Valmiki Ramayana - September 9

September 9 - Sargas 12 and 13 of Kishkindha Kanda.

Hearing Sugriva's words, it was clear to Sri Rama that he had to instill confidence in Surgiva with regard to his own ability to counter the mighty Vali.

प्रत्ययार्थं महातेजा रामो जग्राह कार्मुकम् "To inspire Sugriva's confidence, Sri Rama took up his mighty bow."

स विसृष्टो बलवता बाणः स्वर्णपरिष्कृतः    ।

भित्वा सालान् गिरिप्रस्थं सप्तं भूमिं विवेश ह ॥

सायकस्तु मुहूर्तेन सालान् भित्त्वा महाजवः     ।

निष्पत्य च पुनस्तूर्णं तमेव प्रविवेश ह          ॥

तान्दृष्ट्वा सप्त निर्भिन्नान् सालान् वानरपुङ्गवः  ।

रामस्य शरवेगेन विस्मयं परमं गतः              ॥   

"Sri Rama released a golden-tipped arrow with tremendous force. That arrow went and pierced seven sala trees in a line, and went further on and pierced the earth too. Then in a moment, that arrow miraculously emerged from the earth and quickly went back and nestled in Sri Rama's glorious quiver."   

"The supreme vanara Sugriva, beholding the lightning speed and might and efficiency of Sri Rama's arrow, and seeing how it split seven sala trees in one go, was simply awestruck."

Sugriva prostrated to Sri Rama, with his ornaments stretched on the ground, and paid his immense respect Sri Rama, who stood for righteousness as well as supreme mastery of all weapons। He said, "Oh, Sri Rama, now I know that you can defeat Indra and all the gods too with your arrows, what to speak of Vali!" Let us remember that Vali was Indra's son and derived his strength from Indra himself.

Sugriva expressed his total confidence that one who could split seven sala trees with a single arrow was assured of victory in a battle of any kind. He thanked his fortune for having found a reliable friend in Sri Rama. He beseeched Sri Rama to now get rid of Vali, his brother who had turned into his most hostile enemy.

Sri Rama smiled, embraced Sugriva, and on Sri Rama's instruction, they all went at once to Kishkindha. As Sri Rama and others hid behind a thick clump of trees,  Sugriva girded up his loins and let out a terrific battle cry for Vali that pierced the skies.

Hearing this battle cry from Sugriva, Vali was enraged. He at once rushed out, like the sun rising from the west. (This Valmiki phrase bodes ill for Vali).

As Sri Rama watched, the two brothers struck each other with terrific blows of their palms, fists, and feet. They were like Mercury and Mars at war. They resembled the twin gods Ashwini.

Unfortunately, Sri Rama could not tell who was Vali, and who was Surgiva, He had his arrow ready in his raised bow, but he decided not to shoot the arrow. Vali thrashed Sugriva badly and Sugriva beat a hasty retreat to Rishyamuka. Vali pursued bleeding and mauled Surgiva up to the Matanga ashrama, but stopped short remembering the Muni's curse. He told Sugriva, "this time you have escaped!" and left.

When Sri Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman came back to Surgiva, he looked badly beaten and ashamed. Looking down at the ground, he said Sri Rama had displayed his prowess and instigated him to a battle with Vali, but instead of killing Vali, he had allowed Vali to beat up Sugriva badly. Alas, if Sugriva had known that Sri Rama would do nothing, he would not have stirred from Rishyamuka.

Sri Rama spoke calmly to Sugriva. "Listen, Sugriva, please cool down from your anger. You look so similar to Vali in your build, ornaments, movements, voice, and demeanour. You matched each other stroke for stroke. Therefore it was impossible for me to tell who is Surgiva and who is Vali. I dared not release the arrow lest I kill you instead of Vali."

त्वयि वीर विपन्ने हि अज्ञानाल्लाघवान्मया       ।

मौढ्यं च मम बाल्यं च ख्यापितं स्यात् कपीश्वर ॥

"Oh Valiant Surgiva, the king of vanaras, if I had in haste or indiscretion released that arrow and brought you down by mistake, I would have gained great infamy for my childish act and stupidity."

"After all, along with Lakshmana and Sita, I have come to you for refuge. How could I allow myself to take such a risk of dealing a fatal blow to you!?"

"Well, nothing is lost yet. Dear Sugriva, please go and challenge Vali again to a battle. You will see this time that this single arrow of mine will bring down Vali to the ground in an instant. But this time, we will put some kind of identification mark on you so I know who Vali is and who you are. Lakshmana, kindly go and fetch a creeper full of the auspicious Gajapushpi flowers and let us put it as a garland around Sugriva's neck." Lakshmana promptly fashioned a garland of Gajapushpi flowers and put it round Sugriva's neck. Valmiki compares Sugriva with those flowers to a thick raincloud with a flock of white cranes flying in formation against it.

They all proceeded again to Kishkindha.

***

As the strong necked Sugriva and Lakshmana walked, Sri Rama, with his mighty bow and golden arrows, walked like the Sun god. Behind him came Hanuman, Nala, Neela, and Tara (this is a vanara chief, with the same name as Vali's wife Tara). 

Valmiki chooses to describe in detail the mountains, forests, flowering trees, and beautiful animals and birds they saw along the way. The flowers looked like gems. The enchanting region attracted Sri Rama's great curiosity. He enquired of Surgiva what was this enchanting place? Sugriva replied that this was once the habitation of seven rishis called Saptajana. They lived only on air, and inhaled only once in seven days. They had performed unbelievable austerities for seven hundred years before leaving their bodies and attaining salvation. Their austerities had transformed this place into an enchanting garden with fragrances, auspicious musical sounds, and ever-flowering trees. But animals and birds avoided entering the garden as nobody who entered it could go out alive.

The place was sacred and Sugriva told Sri Rama and Lakshmana to bow down to the spirit of those rishis. Their blessings would ensure that they would not suffer any loss or come to any grief hereafter.

Sri Rama and Lakshmana bowed down reverently. They all then proceeded to Kishkindha.

***

॥      श्रीरामजयम्      ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 8

September 8 - Sargas 10 and 11 of Kishkindha Kanda. 

A deeply distressed Sugriva tries his best to placate his brother and correct Vali's impression that Sugriva had coveted the crown in his absence.

