Ramakatha Rasavahini, Part 2, Chapter 9 - The Nether Region

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Part 2 - Chapter 9The Nether Region

 

Rama embraced Vibhishana, Hanuman, Nala, Nila and others and thrilled them all

with the Divine Touch; at this, the pain that tortured them disappeared in an

instant; the wounds on their bodies were healed. The Vanaras were delighted at

the sight of Rama's happy face. The compassionate look of Rama fell upon the

Vanaras.

Meanwhile, Sulochana, the wife of Meghanada, heard the news of her husband's

death, through her maids who ran to her with the tragic information. [Ravana

spoke:] "Until now, I believed that this small task could be accomplished

easily by either Meghanada or Kumbhakarna. Now, I have observed with my own

eyes the failure of their prowess. I am ashamed that Meghanada fell a victim to

the attack of monkeys. Those who are killed by monkeys, how can they claim to be

heroes?" Ravana said. He tried to console Sulochana. He said, "Respected

Consort! Give up your grief. Do not think that I am a hero of that type. I

shall bring you solace, within an hour or so. You can witness on the

battlefield, my terrific might. I shall pluck the heads of those who caused the

death of your husband, and bring them with me. This shall be done, without

doubt". Thus, Ravana boasted and raved in the presence of Sulochana. His anger

burnt his frame and he was beside himself with

rage.

Hearing his words, the wise and virtuous Sulochana said, "O Ten-headed One! Is

there in your heart any trace of hope that you can win victory? You are sunk in

the deep darkness of delusion. I had swallowed my resentment and my

disappointment so long, for, I felt that opposing one's father-in-law was

improper, and in this case, it is also useless to try convince you. Your rage

is the prime cause for the destruction of the Rakshasa population of this

island. Let me tell you this - it is impossible for you to win this war. This

is the truth, the indisputable truth". Sulochana rose suddenly, and wailing

alone, she moved towards the apartments of Mandodari, the Queen, the mother of

Meghanada. Reaching there, she fell at the feet of her mother-in-law and said,

"This calamity has been brought about by your husband and not by any one else.

You too cannot escape such a calamity, which is sure to

befall this day or the next". Her torn heart poured out words that were harsh

and cruel. Mandodari too was pained when she contemplated the evil desires of

Ravana and his pride at his own wickedness; she wept at the realization that

the words of Sulochana were awfully true. The two women sat silent for long,

and later they described to each other the virtues and excellence of Rama and

the patience and chastity of Sita and told themselves that if only they could

get a glimpse of that divine person their lives would be rendered worth while.

Ravana could not bear to witness the agony of his daughter-in-law, the bereaved

Sulochana. Her words thrust his heart like sharp spikes. His grief was so heavy

at the loss of such a bright and loving son that he fell on the floor and in

despair beat his head on the ground. Rising up, he poured out his anguish

before the Siva idol of his favorite temple. Meanwhile, the ministers of his

court approached him there. They said, "O King, Why are you grieving in vain?

Sons, wives and all the rest on whom we lavish our love are all like the

lightning flash that illumines the dark cloud for an instant; they come and go.

Life is a flash, it does not last. Knowing this in full measure, it is not

proper for you to sink in ignorance and bewail their loss. Now is the time to

plan the future. Plan out the strategy by which we can destroy the enemy at our

doors". They tried to bring consolation and remind him of the immediate task,

through various arguments. At last,

Ravana folded his twenty palms and praying to Siva, he fell on the floor of the

temple in reverent homage.

