Ramakatha Rasavahini, Chapter 7 (a) - Winning Sita

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Chapter 7 (a)Winning Sita

 

Meanwhile, one young student-disciple ran in with a bundle of palm leaf scripts

and placed it in the hands of Viswamitra. He turned over a few leaves and

passed it on to a revered old hermit sitting by his side. The Master asked the

old man to read it aloud, so that all might hear.

He read that Emperor Janaka of Mithila had resolved to perform a celebrated

Yajna, expressive of the highest glory of Righteousness, and that he was

praying Viswamitra to give him joy by his gracious Presence with his disciples.

When they heard this, all exclaimed, "Subham, Subham" (may it attain

fulfillment). Viswamitra said, "Sons! Now that we van travel through the

forests free from fear of demonic gangs, I have decided to start on the journey

to Mithila with all the residents of the Asram, tomorrow itself".

When he heard this, Rama said, "Master! It is really a source of delight. Since

there is nothing more that you need us for, we shall return to Ayodhya, if you

permit us to do so. Please allow us to leave". At this, Viswamitra said, "I

have given word to Dasaratha for a few more things; I have to keep those words

too! I have promised him that I would myself bring you back to him and so, you

cannot return without me! A unique Yajna is taking place in Mithila City. There

is not enough time for me to take you to Ayodhya and then reach Mithila on the

day the Yajna begins. If you two accompany me to Mithila, you can witness the

Yajna and proceed to Ayodhya with me from there itself".

Hearing these words which had no trace of hesitation or doubt, Rama too answered

decisively, without weighing pros and cons, "Master! Since my chief vow is

obedience of the orders of my father, I have to submit a prayer before you".

Viswamitra asked, "Come! Tell me, what is the prayer?" Rama replied, "My father

directed me to guard the Yajna of Viswamitra from defilement and sacrilege, and

make the great sage happy. He asked us to return victorious; he has not

directed us to attend Yajnas elsewhere. Should I not receive special permission

from my father for moving on to Mithila?"

At this Viswamitra said, "Rama! Dasaratha did not stop with that only! No". He

said, "Go and obey all that the sage commands you to do; do not transgress his

command by even the width of a grain". He told me, 'Master! You must yourselves

assume full responsibility for my children; you must yourselves assume full

responsibility for my children; you must yourselves bring them back to me'. You

have listened to what he said when we left Ayodhya. So, follow my word now; come

with me to Mithila, and from there we shall go to Ayodhya, I and you and all my

disciples". Rama realized the truth that was inherent in this plan and he

nodded in agreement saying, "We shall do as you desire".

Instructions went forth that every one must get ready before daybreak for the

journey to Mithila. Viswamitra rose early and led the boys to the river for

ablutions. He was thrilled at the chance of telling them of the hardships he

encountered from the demons whenever he attempted to celebrate Yajnas in the

past; he related to them how all his counter-measures failed to achieve their

object; he expressed his gratitude for the destruction of the demons which had

ensured safety for the hermitage as well as the surrounding regions. He

described how the people were now happily relieved of fear and have unalloyed

peace and joy.

The place was silent, calm, comforting. Sitting on the soft sands the sage

Viswamitra was relating the special features and significance of the Yajna

contemplated by Emperor Janaka, to the two brothers he had drawn close to him.

During the description he referred to a precious bow that Janaka had in his

possession, a bow that was uniquely potent, and shone with rare splendour; he

declared that they must not miss seeing it. At this, Rama asked how the bow

happened to reach Janaka and Viswamitra answered, "Listen, son! Years ago, the

Emperor of Mithila named Devaratha celebrated a great Yajna the like of which

no mortal could dare perform, a Yajna which can confer vast spiritual benefits,

a Yajna which pleased the Gods so highly that they gifted him this devine bow,

as a mark of appreciation. It is the Bow of Siva. It is being worshipped with

due rites by Janaka every day. He offers flowers and sandal paste, and waves

camphor flame and incense in its honour; he places eatables and fruits before

the Divine Presence in the bow, in reverential homage. The bow is so loaded

with divinity that no one can raise it and string it, be he god, demon, angel

or spirit. Many princes who attempted to

string it have met with disgraceful disappointment. Rama! you are worthy heroes;

you can examine it. During this coming Yajna, the Bow will most probably be on

show; so, this is a good chance, certainly". Viswamitra went on describing the

wonderful potency of the bow. Lakshmana turned his eyes as if searching for the

direction in which Mithila was. Meanwhile Rama said, with delight "Certainly! We

must see it. We shall come with you tomorrow". Hearing this, Viswamitra was

elated.