अभिषिक्तो न कामेन तन्मेत्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि   "I was crowned not by my wish but on the insistence of the anxious ministers and citizens. So you should forgive me."

सामात्यपौरनगरं स्थितं निहतकण्टकम्   "With the help of ministers and citizens I have ensured the country is free from dangers and troubles in your absence. "

Sugriva explains again how he thought Vali must have been killed, after waiting for more than a year. The rush of blood convinced him that the worst had happened. Sugriva also offers with the utmost sincerity all the royal paraphernalia to Vali guaranteeing him that he has been only a trustee and will be most happy to remain always as Vali's faithful servant. 

But Vali does not cool down one bit. He calls a big assembly of all citizens and ministers. He roundly scolds Sugriva and openly accuses him of an unholy greed for kingship. He explains how the battle had to be fought in that deep cave after searching for Mayavi which alone had taken a whole year. After he slew the rakshasa and his fellows, there was a flood of their blood that blocked his escape. Somehow he reached the exit but found it had been blocked with a huge rock by this evil Sugriva. He had to struggle to kick the rock repeatedly till it broke and he could come out. 

Vali speaks in the sternest terms to all those who take Sugriva's side. He banishes him from the kingdom. Only four trusted lieutenants including the great Hanuman decide to leave with Sugriva. Vali takes away Sugriva's wife. 

***

Sugriva is mortified with fear of Vali. He has been running all over the world finding no safe haven. At last, he has come here to hide in Rishayamuka which is safe from Vali's attack for a reason.

Sugriva volunteers information about Vali's might. Vali used, as a daily exercise, to fly to mountain peaks in the north, south, east, and west. He would uproot mountains and throw them up for fun. 

***

Once a rakshasa called Dundubhi (uncle of Mayavi) became very arrogant after receiving boons that he would possess the strength of a thousand elephants. He started roaming the earth challenging people to a battle. He first went to the lord of the seas. He asked him to offer him a battle worthy of his prowess. When the lord of seas refused, saying he was unequal to Dundubhi, the rakshasa ridiculed him and asked who did he think would give him a fitting battle? The lord of the seas said perhaps Himavan, the father-in-law of Lord Shiva. Dundubhi gleefully flew to Himalayas and started breaking its peaks and destroying its forests. Himavan appeared and pleaded that long ago, Himavan had given up violence and he was now fully occupied with hosting great rishis who came to his snow peaks for tapas. So he would not offer a battle. When Dundubhi again teased him to suggest anyone else worthy, Himavan suggested the vanara king, and son of Indra, Vali. Vali was immensely powerful and intelligent too.

Dundhbhi's chosen form was that of a demonic buffalo with huge horns and even large sharp teeth. He landed in front of Kishkindha's main gate at night. He made a huge noise and damaged its entrance. Vali was as usual sporting with his women in his bed-chamber. He came out along with his women to find out what all the noise was about. When he saw Dundubhi, Vali told him that he well knew who he was and what was his arrogance about. Dundubhi ridiculed Vali. He told Vali to sport that night with his women to his heart's content, enjoy the pleasures of Kishkindha one last time, appoint his successor, and come out next day to die in the battle with Dundubhi. 

***

यो हि मत्तं प्रमत्तं वा सुप्तं वा रहितं मृशम् ।

हन्यात् भ्रूणहा लोके तद्विधं मदमोहितम्   ॥

Dundubhi tells  Vali: "Anyone person who is drunk, heedless and unguarded, asleep, without weapons, or overcome by lust, should not be killed as his killer will incur the same sin as that of killing a foetus in the womb."

***

Vali sent away Tara, his wife, and other women. He said if he was drunk, it was only with the drink for battle readiness. He removed the golden necklace gifted to him by his father, Indra. He then simply grasped the two big horns of Dundubhi, and lifted him, and smashed him on the ground. They both roared as they battled fiercely. As Vali struck Dundubhi repeatedly with his fists, throwing rocks and trees at him, and kicking him with deathly blows, the rakshasa grew weak and succumbed to a Vali whose strength kept increasing.  Finally, Dundubhi was crushed into a dead mass of bleeding flesh.

Vali lifted the bleeding body of Dundubhi and threw it a yojana away ( about 8 miles). Unfortunately, the drops of Dundubhi's blood spilled all over Matanga Muni's ashrama and incensed the sage. The sage came out and saw the carcass of Dundubhi. Matanga, by his spiritual vision, saw what had happened. The sage then cursed that Vali should never enter those premises as he had defiled it. If he did, he would die. Similarly, any monkeys aligned with Vali in any way would turn to stone if they intruded there. 

Vali came to know of this curse from the monkeys who at once fled from Matanga's hermitage, and came to him. Vali was truly repentant and went and apologized to the sage, but to no avail.

That is why Rishyamuka is safe for Sugriva to hide from Vali. It is protected by Matanga's curse and kill Vali at once if he enters the area.

***

Sugriva also shows the huge mass of bones remaining there from Dundubhi's body. He says that Vali could denude a big saal tree of all its branches and leaves in just one stroke with his powerful hands. Sugriva now asks Sri Rama, "having heard all this, do you still think you can overcome Vali?"

Lakshmana smiles to hear this and asks Sugriva what proof would convince him of Sri Rama's power.

Sugriva suggests, " Can Rama even lift this Dundubhi's skeleton and hurl it a few hundred yards? " 

***

Sri Rama's eyes turn red in anger. Sugriva concludes his story, saying that Vali has never been defeated in any battle. Even gods are afraid of Vali. That is why Sugriva's only course was to hide here. 

***

Of course, Sri Rama was a great and reliable friend now. But then, Sugriva had not seen for himself Sri Rama's valour and so unsure if Rama would be able to face Vali.

Sri Rama smiled. 

यदि न प्रत्ययोऽस्मासु विक्रमे तव वानर ।

प्रत्ययं समरे श्लाघ्यमहमुत्पादयामि ते   ॥

"Oh Vanara (a hint of contempt here), if you have gained no faith so far in our valour, I shall now give you sufficient proof that will create immense faith in my prowess."

Having spoken thus, Sri Rama coolly and smilingly went to the skeleton of Dundubhi lying nearby, and, in an instant, with his toe flicked it ten yojanas ( about 80 miles) away. 

