Ramakatha Rasavahini, Chapter 6 (b) - The Call and the first Victory

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Chapter 6 (b)The Call and the first Victory

 

As soon as they reached the main gate of the palace, people heard heavenly drums

and clarions resounding from the sky. A shower of flowers rained upon them. As

they moved along, the music of conches rose from every doorstep; the peal of

trumpets was heard from every few yards of the road. They appeared to men,

women and children, to the citizens of all ages, as two cubs trotting behind an

elderly lion. No one knew why the princes were walking barefoot and leaving the

palace with the celebrated sage; so, each one started asking his neighbour what

the mission was on which they were bound. The ministers, courtiers and citizens

accompanied them only as far as the City Gate, for, that was the royal command.

There, they bade farewell to the princes and turned back.

Thereafter, they continued their journey, Viswamitra leading the way, Rama close

behind him and Lakshmana bringing up the rear. They saw the lines of charming

trees on both sides of the track; they filled themselves with the beauty of

Nature that revealed itself before their eyes. When they had trekked some

distance, they entered a jungle devoid of human habitation. Viswamitra ordered

that they should wear from then on, wrist guards and finger guards of leather;

he asked them to take on hand the bows slung on the shoulder and hold them in

readiness. Thus equipped, they moved along the silent terror-striking forest,

through the tangled bushes, fearless and effulgent, as if they were the

monarchs of the region. Soon, they reached the river Sarayu. The sun was

preparing to set; so, Viswamitra called Rama and Lakshmana near him and spoke

to them soft and sweet words, "Darlings! Go to the river without further delay

and have the ceremonial washing of hands and feet.

I shall now impart to you two mystic formulae, (Mantra), which form the crown

jewels of all mantras. They are named Bala and Athi-Bala (strength and

super-strength). They are both charged with tremendous power. They will restore

freshness to you, however exhausted you may be; they will prevent exhaustion

however heavily you exert yourselves; they will not allow illness to approach

you; they will save you from demoniac forces. Again, whenever you are

journeying, they will, if you recollect them, keep away hunger and thirst,

bestow exhilarating health and shower joy and enthusiasm. They will strengthen

limbs and minds. Rama! These two mantras are supreme over all other Mantras;

they are more effulgent and efficacious than the rest." Viswamitra expatiated

upon the potency of the Mantras for a long while. Rama had no need to be told

of them; he listened with apparent surprise and with wonder-filled eyes.

Lakshmana, meanwhile, was watching both the Sage and Rama, laughing within

himself!

This incident is a good lesson for the world, wherein Rama had come to revive

Dharma. It is a lesson Rama taught by his behaviour, rather than by words.

"Maya is inescapable for any one however great; it will turn them upside down

in a moment; it will not loosen its grasp so long as the victim is engrossed in

the belief that he is the 'body'; it will not be frightened by the name or fame,

the skill or intelligence of the person it seeks to possess. Only when the

individual discards name and form, releases himself from body-consciousness and

establishes himself in the Atma, can he escape from the misconceptions that Maya

inflicts."

This was that lesson! For, note this! Viswamitra had these two powerful Mantras

in his control; he had accumulated a great store of spiritual treasure; he had

realized, in spite of his own far-famed resources, that Rama alone had the

might needed to outwit and destroy the demoniac hordes intent on disrupting the

Yajna he was set on celebrating; he had counseled Dasaratha against

over-affection towards the son, blinding him to the divine majesty of Rama; he

had announced that Rama was the guardian of the entire world; he believed that

there was no height of heroism that Rama could not reach. Yet he was preparing

to initiate those very princes into some mystic mantras, as if they were

children of common stock. Surely, Viswamitra was shackled by Maya! He had

yielded to the delusion of judging by apparent attributes; Rama laid bare the

strength of the stranglehold of Maya on the sage. For, it was He who had

shrouded Viswamitra's mind and made him enter proudly upon

these initiation rites! Rama and Lakshmana finished their ablutions in the

river, as directed by Viswamitra. The sage came to Rama and initiated Him into

the two mantras. Rama pronounced the formulae after the teacher, and nodded his

head as a novice should do, when a mantra is taught. Lakshmana too did the same.

