Ramakatha Rasavahini, Part 2, Chapter 1 - The Dandaka Forest

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Part 2 - Chapter 1The Dandaka Forest

 

While Bharatha was thus spending his days at Nandigrama in the constant

contemplation of Rama, far away in the forest, on the Chitrakuta Peak, Sita,

Rama and Lakshmana were praising his devotion and sense of dedication. They

were happy in the peaceful, quiet forest home. One day, a fool named Jayantha

sought to measure the valour of Rama, an adventure as foolish and suicidal as

the attempt of an ant to discover the depth of the Ocean!

Prompted by sheer mischief, he transformed himself into a crow, and approaching

Sita, who was seated by the side of Rama lost in the contemplation of the

scenery spread out before them, and with his sharp beak, he pecked at the sole

of her tender foot, causing blood to trickle from the wound. Seeing the stream

of blood, Rama plucked a blade of dry grass from the ground and threw it at the

crow.

Rama will never hurt any one who has not done any injury. But, when it is

necessary, and when it has to be done, even Rahu will swallow the Moon, isn't

it? So too Rama. He will never hurt the innocent. But, that blade of grass

became a huge flame of fire and flew towards Jayantha. And, when he fled, it

pursued him relentlessly wherever he went. Helpless and frightened, the crow

returned to its original form and Jayantha fell at the feet of Rama praying for

succor. Indra came to know that the culprit was his own son and he too repented

for his son's audacity and irreverence.

Jayantha prostrated before Rama and pleaded for mercy. He said, "I am a fool. I

did not realize the baseness of my deed. Save me from your anger, from this

fire."

Rama pitied the poor fellow, who had so humbled himself. He made one of his eyes

ineffective and sent him away alive, as a single-eyed individual. The blade of

grass that had become a missile of fire was neutralized by him and it resumed

its nature. Jayantha was grateful that he was let off with just a token

punishment for the heinous crime he had committed; he lived for a long time on

the Chitrakuta Peak, where Sita, Rama and Lakshmana had taken residence. One

day, the tenth day of the bright half of the month Margasira, Rama ordered

Jayantha to proceed southwards from his habitat.

Rama, Sita and Lakshmana at the Hermitage of Sage Athri

Sita, Rama and Lakshmana too left Chitrakuta and reached the hermitage of the

great Sage, Athri. The Sage came to know in advance of the intention of Rama to

visit his retreat, through his pupils. So when Rama was approaching the Asram,

he moved far out on the forest track in order to welcome Rama, Sita and

Lakshmana. Athri was so overpowered with joy at the sign of Grace, that he shed

profuse tears in his ecstasy and declared that the visit had indeed made his

life realize its highest aim. He said that his austerities had at last borne

fruit that day. That evening, the Sage Athri gathered his pupils and placed a

high seat for Rama at the head of the assembly. His consort Anasuya had

meanwhile attended to the needs of Sita and brought her too to that place.

Then, he described to all present the sacredness of the occasion, the powers of

Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, and the Divine Forces that had incarnated as those

three. Anasuya also praised

the virtues of Sita, and gave her holy counsel on the duties of women and the

ideals they should ever hold dear. Sita spoke of the fact that every

individual, every being, and every creature had the feminine principle inherent

in its composition; she said that though there are masculine and feminine roles,

acting on the world stage, all are basically feminine, when their strength,

emotions and attitudes are considered. She said that her Lord, Rama, is the

incarnation of the One and only Masculine principle in the Universe. In him,

she said, there is no trace of duality, of mine and thine, of grief or joy. He

is the embodiment of fearlessness; He is strength personified. Purusha or the

Eternal Masculine has wedded Nature or Prakrithi, the Eternal Feminine. Though

Nature appears manifold and variegated, it is really One undifferentiated

Unity. Thus Sita revealed the truth of the Rama

principle to Anasuya, the consort of the Sage Athri.

Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent a very happy time at the Asram of the Sage Athri.