Darkness fell and everyone rose and moved towards Siddhasram. Viswamitra called

together the residents of the Asram and ordered that they should get ready to

leave for Mithila as soon as the hour of dawn struck. Then, some of them asked,

"Master! How can the routine of the Asram be observed without interruption if

there is none left here?" The sage replied, "If each one carries on his duties

wherever he is, that itself is the proper observance of the Asram routine.

There is no special routine for the Asram apart from the Asramites. Those who

seek Asraya (support) make up the Asram; without the Asrithas (dependents)

there can be no Asram. When the Asrithas are with me, why worry about the Asram

and the routine? The disciples are those to be cared for, those that have to

observe the disciplines. Moreover, since the place has now become free from the

fear of demons, the Asram cannot come to harm. The Creator of All is our Asrayam

(Refuge) and when we depend on Him,

He will foster all". Viswamitra spoke in this rather unfamiliar strain and

continued, "Take with you the things needed for your daily rites as well as all

the tools and vessels belonging to the Asram; there is no need to leave anything

here".

Some novitiates queried, "Master! After what interval of time do we return to

this place? If you tell us that, we can select as many articles as will suffice

for that period of absence; why burden ourselves with more than what is

essential?"

Viswamitra replied, "Time is no servant of the body; the body is the servant of

Time. Therefore, one can never say when! Will I come here again or no? I

doubt!" When they heard this, the hearts of all the residents suffered a shock.

The clothes, vessels and tools they held in their hands slipped and fell on the

ground. They could not find words to speak in reply. They could not protest,

nor could they muster courage to question the Master. So, they bundled up kusa

grass, sacred sticks for the sacrificial fire, ceremonial ladles and vessels,

as much as they could carry. The meaning of Viswamitra's words was a mystery

and so each of them interpreted them in his own way.

The night rolled by and dawn broke. Every one was ready; when the doors were

being closed and bolted behind them Viswamitra said, "Do not fasten the doors!

Leave them open! This is not ours; any one who comes can enter. This Asram must

welcome all who arrive at all times. This day, the bond between us and this

Asram has snapped! Grow in happiness hereafter, ye patron gods of this holy

area! I have achieved success in my endeavour; accept my grateful appreciation

in return. You will no more be troubled by demon hordes; you can now live in

peace, with ample progeny, prosperous and happy. I am going out of the

Siddhasram, renouncing it. I have resolved to take residence in the region of

the Himalayas, lying north of the sacred Ganga River". Viswamitra prostrated on

the ground as a mark of respect for the forest deities.

Then, he started on his journey, with Rama and Lakshmana and the senior monks of

the Asram. The residents of the hermitage realized that their place was where

Viswamitra was, and not the forest or huts where they had lived so long. They

felt that the Himalayan region was equally suitable for them; so, they too

offered gratitude and reverence to the forest deities and the grass-thatched

dwellings and walked on behind the sage.

While they were thus proceeding in the northerly direction, they saw behind

them, following their trail, thousands of deer, peacocks, birds and beasts of

the jungle, running with raised tails, in eager haste of yearning. Viswamitra

stopped and turning towards them he said "O denizens of the jungle! The places

to which I am going are not congenial for your style of living, for your safety

and security. This forest is your natural habitat. Do not be sad at the

separation; do not follow us; remain here itself. God will grant you peace and

joy". He took leave of them too, before he resumed the journey.