But Sugriva said,  " Oh Rama, remember Vali flung it at the end of a tiring battle when he was drunk so it fell only one yojana away. Now it is also much lighter as all the flesh has disappeared, and only the bones remain."

Sugriva then asked if Rama could pierce the huge saal tree nearby with a single arrow? That would establish Sri Rama's prowess indubitably...

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्            ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 7

September 7 - Sargas 8 and 9 of Kishkindha Kanda. 

***

Sugriva is immensely pleased to have made friends with such a wonderful person as Sri Rama. He extols the greatness of true friendship.

धनत्यागः सुखत्यागो देशत्यागोऽपि चानघ    ।

वयस्यार्थे प्रवर्तन्ते स्नेहं दृष्ट्वा तथाविधम्        ॥

"Dear friend Sri Rama, for the sake of a friendship such as this, no sacrifice is too big - either one's wealth or one's comforts and pleasures or even one's country...that is the true value of friendship to be honoured in life."

Sugriva also mentions that humility and decorum forbid him to sing his own praises and recount his own capabilities. Sri Rama will surely come to know of it from others soon.

Sugriva makes sure they are seated comfortably on another splendid flowered and leafy branch of a saal tree. Similarly, Hanuman arranges to sit on another such branch with Lakshmana. Then Sugriva starts shedding tears, recalling all the ignominies heaped on him by his angry brother Vali. Sri Rama consoles him and repeats his assurance that he will rid Sugriva of the troubles from Vali.

Then  Sri Rama asks Sugriva to tell him the actual story of how this terrible enmity came about. He says this is essential for him to know before carrying out Vali's destruction.

Surgiva says that Vali and he are sons of a great vanara king by name Riksharaja. As the worthy son and the elder one, Vali was anointed by their father as the king of vanaras. Vali was a very strong ruler and powerful in every way. Once he developed an enmity with a rakshasa called Mayavi (the son of Mayasura) over their rivalry in courting a woman.

Mayavi wanted to kill Vali. He came and shouted a war cry in the middle of a night in Kishkindha. Vali heard that cry and burst into a fury. Although Sugriva himself and Vali's women tried their best to restrain him, saying it was inopportune to start a battle with a rakshasa impetuously at night, Vali rushed out in a blaze of anger. Sugriva dutifully followed him.

When Mayavi saw the two rushing out of Kishkindha's main gate, he panicked and started running away. The two brothers pursued him vigorously, unhampered as his path was visible in moonlight.

Soon Mayavi entered a deep cave surrounded by much vegetation. Vali took off after him. Sugriva also wanted to enter the cave with Vali but Vali, now burning with an unquenchable fury of combativeness, said that he shall proceed alone, kill the rakshasa and come out. He foreswore Sugriva by making him touch his feet that Sugriva would stand guard and wait in the same spot till Vali came out.

Fierce war cries and sounds of a raging battle emanated from the cave. A whole year passed but the war went on unabated. A worried Surgiva held vigil. Then, slowly, only the rakshasa cries remained. He got really worried about Vali's well-being. Soon, foamy blood gushed out of the cave. Sugriva was now convinced that Mayavi had got the better of Vali. He panicked, covered the entrance of the cave with a huge rock, and rushed back to Kishkindha. All the ministers and citizens could deduce that Vali had been killed. They forced Surgiva to take over as the king.

King Surgiva was astonished when Vali soon returned. He was drenched in blood, wounded all over, but triumphant after killing Mayavi. The sight of a Sugriva crowned as the king in his absence gave a totally wrong idea to Vali that Surgiva had usurped his kingdom.

नत्वा पादावहं तस्य मुकुटेनास्पृशं प्रभो    ।

अपि वाली मम क्रोधान्न प्रसादं चकार सः ॥

"Rama, even when I bowed to Vali and touched his feet with my crown, his extreme rage towards me was unmitigated and he did not accept my prostration or bless me."

***

॥       श्रीरामजयम्       ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 6

September 6 - Sargas 6 and 7 of Kishkindha Kanda.

A very touching scene is witnessed when Sugriva brings  out Sita's ornaments wrapped in her cloth that Sita strategically dropped for the vanaras to retrieve. She was then also crying out for Sri Rama and Lakshmana.  She was writhing in the clutches of a rakshasa travelling southward aerially.

Sri Rama is inconsolable with grief. Lakshmana confirms his assessment that they are indeed Sita's ornaments.

Sugriva asks Sri Rama not to succumb to such grief but look ahead. He promises to bring Sita from wherever she may have been hidden away. Sri Rama recovers his composure and promises to do his part without fail - of getting rid of Vali.

***

Sugriva recounts all that he has heard from Hanuman, commiserating with Sri Rama about the sequence of events that led to a rakshasa's abducting Sita. He also narrates that a curious event had occurred when they saw a lady being carried away by force by a terrible looking rakshasa aerially. She was screaming in distress, "Oh Rama, come and save me! Oh Lakshmana, come and save me!" She saw the five vanaras sitting together on top of Rishamukha. She then carefully removed her gold ornaments and wrapped them in her upper silk cloth and dropped them to be picked up by the vanaras. Sugriva has kept the bundle safe and goes inside the cave and brings it out for an anxious Sri Rama to see.

Sri Rama bursts into a torrent of tears and collapses as he hugs and kisses the ornaments and the cloth. He is inconsolable as he keeps sighing Sita's name. Sugriva, Lakshmana and Hanuman are all very distressed to see the effect on Sri Rama of the sight of those ornaments and cloth that belong to Sita. 

Sri Rama remarks to Lakshmana that Sita had done such a splendid job of wrapping the ornaments in her cloth and safely dropping the bundle over a patch of soft grass so it will remain undamaged. She made sure that the vanaras noticed her act and would retrieve her ornaments. Perhaps one day Sri Rama would see them.

When Lakshmana is asked by Sri Rama to independently identify the ornaments, he says these famous words:

नाहं जानामि केयूरे नाहं जानामि कुण्डले ।

नूपुरे त्वभिजानामि नित्यं पादाभिवन्दनात् ॥

"Dear brother, I am sorry, I do not recognize the armlets and the earrings of Sita. I never saw them. I did of course notice her anklets as I bowed down to her feet every day. They are indeed hers." 

The implication here is that Lakshmana was a model of good behaviour (towards another's wife). He had only total devotion to his elder brother's wife. Therefore he never set his eyes on her person in the thirteen years of the exile! He only saw her feet.