When this happened on the earth above, Ahi-ravana, living in the nether regions

became aware that Ravana was suffering a great burden of sorrow. He thought

within himself. "How could this be? He has all the world under his control and

within his grasp! No one can defeat him". Ahi-ravana worshipped no other god

but the Devi Kamada. Immediately, he meditated on Her and She revealed to Her

votary the place where Ravana was, at that time. So, he could appear before

Ravana, in the Siva Temple itself. He fell at Ravana's feet, announcing his

name while doing so. Ahi-ravana was no other than another son of Ravana. He

enquired the reason why the father was so dishearted. Ravana related to him all

that

had happened since the nose and ears of Surpanakha were sliced off by the

brothers (RRV2-2). This account made Ahi-ravana very sad. He said, "The path of

morality is adored by every one in the world. By straying away from that path

and preferring the path of immortality, fear enters the heart. Instead of

paying attention to the past and future, and the likely course of events, you

have plunged into this foolish fatal war. As a consequence, you have destroyed

your clan and your dynasty. You do not know the heroism and the power that lies

dormant in 'man'. You have counted the greatest among them as the least and the

lowest. Yet I wish to tell you one thing now. I shall capture Rama and

Lakshmana and take them with me to the nether regions. I shall sacrifice them

as offerings to my Kamada Devi. I shall thereby bring immense fame to the

Rakshasa name." With these

words, he prostrated before Ravana, and made obeisance to Kamada Devi. Then he

entered the camp of Rama. With his supernatural power, he invoked the spirit of

darkness and enveloped the Vanaras in thick blackness. No one could see his own

palm, held before him! Such was the thickness of the pitch darkness around all.

The Vanaras were extremely vigilant in camp; even Death dare not enter the

place. Hanuman, the Vanara guard, elongated his tail to such an extent that he

could encircle the camp with it many times over, until the coils one over the

other became a high wall, of the size and strength of a mountain barrier.

Hanuman himself sat alert at the only gate through which entrance into this

impregnable fort was possible.

Ahi-ravana saw the caudal fort and was stricken with great fear. He could not

conceive of any strategy to outmaneuver this defense. Suddenly getting a

brainwave, he changed himself into the likeness of Vibhishana and accosted

Hanuman at the gate. He told him, "Friend, I must go into the Presence of Rama.

With His approval I had gone outside the camp to perform my evening prayers and

rites. I have finished them now. If I do not go without delay, I would incur

the sin of disobeying His command. So, allow me to enter the camp." Hanuman was

taken in by those words and that form, which were to his ears and eyes the same

as Vibhishana's. He allowed him into the camp. He found Nala and Sugriva fast

asleep, since they were exhausted by the day's fighting. Rama too was sleeping,

with His hand clasping the hand of His brother Lakshmana. The

pseudo-Vibhishana who was approaching him was not un-noticed by Rama. He had

incarnated, adopting, in sport, the human frame and His purpose in so doing was

to destroy the entire Rakshasa species and wipe them off. His task will remain

unfinished if the descendants of Ravana survived in the nether regions. So, He

played His role, as if He did not know the trick that Ahi-ravana was about to

indulge in. Others can not understand His ways. He knows where, when and by

which means, one has to be exterminated. He plays His drama, in His own way.

The Rakshasa recited the Mohana Mantra, which would make whomsoever he wants

swoon and become unconscious. That made the Vanara heroes sleep even more

soundly. Then, he bound Rama and Lakshmana and carried them off to his region

in the bowels of the earth, the region called Patala. [see Srîmad Bhâgavatam,

Canto 5, Chapter 24: The Nether Worlds]

After some time, the Vanaras woke up and were plunged in dismay when they found

that Rama and Lakshmana were not beside them. The place where they had slept

had become a deep pit. The entire camp was soon filled with cries and groans.

The Vanaras were rendered as miserable as the sky without the moon, or lotus

blooms without water. The Vanaras started moving in all directions to seek out

the brothers and recover them. Many ran towards the shore of the sea; many

searched the borders of the campus. No one could discover any clue. The Vanaras

lost hope and courage; they were overcome by sorrow and despair. "All this

juncture, this misfortune has overtaken us." The Vanaras lamented their fate in

this manner. Sugriva, the King of the Vanaras, himself fell unconscious on the

ground. Vibhishana had not heard about this incident; he was returning with wet

clothes on, from a sea bath, after performing his morning rites. The Vanaras ran

towards him and revealed

to him that Rama and Lakshmana could not be seen in camp. Vibhishana was struck

with sorrow for one instant; but, since he was conversant with the tricks that

the Rakshasas could play, using their supernatural powers, he guessed the plot

correctly. "Come. Let us go into the camp," he told them. This gave them some

little consolation. When he talked with Hanuman at the gate, he was surprised

and shocked. Hanuman asked, "Why? You passed through this gate into the camp a

while ago; you asked me permission to do so."