They bowed their heads as if they had agreed to be the 'disciples' of

Viswamitra. Soon it became dark and the brothers arranged for themselves as

beds the grass which grew thick on the ground. After they laid themselves,

Viswamitra sat by their side and related tales of olden times. Soon the boys

appeared as if they had gone to sleep, as a result apparently of the exhaustion

of tramping long distances on foot. Viswamitra stopped his story and was lost in

thought about his own destiny and destination.

Meanwhile, daylight broke across the land. Multi-coloured birds flitted from

branch to branch on the tree, under which the two brothers were sleeping,

singing sweetly, as if they were intent on awakening Rama and Lakshmana! It was

to the ear the music of aerial minstrels. But they could not rouse the sleepers!

So, Viswamitra accosted Rama and announced that dawn had arrived. "Awake", he

said. Rama sat up; he awakened Lakshmana who was in bed by his side, and both

fell at the feet of the sage. They finished their morning ablutions in the

Sarayu river; they took the sacred water in their palms and let it down again

uttering hymns in praise of the Goddess of the River. Then, they bathed in the

river and performed thereafter the Sandhya rite, involving the recitation of

the Gayatri-mantra. [sung by Baba: Om Bhur Bhuva Svaha/Tat Savitur

Varenyam/Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi/Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat]

Soon they got ready for the journey and stood before the sage, with arms folded.

Viswamitra asked, "Dear ones! Now we can move towards our hermitage, can't we"?

And Rama replied, "We await your command"! So, they started walking, with the

sage in front and the brothers behind. Soon, they reached the confluence of the

Sarayu with the Ganga. The brothers prostrated before the holy river, and cast

their eyes all around the holy spot. They saw a hermitage, with heavenly

vibrations pervading the surroundings. It struck them as very ancient and full

of hoary associations. Lakshmana questioned the sage, "Master! Who lives in

that holy hermitage? What is the name of the great personage who dwells there"?

The sage smiled at the inquiry.

He said, "Dear Ones! God Siva had come here long ago with His divine attendants,

to engage in austerities prior to His wedding Parvathi. While He was fulfilling

His Divine obligations from here, Manmatha (the God of Love) obstructed the

spiritual practices and caused anger to sprout in the Divine Heart. He opened

His Third Eye, which threw such searing flames that Manmatha was burnt into

ash. His body was destroyed and so, he is known now as 'limbless', Ananga. The

word for a limb is anga; since Manmatha lost his angas here, in this region,

this part of the country is known ever after as Anga! This is a rich region.

This hermitage was used by Siva and it is being used since, by generations of

His devotees,

each of whom has merged in Him as the fruit of arduous asceticism. This

hermitage will accept as residents only strict followers of the Dharmic Path.

If you so desire, we shall spend the night here and start out again, after a

bath in the Ganga". Rama and Lakshmana could not contain their delight when

Viswamitra came forward with this proposal. They said, "We are very happy" and

accepted the idea. They bathed in the holy Ganga. Meanwhile, the news that

Viswamitra was available near their residences and that he had with him two

heroic sons of the Emperor spread wide and many rushed to welcome them and

receive them in their own hermitages.

That night, the Sage and the Princes stayed at the Asram of Siva; they fed on

fruits and roots; they watched with interest the activities of the hermitage.

The Princes listened to the stories narrated by Viswamitra; time floated fast

in that flood of Bliss. As soon as day dawned they had their bath and ablutions

and lovingly took leave of the hermits. Then they walked on, the two disciples

following the Guru. They had to cross the Ganga River and so, some people of

that area rowed them across and set them on the other bank. Thereafter, they

reverentially bade farewell and fell at the feet of Viswamitra, before they

returned. Viswamitra was gratified at this act of hospitality; he appreciated

the depth of their devotion and their sense of surrender; he allowed them to

depart, loaded with blessings.