The day's journey brought them to the bank of the Sona River; they had perforce

to spend the night at that place itself. They took their bath in the river and

finished the evening ablutions. Then they gathered around the Master eager to

listen to his tales. Rama asked: "Revered Sir, this region appears rich and

prosperous; what is its name and history, I would like to know". Viswamitra

replied, "Rama! Brahma had a son through sheer Will. He was named Kusa; he was

a great ascetic, steadfast and strict in vows, heroic in spiritual adventure,

learned in the science of morals. He wedded the daughter of the noble ruler of

Vidarbha. The two lived in the awareness and practice of the four ends of human

life, Righteousness, Prosperity, Affection and Liberation. They had four sons -

Kusamba, Kusanabha, Adhoortharajaka and Vasu - each one, equal to the father in

virtue, and highly evolved in righteousness, integrity and other excellencies of

the warrior caste.

Kusa divided the world into four parts and assigned one part to each of them,

directing them thus: "Sons! Rule over the part assigned to each of you and

prosper!" Thereafter, they entered upon their new duties and carried out their

father's command. Each of them started constructing a capital city for the

kingdom - Kusamba built Kausambi, Kusanabha built Mahodaya, Adhoortharajaka

built Dharmaranya and Vasu built Girivraja. Rama! This area is part of the

kingdom of Vasu; we have all around us five hills, and so, this City is called

Girivraja (Collection of Hills). This auspicious Sona river is also known as

Sumagadhi, so that this region is named Magadha. The Magadhi flows from east to

west here, like a jasmine garland placed among the mountain valleys. The majesty

of Vasu has blessed the land on both banks of this river to be ever green and

plentiful.

The second son, Kusanabha, was well established in Dharma; he was a pillar of

Righteousness. He had a number of daughters, but, no son. He taught them right

conduct and behaviour according to the rules and disciplines laid down in the

scriptures. He emphasized that forbearance is the grandest gift one can give

another; it is the most prolific fruit-bearing Yajna, the most beneficial way

of being honest and the root of all right thought and action. He gave them this

lesson even from the days when they were fed at the mother's breast. They were

later given in marriage - all of them - to the ruler of Kampilya City,

Brahmadatta by name. When they all left for that City, his house became empty

and barren.

"Alas", he moaned, "this house which was so bright and resonant with wit and

laughter has today become dark and dumb, dull and deep in gloom. Daughters,

however many you may have, have to leave the parental home rendering it drab

and dreary. If only I had a son, this calamity would not have overpowered me".

Thus, He entertained the longing for a son.

Just then, his father, Kusa, happened to visit him and he enquired the reason

why he looked sad and full of concern; the son laid bare before him his mind

and its anxieties. Kusa chided him for becoming so worried for this particular

reason; he blessed him that he get a son soon. And, as he blessed, so it

happened. The son born was named Gaadhi; he grew up a very devoted virtuous

prince; since he was born in the lineage of Kusa he was known as Kousika.

His sisters lost their husbands after some time and as dutiful wives, they

immolated themselves and gained heaven. They were born on the Himalayas as

sacred rivers which joined together to form the famous Kousiki river. Kousika

was attached very much to the eldest of the sisters, Sathyavathi by name and

so, he took residence on the bank of this river, and established himself at

Siddha asram, and celebrated the Yajna he had resolved upon with ceremonial

rectitude.

Rama! Through your immeasurable heroism, the Yajna I had resolved upon has come

to its successful conclusion. It has borne fruit; my rigorous vows have been

fulfilled".

At this, the monks who had gathered around the sage exclaimed, "O, how

wonderful! Really, we are fortunate that we could listen to the story of the

hoary ancestors of our Master! O, what a great source of joy the story is! The

Kusa line is indeed consecrated. Those born in it are equal to Brahma Himself

in sanctity. How lucky we are that we have this singular chance to serve the

one visible embodiment of all that the line represents, the sage Viswamitra;

this chance must be the fruit of merit accumulated through many lives in the

past".

Viswamitra interrupted them and said, "I would not have dwelt on all this, but,

Rama! your question prompted me to reply; I do not give details regarding this

body and its antecedents. It is already night; let us take rest. Delay in going

to sleep might slacken the speed of our journey tomorrow. Rama! See! The Moon is

peeping through the branches of yonder tree to catch a glimpse of you! It sends

down cool rays to refresh the earth that has suffered long the hot rays of the

sun". That night, every one was ruminating over the tales of the forefathers of

the Master.