As Sri Rama goes to pieces crying for Sita, between sobs, he also vows that he will destroy the entire rakshasa clan for this terrible act of abducting his beloved wife. 

***

Sugriva finds this lamentation a bit alarming. In fact a lot of work is ahead - Vali's destruction, and the search for Sita, and perhaps a big war to be fought with rakshasas. He tells Sri Rama that such grief is unbecoming of a great man like Sri Rama. Even Sugriva has lost his wife but he has held his composure. He also tells Sri Rama pithily:

व्यसने वार्थकृच्छ्रे वा भये वा जीवितान्तगे ।

विमृशंश्च स्वया बुद्ध्या धृतिमान् नावसीदति ॥

बालिशस्तु नरो नित्यं वैक्लव्यं योऽनुवर्तते  ।

स मज्जत्यवशः शोके भाराक्रान्तेव नौजले  ॥ 

"Dear Rama, either in great grief, or loss of wealth, or some occasion for extreme fear, or even on the verge of one's death, a man of self-assurance and forbearance applies his intellect and holds himself together, without being destroyed by emotion.

"Indeed, someone who is childish and easily drowns in grief is like an overloaded boat that sinks into the water with no resistance."

Surgiva tempers these words by adding that he is only a monkey and is a nobody to give advice to a wise and noble prince like Rama. But he reminds Sri Rama that even his own wife has been taken away by Vali but he is holding himself together much better.

Sugriva also says with great conviction and confidence that he will go and hunt down the culprit and surely bring back Sita. He says that as yet, he does not know the whereabouts of Ravana but will put in the effort to discover his whereabouts and where he has hidden Sita. 

Commentators are at a loss to explain why Sugriva says this, because later on while sending out the vanara army in search of Sita, he displays a deep knowledge of Lanka and Ravana's domain. My own conjecture is that Surgiva did not choose this moment to say all that he knew (remember how Kabandha has praised Sugriva's encyclopedic knowledge of terrains and people around the world).

Sri Rama wipes away his tears with a corner of his upper garment.  He thanks Sugriva for his advice and reassurance. He then volunteers that he will keep his promise too, verbatim, as he has never thus far, and nor will, in future, ever tell a lie. In fact, Sri Rama takes a vow.

मया च यदिदं वाक्यमभिमानात् समीरितम्    ।

तत्त्वया हरिशार्दूल तत्त्वमित्युपधार्यताम्         ॥   

"Dear Sugriva, what I have spoken now is not a mere boast or words springing from over-self-confidence. Indeed, please take my words as the essential truth of what is going to be done for you."

Surgiva is very happy within himself that Sri Rama is going to end his troubles.

***

॥                 श्रीरामजयम्                ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 5

September 5 - Sargas 4 and 5 of Kishkindha Kanda.

Lakshmana introduces Sri Rama and himself to Hanuman in glowing terms. Hanuman is simply delighted to put two and two together and conclude that Sugriva's troubles are near their end.

Hanuman escorts the brothers to Sugriva's hideout. The two forge their alliance over the sacred fire. Sri Rama hears Sugriva's woes and assures him that he will kill Vali and get him his wife back. 

***

Hanuman, delighted to hear that Sri Rama and Lakshmana are indeed here seeking Sugriva's friendship, enquires of Sri Rama :

किमर्थं त्वं वनं घोरं  पम्पाकाननमण्डितम् ।

आगतः सानुजो दुर्गं  नानाव्यालमृगायुतम्  ॥

"Rama, please tell me why you have come along with your younger brother to this inaccessible and inhospitable forest near the Pampa lake full of wild animals and serpents of all kinds."

Sri Rama motions to Lakshmana to respond. By the way, this is the royal protocol. The king never speaks directly or answers strangers. His emissary or attendant owns that responsibility.

I give you three shlokas of what Lakshmana speaks. They define what is dignity in adversity and what shows self-belief in every circumstance.

राजा दशरथो नाम द्युतिमान् धर्मवत्सलः   ।

चातुर्वर्ण्यं स्वधर्मेण नित्यमेवाभिपालयन्   ॥

शरण्यः सर्वभूतानां पितुर्निर्देशपारगः         ।

ज्येष्ठो दशरथस्यायं पुत्राणां गुरुवत्तरः        ॥

अहमस्यावरो भ्राता गुणैर्दास्यमुपागतः      ।

कृतज्ञस्य बहुज्ञस्य लक्ष्मणो नाम मानितः  ॥

"Hanuman, King Dasharatha was a great ruler, full of brilliance and dedicated to Dharma. He was always upholding the interests of all four sections of society by his righteous administration.

"This, here, is Sri Rama, the ultimate refuge of everyone in the world and fully dedicated to adhering to his father's orders. He is the eldest and the most accomplished son of King Dasharatha. "

Lakshmana goes on to say that for some reason, following his father's desire, Sri Rama came away to Dandakaranya. His dutiful wife Sita followed him to the forest, just as the evening light follows the setting sun.

" I am known as Lakshmana, I am the younger brother and humble servant of Sri Rama, and have come along to serve Sri Rama who is indeed greatly wise about his duties and full of the knowledge of the here and hereafter. "

Lakshmana then describes Sri Rama's glory and natural leadership qualities. He also narrates how a rakshasa abducted Sita in Dandakaranya and plunged them into distress. Sri Rama, who is the protector of all mankind, has been driven to a state of helplessness as they know nothing about this abductor. Kabandha, son of Danu and accursed to suffer a demonic existence until Sri Rama would liberate him and send him to heaven, disclosed to the brothers that there was a worthy vanara king by name Sugriva who would help them. They are here looking to forge their friendship with Sugriva.

Hanuman replies:

ईदृशा बुद्धिसम्पन्ना जितक्रोधा जितेनद्रियाः ।

द्रष्टव्या वानरेन्द्रेण दिष्ट्या दर्शनमागताः       ॥

"You two brothers are exemplars of wisdom, equanimity, and mastery over your senses (as evidenced by the way you have come away to a life of hardship as ascetics in the forest instead of revolting against the king). You two are definitely worthy of being received by King Sugriva of vanaras. It is entirely owing to his good fortune that you have arrived."

Hanuman describes how Sugriva was been wronged by Vali, driven out of his kingdom, and how Vali has also grabbed his wife. The distressed King Sugriva is on the run, in constant fear of his mighty and intemperate brother Vali. Hanuman proposes that they now go and meet Sugriva in his hideout.