Just then, a noise as of a rumbling subterranean flood sweeping over the land

battered their ears. They saw the waters of the river raging and rising, with

long chains of white foam on the crest of the waves. Rama asked the sage,

"Master! Why is it that all of a sudden the angry flood has filled the basin

and how could they surge so fast and so high?" The sage replied, "Rama! The

full and furious Sarayu falls into the calm quiet Ganga at this place; hence

this reverberation and this rumbling!" The sage uttered these words coolly and

casually. It was a familiar scene for him. He continued, "Rama! In ages gone

by, on one occasion, Brahma willed and a great lake was immediately formed near

Mount Kailas. This is known as Manasa-sarovar; the word means the sarovar (lake)

of Manasa (the mind). The gods named it so. When the snows melt and the rains

fall, the lake gets overfull and the flow from out

of the sarovar becomes the Sarayu river, running by the side of Ayodhya towards

the Ganga. The Sarayu is a sacred river, because the waters rise from the lake

willed by Brahma Himself". They proceeded on their way listening to the

thrilling stories that lighted every river and spot of land.

Now they entered a thick dark forest. It aroused a sense of terror. Rama asked

the Master, "No sign of man having ever traversed this forest is seen!" Before

he could get the answer, an eerie succession of roars from the angry throats of

a huge herd of animals - tigers, lions, leopards and a host of lesser wild life

- captured their attention. It appeared as if the earth was being torn asunder!

They also saw wild animals engaged in mortal fight with others, some running

into thickets, away from the scene of violent death. The forest was the home of

close-grown trees that reached the skies and spread their shades thick over the

ground - the banyan, the deodar, the pine, the holy fig.

There was no path to guide the feet; they had to clear a track for progress.

Lakshmana could not contain his curiosity; he asked Viswamitra, "Master! Who

rules this fearful forest? What is its name?" The Master replied, "Lakshmana!

where this jungle has grown, there were formerly two little kingdoms, Malada

and Karosa. They shone like the region of the gods; in fact, people spoke of

the area as having been specially created and fostered by the gods. They relate

a story about the place. When the God Indra killed Vritra, [see: Srimad

Bhagavatam, C6:Ch.9-12] He suffered the contamination of sin and as a

consequence, he was stricken with insatiable pain of hunger. Indra was brought

in that pathetic condition by the sages of this region, and given a bath in the

holy Ganga. After that immersion, they poured on His Head pots and pots of Ganga

water, uttering all the while, holy hymns and formulae. With that, the sin (of

killing a person of high caste) was washed away.

"Brahma was delighted that the contamination (Mala) as well as the cry (Krosa)

of hunger ended. So, He named these kingdoms as Malada and Karosa. The

kingdoms, too, rose to fame with his blessing. The gods willed that the two

areas be resplendent with grain and gold, and all means of plenty and

prosperity.

"Meanwhile, a cruel ogress named Thataki appeared in this region and she started

laying waste the rich and peaceful land. She was a Yakshini who could transform

herself into any form she liked. It is rumoured that as she was born, she was

endowed with the prowess of a thousand elephants! She brought forth a son named

Maricha. He had the might and heroism of Indra himself. Mother and son jointly

caused tremendous havoc and disaster. The jungle in which that vile ogress

lives is at a distance of a yojana (nine miles) and a half from here. She

reduced these two wealthy valleys Malada and Karosa into this dreaded

wilderness. Out of fear the cultivators of its fertile fields fled in terror at

her approach and so the jungle crept on and on. The thickly populated cities and

villages were deserted and ruined, leaving no trace of human habitation. She

could not be captured or destroyed, for, she could escape from all attempts to

destroy her. No one has yet dared to put

an end to her depredations. I cannot think of any one except you (yes, my

deepest intuition says so), no one except you can destroy this monster

possessing such overwhelming might. These two, the vicious mother and son, lead

and guide the demons to disrupt and pollute the Yajnas and sacred rituals of the

hermits."

The words of Viswamitra moved the feelings of Rama. He could not contain within

himself the anger that surged up. With great humility and reverence, he said,

"0 great among ascetics! I have heard that the Yakshas are of poor might;

besides, this Thataki is a female; hers is the weaker sex; how could she

terrorize entire populations so? Wherefrom did she acquire all this power? How

could she reduce this region to rack and ruin when it has been blessed by

Brahma and the Gods? This is indeed astounding. It is something that is beyond

the bounds of belief". Viswamitra said, "Rama! I shall explain. Listen! There

was, in the past, a Yaksha named Sukethu. He was as rich in virtues as in

prowess. He had no child to succeed him and so, he practiced severe austerities

to propitiate the Gods and receive their blessings. At last, Brahma was pleased

with his austerity; He appeared before him; He blessed him that He will get a

daughter, with extraordinary strength, cleverness

and skill. Sukethu was elated at this boon, though it was to be a daughter, not a son.

