! I came away to the forest to uphold the truthful word of my father. Of what interest is the kingdom to me if it is won by killing my dear brothers or anyone else despicably?

"Your construction on what brings Bharata here is quite wrong, Lakshmana! Bharata would have heard that I have come away to the forest (in exile) with matted locks and wearing tree barks and leaves, along with Sita and you, oh most valiant brother!

"That would have tormented Bharata no end. With his heart full of affection for us, his senses benumbed by the tragic events, Bharata has come here right away to meet us. I am sure there is no other explanation for his arrival."

Sri Rama goes on to chide Lakshmana for all this talk of killing. Which father will kill his son, or son father, or brothers each other, to take over a kingdom? This is a terrible thought. Indeed if Lakshmana is enamoured of kingship, Rama will ask Bharata to hand over the kingdom at once to Lakshmana and he will surely comply.

This makes Lakshmana see reason and he feels very ashamed and contrite. Then the two brothers talk that perhaps Dasharatha has himself come to meet them, perhaps to take them back to Ayodhya. But there is no sign of his white royal umbrella (the essential royal insignia for a chakravarthy like Dasharatha). 

Sri Rama asks Lakshmana to climb down from the sala tree.

Meanwhile, Bharata has asked the army to stop a reasonable distance of about 12 km behind from here and is proceeding with a small team forward.

***

यावन्नरामं द्रक्ष्यामि लक्ष्मणं च महाबलम्           ।

वैदेहीं वा महाभागां न मे शान्तिर्भविष्यति            ॥

यावन्न चरणौ भ्रातुः पार्थीवव्यञ्जनान्वितौ            ।

शिरसा प्रग्रहीष्यामि न मे शान्तिर्भविष्ति             ॥

"Dear Shatrughna, pan out with soldiers and search quickly for Rama. Guha, take a thousand men and comb the forest for Rama. As long as I have not set my eyes on my beloved and glorious brother Rama, the brave warrior Lakshmana, and the blessed lady Sita, my mind will not find any peace.

"As long as I have not put my head at the feet of dear brother Sri Rama, with marks thereon of his having been anointed as the king,  I shall find no peace."

Soon, Bharata, proceeding on foot, sees a tall column of smoke from Sri Rama's hermitage.

***

॥                    श्रीरामजयम्                     ॥ 

  

 

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Valmiki Ramayana - July 15

July 15 - Sarga 95 and the Prakshipta sarga of Ayodhya Kanda.

Valmiki the poet paints an extremely romantic picture of Sri Rama's sporting with Sita in Chitrakuta. This is the first time we have such Sringara Rasa in our reading.

***

Sri Rama continues to direct Sita's attention to more sights. This time it is the Mandakini river. It is frequented by wild animals, birds, and is surrounded by flowering trees.

By the way there is an interesting comment from Valmiki two sargas before. Bharata while commenting on the trees in the forest ringed with flowers, tells Shatrughna that the trees look like ladies from south India who do up their hair beautifully and circle the round bun of hair with a string of flowers (शिरस्सु सुरभीः कुसुमापीडात् कुर्वन्ति दाक्षिणत्या नरा यथा) ! Valmiki surely knew a lot about the different regions and people in different parts of India!

Sri Rama points to Mandakini and says a number of wild animals like elephants have come and recently muddied the river with their splash bath. He also points to bathing spots for sages who come there for their ritual ablutions before dawn.

Sri Rama tells Sita, "we should come often here and bathe, amidst the white and red lotuses!"

Sri Rama says that life cannot get any better for them. He does not miss Ayodhya or royal living.

इमां हि रम्यां गजयूथलोडितां

       निपाततोयां गजसिंहवानरैः      ।

सुपुष्पितां पुष्पभरैरलङ्कृतां 

       न सोऽस्ति यः स्यान्न गतक्लमः सुखी ॥

"My dearest, would there be anyone who doesn't get rid of his fatigue and feel happy seeing this lovely Mandakini river, with her waters muddied by bathing elephants, water splashed upon her banks by elephants, lions, and monkeys,  bedecked with lotuses and showered with blooms by trees on her banks? "

***

The next sarga we read today is called Prakshipta. It is considered a later interpolation and not included in "critical" editions. But it serves an important purpose and so I cover it here. 

***

Sri Rama and Sita come upon a beautiful cave. It is surrounded by a garden-like patch. Sri Rama tells Sita to sit down on a lovely rock there and rest. Sita responds to his very romantic mood. Sita sits on Rama's lap. Rama picks a colourful lumpy stone and makes a powder of it and applies it as a lovely tilak on Sita. Sri Rama points to the singing birds. One young cuckoo is calling out not so musically but still Sri Rama predicts a bright future as a singer for him. 

***

Valmiki says Sita was looking bewitching. 