Lakshmana respectfully acknowledges Hanuman and briefs Sri Rama privately that he finds Hanuman to be a trustworthy and wise person who has spoken the truth about Sugriva and his circumstances. Sri Rama gladly agrees to go with Hanuman.

***

ततस्स तु महाप्राज्ञो हनुमान्मारुतात्मजः   ।

जगामादाय तौ वीरौ हरिराजाय राघवौ     ॥

"Hanuman, the man of great intuition and wisdom, the son of Vayu, the wind god, then assumed his original form of a mighty vanara. Lifting both the warrior brothers on his shoulders, Hanuman flew to the mountain to the hideout of the vanara king Sugriva."

***

Hanuman arrives in Rishyamuka carrying the two brothers. Then, Sri Rama and Lakshmana are requested to wait in a comfortable spot as Hanuman goes to Sugriva's hideout and briefs him of all the information he has gathered. Sugriva is informed how Dasharatha was a glorious king who performed many great yajnas and ruled well for the welfare of all. Hanuman then uses three adjectives for Sri Rama - दृढविक्रमः, पितुर्निर्देशकारकः, शरणमागतः - Sri Rama has a well proven military prowess; he came away to the forest out of respect for his father's order; and now he has come seeking help from Sugriva. Hanuman mentions how Ravana abducted Sita. Hanuman makes it crystal clear that the two brothers should be welcomed, respected and trusted by Sugriva for his own welfare.

Sugriva now extends his unconditional friendship to Sri Rama. He extends his hand of friendship literally, which Sri Rama takes in his own with warmth and affection. He also embraces Sugriva. 

***

काष्टयो: स्वेन रूपेण जनयामास पावकम्  ।

दीप्यमानं ततो वह्निं पुष्पैरभ्यर्च्य सत्कृतम्  ॥

तयोर्मध्ये तु सुप्रीतो निदधौ सुसमाहितः      ।

ततोऽग्निं दीप्यमानं तौ चक्रतुश्च प्रदक्षिणम् ॥

"Hanuman, who had assumed his vanara form, then used wood sticks and kindled the sacred fire. The fire was worshipped with flowers. 

"Hanuman then tended the sacred fire carefully as the two - Sugriva and Sri Rama, circumambulated the fire and solemnised their friendship, inviting auspicious outcomes."

Sugriva then spoke in words of sincerity and affection, "Sri Rama, you are elder than me, but we are both in similar difficulties." Sugriva broke a fine branch of a saal tree with luxuriant leaves and flowers and made a large seat and sat down on it with Sri Rama. Hanuman broke the leafy branch of a sandal wood tree and made a seat for Lakshmana.

Sugriva narrated how he had been hurt very much by his brother Vali who drove him out of the kingdom and took away his wife. He requested Sri Rama to release him from the great fear he had of his brother Vali.

 प्रत्यभाषत काकुत्स्थः सुग्रीवं प्रहसन्निव Sri Rama replied to Sugriva with a smile on his face, "Dear Sugriva, I know that friendship is based on helping one another. I shall kill Vali who took away your wife.

"My arrows are infallible, decorated with kanka feathers, comparable to Indra's thunderbolt, and fiery like the burning sun. Like hissing serpents, they will strike and will bring down the miscreant Vali soon. You will see Vali fallen on the ground like a shattered mountain." 

Sugriva expressed his great relief at being assured that he will get his wife back and his enemy, Vali will be destroyed.

At that exact moment, Sita's left eye twitched. An omen, as we have seen earlier, to the lady that something good will happen to her very soon. And similarly, Vali's left eye (Valmiki compares it to glittering gold) as well as Ravana's left eye ( Valmiki compares it to a blazing fire) twitched. That augured bad outcomes for the two men.

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्           ॥ 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 4

September 4  - Sargas 2 and 3 of Kishkindha Kanda.

Let us welcome Hanuman into the story! The original superhero meets Sri Rama. Sri Rama is IMMENSELY impressed with Hanuman in every possible way and there has been no other character in Valmiki Ramayana so far making such a triumphant impact on debut.

The wooden image in the photo is the hand-carved Hanuman icon from Bali, Indonesia. Hanuman is in battle readiness here!

***

Sugriva is deeply agitated by the appearance of two mighty warriors. He is sure that they have been sent by his violent elder brother Vali to kill him. He jumps from peak to peak in the Rishyamuka range displaying intense provocation and fear. Other monkeys follow suit and a tumult arises disturbing all the birds and wild animals around.

Sugriva's lieutenant Hanuman asks Sugriva to pull himself together.

यस्मात्तेव भयं सौम्य पूर्वजात्पापकर्मणः        ।

स नेह वाली दुष्टात्मा न ते पश्याम्यहं भयम्   ॥ 

अहो शाखामृगत्वं ते व्यक्तमेव प्लवङ्गम       ।

लघुचित्ततयाऽत्मानं न स्थापयसि यो मतौ    ॥

"Dear Sugriva, the intense fear you display thinking of your elder brother Vali who has wronged you is baseless. Nothing to fear is seen hereabouts. No doubt Vali is evil but I don't see his hand here.

"Alas, you display your pusillanimity characteristic of a monkey who jumps from tree to tree. That is why you are unable to steady your mind."

Sugriva retorts that these two warriors armed to the gills are here perhaps as henchmen of Vali. Otherwise, their appearance cannot be explained. When Hanuman disagrees with that surmise, Sugriva tells him, 

ते त्वया प्राकृतेनैव गत्वा ज्ञेयौ प्लवङ्गम  ।

इङ्गितानां प्रकारैश्च रूपव्याभाषणेन च    ॥

"Hanuman, please go in the disguise of a normal human and find out more about those two warriors. Get to know their intentions and behaviour as well as their exact form and their way of speaking. Gain their confidence. That will help us discover what is the danger from them."

***

Hanuman takes the form of a mendicant with a begging bowl. That disguise is much better for the occasion as his vanara form might well alarm the two men.

***

Hanuman, the son of Vayu (wind god), approached Sri Rama and Lakshmana with decorum and politeness. His words were soft and touched the two brothers rooted in righteous prowess.