They awoke from sleep pretty early and finished the morning ablutions. They

performed the daily rituals too and got ready in time to continue the journey.

They came near Viswamitra, and fell at his feet. Then, they stood one behind

the other on one side, awaiting orders. Rama said, "Master! the river Sona is

not deep at this place. The water is clear, we can wade across. No boat is

needed!" Viswamitra replied, "Son! You are strange to this place and so, you do

not know the exact place where we can wade across. I shall go first; you will

follow me". The sage walked into the riverbed and moved on. Every one had his

bundle slung on his shoulder. The pace was slow and it was noon when they

reached the river Jahnavi.

The first intimation they had about the river was sweet 'kuhoo' notes of swans,

parrots and other birds on the bank. Every heart was filled with delight at the

entrancing beauty of the scene. They bathed in the pure pellucid stream and,

aware of the hallowed story of the river, they offered oblations to departed

ancestors and gods. They lit the sacred fire on the bank and performed ritual

sacrifices enjoined by the Sastras. Then, they collected edible fruits from the

trees around and after assuaging hunger with them, they drank the nectarine

water of the Jahnavi to slake their thirst.

Rama and Lakshmana walked towards the tree under whose shade Viswamitra was

reclining and sat beside him, reverentially. Rama asked him, "Master! Why is it

said that the Ganga flows as three streams in the three worlds? How does the

Ganga reach the Ocean, which is the Lord of every stream and river throughout

the world! Please tell me and make me glad!" Viswamitra said, "Son! The

Himalayan range is the basis of all this world: it is the home for all animals

and all herbs. It has two daughters, Ganga and Uma; Ganga is the elder of the

two. Both these are being adored by the entire world. The gods asked that Ganga

be given to them so that they might have prosperity. So, Himavaan (the Deity of

the Himalayas) gifted Ganga to the gods in order to secure their blessings, and

benefit the three worlds.

"The younger daughter, Uma entered upon a life of extreme asceticism. She

immersed herself in hard spiritual discipline, prompted by supreme detachment

from everything worldly. So, Himavaan sought to settle her in the world as a

wife; in spite of strenous endeavour, he could not succeed in this for long. At

last, he persuaded Rudra to agree to wed her. Thus, she too became entitled to

the adoration of the three worlds.

"The Ganga you see here is the Ganga that the gods took with them, and that has

come down to Earth and that has three steps, one in heaven, one on Earth and

another sub-terranean".

The Sage Viswamitra was journeying towards the city of Mithila with Rama and

Lakshmana, as well as a few of his disciples, regaling them throughout the day

and far into the night with picturesque descriptions of his own previous

history, the historical events connected with the places through which they

passed, and the annals of the various dynasties which ruled over the regions

which they crossed.

That evening, he was seated on the sands of the bed of the Ganga, after the

ablutions and rites. Rama reminded him that they will be happy to know about

the origin of that holy stream. Viswamitra responded and said, "Rama-chandra!

Your ancestors are responsible for Ganga coming down on earth. As a result of

their good deeds, the peoples of the earth are sanctifying themselves, bathing

in the sacred waters and performing morning and evening ceremonial rites and

ablutions therein. The Ganga is the supreme stream of Divine purity. The

nectarine waters can confer immortality. She was dwelling in the matted locks

on Siva's Head. For that reason, she is most auspicious. She grants all that is

beneficial". Hearing Viswamitra extol the river in such superlative terms,

Ramachandra said, "How did my ancestors manage to lead down to earth a river

with such amazing attributes of power and purity? If you can describe to us the

story, we can derive great joy

therefrom".

When Viswamitra heard this request, presented with such humility, he said,

"Rama! Listen! In ancient times, Ayodhya was ruled by an emperor named Sagara.

He was a righteous ruler and valiant hero. Fascinated by his qualities of head

and heart, the king of Vidarbha gave him his beloved daughter, Kesini, in

marriage. She too was a strict follower of Dharma; she never wavered from the

path of Truth.

