February 18 - Sargas 1 and 2 of Uttara Kanda.
The Uttara Kanda is the subject of some debate about its being originally a part of the Srimad Valmiki Ramayana. No doubt its writing style is discerned by scholars to be somewhat different from that of the main kandas. Also, we just read the Phala Shruti yesterday, which seemed to conclude the great story of Sri Rama's incarnation.
But based on my study, I feel it is important to read the Uttara Kanda. It has three important elements.
- It brings the role of Valmiki himself into taking care of Sita and bringing up her twins Kusha and Lava.
- It brings Kusha and Lava into Sri Rama's family as his sons who later historically rule the kingdom after him.
- Since we know Sri Rama and Devi Sita to be incarnations of Maha Vishnu and Sree Lakshmi Devi, we also read, in the Uttara Kanda, of the completion of their mission on earth and their going back to the eternal abode of Vaikuntha.
There will be a lot of stories, covering various people including Ravana and his clan. There will be deeds of valour by Shatrughna and others. It will be interesting reading!
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Valmiki begins the Kanda by saying how Sri Rama received great rishis from all over who came to congratulate and thank him for his famous victory over Ravana and others. This is in the fitness of things as Sri Rama was bathed during his coronation with the holy waters gathered from all directions. The underlying message is that Sri Rama is the central figure of our Sanatana civilization.
Sage Kaushika, Gargya, and others came from the eastern region, Sage Agastya, Namuchi, Atri, and others came from the southern region, Sage Dhaumya, Nrishanga, and others came from the western region, and Sage Vasishtha, Kashyapa, Atri, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Bharadwaja, together called the seven great sages, Saptarshis, came from the northern region. It is not for me to analyze and tally these names with what is read elsewhere. Suffice it to say that the greatest of sages from all over arrived. And they came together!
At the palace gate, Sage Agastya told the head of security to go and inform Sri Rama of their arrival.
नयेङ्गितज्ञः सद्वृत्तो दक्षो धैर्यसमन्वितः "The security chief, who knew decorum and civility, who was one of good conduct, was highly competent in his job, and was full of courage too, went at once to Sri Rama and informed him that there were several illustrious sages who had all arrived together, with Sage Agastya in the lead, to meet Sri Rama."
Sri Rama was delighted beyond measure. He arranged for them to be brought into his royal court. Then, after Sri Rama reverentially bowed to them and offered them the ceremonial offering of water to wash their feet and hands, high seats covered with kusha grass and deerskin were offered to the sages who were pleased to take their seats.
रामेण कुशलं पृष्टाः सशिष्याः सपुरोगमाः महर्षयो वेदविदो रामं वचनमब्रुवन्
"The learned sages were asked by Sri Rama of their wellbeing along with enquiries about the wellbeing of their disciples and the citizenry in their regions."
कुशलं नो महाबाहो सर्वत्र रघुनन्दन "We are all well everywhere, thank you, Sri Rama."
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दिष्ट्या त्वया हतो राम रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः ।
दिष्ट्या विजयिनं त्वाद्य पश्यामः सह सीतया ॥
लक्ष्मणेन च धर्मात्मन् भ्रात्रा त्वद्धितकारिणा ।
मातृबिर्भ्रातृसहितं पश्यामोऽद्य वयं नृप ॥
"Dear Sri Rama, it was indeed fortunate that Ravana, the rakshasa emperor, was killed by you. We are most glad to see your good fortune now, ruling Ayodhya with Devi Sita, being with Lakshmana who is devoted to you, your mothers, and your brothers. "
The sages now listed all the great rakshasa warriors killed in the battle, the most immense Kumbhakarna, Prahasta, and so on, leaving no name out. They pointedly mentioned Indrajit.
सङ्ख्ये तस्य न किञ्चित्तु रावणस्य पराभवः । अभिनन्दाम ते सर्वे संश्रुत्येन्द्रजितो वधम् ॥
अवध्यः सर्वभूतानां महामायाधरो युधि । विस्मयस्त्वेष चास्माकं तं श्रुत्वेन्द्रजितं हतम् ॥
दत्ता पुण्यमिमां वीर सौम्येमाभयदक्षिणाम् ॥
"Dear Sri Rama, it is no surprise that you defeated Ravana. Indeed what we should congratulate you about is the killing of Indrajit. He could not be destroyed by anyone in creation. He had great powers of magic and illusionism in battle. So we were astonished to learn that Indrajit was killed. You are a great warrior and the epitome of grace, Sri Rama, and you have given us all the greatest gift of all - freedom from fear occasioned by these rakshasas."