"Sukethu returned and a daughter was born to him, as anticipated. The child grew

fast and strong. Though it was of the weaker sex, through the grace of Brahma,

it had the might of a thousand elephants; she was moving about, with no law or

limit, as if she owned all she saw! She was a very charming girl and so,

Sukethu, sought far and wide for an equally charming groom; finally, he secured

one; his name was Sunda; and, Sukethu gave her in marriage to him. Three years

later, she gave birth to a son; he is Maricha, about whom I told you. Mother

and son have become invincible in combat. Sunda started off on his demonic

adventures and attempted to ruin the Yajnas of sages and so, he incurred the

wrath of the great Agasthya. He hurled a curse on the vile fellow, which killed

him and saved the sages from further grief. In revenge, Thataki took her son

along, and fell upon the hermitage of Agasthya. Agasthya had forewarning of

this attack; so, he cursed them both to be

reduced to the status of ogres. This enraged them more; they roared abuses and

advanced frightfully with blood-red eyes against Agasthya! Agasthya felt that

delay would be dangerous; he cursed Thataki that she should lose her charm and

become an ugly fright! He willed that she become a cannibal! She was not

subdued by the curse, but, she continued the attack with renewed ferocity. So,

Agasthya escaped from the ravage and went to a safer place. Angered by this

disappointment, Thataki spent her ire on this region (Malada and Karosa)

destroying crops and gardens and reducing it to a big jungle."

When this tale was told, Rama said, "Master! Since she was born as a consequence

of Brahma's boon, and as a gift for austerity, she had all these skills and

strength; she misused them and drew upon herself the wrath and the curse. The

sin of killing a woman is, as mentioned in the scriptures, very heinous, isn’t

it? Agasthya must have let her off with the curse of ugliness, for this very

reason. Or else, could not the great sage who caused the husband to die kill

the wife also? I have heard that warriors should not be so mean as to kill

women. Tell me what I should do now; I am prepared to obey".

Viswamitra was happy that Rama put these qualms dictated by Dharma. "I am not

ignorant of the fact that the killing of a woman is a heinous sin.

Nevertheless, the protection of spiritually progressive men - the Brahmins, the

virtuous, as well as cows - this is important. Dharma is intertwined with these

three. There is no sin when the act is done for the promotion of Dharma and the

removal of Adharma. Don't you know the dictum, 'Dharmo rakshathi rakshithah';

Dharma saves those who save it? This is not violence used for one's

aggrandizement. When violence is used for preserving the peace and prosperity

of the world, I assure you, it cannot draw down any bad reaction. Moreover,

creation, preservation and dissolution are expressions of Divine law; they

happen according to the Divine will. They are not bound by the whims of man.

You are Divine Manifestations. You have the authority and the duty. No dirt can

stick to fire; so too, no sin can contaminate the Divine.

The will that creates, the obligation that protects, can also carry out the duty

to punish. The punishment that awaits the sins of the mother and her son cannot

be avoided; It must be considered fortunate that Thataki ends her life at your

hands today, before she adds to the heap of sins for which she has to suffer

much. You will only be serving her best interests and the interests of the

country; this is neither wrong nor sinful. If you entertain the feeling of

compassion now, it would cause unlimited damage to the world; it would be

promoting the decline of Dharma; it would help Thataki to indulge in more sins.

Why should I dwell more on this point and relate to you thousand arguments? I

have seen all, through my spiritual eye; you have incarnated in human form to

destroy the Rakshasa brood. This is your mission, your task. You have to carry

it out today and throughout your career. The guardianship of Dharma, and the

destruction of the Rakshasas, (people with demonic tendencies)

are the very purposes which have persuaded you to take birth! I knew this truth;

that is the reason why I rushed to you for help; or else, why should I seek your

support and service? Hermits, anchorites, and those performing austerities in

forest retreats, entreat the help of the rulers of the land for the sake, not

of themselves, but of the whole world. They give up attachment, and sustain

themselves on the roots and fruits gathered by them; after some months or years

of this regimen, they harden their lives even more, so that they may lose the

body-consciousness and merge in the Light; why should such people worry over

what happens to the world? But, the Wise, the Realized, besides saving

themselves by the illumination of revelation, endeavour to tell others the path

they have trodden, the glory of the goal they have reached, to persuade others

to practice the disciplines that made them ready to receive the Truth. If the

Wise care only for themselves and their liberation what is

to happen to the world? People will descend further into iniquity, that is all.