"But, since even after the lapse of many years, they were not blessed with

progeny, Sagara married the charming daughter of Arishtanemi, named Sumathi, as

his second wife, with the concurrence of Kesini. She too proved barren and so,

the king decided to spend the rest of his life in asceticism. He went to the

bank of a stream by the side of which the sage Bhrighu was having his

hermitage, and with his two wives, he plunged into the most severe disciplines

of the anchorites.

"A long time elapsed thus. One day, at break of dawn, the sage Bhrighu, staunch

upholder of Truth, appeared before him, and said, 'O king! End this tormenting

of the body, this asceticism. You will earn unparalleled renown in this world.

Before long, you will be endowed with the bliss of having a son born unto you!"

As soon as these words of compassion and grace fell upon his ear, Sagara opened

his eyes and saw the sage standing before him. Immediately, he fell at his

feet, and signed to the wives too to do likewise. He prayed that the sage may

bless them direct.

"The senior queen, Kesini, bowed her head low and fell at his feet, with many an

adulatory hymn emerging from her lips. Bhrighu asked her, "Mother! Do you desire

a single son, so that the thread of continuity be not broken, or, do you desire

for a large number of sons, who will be endowed with enormous physical valour

and vast renown?" She replied that a single son will satisfy her, and prayed

that her wish may be gratified. Bhrighu accepted her request and blessed her

likewise.

"When the second queen Sumathi prostrated before him he asked her the same

question. She craved for strong brave celebrated sons in plenty, and so, the

sage granted that desire and blessed that it be fulfilled.

"Elated by the blessings of the sage, Sagara returned to his capital city,

accompanied by his wives. They fixed their minds on the boons they received and

spent their time happily. Within a few months, both queens conceived and awaited

the happy event. When the nine months had passed, Kesini delivered a son and

Sumathi gave birth to many.

"As the days sped by, the sons romped about and played excitedly with children

of the same age and later, started moving out beyond the palace in search of

companions and for the sake of games. The son of Kesini, Aswamanja by name,

took them to the sands of the Sarayu river; he used to take delight in throwing

the children into the river and laughed outright in glee, when the children were

drowned! Soon, he earned an infamous reputation, as the worst criminal in the

kingdom! [see SB, C9, Chapter8, verses 15-16 etc.]

"When they emerged out of their teens, Sagara selected suitable royal brides for

each of them and had the marriages celebrated. Aswamanja continued his

wickedness, however, and the residents of Ayodhya had heart-rending grief as a

result of his incorrigible viciousness. One day they approached Sagara and

amidst loud wailings, represented to him the atrocious acts of his eldest son.

At this, the king ordered that Aswamanja should immediately leave the city and

that he must be exiled into the forests. Aswamanja had a son born to him by

then. So, he had to leave behind his wife and son, besides his parents.

"Years passed. Aswamanja's son Amsumanta grew up, won renown throughout the

world as lovable, virtuous and valiant. Once, Sagara decided on the performance

of the great Aswamedha (Horse-Sacrifice), and fixed an auspicious moment for

starting the rites." While Viswamitra was at this point in his narration, Rama

put in a question: "Master! Was the horse-sacrifice performed in Ayodhya, or,

did he choose some holy river bank for the purpose?" Viswamitra smiled, and

replied, "Rama! I am realising how earnest you are about sacrifices and how

reverent your attitude towards sages is! I shall describe it in detail as you

desire. Listen! There is a holy range facing the Himalayas from a distance,

called the Vindhya range. The region in between is sacred for all yajnas and

yagas. The horse-sacrifice was done in that region. Experts in the recitation

of Vedic hymns gathered there and the mountains echoed and reechoed to

the loud and correct recital of the prescribed ritual formulae. Thousands were

watching with great joy the unique ceremonial. Just then, the beautifully

caparisoned horse was led in and worshipped. Later it was left to roam where it

willed. In order to overcome and defeat any opposition to its free movement

(indicative of an ambition on the part of the ruler who so opposes to be free

from the domination of their suzerain, Sagara) Amsumanta followed its

footsteps, with his army fully equipped to meet all contingencies. After an

unopposed round of the entire country, the horse was led back. The exact moment

when the sacrifice had to be done in orthodox Vedic style approached, and people

went to bring the animal in.