They got up and continued meandering. Suddenly a monkey surprised them. Sita was quick to hug Rama in fright. The vermilion coloured mark he had applied on her forehead left a smear on his chest. Sita giggled pointing it out. 

Sita saw a beautiful Ashokavana. Those trees looked very inviting. They went there. She asked Rama to bring her those lovely Ashoka flowers. He brought them gladly. They decked each other with those flowers. Indeed together, Sri Rama and Sita were themselves an adornment for Chitrakuta. 

***

When they returned, they had a delectable feast in making. Lakshmana had hunted down black buck and gathered a lot of forest roots and fruits. They offered the food to the gods and then enjoyed a lovely meal served by Sita. Sri Rama told her to offer all the left over food to crows. 

Soon Rama and Sita needed a siesta.  First Sita rested on Rama's lap. When she woke up, Rama lay down resting his head in her lap. 

Just then a crow came looking for food. He was attracted to go and nibble at Sita's breast. Sita could not shoo him away. She also didn't want to wake up Rama. After some time, Rama woke up as blood dropped on his cheek. He saw the crow tormenting Sita even when she tried to run away. Sita was very angry at being bothered by the crow. 

Rama warned the fellow. But the crow was undeterred. An angry Rama took up a blade of grass and invoked Asishikastra. The astra chased the crow even when he tried to fly away to the three worlds. The crow wasn't ordinary as he had divine boons. But the blade of grass released by Rama was an infallible divine weapon too.

Finally the crow realised he had bitten off more than he could handle. He came and surrendered to Rama. 

Rama said, 

मया रोषोपरीतेन सीताप्रियहितार्थिना      । 

अस्त्रमेतत्समाधाय त्वद्वधायाभिमन्त्रितम्  ॥

यत्तु मे चरणौ मूर्ध्ना गतस्त्वं जीवितेप्सया  । 

अत्रास्तवपेक्ष्या त्वयि मे रक्षो हि शरणागतः ॥

अमोघं क्रियतामस्त्रमेकमङ्गं परित्यज         । 

किमङ्गं शातयतुमते शरैशीकं ब्रवीहि मे      ॥

"Mr. Crow, you made me very angry by hurting Sita here who is my beloved and under my care. That is why this astra was invoked by me to kill you.

"Now you have come and taken shelter at my feet. It is in my nature to protect anyone who comes to me for refuge. 

"Therefore I shall save you. But any weapon released by me cannot go in vain. So you can live, provided the arrow destroys any one organ of yours. Tell me, which one?" 

The crow was mighty relieved. He was intelligent enough to say one of his two eyes may be struck by the arrow. And that is what happened. This crow's story is known as  "Kakasura vadha."

It comes in this Prakshipta kanda but the story is again cited in the mainstream version during Hanuman's meeting with Sita in Ashoka Vana! (Sarga 38 of Sundara Kanda.) 

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्             ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 14

July 14 - Sargas 93 and 94 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Valmiki is not in a hurry to describe the meeting of Sri Rama and Bharata. He resorts to the device of describing nature and in turn describing Sri Rama's mindset.

***

Bharata and his huge army make considerable progress, travelling in the dense forest towards Chitrakuta. Several wild animals and birds are greatly alarmed by the noise and dust and strange sights and smells of an incomprehensibly large human invasion.

Bharata describes to Shatrughna how picturesque this forest is. Soon they come to a spot when Bharata says this must be close to Chitrakuta. 

यादृशं लक्ष्यते रूपं यथा चैव मया श्रुतम्      । 

व्यक्तं प्राप्ताः स्म तं देशं भरद्वाजो यमब्रवीत् ॥

अयं गिरिश्चित्रकूटस्तथा मन्दाकिनी नदी    । 

एतत् प्रकाशते दूरान्नीलमेघनिभं वनम्      ॥

"The appearance of this place matches what I have heard. It appears that we have reached the location described by sage Bharadwaja. 

" This mountain has to be Chitrakuta. This river has to be Mandakini. And this extremely dense forest resembles a large rain-bearing cloud." 

***

The army spots a funnel of smoke in the sky. They rush to inform Bharata that they have spotted signs of human habitation and therefore perhaps Sri Rama's cottage is close by. Bharata is delighted.

Bharata instructs the army that they should encamp here. He will proceed alone with Sumantra and sage Vasishtha to go and meet Sri Rama.

***

Valmiki now describes a beautiful scene of Sri Rama's enjoying the splendour of nature with Sita. Sri Rama is indeed a romantic hero with a happy turn of phrase to celebrate the beauty of nature. 

Altogether there are over 25 shlokas. I give you just a few samples.

