August 3 - Sargas 14 and 15 of Aranya Kanda.
Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana proceed in the direction towards Panchavati where Sage Agastya has recommended them to set up their hermitage. On the way, they meet the ancient bird Jataayu and establish a bond.
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As they proceeded towards Panchavati, Sri Rama saw a giant bird eagle-like atop a huge banyan tree. Sri Rama and Lakshmana were curious to know who this creature might be, and so went up and spoke to him, asking him who he was.
The giant bird replied in sweet words that he was an old friend of their father's. The brothers paid him respect and requested him to tell them his antecedents.
The bird Jataayu had an interesting story to tell.
As we know, in our scriptures, the evolution of all life has been described as a descent from the original creator, Lord Brahma. Brahma created many sons who in turn fathered sons and daughters, who in turn gave birth to several forms of life.
Jataayu says that Brahma had several sons including Angirasa, Pulastya, Atri, and Daksha. They were called Prajapatis (demi-Brahmas). They were all sages or rishis. They in turn fathered many.
Out of Daksha's sixty daughters, Sage Kashyapa married eight. Among them, Aditi gave birth to all the thirtythree gods. Diti gave birth to Daityas (demons). Serpents, birds, sea creatures, animals of all kinds, even trees, were descended through several rishi patnis. This is the origin of the Gotra system in Hinduism. Manu gave birth to all humans. Kadru gave birth to serpents. Vinata gave birth to Garuda and Varuna. To Varuna was born Jataayu and his elder brother Sampati.
Jataayu concludes his narrative with an expression of filial concern as he knew Dasharatha. He says he will come with them to Panchavati and take care of Sita whenever Sri Rama and Lakshmana are out of her vicinity on any errands. Sri Rama embraces Jataayu very fondly and thanks him for all the stories of his friendship with their father King Dasharatha.
स तत्र सीतां परिधाय मैथिलीं
सहैव तेनातिबलेन पक्षिणा ।
जगाम तां पञ्चवटीं सलक्ष्मणो
रिपून् दिधक्षञशलभानिवानलः ॥
"Sri Rama along with Sita henceforth under the vigilant care of the mighty bird Jataayu, and Lakshmana proceeded to Panchavati. Sri Rama along with Lakshmana was embarking on his mission of destroying the rakshasas like a fire burns down moths."
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When they arrive at Panchavati, they find it to be an exceedingly charming part of the forest with many flowering trees. It is a home to many wild animals. Sri Rama then tells Lakshmana, "dear brother, we have arrived at this place described as Panchavati by Sage Agastya. Would you please look around and select a suitable spot to erect our hermitage? You are an expert in assessing forest ranges." Sri Rama specifies that the location should be close to a good water source, with easy availability of firewood, fruits, and flowers.
Lakshmana replies that even if he lives for a hundred years, he shall always be an obedient attendant of Rama, and therefore the best spot for the hermitage to suit the comforts and needs of Sri Rama and Sita should be selected only by Sri Rama.
Sri Rama gives a happy smile of concurrence and himself selects a lovely spot on flat ground surrounded by flowering trees and near a beautiful pond full of fragrant lotuses with swans and other birds in constant sport. The spot is near the lovely river Godavari, and gives a view of the mountains in the vicinity. Valmiki then makes Sri Rama point out to the wide variety of trees around:
"The place is covered with sal and palmyrah trees, other trees including mango, jackfruit, dates, kadamba, punnaga, ashoka, champak, tilaka, ketaka, sandalwood, spandan, dhava, asvakarna, parnasha, khadira, sami, kimsuka and patala trees. It is full of wild paddy, flowering bushes, and creepers that run on the ground."
He asks Lakshmana to build the hermitage there.
Valmiki describes how Lakshmana goes about building a wonderful cottage.
Lakshmana first digs up the earth. Then he plants strong bamboo poles. He takes sami tree branches and makes them into horizontal beams. He ties everything up with strong ropes he fashions out of grass. He clads the hermitage walls with leaves and grass. He creates a comfortable floor with kusha grass and leaves. The final product is a delightful and comfortable cottage of attractive appearance.
After completing the cottage, Lakshmana goes to the river and has a bath. He comes back holding flowers and fruits for offering to the deities to sanctify the new home.
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When Sri Rama and Sita came and saw the cottage, they were delighted beyond measure.
स तं दृष्ट्वा कृतं सौम्यमाश्रमं सह सीतया ।
राघवः पर्णशालायां हर्षमाहारयत् परम् ॥
सुसंहृष्टः परिष्वज्य बाहुभ्यां लक्ष्मणं तदा ।
अतिस्निग्धं च गाढं च वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥
प्रीतोऽस्मि ते महत् कर्म त्वया कृतमिदं प्रभो ।
प्रदेयो यन्निमित्तं ते परिष्वङ्गो मया कृतः ॥
भावज्ञेन कृतज्ञेन धर्मज्ञेन च लक्षमण ।
त्वया पुत्रेण धर्मात्मा न संवृत्तः पिता मम ॥
"Seeing that lovely cottage completed, Sri Rama along with Sita entered the cottage expressing supreme happiness.
"Sri Rama, full of great joy, then fervently put his arms around Lakshmana in a tight embrace. He spoke the following words suffused with affection and full of insight:
"Oh Master! (Sri Rama is addressing Lakshmana thus!), this wonderful accomplishment of yours in constructing this magnificent cottage makes me supremely happy. All that I can give you in return is this affectionate embrace.
With you full of emtional intelligence and love, master of accomplishing difficult tasks, and always rooted in righteousness, dearest Lakshmana, with a son like you, my father King Dasharatha is not dead but still alive for me through you!"
Sage Valmiki concludes the sarga by saying that Sri Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana lived extremely happily in that comfortable and well-provided-for cottage for a considerable time. Their life was indeed heavenly.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