They gave good counsel to the residents and pupils on various problems of right

conduct. Then, taking leave of the Sage, they resumed their journey through the

jungle. The Asramites shed tears of sorrow when they parted company. Despite

their determined attempts to accompany Rama during the subsequent stages of his

forest life they had to stop away and resume the life for which they had

dedicated their lives. They had to witness helplessly the departure of the

Divine Master of their hearts.

The jungle echoed with the roar of ferocious beasts that wandered about in

search of prey. Manifold varieties of plumaged birds sang melodiously on the

trees. Each had a peculiar beauty and melody: their coos and cries were balm

for the ear. It appeared as if they had entered a new world of thrills. While

passing through this region of awesome grandeur, suddenly their eyes fell upon

a lovely hermitage, which had at its center a picturesque temple. Lakshmana

moved forward, and cleared the track, pushing back the bushes that stood

across. He broke off the thorny creepers that hung overhead and threatened to

harm wayfarers. Rama and Sita could walk safely along the track he cleared.

When they came to the precincts of the hermitage a charming garden presented

itself before them. Well-fostered and affectionately looked after, the fruit

trees and flowering trees rose beautifully from the ground, with their charming

crowns of beauty. The branches were

drooping under the weight of ripe juicy fruits. Sita was filled with delight;

she forgot all exhaustion; she was lost in the heavenly peace and joy that she

had come into. She walked behind Rama, imbibing the thrill of the Nature that

surrounded her. When some residents noticed their approach, they ran in haste

to their Preceptor; he hurried forward to the main gate to welcome Rama, Sita

and Lakshmana. His eyes were streaming tears of joy. Appropriate hospitality

was offered to the guests; they were taken in and given cool refreshing drinks;

tasty fruits and tubers were placed before them. The guests accepted their

attention and regard with great pleasure; they partook of the simple repast. In

the evening, they took bath and performed due rites. Rama spoke to the residents

on ideal modes of conduct and behaviour. He permitted them to ask questions on

the doubts that might be puzzling them and the knotty points of interpretations

of the scriptures. They welcomed the opportunity most

enthusiastically. Rama, too, offered convincing and clear explanations, in

simple and satisfying words. Without doubt, the dwellers of the Asram

experienced very Heaven on earth. They spoke among themselves with great

delight that the Presence of Rama was as elevating an experience as contact

with God Himself in Heaven.

When dawn broke, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana bathed and went through the matinal

rites. In spite of the plaintive prayers of the Asramites, they started on

their journey, expostulating that people should not stand in the way of their

vows and resolutions. They had resolved, they said, not to stay in one single

hermitage or place for more than one single night.

When they resumed their journey, and passed through the forest, a monstrous

form, being the frightful ogre Viradha, appeared all of a sudden and rushed

menacingly towards them. Sita was naturally frightened at the apparition; but,

soon, she mustered courage knowing that, when she had the Lion Rama to protect

her, she had no need to be frightened at the 'lame fox' that had presented

itself! "Let it roar its worst", she consoled herself. She stood behind Rama

and watched developments. Meanwhile, Lakshmana shot at the monster a sharp

arrow from his bow. Soon, he showered many missiles on it. When it was wounded

by the arrows, Viradha transformed into a blazing fury of anger and appearing

like the very embodiment of death and destruction, pounced upon Lakshmana. Rama

saw that his brother was getting exhausted by the struggle; he fixed a crescent

headed arrow to his redoubtable bow and shot at the ogre. The arrow shattered

to pieces the formidable

three-pronged spear that the ogre was flourishing; it then sliced off the head

of the monster. At that very moment, a bright heavenly form emerged from the

fallen corpse!

Viradha had been born as an ogre on earth in consequence of a curse that he had

invited upon himself from his divine Master, Kubera. He was one of a group of

heavenly angels, Gandharvas, who were serving Kubera. Kubera had, later, taken

pity on him and declared that his demonic career would come to an end the

moment he met his death through an arrow from the bow of Rama. He could then

return as a Gandharva to the Presence of Kubera, it was said. So, the Gandharva

fell at the feet of his Saviour, and extolled him with high praise, before

leaving for his permanent abode.