पश्येमं अचलं भद्रे नानाद्विजगणायुतम्      । 

शिखरैः   खमिवोद्विद्धैर्धातुमद्विभूषितम्     ॥

पुष्पवद्भिः फलोपेतैश्छायावद्भिर्मनोरमैः      ।

एवमादिभिराकीर्णः श्रियं पुष्पत्ययं गिरिः    ॥

निशि भान्त्यचलेन्द्रस्य हुताशनशिखा   इव     । 

ओषध्यः स्वप्रभालक्ष्म्या भ्राजमानाः सहस्रशः ॥

"Dearest Sita, behold this mountain, home to such a wide variety of birds! The peaks are full of richly colourful minerals and rise up as if to pierce the sky! 

" And these tall trees, full of flowers, fruits, and casting such a luxurious shade. They look so beautiful. This mountain is abounding in such trees and is blooming with grace. 

" And these special herbal trees that emit a fragrance and glow like flames at night, as if they are worshipping the mountain lord. There are so many of them!" 

Sri Rama also describes the many waterfalls and sweet-water lakes. He describes mineral stones of an astounding variety, comparing them in their colours to many flowers. It is a long list. He describes several types of wild animals from spotted deer to antelopes to bears and elephants and many other creatures happily residing there. He describes how celestials come for romantic sport and how divine singers and dancers make merry here. 

इमं तु कालं वनिते विजह्रिवां-

     स्त्वया च सीते सह लक्ष्मणेन         । 

रतिं प्रपत्स्ये कुलधर्मवर्धिनीं 

      सतां पथि स्वैर्नियमैः परैः स्थितः   ॥

"Dearest Sita, along with you and Lakshmana, I shall happily reside here for long, observing a very regulated life-style. This is my chosen path of righteousness to further the glory of my lineage. It will confer felicity for sure."

***

॥            श्रीरामजयम्             ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 13

July 13 - Sargas 91 and 92 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Valmiki never ceases to amaze me with his story telling. This has to be the original template for all the best of kavyas that showcase the kaleidoscopic splendour of our culture and its history. 

Valmiki narrates that sage Bharadwaja offers to Bharata and his army a celestial feast that beggars description.

First of all, when Bharadwaja asks Bharata why he left behind his army some distance away and not bring them also to the ashrama, Bharata is frank : 

ससैन्यो नोपयातोऽस्मि भगवन्भगवद्भयात् 

"Revered sir, I did not bring along the army lest I incur your displeasure. After all, the army will mess up your pristine environment and litter the place as well as make a big racket."

Sage Bharadwaja smiles. He says, "Bharata, please bring over the army. I want to offer the best hospitality possible to you and your entire army tonight." Bharata remonstrates but to no avail. So he orders the army to come to the ashram.

Bharadwaja then summons the divine architect Vishwakarma and tells him that all facilities and arrangements should be made instantly to offer Bharata and his army an unforgettably grand feast and entertainment. It has to be on an unprecedented scale. Vishwakarma sets about it.

Valmiki describes the feast and entertainment in over 65 shlokas. It is beyond the dream of a hedonist. We have read of the orgiastic festivities of Roman debauchs. We have read of how Brahma comes and tempts Buddha when he is on the threshold of enlightenment. We have read how Vasishtha offers Vishwamitra, the king, and his army the best of hospitality. This scale goes above and beyond all that.

In an instant, palaces come up. The land is flattened and elaborate facilities are created. Food and drink flows limitlessly with mind-boggling variety. Drinks range from river water sweet like sugar cane juice to the best of wines. Celestial damsels that can ravish any man with just one look entertain the soldiers. Rivers and bathing ponds spring up. The soldiers are anointed, bathed, wined, and dined. Celestial musicians and heavenly dancers continue to entertain them through the night.

Even the horses, elephants, camels, donkeys and bullocks are fed their version of heavenly food made with honey and juicy ingredients. 

***

Unlike Valmiki, I don't have an appetite to describe this further. Suffice it to say that the soldiers drawled amidst swigs of the best wine:

नैवाध्योयां गमिष्यामो न गमिष्याम दण्डकान्  ।

कुशलं भरतस्यास्तु रामस्यास्तु तथा सुखम्     ॥

इति पादातयोधाश्च हस्त्यश्वारोहबन्धकाः         । अनाथास्तं विधिं लब्ध्वा वाचमेतामुदारयन्      ॥

सम्प्रहृष्टा विनेदुस्ते नरास्तत्र सहस्रशः           । 

भरतस्यानुयातारः स्वर्गोऽयमिति चाब्रुवन्      ॥

" We are not going back to Ayodhya! We don't have to go to Dandaka. We will just be in this heaven.Blessed be Bharata for giving us this. May Sri Rama whose exile has occasioned this feast be happy wherever he may be." 

Thus spoke the foot soldiers, cavalrymen, elephant riders and handlers. They woudn't ever in their lives have imagined such a good fortune. They proclaimed in thousands loudly their joy and there was a huge uproar of noise. The army that had accompanied Bharata felt that they were stationed in heaven. 