It was now clear to Vibhishana. He could picture in his mind what had happened.

So he addressed the Vanaras thus: "Vanaras! There is no need to be anxious.

Ahi-ravana, the son of Ravana, is a master in such tricks. He is living in

Patala ... the nether regions. Judging from the depth of this pit, I am sure it

is he who has carried Rama and Lakshmana to his own place underground. I have no

doubt on this point. For, no one else can assume my form. Do not be

disheartened. It is best that some one from among us who is mighty proceeds

thither." Vibhishana looked around and sighting Hanuman, he said, "Hanuman!

Your physical and mental strength are known all over the world. Go immediately

to Patala and bring back those Oceans of Mercy, Rama and Lakhsmana. Vibhishana

described also the route that Hanuman had to take to reach Patala, where

Ahi-ravana stayed. Sugriva, Angada and Jambuvantha clasped Hanuman to their

breast and shed tears of joy. Hanuman

solicited permission from his Royal Master, Sugriva and, while starting on his

mission, told the Vanaras, "Do not fear. Do not be anxious in the least.

Whoever he is, I shall destroy him, even if I have to sacrifice my life. I

shall stand before you with Rama and Lakshmana pretty soon. Be assured". With

these words and with the acclamation, Jai Rama, Jai Rama (Victory to Rama,

Victory to Rama) emanating from his tongue, Hanuman started off. Reaching the

Patala region, he rested a while under a tree. He heard two birds sitting above

him, conversing aloud. Hanuman knew the language of birds; so, he sat listening

to their talk. "Dear One", spoke the bird, "Ahi-ravana has brought two brothers

Rama and Lakshmana, and he has made all preparations to sacrifice both of them

to Goddess Kamada just now. He will cast those holy bodies away, after the

sacrifice. We can feast on those sacred bodies to our full content. This day is

a festival day for us." Hanuman rose suddenly from under the

tree; like a cobra whose tail has been trodden upon, he hissed with rage, and

leaped forward like a giant flame. "Alas! I fear what has happened already to

my Lord", he wailed.

He entered the City of Ahi-ravana. At the very entrance, he had to fight and

overcome Makaradhwaja, the guard in monkey form. But, seeing that he was a

monkey, he explored his genealogy and history; Hanuman was able to win his

confidence and get from him inside information about Rama and Lakhsmana and

their fate. He also came to know from him that the brothers were to be taken at

dawn to the temple of Goddess Kamada, for being offered as human sacrifice to

Her.

Hanuman asked Makaradhwaja, the Monkey Guardian of Patala, where the two

brothers were kept by the cruel Overlord of the Nether Regions. He gave him all

the details. However, he insisted that he will not allow him to enter the area,

for, he had to obey his master and be loyal to him and to his interests.