Rama interred the huge body of the demon that lay on the ground; he also went

through the rites prescribed for such disposal. Just then a shower of rain fell

on the spot, as if the gods above were showering tears of joy at the compassion

that Rama was evincing.

Next, Rama entered the famous hermitage of the sage Sarabhanga. Even while he

was nearing the asram, the ascetics and monks were talking among themselves of

the havoc caused by the inroads of Ravana, the demon King. When Rama, Sita and

Lakshmana appeared before them in the midst of their conversation, they sensed

the meaning of their visit and knew that their fears would soon come to an end.

When the sage Sarabhanga saw the divinely charming figure of Rama, he could

scarce believe his eyes; he doubted whether it was a dream, or an illusion, or

some strange experience caused by meditation mania. But, soon, he realized the

genuineness of his good fortune; he was overwhelmed with the ecstasy of winning

his long-desired goal; he knew that his

asceticism had at last been blessed by the fruition of his yearning; he offered

them profuse hospitality.

He extolled Rama to his heart's content. "Rama! You are the Heavenly Swan moving

majestically on the waters that fill the minds of the sages. Ah! This day. I

have realized the Goal of life," he said. "Rama! I am unaware of any spiritual

discipline worth the name. It was possible for me to win you through just one

path, the path of Love. My eyes have seen you now; they need look on nothing

else. And, you have given word that day that you would fulfill the wishes of

the sages. Well. Now you have to stand by that word. My wish is this: Stand

before me in this most charming form, until my breath leaves this body. I wish

to cast off this body even while my gaze is fixed on you," he appealed.

Within minutes, a pyre was set up; he ascended it and it was lit, with

Sarabhanga sitting unconcerned on top, with eyes shining in joy at the ecstasy

of looking on at Rama. The eyelids did not quiver: the gaze did not slacken.

With the forms of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana imprinted on his heart, Sarabhanga

reduced his body into a handful of ashes. The blue placid waters of his heart

reflected the blue form of Rama, whom he had adored until the very last. His

soul merged in the Universal that was before him.

Though at first the asramites were grieving over the departure of their

Preceptor and Master, they soon realized that he had the unique fortune of a

rare blessing. God Himself had come in human form and blessed him with mergence

in His majesty and glory. They felt that they too had shared in that gift of

Grace; they adored Rama and extolled him in various ways. They shouted 'Hail!

Victory! Victory!' and taking the ashes of their Master, they applied it on

their brows in reverent gratitude.

The news of the immolation of Sarabhanga soon brought to that hermitage

residents from other asrams as well. They fell at the feet of Rama and praised

him and his mission of compassion. "Lord! How fortunate was Sarabhanga," they

cried. "Many a sage has fallen prey to the voracious ferocity of the Rakshasa

tribe of demons in this area. But Sarabhanga was blessed by the Lord Himself.

He offered his body and life to the Lord Himself. "Lord! Save us from these

rapacious enemies. Let us progress in our spiritual exercises and disciplines,

without these demonic raids. And, at the end of it all, O Lord, bless us with

the fruit we strive for: Your Presence before our Vision," they pleaded.

Meanwhile, a sage, Sutheekshna by name, came forward and prostrated before Rama.

He was the pupil of the renowned Agastya. He was an incomparable devotee and his

mind was saturated with love for Rama. He had steady faith that God can be won

by Love alone. He could not picture before his mind's eye any form of God other

than Rama. He gazed upon Rama, without winking an eyelid, lest even that

fraction of time should go waste. His heart melted into adoration at the sight

of Rama.