***

Pause and think. Why did Bharadwaja make this happen? I can think of two reasons. He wanted to celebrate Bharata's goodness unstintingly. More so, a king may turn down power, but sense temptations are beyond anyone's normal levels of self-control. So perhaps Bharadwaja, the divine sage, wanted to test Bharata. 

Bharata passed in flying colours.

***

Early morning, Bharata orders the army to get ready. He approaches sage Bharadwaja for permission to leave. The sage asks him, "Was the hospitality satisfactory? Were there any shortcomings?" Bharata replies that the sage has indeed given the army an unbelievable treat but it is time now for him to go and meet Sri Rama. Bharata requests detailed directions to reach Sri Rama. Bharadwaja instructs him how to reach the Chitrakuta mountain which is only three and a half yojanas (about 50 km). There lives Sri Rama in a hut, situated amidst very beautiful nature. 

Just then Kausalya, Sumitra and  Kaikeyi come hesitatingly to seek the sage's blessings. They circumambulate the sage, full of sorrow and diffidence in their widowhood. Each grasps his feet.

Bharadwaja asks Bharata to introduce them properly to him. 

Bharata that we know speaks. He says this is Kausalya, the chief queen and fortunate mother of Sri Rama. This is Sumitra, the queen in the middle and mother of the glorious Lakshmana and Shatrughna. 

And this is THE queen Kaikeyi. The wicked, self-centred, quarrelsome, queen who caused Dasharatha's death and Rama's exile. She is oversure of her own intelligence. Unfortunately, Bharata says, she is his biological mother too. 

Bharadwaja reprimands Bharata. 

न दोषेणावगन्तव्या कैकेयी भरत त्वया       । 

रामप्रव्राजनं ह्येतत् सखोदर्कं भविष्यति       ॥

देवानां दानवानां च ऋषीणां भावितात्मनाम्  । 

हितमेव भविष्यद्धि रामप्रव्राजनादिह           ॥

"Bharata, do not blame your mother, Kaikeyi, like this. Know that this exile of Sri Rama augurs well for the future well-being of all. Gods, demons, sages and pure souls will all be graced by Destiny with abundant welfare, consequent upon this banishment of Sri Rama." 

This is the very first time Bharata is hearing this. Indeed a different spin from whatever he has heard and thought so far. 

Bharata and the army begin to move towards Chitrakuta. 

***

॥        श्रीरामजयम्         ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 12

July 12 - Sargas 89 and 90 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Valmiki describes how Bharata and his army cross the Ganga with Guha's help. When Bharata meets Bharadwaja, he has to clear his name and clarify his intentions before the great sage Bharadwaja agrees to help him go and find Sri Rama.

***

The next morning, Bharata tells  Shatrughna that they should proceed by crossing the Ganga without delay. Just then, Guha arrives to enquire about their welfare and if they have rested well at night. Bharata replies in gratitude for all the hospitality. Now, would Guha please arrange boats for them to cross the Ganga?

Guha assures them it will be done expediently. He instructs his capable people to arrange a sufficient number of boats. Valmiki describes how the transportation occurs efficiently:

ते तथोक्ताः समुत्थाय त्वरिता राजशासनात्   ।

पञ्च नावां शतान्याशु समानिन्युः समन्ततः    ॥

अन्याः स्वस्त्तिकविज्ञेया महाघण्टाधरावराः     । 

शोभमानाः पताकिन्यो युक्तवाहाः सुसंहताः     ॥

"Thus ordered by their king, Guha, his people sprang into action and brought from every direction a total of five hundred boats in double quick time. 

" In addition, they also brought special, comfortable, boats called Swastika, built very sturdily, which had big sails, were decorated with bells and flags, and shone brilliantly." 

The priests, sages, ministers, the  principal queens and Bharata and Shatrughna board a Swastika boat. That boat is carpeted in white and decorated with finery. Everyone else quickly boards the other boats.

They citizens burn down their overnight makeshift tents in the forest and pour copius water over the entire area to ensure that man-made structures don't interfere with Nature's ways. 

Those who are unable to get passage on boats use rafts. Others use mud pots to float across. Some others swim across. 

Elephants cross like majestic mountains on wings. Horses travel in boats. All materials and equipment are safely transported. 

By even-fall, Bharata reaches the ashrama of sage Bharadwaja. As we saw earlier itself, it is situated amidst sublime nature. 

Bharata approaches the ashram on foot with sage Vaishstha and offers hia deep respects to the renowned sage Bharadwaja. After making mutual enquiries about one another's welfare, Bharadwaja comes straight to the point:

किमिहागमने कार्यं तव राज्यं प्रशासतः  । 

एतदाचक्ष्व सर्वं मे न हि मे शुद्ध्यते मनः ॥

"Bharata, you should be engaged in ruling the kingdom. What brings you here? Please tell me everything. My mind is not clear about your intentions. 