Dharma will be submerged. Hermits keep up relationship with the world for this

reason, not for quenching any private craving of theirs. They live as the lotus

on water. They may be entangled in the world, for all appearances; but, they

have no attachment with the world. They will not allow the world to tarnish

them. Their aim is one and one only: the progress and welfare of the world.

They attend only to the fostering of Dharma. They depend only on God."

When Viswamitra bared the truth in these words, Rama responded as if he was a

novice, unacquainted with all that he had heard. He said: "The world will not

understand that the words of hermits and sages have holy significances embedded

in them. I interrogated you on the morality of this act so that we may know how

you elaborate on the justice of the act. Do not read any other meaning into my

question. My father, Dasaratha, told me to obey Viswamitra the Sage and do what

he commands. I wish to follow what my father orders. You are a great Rshi. You

have undergone severe austerities. When such as you declare that Thataki can be

killed without incurring sin and that the act is just and moral, I know I do not

commit wrong. I am ready to carry out any task you impose on me for fostering

Dharma and for promoting the welfare of the people". So saying, he held the bow

in his hand, and tested the tightness of

the string, producing a sound that echoed and re-echoed from the ten directions.

The entire jungle was awakened; wild animals fled far and wide. Thataki was

shocked by the unusually loud and awesome sound; she was inflamed with rage at

this disturbing phenomenon; she rushed towards the place wherefrom it emanated!

Rama saw the monster moving towards him like a mountain lurching or a huge wild

elephant charging. He smiled and told Lakshmana, "Brother! Look at this mass of

ugliness! Can common man survive the sight of this devilish personality? The

very appearance is terrible! What are we then to say of its might? And, it is a

woman! My mind does not fully co-operate with me when I resolve to kill it! I

believe this monster will die, if its hands and legs are cut apart, that may be

enough to destroy it".

Thataki was rushing towards Rama with outstretched arms, so that she could grasp

him and put him into her mouth like a piece of cake! She was roaring wildly and

in terror-striking excitement. Viswamitra was praying, with eyes closed, that

the brothers may not suffer harm in this combat. Thataki moved nearer and

nearer to Rama, but with greater and greater reluctance, for, in his presence,

she felt a strange kind of shock. Once or twice, she went near Rama, but, she

had to retreat fast. She jumped about in fury, angry at herself! The dust

kicked up by her rendered the area dark and suffocating. Rama, Lakshmana and

Viswamitra stood silent and inactive for a while. Thataki was an adept in the

art of delusion and destruction. She created a heavy rain of rocks. Rama now

decided that the ogress should no longer be allowed to live on earth; she

cannot be pardoned on the score of feminity! So, he drew his bow and shot an

arrow at the body of the invisible Thataki

identifying where exactly it was at the time. At this, she rushed once again at

Rama. Her two arms were cut down by his arrows. She fell on the ground, crying

in agony and pain. Lakshmana cut off her limbs, one by one. But, Thataki could

adopt form after form, as she liked. So, she gave up one form and assumed

another quickly and reappeared fresh and furious before them! She pretended to

be dead, but soon came up alive! She adopted a variety of forms at the same

time and started her old trick of the shower of rocks. She exhibited her wicked

talents and evil tricks. Rama and Lakshmana received a few injuries, however

watchful they were. Seeing this, Viswamitra felt that there should be no more

delay, and that she must be killed straightaway. He said, "Rama! Do not

hesitate! This is not the moment to consider her womanhood and show

concessions! Removal of her limbs will not benefit. So long as there is life

these Rakshasas can adopt any number of forms. Therefore, kill her! When

evening approaches, her dark rage will swell even more. After sunset, it becomes

impossible to encounter Rakshasas, whoever might attempt to do so. She must be

destroyed within that hour." Saying this, Viswamitra uttered some sacred

mantras that ensure protection and grant safety.