He said, "Lord! Did you come so far into this region just to bless me? Can you

not merge me into the Love you are? Having come upon the earth with this

visible form, do you still wish that I should adore, as hitherto, the Formless

Absolute? No. I love this Form, and this Name. I do not know any rite or

ritual. I know only that you, the embodiment of Love, can be attained through

love. Yearning is the only earning I have accumulated. That is the only

asceticism I have subjected myself to. Tell me, is that not enough? 0, Saviour

from the travail of Birth and Death! No form of worship is so effective as

service of the Lord through Love, isn't it? Singing your glory, meditating on

it, and deriving unspeakable bliss in the process - can anything else yield

greater joy?" he said. Sutheekshna danced about, unaware of where he was or

what he was doing; tears flowed in streams down his cheeks; he appeared insane

for all who could not gauge the

inner joy he was experiencing. Rama knew the urge within the Sage; he drew him

near himself, and embraced him most lovingly. He spoke soft and sweet, to bring

him round to a consciousness of his surroundings. While Rama was holding his

hands, the great sage entered the supreme state of Samadhi. He became a doll,

unmoved and immovable. Rama brought him back into consciousness; as soon as he

came to, he fell at the feet of Rama, falling flat on the ground.

He raised his hands above his head and joining palms in adoration, he expressed

his joy and took delight therein. He said, "Lord! You are the Conflagration

that destroys the Forest of Delusion in which man has lost himself. You are the

Solar Orb that makes it possible for the Lotuses of the Hearts of Good Men bloom

in beauty and fragrance. You are the King of Beasts, come to destroy the brood

of Demonic Elephants. You are the Eagle come to hunt down and destroy the bird

that flits into birth and flits out of life, in a recurring cycle of joy and

grief. Lord! Your eyes are as charming as Lotuses; my two eyes cannot drink in

all the beauty of your effulgent Form. You are the Moon that sheds cool light

to enrapture the twin Chakora birds, namely, the eyes of Sita. You swim happily

as the Celestial Swan in the placid lakes that shine in the hearts of Sages. You

are the Garuda Bird that preys upon and destroys the Serpents that breed in the

minds of

doubters and unbelievers. All cruelty, confusion and calamity will be burnt away

when a tiny glance from your eye falls on them." He extolled Rama thus and in

various other forms, and derived great joy at getting the chance. He also

utilized the chance to gaze upon the Lord and to have His Image imprinted on

his heart. He was not conscious of the passage of time or the needs of the

body. He did not wink once while looking on and drinking deep the glory of

Rama.

Rama watched him for a while and then he raised him up with his hands upon his

shoulders. He said, "Sutheekshna! You are endowed with all desirable virtues.

Ask from me anything you wish, for I shall bless you as you desire." The sage

replied, "O, Friend and Kinsman of the Distressed! My wish is this: Reside ever

in the depths of my heart, with Sita and Lakshmana." Rama said, "So be it."

Then, with him as companion, Rama moved forward towards the asram of Agastya,

with Sita and Lakshmana following him.

Rama, Sita and Lakshmana at the Hermitage of Sage Agastya

A short distance later, they heard the murmur of a river flowing by. When they

walked towards the sound and neared the river, they could see a mountain peak

beside the flowing water. In the middle there were beautiful flower gardens;

and, like a lotus shining in the center of a tank, there could be seen the

lovely hermitage of Agastya on a carpet of fragrant flowers.

Words cannot adequately describe the exquisite nature of that scene. Sita, Rama

and Lakshmana stood petrified for a few moments at the captivating splendour.

The atmosphere was so astoundingly spiritual. There, animals that are enemies

of each other by their very nature, aquatic animals and land animals, beasts

and birds of every type, sported and lived together, free from fear or enmity.

They could see many monks and ascetics lost in meditation sitting on the river

bank.

When they neared the asram, Sutheekshna ran forward to convey the tidings to his

Master. He fell at his feet and declared, "O Teacher Great! O Embodiment of

Mercy! The prince of Ayodhya, the very Sustainer of this Universe, has just

come into our Asram with Sita and Lakshmana. The very person whom you were

seeking to know and visualize through your spiritual practices for years,

without regard to whether it is day or night, he has come to you, near you. Ah!

What a great good Day is this! What great good fortune!". Sutheekshna forgot

himself and was filled with immeasurable ecstasy.