" The greatly valorous Sri Rama, known for his bringing joy to all,  whom Queen Kausalya was fortunate to give birth to, has been banished to live for long in the forest, along with his wife, Sita, and Lakshmana. This was done by his father on the demand of a woman. 

कच्चिन्न तस्यापापस्य पापं कर्तुमिहेच्छसि     । 

अकण्टकं भोक्तुमना राज्यं तस्यानुजस्य च   ॥

"Sri Rama is totally devoid of sin.  I hope you are not here, by any chance, with the intention of destroying Sri Rama and his brother, so that you can there-after rule the kingdom without any opposition or impediments?"

Bharata is deeply cut by these suggestions. In his typical way, he explains how he has come to worship Sri Rama's feet and take him back to Ayodhya to be installed as the king. Bharata has had absolutely no part in Kaikeyi's evil manoeuvres that banished Sri Rama. He begs Bharadwaja not to attribute such evil motives to him. Would the sage most kindly tell him about Sri Rama's whereabouts and how he can reach him. 

Sage Vasishtha also reinforces what Bharata has said in his defence. 

Sage Bharadwaja finally says wisely, 

जाने चैतन्मनःस्थं ते दृढीकरणमास्त्विति    ।

अपृच्छं त्वां तवात्यर्थं कीर्तिं समभिवर्धयन् ॥

"Dear Bharata, please know that, of course, I was aware already of your mindset. I asked you to disclose your plans so that your noble intentions are in the open for all to see and appreciate. This will enhance your fame greatly. 

"I know where Sri Rama resides at present. He is staying on top of Chitrakuta mountain along with Sita and Lakshmana. I shall help you to reach him. 

"Meanwhile, kindly stay for the night here. We shall extend whatever hospitality we can in the ashram to you and your entourage." 

***

॥              श्रीरामजयम्              ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 11

July 11 - Sargas 87 and 88 of Ayodhya Kanda.

When Guha describes the scene of Sri Rama's departure with matted locks and being clad in tree barks, Bharata feels the enormity of what has transpired. He finds it difficult to keep his wits about. He collapses into unconsciousness. 

Guha is terrified. Shatrughna is distraught. An emaciated Kausalya comes, full of anxiety. When Bharata recovers, she says, "My dear son, Bharata, you're everything to all of us, you're my sole refuge since Rama has gone into exile. Are you ill? I am so worried. Did Guha tell you that something untoward has happened to Rama or Lakshmana? Please speak!" 

Bharata looks at Guha all teary. He asks him to narrate everything that Sri Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, went through when they were there. 

Guha describes how the excellent dinner he had arranged for them was gracefully turned down by Sri Rama. Sri Rama told him that their Kshatriya Dharma was not to accept gifts like that. Indeed, it was proper that they instead should  give others. (This is clearly stated even in Bhagavadgita). 

"Lakshmana brought water feom the Ganga. That is all that the three consumed. They did their evening prayers. Lakshmana prepared a bed of grass under that yonder tree and Sri Rama rested there with Sita. Lakshmana stood guard along with me." 

***

Bharata goes and examines the grass bed that Sri Rama and Sita had slept on. He remarks that Sri Rama's body posture has made marks that are still visible. He spots silk threads from Sita's garment on the grass. 

Bharata, the tragic hero, bemoans the terrible condition that a prince like Rama has to suffer. For our benefit as it were, he describes the royal comforts for a king set up for his sleep and how he wakes up to chants and music and celebratory rituals of ablution. And here lay Sri Rama!

Oh cruel Fate! 

मन्ये भर्तुः सुखा शय्या येन बाला तपस्विनी । 

सुकुमारी सती दुःखं न विजानाति मैथिली   ॥

हा हतोस्मि नृशंसोऽस्मि यत् सभार्यः कृते मम। 

ईदृशीं राधवः शय्यामधिशेते ह्यनाथवत्         ॥

"Perhaps the only reason that the tender and youthful princess rested happily here would be because she slept next to her dear husband. Sita is so devoted to Sri Rama that there was no room in her heart for sorrow when she lay by his side. 

" Ah! Fie on me! On my account alone was Sri Rama pushed to this beggarly condition. A prince, no less, son of the monarch Dasharatha, beloved of all, so beautiful in his limbs, used to all royal amenities and luxuries, suffering thus!?!" 

Bharata says Ayodhya is funereal for him now. His lot is simply despicable. 