"Dear sirs, you look like royal sages or gods. Why are you here? You would scare the animals around here. You are looking around the lake Pampa, and enjoying the sights of these tall trees.  You have an extremely handsome appearance, with the shoulders of warriors. You seem exhausted by some enterprise. But yet you strike terror in the animals here. 

"You remind me of tusker elephants or powerful bulls. You carry shining weapons that will destroy enemies.  You are undoubtedly the best among humans.  You shine with radiance. You look like royals. What are you doing in these parts, dressed as ascetics, wearing barks, and sporting matted locks? Your arrival is as if the sun and moon have descended here together.

"How come your mighty arms are without ornaments? You seem to be fit to rule the entire earth. Your bows look magnificent like Indra's thunderbolt. Your quivers carry deadly arrows that resemble fiery serpents. I am seeing glittering, long swords with you.

"Now let me tell you about myself.  I am with the vanara king Sugriva, banished by his elder brother Vali. Sugriva is wandering all over the world. I am also a vanara and my name is Hanuman. I have been sent by Sugriva to offer his friendship to you. I am able to assume any form at will and can travel anywhere. I am the son of the Wind god and am Sugriva's minister."

Having heard him, Sri Rama spoke in an aside to Lakshmana.

"He is the minister to the vanara king Sugriva, whom I want to meet. See, Lakshmana, this monkey is skilled in the art of speech and speaks so sweetly."

***

नानृग्वेदविनीतश्च नायजुर्वेद्धारिणः   ।

नासामवेदविदुषश्शक्यमेवं विभाषितुम्  ॥

नूनं व्याकरणं कृत्स्नमनेन बहुधा श्रुतम्   ।

बहु व्याहरताऽनेन न निञ्चिदपशब्दितम्   ॥

न मुखे नेत्रयोर्वापि ललाटे च भ्रुवोस्तथा   ।

अन्येष्वपि च गात्रेषु दोषस्संविदितः क्वचित्  ॥

"Dear Lakshmana, one who has not delved deep into Rigveda, practised the rituals of Yajurveda thoroughly, or mastered the Samaveda, cannot speak so eloquently as this Hanuman.

"It is patently clear that he has mastered the Samskritam grammar, and has studied a number of scriptures thoroughly. He has spoken at length to us, and yet not a single mispronunciation or a blemish was present in his speech!

"And look at his face, and his eyes, and forehead, and his eyebrows, Lakshmana! And even his limbs and body all over. There is not a single blemish or defect in any part of his person."

Sri Rama admires Hanuman so much, especially the way Hanuman has spoken - politely, unambiguously, probingly, intelligently, with a well-moderated voice, neither throaty nor shrill, in a language that is at once captivating.  

कस्य नाराध्यते चित्तमुद्यतासेररेरपि - "Hanuman's speech will disarm with its appeal even an enemy with his sword raised to strike!  How can a king with such a minister or ambassador ever fail in attaining his goal?"

Thus given the green signal, Lakshmana informs Hanuman that they are Sri Rama and Lakshmana, and are in fact desirous of meeting Sugriva after hearing about him. 

Hanuman is simply delighted with their acquiescence.

***

॥        श्रीरामजयम्         ॥ 

    

Vakmiki Ramayana - September 3

September 3 - Sarga 75 of Aranya Kanda and sarga 1 of Kishkindha Kanda.

Sri Rama and Lakshmana set out to apporach Rishyamuka in the vicinity of Pampa lake. They are full of optimisim after seeing the ascetic Shabari and her ascent, and bathing in the holy waters in the Matanga ashrama and cleansing themselves of fatigue and dismay. They also offer oblations to their forefathers.

***

They come to Pampa lake. Going by Valmiki's description, there is an incomparable display of nature's glory in spring. Everything - trees, flowers, fruits, birds, animals, bees, lotuses in the waters, creepers full of blooms, the wind, the mild sun, fragrances wafting all round, songs of birds, romantic pairs of animals in the mating season, everything is showing the power of nature to make all living creatures join in the circle of life through cohabitation. 

But what about Sri Rama? He is without his Sita.

Sri Rama is possessed by extreme pangs of separation and romantic distress as he experiences the unending beauties of spring and the flamboyance of nature around Pampa. Valmiki spares no detail in terms of the descriptions of how the flowers, swaying trees, fragrances, deer and elephants, and birds and bees are busy frolicking romantically. All nature is enslaved by Manmatha (the god of love). This torments Sri Rama.

For the first time, Valmiki shows Sri Rama's utterly sensitive and romantic side, in the viraha taapa (pangs of separation from the beloved). Sri Rama makes beautiful descriptions of nature in its multifaceted splendour and its impetus to romance. But alas, his dear dear beloved wife Sita has been abducted and suffering at the hands of Ravana.

Just a sampler:

अशोकस्तबकाङ्गारष्षट्पदस्ननिःस्वनः        ।

मां हि पल्लवताम्रार्चिर्वसन्ताग्निः प्रधक्ष्यति  ॥

न हि तां सूक्ष्मपक्ष्माक्षीं सुकेशीं मृदुभाषिणीम्  ।

अपश्यतो मे सौमित्रे जीवितोऽस्ति प्रयोजयनम्  ॥  

"Dear Lakshmana, these ashoka trees's flowers are like fuel cakes,  the creepers encircling them have tender copper-coloured leaves that are flaming embers, and the buzz of bees is the crackle of this fire called spring as it burns me.

"Without the company of my beloved Sita, with her delicate long eyelashes, her cascading tresses of hair, her most tender speech - in her absence, I cannot survive this onslaught of spring, and find no meaning in going on living."

Lakshmana, our hero for every difficult situation so far, decides that enough is enough. What is needed is to launch an unrelenting hunt for that Ravana and liberate Sita from his clutches. What is the use of all this crying? He chides Sri Rama:

सोत्साहस्यास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन् किञ्चिदपि दुर्लभम् ।  

उत्साहवन्ताः पुरुषा नावसीदन्ति कर्मसु  ।

त्यज्यतां कामवृत्तत्वं शोकं सन्न्यस्य पृष्टतः  ।

महात्मानं कृतात्मानमात्मानं नावबुद्ध्यसे    ॥

"Dear Rama, the time now is to act. I promise you I shall hunt down that Ravana to the corners of the earth, in the netherworld or under the seas if need be, and discover and bring back Sita for you.