At this, Agastya rose suddenly from his seat and walked fast into the open. He

saw the three, coming towards him; tears flowed freely from his eyes. He ran

forward, shouting, "Lord! Lord!". He clasped Rama to his bosom; he had no mind

to release Rama from the embrace. He stood with his arms around Rama, clinging

to him, as a creeper clings to the trunk of a tree.

Agastya could not contain the joy that welled up within him when he led Rama,

Sita and Lakshmana into his hermitage. He invited them to rest on elevated

seats. He had fruits and sweet tubers brought and he offered them for their

repast. Then, he enquired about the journey they had gone through and, when

Rama was answering his queries, Agastya listened with eyes closed in deep

delight, tears of joy streaming down the cheeks. There was a happy smile

hovering on his face. At last, he spoke, "Lord! I am convinced that there is no

one more blessed than I am. The Lord, Narayana, has Himself come to me; He is

staying in my hermitage! Is this true? Is it a dream? No. It is clearly a fact

of experience. He gave expression to his joy in grateful and devotional words.

Rama said, "O Monarch among Monks! I have nothing to hide from you. You know too

well the reason why I have come into the forest. Direct me, how I can destroy

the brood of demoniac persons, the Rakshasas, who obstruct the austerities of

sages and monks, and how I can protect and preserve from danger the dedicated

servants of God; I shall act accordingly; I am awaiting your advice. In the

cold Hemantha season lotuses shrivel up and die. The season has approached for

the shriveling of the Rakshasas."

Hearing these words of Rama, Agastya smiled. He replied, "Lord! You are

omniscient. I do not know why you require me to tell you how. I am unable to

decide whether you are blessing me or testing me. Nevertheless, through the

effect of your Grace, the Darsan (sight), Sparsan (contact) and Sambhashan

(speech) that you have just now blessed me with, I am able to grasp the

significance of your question. That too is your grace. Maya which is your

creation and your puppet, your slave, lying at your feet, is watching ever, for

the slightest raising of your brow, to carry out your commands. Through the

skill endowed by you, Maya is creating all

beings on earth and in heaven.

"Your Maya is unconquerable. It is harassing beings endlessly, that is to say,

those who fall a prey to its machinations. That is a fact that is known to all.

Your Maya is like the ficus, spreading far and wide; the orbs in the Cosmos are

as the fruits of that tree; the beings and things that exist in this Cosmos are

like the worms and larvae that creep inside the fruit. The fruit might appear

lovely outside; but, when it is opened, hundreds of worms can be seen wriggling

inside".

"Those attached to this exterior world and its transitory treasures are afraid

of you, since in your aspect as Time, you cause inexorable ruin of their plans.

The Cosmos itself is an appearance on your Reality. Rama! You are adored by all

the worlds. You ask me for directions, just as a common man would; you praise

me as men do. This raises a laugh in me. I am not concerned with anything now.

I desire that you stay in this hermitage, with Sita and Lakshmana. That is the

only boon I ask for. I prefer always to worship your Attribute-full Form, not

your Attribute-less Principle. That is what I believe in and teach. That is my

Ideal, my favourite Goal, my Aspiration".

"Therefore, grant me this boon. It is your sport, to elevate your servants, and

yourself to slide into the background as if you are innocent of anything and

ignorant of everything! But, do not elevate me. Do not ask me for directions.

My duty is to assent and accept your wishes and to follow your footsteps.

Father! Do not inveigle me into your Maya, and delude me into egoism, making me

the target of your sport".

At this Rama said, "O Venerable Sage! This region is well known to you; so, what

harm is there if you tell me which place I can select for my stay? This is what

everybody would expect of you, isn't it?" Agastya replied, "Master! Since you

have commanded me I shall obey implicitly and give answer. Very near this

place, the sacred river Godavari is flowing. Since ages, that great river has

been flowing full and free. Adjacent to it, we have the Dandakaranya; when you

sanctify it by residing in it you would have conferred upon the monks and sages

that live therein all content and happiness. For, that forest region and its

guardian ruler are under a curse and afflicted thereby".