" Blessed is Lakshmana to be with Sri Rama and serving him. Blessed is Sita following her husband like a shadow in the forest. And we in Ayodhya!? We have all become objects of suspicion and contempt. In fact, Ayodhya has neither soldiers nor the spirit to defend herself against attacks. But looking at its sorry condition, even enemies would show no interest in invading Ayodhya. 

"Hear, all, my proclamation now! I shall from this moment live the same way as Sri Rama. I will also wear the same attire, eat the same forest food, and sleep on the ground. I shall make Sri Rama return to Ayodhya and take his place for fourteen years in the forest. 

अभिषेक्ष्यन्ति काकुत्स्थमयोध्यायां द्विजातयः। 

अपि मे देवताः कुर्युरिमं सत्यं मनोरथम्        ॥

"The Brahmin priests will conduct the coronation of Kakutstha Sri Rama as the king of Ayodhya with all ceremony. This is my truest desire and sincerest prayer. I hope the gods will surely make this come true." 

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्            ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 10

July 10 - Sargas 85 and 86 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Guha makes sure of Bharata's intentions, and showers praise on him for not taking over the kingdom given to him on a silver platter, citing pure reasons of Dharma.

Guha then narrates Lakshmana's woeful words during the night  earlier as they kept vigil together watching over Sri Rama and Sita as they rested under the tree after meeting Guha.

***

Bharata shows great appreciation for Guha's hospitality extended readily to his very large army. Then he requests Guha that they be shown the way to reach sage Bharadwaja's ashram after crossing the Ganga.

Guha says that it can be done without any difficulty. But he comes straight to the point:

कच्चिन्न दुष्टो व्रजसि रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः  । 

इयं ते महती सेना शङ्कां जनयतीव मे      ॥

तमेवाभिभाषन्तमाकाश इव निर्मलः          । 

भरतः श्लक्ष्णया वाचा गुहं वचनमब्रवीत्     ॥

मा भूत् स कालो यत् कष्टं न मां शङ्कितुमर्हसि   । 

राघवः स हि मे भ्राता ज्येष्टो पितृसमो मतः   ॥

तं निर्वर्तयितुं यामि काकुत्स्थं वनवासिनम्   । 

बुद्धिरन्या न मे कार्या गुह स्त्यं ब्रवीमि ते      ॥

Guha asks Bharata, "I hope you do not perchance have any evil designs in your going to meet Sri Rama? Do you intend to hurt him who is so assiduous in carrying out his duties? I am asking, because you have brought this huge army! That naturally raises such doubts!"

To this, Bharata, whose mind is as clear as a cloudless sky, replies in gentle words: 

" May such a bad time never come, oh Guha, when you need to suspect my motives. I look upon my elder brother Sri Rama as my father himself. 

"I am on my way as I am determined to bring back Sri Rama from his exile in the forest. I speak truthfully, please don't suspect that I have any other thoughts." 

Guha feels relieved and glad that Sri Rama will not be put to more trouble. He is also mightily impressed by the righteous nature of Bharata, who is turning down kingship offered on a platter. 

शाश्वती खलु ते कीर्तिर्लोकाननुचरिष्यति   । 

यस्त्वं कृच्छ्रगतं रामं प्रत्यानयितुमिच्छसि  ॥

"Dear Bharata, your nobility will be extolled far and wide as long as mankind exists, given that you intend to relieve Sri Rama from his extremely difficult situation in the forest and take him back to Ayodhya." 

***

Then Guha narrates how Lakshmana stayed up all night keeping vigil on that night when Sri Rama and Sita slept under the tree after arriving at the bank of Ganga. Guha assured Lakshmana that he and his forces could deal with any attack from even a large army and they would stay up and guard them,

so Lakshmana may please retire and sleep in the comfortable bed they had set up for him. But Lakshmana said he would not be able to get a wink of sleep seeing  Sri Rama and Sita lying down on bare ground. Sri Rama was the mightiest warrior and the rightful heir to the Ayodhya throne. But look at what he was facing now! 

Lakshmana had said how Dasharatha and Kausalya were bound to give up their lives after Sri Rama's exile. 

जटाधरौ तौ द्रुमचीरवाससौ

        महाबलौ कुञ्जरयूथपोममौ      । 

वरेषुचापासिधरौ परंतपौ 

        व्यपेक्षमाणौ सह सीतया गतौ   ॥

"Dear Bharata, the image is imprinted on my mind of the two brothers, wearing matted locks, clad in tree barks and leaves, looking so mighty in valour, and resembling two king elephants. 

They carried their glorious bows, arrows and swords. They looked capable of dealing with any enemy. They kept looking back alertly as they went away with Sita. "

***

॥               श्रीरामजयम्                 ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 9

July 9 - Sargas 83 and 84 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Valmiki describes the large contingent that accompanies Bharata next day to the bank of Ganga.