"Know that with enthusiasm, there is nothing on earth that cannot be accomplished. And those who act with spirit and enthusiasm do not allow themselves to feel anguish and emotions when they are in the middle of a mission such as ours.

"Give up entirely this distress and emotion riding on your back. You seem to have lost the sense of who you are, what great deeds have been yours, and what is your potential."

Meanwhile, the vanara king Sugriva espies from the mountain these two warrior brothers, carrying mighty weapons and dressed as ascetics, in the vicinity of Pampa lake. He is understandably seriously concerned about his safety and the danger from these warriors.

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्          ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 2

September 2 - Sargas 73 and 74 of Aranya Kanda. 

Kabandha turns out to be a great guide and motivator. He describes in detail the spectacular beauty of the forest and the abundance of succulent fruits en route that Lakshmana can pluck from the trees. He assures the brothers that they will enjoy their travel and momentarily get over their grief over Sita's abduction.

He describes the holy Pampa lake and the hermitage of Matanga muni. There awaits them a saintly old lady Shabari who shall attain to heaven after extending to Sri Rama her hospitality.

Valmiki keeps it brief but we get to enjoy the meeting of Shabari with Sri Rama.

***

Before ascending to heaven, Kabandha gives detailed instructions on how to reach Rishyamuka mountain where king Sugriva is encamped. They have to pass through a verdant forest full of flowering and fruit-laden trees. Valmiki describes over two dozen varieties of trees and plants. 

सर्वकालफला यत्र पादपा मधुरस्रवाः      ।

सर्वे च ऋतवस्तत्र वने चैत्ररथे यथा          ॥

तानार्ह्याथवा भूमौ पातयित्वा सुखम्         ।

फलान्यमृतकल्पानि लक्ष्मणस्ते प्रदास्यति  ॥

"Dear Sri Rama, you will see perennially flowering and fruiting trees dripping with honey in their produce. They have a year-round splendour like the trees in the garden of Lord Kubera.

"Dear Lakshmana will be able to climb those trees and pluck their fruits. Or he can bend their branches hanging down by the weight of fruits and reach them easily. He will be able to give you fruits that taste like amruta (divine nectar). "

शीतोदकं च पम्पाया दृष्ट्वा शोकं विहास्यसि    ।

सुमनोभिश्चितांस्तत्र तिलका नक्तमालकाः     ॥

उत्पलानि च फुल्लानि पङ्कजानि च राघव       ।

न तानि कश्चिन्माल्यानि तत्रारोपयिता नरः       ॥

"Dear Rama, after you cross the many forests and mountains full of wild animals, you will arrive at the beautiful lake Pampa Sarovara. Its cool waters will be very welcome and you shall give up your grief.  There are so many splendid tilaka and night jasmine trees there. 

"There are lovely blue lotuses, white lotuses, and lilies blooming in that lake.  Remember that no man planted those lovely trees or is tending those beautiful lotuses in the lake. There is no one to string those flowers into lovely garlands and wear them." 

Kabandha also tells the brothers that there are many birds and animals to be hunted for delicious food.

Then he talks of the Matanga Ashrama. This sacred hermitage housed the great rishi and all his disciples.  It is in an enchanting garden. Those trees have been nurtured by the beads of sweat of assiduous disciples fetching food and sacred materials constantly. They are special as their flowers don't wilt nor their fruits lose their freshness ever. That is the power of penance.

Kabandha says that there is an old woman by the name of Shabari there. She has served the rishi and his disciples very devotedly for very long. She has received a blessing that after she meets Sri Rama and serves him, she will attain heaven by virtue of her devotion and penance. She is safe there as wild animals do not attack anyone in the hermitage. 

Just in the vicinity of the hermitage is the tall, difficult-to-climb, mountain Rishyamuka. It was created by Lord Brahma. Whatever wish a good man makes lying in sleep on top of that mountain comes to be fulfilled.  Similarly, an evil man will be killed in his sleep on that mountain by the demons. 

On that mountain, in an inaccessible cave, stays the vanara king Sugriva with his four trusted lieutenants.

Having stated as much, Kabandha takes his leave respectfully of Sri Rama and Lakshmana and ascends to heaven in his full celestial glory.

***

Sri Rama and Lakshmana followed Kabandha's directions and traversing that lovely forest and mountain area, reached the hermitage of the sage Matanga on the western bank of the Pampa lake. 

The brothers saw the old woman Shabari and approached her. Shabari with her spiritual insight knew who they were. She came forward and respectfully touched their feet. She gave them water to wash themselves and water to drink. Sri Rama now spoke to Shabari:

कच्चित्ते निर्जिता विघ्नाः कच्चित्ते वर्धते तपः    ।

कच्चित्ते नियतः कोप आहाराश्च तपोधने          ॥

"Oh auspicious lady, endowed with spiritual wealth, how is your spiritual progress? Have impediments to your practices ceased? Has your meditation deepened? Have you mastered your moods, especially anger? Have you gained mastery over hunger? "

Sri Rama enquired if Shabari's life-long devotion to her guru and his disciples was bearing fruit. The advanced ascetic Shabari replied,

अद्य प्राप्ता तपःसिद्धिस्तव संदर्शनान्मया       ।

अद्य मे सफलं जन्म गुरवश्च सुपूजिताः          ॥

"Oh Sri Rama, just now, after receiving you and this auspicious meeting, I can see that my penance has become fruitful! My service to my gurus has borne fruit! My life has been fulfilled by meeting you, Sri Rama!"

***

Shabari says that beholding the sacred and beautiful form of Sri Rama, she knows that the goal of her birth has been attained. She is now certain that she will ascend to heaven as blessed by her gurus. 

Shabari says that all the hermits there, by their spiritual prowess, ascended to heaven in celestial chariots just as Sri Rama had arrived in Chitrakuta. They told Shabari that she would have to wait for Sri Rama's arrival at the Matanga hermitage, along with Lakshmana, and for his blessing. She would then be going to the higher world immediately.

Shabari respectfully offers the splendid fare of fruits she has collected from the banks of Pampa river and has saved for Sri Rama and Lakshmana.

Sri Rama then tells Shabari how she has been introduced to them by Kabandha already. He requests Shabari to show her special powers. 