Rama too directed his own thoughts and through his power of guiding arrows in

the direction from where the sound emanates he recognized where Thataki was and

shot an arrow fast at that target. The arrow had the effect of binding her limbs

and preventing her from making the slightest movement. At this, Thataki shrieked

most ferociously, and putting out her terrible tongue, attempted to fall upon

Rama and Lakshmana and crush them under her weight. On this, Rama decided that

delay will invite worse consequences; he shot a fatally sharp arrow right into

the chest; with that, she rolled on the ground and gave up her life.

The earth showed a huge crater where she fell. Trees were uprooted by the impact

of the gigantic mass, when she rolled in agony. Her last gasp of breath was so

weird and loud that the wild beasts of the forest fled; herds of animals ran

helter skelter. When the awful demoness fell dead, Viswamitra called Rama near,

and stroking his hair lovingly, said, " Son! Were you afraid? No! No! How can

the saviour of all the worlds be afraid? This feat is the foundation stone; it

ensures the stability of the mansion. Come, you are tired. The sun too has set.

Perform the evening worship and rest awhile. Come with me". He took them to the

river, and later, he told them, "Children! We shall rest here for the night and

we can proceed to our hermitage at dawn". They spent the night listening to the

stories that Viswamitra related; the Master also revealed to them their own

faculties and latent majesty.

The dawn broke. The sage went through the morning ablutions, and approached the

sleeping brothers with a benign smile. He spoke soft and sweet words to them.

"Rama! I am delighted at your heroism! When you were overcoming that demoness

Thataki, I comprehended the truth of your being the Absolute. Really, I am very

fortunate." Viswamitra shed tears of joy. He held forth all the mystic weapons

he possessed, and the mantras which shape and sustain them, and in a swift act

of dedication he placed them all in the hands of Rama. "I have no authority to

wield these weapons; of what avail are they for me, even if I have them in my

possession? You are the master and wielder of all weapons. They too will be

most pleased when they are with you, for, they can fulfill their destiny best

while with you. Note this! From this moment, all the weapons I commanded so far

shall be your instruments, available for the mission on which you have come", he

said, pouring holy water with

appropriate mantras, indicative of an irrevocable surrender of their ownership.

Thus, he offered to Rama the Dandachakra, the Dharmachakra, the Kalachakra, the

Indrastra, the Vajrastra, the Siva-inspired Trisula, Brahmasirastra,

Aishikastra and the most mighty and destructive of all, the Brahmastra. Then,

he sat silent for a while, with eyes closed. He rose with the words, "Now, what

have I to do with these too?" And he gave Rama two powerful maces, Modak and

Sikhar. He said. "After reaching our Asram, I shall bring out other weapons too

- the Agni missile, (Agni-astra), the Krauncha missile, the Narayana missile,

the Vayu missile and others. "Sons, he said, "All these weapons are at the beck

and call of the master; they are amazingly overpowering. "Thus saying, he

whispered into Rama's ear the mystic formulae which can materialize and

activate them, and direct them towards the targets with incalculable fury. He

asked him to recite the formulae under his supervision. Before long, Rama was

able to visualise the deities presiding over each of

the divine missiles and weapons and receive their grateful homage. Each deity

presented itself before Rama and fell prostrate before him. Each one said,

"Rama! We are your servants from this moment. We all vow and affirm that we

shall abide by your commands." Then they disappeared, awaiting further summons.

Rama was glad at this development; he touched the Sage's feet, saying, "Master!

your heart is the treasure chest of renunciation. You are, I realize, the

Divine embodiment of Thyaga (detachment) and Yoga (conquest of the senses). Or

will any one else renounce and gift away such an array of potent hard-won

weapons? Master! Please delight me by counseling the manner in which I can

withdraw the weapons after they have wrought the intended havoc. You have now

taught me the formulae for unleashing them. I desire to know how I can recover

them". At this, Viswamitra felt elated; he said: "These forces and weapons like

Sathyakeerti, Drshta, Rabhasa, Pitrsomasa, Krsana, Virasya, Yougandha,

Vidhootha, Karaveeraka Jrmbhaka - are automatically recoverable by the exercise

of the will of the bowman using them, expressed through mantras, which I shall

communicate to you now." He then initiated him into those

formulae also. When they were pronounced, the deities so propitiated, appeared

and prostrated to their new Master. Rama told them that they have to be ready

when called, and that they could meanwhile be at ease.