Guha sees a surprisingly large army with Bharata. Just as he receives him with customary hospitality, he also readies his boat army to prevent Bharata from crossing the Ganga in case Bharata has any intentions of harming Sri Rama.

Sumantra introduces Guha in glowing terms to Bharata.

***

शतं सहस्राण्यश्वानां समारूढानि राघवम्       ।

अन्वयुर्भरतं यान्तं राजपुत्रं यशस्विनम्          ॥

कैकेयी च सुमित्रा च कौसल्या च यशस्विनी   ।

रामनयनसंतुष्टा ययुर्यानेन भास्वता               ॥

दृष्ट एव हि नः शोकमपनेष्यति राघवः          । 

तमः सर्वस्य लोकस्य समुद्यन्निव भास्करः     ॥

इत्येवं कथयन्तस्ते सम्प्रहृष्टाः कथाः शुभाः    ।

पराष्वजानाश्चान्योन्यं ययुर्नागरिकास्तदा       ॥

A very large army, with several thousands of elephants, chariots, and a hundred thousand cavalry men, followed prince Bharata, renowned for his glory.

Kaikeyi, Sumitra, and Kausalya also travelled in excellent chariots, full of happy anticipation of bringing back Sri Rama.

"Just by casting our eyes on him, our collective grief will be dispelled! After all, he is Sri Rama! He is like the glorious sun, who by merely rising at dawn, dispels all darkness." 

Thus conversing in very good cheer, narrating to one another auspicious stories, embracing one another in joy, the citizens of Ayodhya followed prince Bharata in this mighty procession. 

***

Valmiki takes this opportunity to list how many trades and professions were represented in that large Ayodhya contingent. I am fascinated that the poet uses this opportunity to paint a glorious picture of prosperity and economic as well as cultural advancement in the city of Ayodhya of a time so long ago. 

The professions represented: traders, gemologists and jewellers, potters, weapon-forger blacksmiths, weavers and haberdashers, craftsmen who made adornments with peacock feathers, carpenters, trinket makers, people who drilled shells and pearls, ivory-craftsmen, painters and masons, perfumers, goldsmiths, blanket makers, sauna attendants, doctors, wine makers, incense merchants, washermen, tailors, chieftains of villages engaged in animal husbandry, actors, performing artiste women, fishermen... 

Thousands of bullock carts carried very learned Brahmins who had mastered the Vedas. 

Everyone was well-groomed, well-attired, and wore sandal paste. 

The large army, and all who followed, were in a great mood as they reached the bank of Ganga. Bharata instructed that they shall camp there for the night and cross the river the next morning. 

***

भर्ता चैव सखा चैव रामो दाशरथिर्मम     । 

तस्यार्थकामाः संनद्धा गङ्गनूपेऽत्र तिष्ठत   ॥

यदा तुष्टस्तु भरतोयरामस्येह भविष्यति    । 

इयं स्वस्तिमती सेना गङ्गामद्य तरिष्यति    ॥

On beholding an incredibly large army sporting Bharata's insignia and flags arrive on the bank of the Ganga, Guha is surprised and confused. What is the occasion for this kind of invasion? He instructs his own army:

"Sri Rama, son of Dasharatha, is my lord and beloved friend. We shall all be ready to safeguard his interests with our lives and wait on the bank. 

" I shall ascertain Bharata's intentions. If his disposition is well-intentioned towards Sri Rama, this immense army of his will be helped by us to safely cross the river Ganga. Otherwise we know how to stop the army. " 

Having thus instructed his people, Guha approaches Bharata's camp.

Meanwhile Sumantra briefs Bharata that this elderly chief of hunters is a wonderful man and has helped Sri Rama a lot. Sumantra assures Bharata that Guha certainly knows the whereabouts of Sri Rama and will help them reach him. 

Guha comes and offers Bharata the best of courtesies and brings the choicest fare for their dinner. 

***

॥            श्रीरामजयम्                ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 8

July 8 - Sargas 81 and 82.

My apologies. I was carried away yesterday thinking that Valmiki said Bharata and his army arrived at the bank of the Ganga. No. Valmiki was only talking of the army of road builders and the advance party. They completed the construction works up to the bank of the Ganga. The last shloka in Sarga 80 says that 

नरेन्द्रमार्गः स सदा व्यराजत    । 

क्रमेण रम्यः शुभशिल्पिनिर्मितः ॥ 

"The royal highway was completed auspiciously by the best of builders and reigned supreme with beauty and orderly design." 

Today's reading is therefore actually about the happenings in Ayodhya before they set out to go and meet Sri Rama.

In the morning, as per toyal custom, Bharata is woken up with all pomp and panegyrics fit for a king. He is very unhappy. He says the people are unable to understand his feelings and are simply pressing the case for him to be crowned as if it were a fait accompli, simply a matter of course.