Shabari gladly takes the brothers on a tour of the Matanga garden with its enchanting trees. Sage Matanga was too old and infirm to travel to the many sacred rivers. In fact, he did the fire oblations with his shaking hands. At his request, the great rivers all brought their holy waters straight away to the Matanga hermitage for his use. Shabari shows the sacrificial fire altars that are still aglow with the sacred rituals long after the rituals have ceased. She shows how the seven seas have come there to be of service to the rishis during their oblations.  The ascetics' robes spread on tree branches are still dripping wet from the baths of long ago. The lotuses offered for worship then have not wilted yet.

Shabari now seeks Sri Rama's permission to give up her mortal coil and ascend to the higher world. Sri Rama replies in words full of affection and grace:

तामुवाच ततो रामश्रामणीं संशितव्रताम्           । 

अर्चितोऽहं त्वया भक्त्या गच्छकामं यथासुखम्  ॥ 

"Sri Rama then addresses that advanced ascetic, Shabari, who has fulfilled all her duties in life and her spiritual practices magnificently. "Dear Shabari, I have been worshipped by you with devotion. Now I grant you permission to go wherever you desire, may your ascent be truly blessed!""

Shabari bows down to Sri Rama. In her old, tattered rags of the barks of trees, emaciated, shrunken with age, and wrinkled all over, she enters that sacred sacrificial fire and as her body burns down, her glorious spirit ascends in its full splendour to heaven. 

Sri Rama and Lakshmana see Shabari adorned with wonderful ornaments, beautiful garlands, anointed with fragrances,  robed in splendid finery, looking like a streak of lightning, her face beaming with peace and bliss.

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्         ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 1

September 1 - Sargas 71 and 72 of Aranya Kanda. 

Kabandha discloses that his present form is the result of a curse from a a sage whom he had tormented. He has also a boon that once Sri Rama comes and cuts off his remaining limbs, i.e. his long arms, and cremates him, he will attain heaven.

Once Kabandha is released from his form, he manifests in his astral form to advise Sri Rama to forge an alliance with the vanara king Sugriva who will surely find Sita for him.

***

Kabandha is a celestial being of demonic origin (son of Danu) who once was extremely handsome and could take any form and do whatever he pleased. Once, just for fun, he assumed a grotesque, huge, body and went to torment a rishi by name Sthulashiras. The sage uttered a curse that Kabandha would henceforth be confined in that grotesque form  and forever lose his beauty.  When Kabandha was penitent and begged mercy, the sage told him:

यदा छित्त्वा भुजौ रामस्त्वां दहेद् विजने वने   ।

तदा त्वं प्राप्स्यसे रूपं स्वमेव विपुलं शुभम्   ॥

"Kabandha, you will regain your original beautiful form only when Sri Rama comes and cuts off your arms and cremates this grotesque form in the uninhabited forest."

Before this, Kabandha had done a lot of penance and obtained the boon from Lord Brahma that he would live for very long. Interpreting this to mean he was invincible, he went and waged a war on Indra. Indra promptly wielded his vajrayudha and cut off Kabandha's head and legs. Kabandha then begged Indra that he should end his life. But Indra reminded him of Brahma's boon of longevity and told him that he had to wait for Sri Rama to come and liberate him. For him to function in the forest in the meanwhile, Indra gave him mile-long arms to grab his unwary prey, as well as a mouth and eyes in his belly.

***

Now that Sri Rama is here and has cut off his limbs, Kabandha requests that he be duly cremated. When Sri Rama realises that this being is a celestial, he asks for help to find Sita who has been abducted. Sri Rama's distress is because he knows nothing about Ravana's whereabouts or his powers or even how he looks. Kabandha promises to help Sri Rama once Kabandha attains his celestial form and powers.

Lakshmana works hard and sets up a huge fire and the brothers cremate Kabandha. Then a very beautiful being in divine adornments in a celestial vehicle emerges from the fire.  Kabandha now offers advice.

***

राम षड् युक्तयो लोके याभिः सर्वं विमृश्यते   ।

परिमृष्टो दशान्तेन दशाभागेन सेव्यते            ॥

"Dear Rama, the wise in this world know that there are six military expedients for someone like you to accomplish his goal  - peace, war, invasion, non-alignment, alliance, and befriending the enemy of one's enemy. 

"Also it is time-honoured wisdom that one can find a true friend amidst one's misery and predicament only in a person who is also displaced from his status and is therefore miserable.  In your case, you have been banished from your kingdom, and now your wife has been abducted. You are just two brothers going to fight against a big demon king. Therefore it is of paramount importance whom you approach and make your ally."

श्रूयतां राम वक्ष्यामि सुग्रीवो नाम वानरः     ।

भ्रात्रा निरस्तः क्रुद्धेन वालिना शक्रसूनुना     ॥

वानरेन्द्रो महावीर्यस्तेजोवानमितप्रभः          ।

सत्यसंधो विनीतश्च धृतिमान् मतिमान् महान् ॥

"Dear Rama, please listen to this. There is a vanara (a kind of mighty ape) by name Sugriva.  He has been driven away by his elder brother Vali who is the son of Indra.  

"This Sugriva is the king of vanaras. Do not think they are monkeys. They are divinely gifted and can assume any form. Sugriva is the son of Surya and a great warrior. He is full of the radiance of intelligence and confidence. He adheres to truth, and is also not arrogant. He has forbearance and wisdom in plenty."

"Sugriva has been wronged by his brother. He is camping on Rishyamuka mountain along with four companions. Go and offer him your friendship. Forge an alliance with him with the sacred fire as your witness. Help Sugriva.

"Sugriva is extremely knowledgeable and resourceful. He will summon a mighty army and set out to help you. There is no place on earth that Sugriva does not know or cannot reach."

वानरांश्च महाकायान् प्रेषयिष्यति राघव          । 

दिशो विचेतुं तां सीतां त्वद्वियोगेन शोचतीम्    ।

अन्वेश्यति वरारोहां मैथिलीं रावणालये         ॥ 

"Dear Rama, if you forge a proper alliance with Sugriva, he will despatch mighty vanaras in all directions to go and find Sita, who is pining for you in this separation. He will surely search out the beautiful Maithili in whatever abode Ravana may have hidden her."

Thus, Kabandha, before departing to heaven in his celestial form, gives crucial and invaluable advice to Sri Rama and Lakshmana on their proper course of action assuring them of success through alliance with the vanara king Sugriva.

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्          ॥ 

 

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     ॥