Viswamltra then proposed to resume the journey and the three of them started

footing their way along. A little distance later, they entered a region of

high-peaked hills; their eyes fell on a charming garden, the fragrance of which

welcomed them and refreshed their bodies and minds. The brothers were curious to

know who owned that lovely spot. They asked the Sage to enlighten them.

Viswamitra replied, "Son! This is the holy area which the gods choose when they

come down on earth to practice austerity for the success of their desires. The

great Kasyapa did penance here and won his goal. The place confers victory on

all holy efforts. So it is named, Siddhasram, the Hermitage of Achievement! I

have myself taken residence here, with the intention of cultivating Dedication

and Surrender. This hermitage is the target of attack for demons who intercept

and befoul every holy rite done here. You have to destroy them when they

attempt their nefarious tactics". So saying,

Viswamitra entered that heart-warming seat of peace. He placed his arm on Rama's

shoulder caressingly and said, "This Asram is as much yours from today, as it

was mine until now"; the hoary sage shed tears of gratification as he uttered

those words. Even as they stepped into the Siddhasram, the residents ran

forward with eager haste to wash the feet of the Master and offer water for

ablutions to Rama and Lakshmana.

They scattered flowers along the path towards the Asram and led them to the

door. They offered them fruits and sweet cool drink. They proposed to Rama and

Lakshmana that they should take rest in a cottage specially allotted to them

and made ready for their use. They did accordingly and after the rest, which

refreshed them a great deal, they washed their feet and faces and came to the

Sage Viswamitra, to know his instructions. They stood before the Teacher with

arms folded and said, "Master! Can Yajna which you have willed to perform be

inaugurated tomorrow?" Viswamitra was elated at this query; he replied, "Yes!

Everything is ready! In this Siddhasram, it is so always. There is no need to

wait for preparations to be completed. We are always ready. I shall take the

prescribed vow, when dawn breaks tomorrow". The news spread and every one set

about the task of collecting all that was necessary for the

great event. Dawn broke. Viswamitra took the vow of initiation and the Yajna

began. As Skanda and Visakha stood guard for the Gods, the two brothers, Rama

and Lakshmana stood resolutely determined to encounter all who attempted to

interfere with its due performance. Since it was improper to speak to

Viswamitra who was engaged in the sacrificial ceremony, Rama gestured to the

other participants to find out from them when the demon horde could be expected

and from which direction. They could only answer, "It is not possible to say

when and from where!The demons have no regular timings; any moment they

might pounce on us. Who can predict the time of their onslaught?" The hermits

spoke to Rama about the demons, each according to his estimate of their

character and habits.

Rama was delighted at the replies given by them; he decided that the wise course

would be to be ever vigilant and ready to beat back the demon forces, who

attempt to frustrate the sacred ceremonies of hermits. He alerted his brother

too. They watched the four quarters very carefully and paid attention to the

slightest sound indicative of the approach of danger. Recognising their bravery

and earnestness, the ascetics derived vast joy and wonder, for, they were of

tender age and lovely complexion, barely out of the stage of boyish pranks!

For five days and nights, the brothers kept unremittent guard over the

sacrificial site and the hermitage without a wink of sleep or a moment of rest.

The sixth day too started on the same routine. Viswamitra was engaged in the

Yajna, immersed in the ritual exactitude of each item of the ceremony. The

rthwiks (reciters of hymns and other participants) were engaged in their tasks

of recitation, oblations, and recitation.

Suddenly, they were astounded by a thundrous noise that broke from the sky, as

if the firmament itself was exploding into fragments! Fire emanated from

everything on the sacrificial platform - the kusa grass, the plates and cups,

the holy vessels holding ritual objects, the dry sticks which had to be offered

in the holy Yajna fire, the flowers, the kumkum and other auspicious articles

collected for the sake of worshipping gods! The flames rose on all sides!