Sage Vaishtha arrives. He takes his special seat in the court and assembles all the important people including ministers, executive chiefs, royals and there is also a mention of Yudhajit (Bharata's uncle). Sage Vasishtha says quite simply and authoritatively that Bharata should take charge as per the unambiguous last wish of the deceased king Dasharatha.

Bharata eloquently makes the case for righting the terrible wrong handed out to Sri Rama. He removes the last vestige of doubt that he will bring back Sri Rama. In fact, he says, a special royal highway has been constructed already for that purpose. So please, let us all go. He gives a firm order to Sumantra to assemble the entire army and everyone else with all materials for the journey without any more delay.

Sumantra is delighted. As the word spreads throughout the city, there is a frenzied preparation for the journey.

ततो योधाङ्गनाः सर्वा भर्तॄन् सर्वान् गृहे गृहे ।

यात्रागमनमाज्ञाय त्वरयन्ति स्म हर्षिताः     ॥

All the wives of the soldiers hurried their husbands to hasten their preparations and comply with the marching orders, displaying a marked gladness at the prospect of bringing back Sri Rama.

The whole army and everyone is ready to go. 

ततः समुत्थाय कुले कुले ते 

       राजन्यवैश्या वृषलाश्च विप्राः     । 

अयूयुजन्नुष्ट्ररथान् खरांश्च

        नागान् हयांश्चैव कुलप्रसूतान्    ॥

Therefore, complying with Bharata's orders, in every home, soldiers, traders, servants, and priests, all readied their camels, donkeys, chariots, well-bred elephants and horses, all set for the journey. 

***

॥               श्रीरामजयम्                ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - July 7

July 7 - Sargas 79 and 80.

When Bharata makes it absolutely clear that he wants to go to the forest, bring back Sri Rama, install him on the throne, and thereafter repair to the forest and live there for fourteen years, his Dharmic resolve is received with universal acclaim. He directs that a major highway is prepared expeditiously so that he can reach Sri Rama's herimitage without delay. He will take the entire paraphernalia for Sri Rama's coronation and be accompanied by the full complement of the army. 

The construction of the pathway is described by Valmiki in a most interesting manner.

***

On the fourteenth day, ministers and sages surrounded Bharata and implored him to ascend the throne without delay. A kingless kingdom was vulnerable to attack any time. The king was dead and his two elder brothers were in the forest. 

Bharata prayerfully circumambulated all the articles and holy water made ready for his consecration. He then said, "it doesn't behove you all wise and elderly advisors to suggest I take the throne in subversion of what is a righteous and time-honoured tradition." 

रामः पूर्वो हि नो भ्राता भविष्यति महीपतिः। 

अहं अरण्ये वत्स्यामि वर्षाणि नव पञ्च च  ॥

युञ्जतां महती सेना चतुरङ्गयमहाबला        । 

आनयिष्याम्यहं ज्येष्ठं भ्रातरं राघवं  वनात्   ॥

क्रियतां शिल्पिभिः पन्थाः समानि विषमाणि च। रक्षिणश्चानुसंयान्तु पथि दुर्गाविचारकाः         ॥

"Dear preceptors, ministers and advisors, Sri Rama is the eldest of us brothers and he alone shall be the king. I will go to the forest and live there for fourteen years. 

" Please get ready a mighty army with elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers. I will go with the army and bring back Sri Rama from the forest. 

" Please engage the best architects and masons to construct a major road to reach Sri Rama. They should level the land and make it travel worthy. Let guards and navigation experts travel along." 

Those assembled responded most enthusiastically to the idea of bringing back Sri Rama. They said in unison, "dear Bharata, may goddess Lakshmi always be with you and shower her grace for this decision." 

***

The entire Ayodhya geared up for the project of bringing back Sri Rama. Poet Valmiki describes in considerable detail how they went about the road building. 

Surveyors, architects, masons, diggers, mechanics, experts in measurement, painters, strong and able-bodied men for quarrying, everyone proceeded like an ocean- wave full of enthisiasm. 

They levelled the earth, cleared bushes and grass, cut down trees where needed, pulverised stones and evened the ground. They planted saplings, dug up new wells, created fresh water bodies in the most suitable spots. They built bridges, they created detours for easier travel and ensured in every way that the path was navigable for the mighty Ayodhya army. High quality sand was used to cover rough spots. 

The final result was astounding. Fine roads paved with a mosaic of stones, smooth for chariots. Both sides lined with flower trees and plants.  Resting places, camping sites, with every comfort for the contingent. 

The Ayodhya army, led by Bharata and accompanied by all important people, started on the journey. The singing of birds greeted the travellers as they proceeded rapidly on the marvellous new road that stood for the united spirit of the nation. 

They made rapid progress and reached the bank of river Ganga, full of large fishes. 

***

॥               श्रीरामजयम्                ॥