"But the horse was nowhere to be seen! It is laid down that the loss of the

sacrificial animal and its nonavailability at the auspicious moment bodes ill

for the organizers of the Yajna! So, Sagara was naturally upset; he sent the

numerous sons of his second wife, armed and equipped, to discover the horse and

bring it back to the sacrificial altar. They sought the help of the gods and the

demons, and searched everywhere and even dug the earth up, to see whether the

horse was kept hidden below by its captors. But, they had to return and report

that their mission had failed.

"Sagara was enraged at this. 'Of what avail is this numerous progeny, if you

announce to me only your incompetence? Why stand before me with faces darkened

with disgrace? Go and do not come to me, until you recover the horse'.

"The sons reacted sharply to these angry words; they went back into the world,

determined to leave no spot unexamined. Mountains, hills, lakes, rivers, caves,

towns and villages, forests and deserts - why lengthen the list, they looked

closely at every yard, every foot of ground. While they were proceeding thus

they found in one place, a hermit, deeply immersed in Dhyan; the horse was

there, near him, calmly nibbling grass!

"They were overcome by delight when they saw the horse, and by anger, when their

eyes fell on the hermit'; they were tossed between two conflicting emotions.

They lost their sanity, as a result of the irrepressible feelings. Their reason

failed; their hearts were petrified. They shouted in the ear of the hermit,

'Villainous brute! You have stolen our horse and hidden it in your backyard!'

The sage Kapila slowly opened his eyes and looked around. The sons of Sagara

stood around him and poured abuses on his head; some even got ready to give him

a heavy thrashing! [see also: SB, Canto 9, Chapter 8, verses 9-10)

 

 

"Kapila saw that words and arguments were futile weapons to meet those bullies;

he decided that he must deal with them differently. He burnt them into ash

merely by casting his eye on them. Greatly distressed at the inordinate delay

caused by their failure to return, Sagara was agitated much; how could he stop

the sacrifice that he had half gone through? How could he continue and finish

it? Seeing his plight, the grandson, Amsumanta fell at his grandfather's feet

and offered to search for the horse and his uncles, and bring news about them,

if only he was sent on that mission. Sagara blessed him and sent him on that

errand. Amsumanta was at his job, day and night; at last he was rewarded by

success. He saw also signs of his uncles having been reduced into a heap of

ashes! He was anxious to perform obsequies for the departed souls; but he could

not see any well, tank, lake or stream. This was essential for depositing the

funeral offerings. Heavily laden with

sorrow, he moved some distance forward. A reverend old man came across his path

and told him, 'Do not allow grief to overpower you, dear son! Your uncles were

reduced to ashes by sage Kapila with the welfare of the world also in view! Do

not be content to offer the ritual obligations in mundane waters. Get the holy

water of the Celestial Ganga. Bring the Ganga down to earth and let the sacred

waters flow over the ashes. Then, the manes will be saved. But, first, take the

horse with you and perform the sacrifice unto its glorious conclusion.

Thereafter, you can think of ways and means to bring the heavenly Ganga to the

Earth.' Amsumanta fell at the feet of the hermit and hurried to his

grandfather, where the yajna was being held up for want of the consecrated

animal.

"Sagara was awaiting its arrival, with sleepless anxiety, both night and day,

and so, when the horse was brought, he and the rthwiks (the Vedic scholars who

officiated as priests) were filled with delight. Amsumanta felt that it would

not be proper to announce, during the auspicious festival, that his uncles had

an untimely death through the sage's curse. So, he allowed the Valedictory Rite

to come to an end; the priests and guests were given their share of votive

gifts.

"Then Amsumanta gave a detailed account of what had happened to the uncles and

exhorted his grandfather to bring the heavenly river of unique sanctity down to

the place where the ashes were lying. Sagara was delighted at the suggestion. He

engaged himself in many ascetic disciplines and ritual ceremonies, which,

according to the advice of elders, would induce Ganga to give him the boon he

wanted. But, he could not succeed. He waned in health day by day as a result of

grief at the loss of his sons, and the failure of his attempt to ensure a bright

future for them. At last, he cast off his body, a disappointed man.

 

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/chapter7a.htmlVahini.org: 'Vahini' Books

written by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

 

 

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