Very soon, the sky was overcast by dark fearsome clouds and the bright day

became a night of pitch darkness. Mysterious evil fumes sped fast towards the

place where the Yajna was being performed! The sinister clouds started raining

blood, and the drops when they fell were welcomed by tongues of flame which

rose to receive them! Rama and Lakshmana sought to locate the enemy demons

amidst the phantasmagoria of cruelty and hate. Rama, through His Divine Vision,

knew where the leading ogres, Maricha and Subahu were, and he released the

Manasa arrow in that direction. It struck the breast of Maricha, and stopped

any further mischief from him. Next, he shot the Agniastra (Fire-weapon) at

Subahu and it got lodged in the heart of Subahu. Rama understood that if their

corpses dropped on the holy region the hermitage itself will be polluted; so,

to prevent that sinful contact the arrows of Rama carried the vicious bodies

hundreds of miles afar and cast them into the

ocean! Maricha and Subahu shrieked and groaned in unbearable agony and struggled

desperately amidst the waves; but they did not die. The other leaders of the

demon hordes fled for their lives beyond the horizon. Lakshmana said that it

was not advisable to allow any demon to survive however cowardly they might

appear, for, they would soon return to their wicked practices. So, he prompted

Rama to kill off the entire gang. The hermits who watched this great act of

heroism were elated with admiration; they believed that the brothers were

really Siva Himself, in His terror-striking boon-conferring Form. They bowed in

reverence to them, in their own minds - for, they were too young to accept their

homage.

The forest put on the vesture of brightness and joy, in a moment. Amidst all the

distractions, Viswamitra continued steadily and without interruption the

meditation on the deities and the recitation of the holy hymns that were

enjoined for the Yajna! He never made even the slightest movement of body or

mind; such was the depth of his concentration! The Valedictory Offering in the

Sacred Fire was fulfilled with correctitude and thankfulness. Then, Viswamitra

came smiling to where Rama and Lakshmana were standing. "0 praiseworthy heroes!

You brought victory to my vow! Through you, I have realised my life's desire.

The name of this Asram has been justified; it has become truly the Hermitage of

Achievement! he said". The sage shed tears of joy; he fondled and caressed the

boys; he proceeded towards the hermitage with his hands placed on the shoulders

of Rama and Lakshmana; there, he gave them the share of the holy offerings made

at the sacrificial fire. He asked

them to retire and refresh themselves with a little rest.

Though the fulfillment of the purpose for which they had been brought was itself

the most effective restorative for their limbs and minds, they felt that it

would be improper to discard the command of the Master and so, they retired and

slept soundly a long while. The Master removed himself to another thatched

cottage, to ensure undisturbed sleep for them; he also instructed some men to

keep guard so that no one unwittingly created noise which might awaken them.

While the brothers were sleeping, Viswamitra was exulting over the successful

conclusion of the Yajna and the Divine Prowess of Rama and Lakshmana.

Meanwhile, Rama and Lakshmana woke up and after washing face, hands and feet,

they came out through the door, to find there the boys of the hermit families

keeping guard, lest their sleep be disturbed! They were informed that the

Master was conversing with the ascetics in another cottage. So, they moved

thither and fell at the sage's feet. Rising, they stood

with arms folded and said, "Great Teacher! If these servants of yours have to do

any other task, please inform us and we shall gladly carry it out". At this, one

ascetic from the group stood up and addressed them thus, "With the destruction

of the demons, all that has to be done has been accomplished. What else is

there to be done? The desire entertained by the Master, since years, has been

fulfilled. Nothing higher than this is needed. You two are of the form of

Siva-Sakthi. That is how you appear to our eyes. You are no common mortals. It

is our good fortune that has given us this chance to see you. Our gratitude

knows no bounds". At this, the residents touched the feet of Rama and

Lakshmana.

Bhajan: Narayana Bhaja Narayana

Ramakatha RasavahiniThe Sweet Story of Rama's GloryOriginal in Telegu written by

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai BabaRendered into English by Professor N. Kasturi

Source: http://www.vahini.org/ramakatha/chapter6b.htmlVahini.org: 'Vahini' Books

written by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

 

 

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