March 18 - Sargas 60,61, and 62.
The rishis from the forest adjoining Madhu's capital on the bank of the river Yamuna come and appeal to Sri Rama to rid them of the terrible Lavanasura who is destroying lives. Sri Rama assigns the task of destroying Lavanasura to Shatrughna and crowns him the future king of Madhura kingdom on the Yamuna.
***
It was spring. All was well in Ayodhya.
Sumantra came one morning into Sri Rama's court and announced that many rishis of the Bhrigu lineage, led by the great rishi Chyavana (after whom is named the ayurvedic tonic) had arrived for an urgent audience. Sumantra stressed that those rishis who lived on the bank of the Yamuna held Sri Rama in high regard and wanted to meet him on an important matter.
Sri Rama gladly met the rishis, who numbered more than a hundred. They were all radiant with their spiritual lustre. They offered the holy waters of the great rivers in Purnakumbha as well as fruits and roots as their gifts to Sri Rama.
Sri Rama graciously accepted the gifts and made the rishis sit on high seats.
आज्ञाप्योऽहं महर्षीणां सर्वकामकरः सुखम्
"Oh venerable sages, please tell me what brings you here. I shall gladly fulfill all your wishes and orders. Please know that this entire country and all our prosperity is dedicated to the service of holy souls like you. "
The rishis were immensely pleased to hear this and blessed Sri Rama saying there was no other king like him on earth. They stressed that even before they had submitted their issues, Sri Rama had vowed to fulfill them.
After getting assured again by Sri Rama that the rishis should abandon all their fear and disclose what were their concerns, Sage Chyavana stated:
"Oh, Sri Rama! There is a great cause for fear and distress in our land. In Satyayuga (long ago), the son of Devi Lola was Madhu, a great asura. He was a refuge for brahmins and was one of great nobility and strength of character. He adhered to Dharma. He performed severe penance for a long time and propitiated Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva bestowed on him a great boon.
Lord Shiva produced a most powerful Shula (lance/spear) out of his own Trishula (trident). He assured Madhu that Shula would stay with him and give him power as long as he served brahmins and rishis diligently and devotedly. If anyone came to attack him, that Shula would go and reduce the enemy to ashes and then return to Madhu's armoury. Madhu thanked him profusely and submitted to the great Lord Shiva that he should graciously allow that Shula to remain in Madhu's lineage generation after generation.
Lord Shiva declined, saying that was an impossible demand, but he would allow that Shula to stay for one more generation i.e. with Madhu's son. That son would be unconquerable. No one would be able to kill him as long as the Shula was in his hand.
Madhu flourished after this. He married Kumbhinasi, who gave birth to Lavana. Lavanasura turned out to be a powerful monster. He was now constantly engaged in evil ways. Instead of correcting him, Madhu left his kingdom and went away to Varunaloka. He also informed his son Lavana of Shiva's special boon of that Shula and its protective power to Lavana.
***
Sage Chyavana says, "Oh, Sri Rama, arrogant because of his Shula power, this Lavana is a menace. He is tormenting us, ascetics. He has a great penchant for destroying the lives of holy men. Sri Rama, you have to do something right now. Our appeal to other kings was useless as they are all afraid of Lavana."
Sri Rama enquires, "Oh rishis, please tell me, what does Lavana eat and what are his activities? "
"Oh, Sri Rama, Lavana has a great appetite for eating rishis and even wild animals. He roams the Madhu forest where we live and we live in constant dread."
***
Sri Rama assured solemnly, 'Take my word, oh, rishis, I shall destroy Lavana."
Sri Rama turned to his three worthy brothers, "Who amongst you would like to go and take care of Lavana? I think it ought to be either Bharata or Shatrughna." Bharata jumped at the proposal and said he would take care of Lavana. But Shatrughna now got up from his seat and said,
"Lord Sri Rama, Bharata has served you well all these years, especially during your exile when he lived a very difficult life in Nandigrama as an ascetic and was in much distress. It is therefore not appropriate for Bharata to undertake a mission like this." Sri Rama was pleased to hear this from Shatrughna.
"Oh, Shatrughna, I right now announce that you shall be the future king of Madhu's kingdom. I have every confidence that you shall get rid of Lavana. You are learned and brave and accomplished in warfare. You should build a great city on the bank of Yamuna! Establish your kingdom. It is the time-honoured wisdom that a kingdom rid of its present king becomes the responsibility of the victor to take care of. This is my final order to you, Shatrughna!"
In the assembly, under the guidance of Sage Vasishtha and others, Sri Rama told Shatrughna that he would be crowned as the king of Madhu's kingdom.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