It was now Sri Rama's turn to express surprise that the rishis were pointedly highlighting how the killing of Indrajit was the mightiest accomplishment and the biggest surprise for them. Why?
अतिक्रम्य माहावीरान् किं प्रशंसथ रावणिम्? "Thank you for your congratulations, oh great sages! But why do you single out and praise Indrajit so much, leaving behind the other great rakshasa heroes?"
शक्यं यदि मया श्रोतुं न खल्वाज्ञापयामि वः । यदि गुह्यं न चेद्वक्तुं श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथ्यताम् ॥
कथं पुतुश्चाप्यधिको महाहवे शक्रस्य जेता हि कथं स राक्षसः वरांश्च लब्धाः कथयस्व मेद्यम् ॥
"Dear Lord of the Sages! if I am permitted to know this secret, I am making a request, not a demand, that you please disclose to me the reasons behind your singling out Indrajit. How did Indrajit become even more powerful than his father? How did he conquer Indra himself? How did he get those boons?"
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कुम्भयोनिर्महातेजा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह "The great sage Agastya (who was born in a pot in a mystical way) now replied to Sri Rama."
"Dear Sri Rama, listen to the story of how Indrajit defeated all his foes and also became invincible."
"I have to first tell you about Ravana's lineage, his birth and the way he acquired his boons."
पुरा कृतयुगे प्रजापतिसुतः पुलस्त्यो नाम ब्रह्मर्षिः साक्षादिव पितामहः
"Very long ago, Brahma begot a son by the same of Pulastya, who was his equal, and a Brahmarshi himself."
"Pulastya was loved by the gods, and was full of intelligence and radiant virtues. He decided to perform a severe penance and went near the hermitage of Sage Trinabindu situated in the vicinity of the Maha Meru peak.
'The young sage was engaged in the serious study of scriptures, meditation, and austere practices of self-control. But that place attracted a number of young damsels, daughters of gods, sages, celestial maidens and so on. They often frequented that place and frolicked merrily, causing much disturbance to that sage Pulsastya. The place was attractive as it was blessed with splendour and charm all through the year. The damsels who came sang, danced, and made merry such that it was a hindrance to Pulastya's practices.
"The sage Pulastya had had enough. He pronounced a curse that from the next day, any woman who came into the orbit of his vision would become pregnant! This was effective in preventing any more disturbances as the women were afraid of his "Brahma Shapa" and stopped visiting that place.
"But the daughter of Sage Trinabindu himself who lived in his ashrama did not get to know of this curse. The next day, she went to the same spot near Sage Pulastya's ashrama, and enjoyed herself, although she was somewhat surprised not to find her friends around. At that moment, Pulastya was there doing the study of Vedas. The young daughter went and greeted him, and caught his eye. At once, she went pale, and developed manifest signs of pregnancy!
"Confounded my her sudden transformation, she rushed to her father. The father noticed the change in her and said, "daughter, how did you come into this unsuitable and inappropriate physical state!?"
"Father, trust me, I am clueless! Just a while ago I had gone to the ashrama of the great sage Pulastya, looking for my friends. Then this transformation in my body alarmed me, and I found no friends either, so I rushed here!"
Sage Trinabindu used his yogic vision and understood what had transpired. He at once took his daughter back to Sage Pulastya's hermitage, and submitted to him thus:
भगवंस्तनयां मे त्वं गुणैः स्वैरेव भूषिताम् ।
भिक्षां प्रतिगृहाणेमां महर्षे स्वयमुद्यताम् ॥
"Oh great sage! I request you to accept my daughter here, she is full of great virtues. Please accept her as my Bhiksha offering, and make her your own."
"She will serve you well and I also see that you look tired and emaciated by your severe penance."
Sage Pulastya also understood everything, and acceded.
Soon, Sage Pulastya was highly pleased by the young lady's conduct and dedication to him. He spoke to her:
परितुष्टोऽस्मि तस्माद्देवि ददाम्यद्य पुत्रमात्मसमं तव "Devi, I am extremely pleased by your affection and devotion. I therefore grant you today a son, who shall be my equal in everyway. He shall become known as Paulastya."
The lady was immensely happy. Soon, Paulastya was born, and proved to be a great ascetic, just like his father. He was learned at birth itself, as his mother while carrying him had diligently and attentively listened to the reading of the Vedas by Sage Pulastya. So he was also named Vishravas (one who has listened to the scriptures well). He soon became famous in the three worlds for his learning, asceticism and spiritual radiance that matched his father's.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
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