At this, Rama intercepted the sage with the words: "Master! Sita is anxious to

learn the story of that curse. Tell us about it in detail". Agastya saw through

that request and so he addressed Rama as "O, Director of this Eternal Play. Once

upon a time famine raised its head in Panchavati area. All the monks and

ascetics who lived there took refuge in the hermitage of Sage Gouthama. He gave

them all they needed through the powers he had acquired as a result of his

austerities! When the famine was over, the monks decided to return to their old

dwellings".

"But, there were some pseudomonks among them, who conspired against him, and

planned to bring him to disrepute. They brought a cow that was in the throes of

death and made it enter the hermitage garden, on a particularly green and

attractive patch. Gouthama saw it was about to bite a beautiful flower away

from its stem; he attempted to drive it away. But, at his very first push, the

cow breathed its last! The conspirator monks immediately laid on him the

dreaded sin of 'go-hathya' (bovicide)! They condemned him as an outcast and a

heathen. Gouthama desired to discover whether the cow died as a result of his

push or as its allotted span had ended. He sat in deep meditation exploring an

answer to this vital question. Soon it was revealed to him that it was but a

trick played by inimical monks. He was disgusted at their despicable nature. He

said, 'May this forest polluted by such low-minded persons be out of bounds for

the good and

the saintly. May it become the haunt of demonic yakshas' ".

"Another incident too added to the effects of this curse. The ruler of this

region, Danda by name, violated the chastity of the daughter of his own

preceptor, Bhrgu. Brghu listened to the pathetic story as related by his

daughter and, in the extremity of his anger, he overwhelmed the region with a

downpour of dust. Therefore, this area was sodden deep with mud, and in course

of time, it was a thick jungle from end to end. The region is named

Dandakaranya, after that infamous ruler. Rama! Crest-jewel of the Raghu

Dynasty! I am certain that when you take residence in that forest, the

Rakshasas will be decimated and the curse will be lifted. Monks and Sadhaks can

once again dwell there and progress in their austerities. Humanity everywhere

will benefit by this cleansing and this consummation. I may tell you that the

sage who cursed will also be rendered happy by you, for he is sad at the

consequence of his anger".

When Agastya finished his account of the story of Dandakaranya, Rama said,

"Well, so be it. I shall reside there". He took leave of the Sage Agastya, and

proceeded to the Dandaka forest, with Sita and Lakshmana. Before they left his

hermitage, Agastya brought forth certain weapons that he had acquired by

asceticism from divine Sources, and placed them in the hands of Rama saying

that he had no wish to use them; they had now a wielder who deserved them and

who could utilize them for a holy purpose. "Rama!" he said, "You are my shield,

my strength, my prowess. These weapons cannot save me, but You can. Your Grace

is the most powerful weapon I possess. You are my refuge, my fortress, the

impenetrable armour for my breast".

Even as Sita, Rama and Lakshmana entered the thick jungle-ridden area of

Dandaka, trees that had gone dry were thrilled into greenery and were covered

with tender, whispering clusters of leaf. Weak, enervated creepers and vines

suddenly felt alive, alert and active; they gave birth to bunches of fragrant

flowers. The forest hastened to clothe itself in lovely green, speckled all

over with multicoloured floral dots. They sought a spot where they could reside

therein and soon arrived at the place known as Panchavati, which Agastya had

indicated.

Rama speaking to the Eagle Chief Jatayu

They saw there the old Eagle Chief, Jatayu. He was a great friend of Dasaratha

accompanying him on his spatial expeditions to help the denizens of heaven.

Rama related to the Eagle the sad news of the death of Dasaratha and alleviated

his sense of loss and bereavement. Rama told him about himself, and spoke to him

about Sita and Lakshmana, and of his other brothers. They were set on rigging up

a thatched hut on the banks of the Godavari. Jatayu became a close friend, and

through him they could acquire a clearer picture of the region. That night,

they spent the hours under a tree in sound and refreshing sleep.

Bhajan27: Ram Ram Bhajo Mana Hare Hare

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/ramakatha2/ch1.htmlVahini.org: 'Vahini' Books

written by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

 

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