'Whatever the suffering I have to endure, I shall not let you in,' he said. "If

I show you special consideration for the reason that you too are a monkey, I

will thereby be dishonoring the entire monkey species, as unreliable and

ungrateful. My lord, Ahi-ravana, is as much adorable to me as your lord, Rama

is to you. So, however near you may be to me, I shall not waver or deviate; I

must do my duty and carry out his command. You can get in only after defeating

me in combat", he said challengingly. Hanuman appreciated his sentiments and

his sense of duty. He was happy that Makaradhwaja had taken the proper

attitude. He took up the challenge and entered

into the fight. After some time spent in fierce combat, Hanuman decided that

protraction was not desirable; so, he twisted his tail around the body of

Makaradhwaja and cast him far out in the distance. Then, Hanuman boldly entered

the City. He noticed a florist entering the gate with a fine big garland of

fragrant flowers. Resolving that this was the best chance to reach the place he

wanted to, he assumed suddenly a molecular form and occupied the garland he (the

florist) was carrying. The garland was not rendered any heavier; it was as light

as ever. The florist had no idea of what happened. Everything was as before, for

him. The garland was delivered to Ahi-ravana himself. He took it in both his

hands and placed it round the neck of the image of Kamada in the temple. He

also offered various rich dishes as sanctified food to the idol. From his

vantage point on the garland round its neck, Hanuman ate up the dishes as they

were placed before the idol. The Rakshasas saw the food

disappearing, and they were delighted that their Goddess had deigned to accept

their devotion. Ahi-ravana too was happy, at the thought that 'this day, my

prayers have been answered: my fortune has reached its summit.'

Meanwhile, Rama and Lakhsmana, the brothers, were brought in, decorated in the

manner in which sacrificial animals are decorated. Gigantic Rakshasa warriors

were holding them by their arms on either side. Hanuman saw them being made to

stand by side of the sacrificial altar. Hanuman bowed obeisance to Rama from

where he was, and filled his mind with adorations for Him. The guards placed

the brothers right in front of the Idol, and held sharp swords near their

necks. Ahi-ravana said that the sacrificial offering of the lives of the two

brothers has to take place immediately after the waving of the Holy Flame, and

that they ought to be ready to execute their task, without a moment's delay.

Rama and Lakshmana, who were really Divine Beings playing the role of humans,

had discovered that it was Hanuman who had eaten the food offerings placed by

Ahi-ravana before the Deity, and that knowledge induced them to take on to the

impending events with great good

humor. Seeing them smiling and light-hearted, Ahi-ravana was awfully enraged. He

said, "Well. If the few moments more of life that you are granted give you so

much of joy, I do not grudge it; be happy while you can. A while later, you can

smile in the realm of Yama, the Ruler of the Dead". He paid no regard to the

brothers, but continued to relish their fate and utter harsh words to wound

them even more. At this, the priest rose and paying respects to his master,

informed him that the code of political morality requires that the victims be

permitted to pray, if they so desire, to their guardian for peace after death.

The Rakshasa Chief rose from his seat and announced, "Princes! If you have any

well-wishers, this is the time to express gratitude for them, since you have

only a few moments to live". Rama and Lakshmana looked at each other's face and

smiled.

That very moment, Hanuman let out a terrific roar. Hearing it, the Rakshasas

imagined that their Goddess had manifested Herself and was expressing Her

anger. Hanuman jumped from the garland, assuming his terror striking Form and

grasping the sword that was in the hand of the Goddess, he felled Ahi-ravana to

the ground and hit him all over, hacking him to pieces. But his body was of

diamond strength and he had won a mysterious boon which made the bits get

together and become whole, as soon as they were separated. At last, Hanuman

fixed Rama in his mind and with a shout, Jai Rama, he caught the head in one

hand and with the other sliced the neck. Before they could join, he threw the

head into the blazing fire, in the sacrificial pit, before the Idol.

Just then, Makaradhwaja managed to reach the temple and the presence of the

Goddess. On seeing him, Hanuman recovered the golden crown from the head of

Ahi-ravana, and placing it on his head, he proclaimed him ruler of Patala and

advised him to be ever grateful to the Brothers and to be always loyal and

devoted to them. He had Rama and Lakshmana seated on his shoulders and, at one

jump, he rose from Patala and landed for them [the Vanaras] with their million

eyes. Vibhishana and others could not contain the joy that overwhelmed them when

they saw the Brothers safe and sound before them. They fell at the feet of Rama

and Lakshmana; they clasped Hanuman in

their arms and shed tears of gratitude. The Vanaras praised Hanuman in a

thousand different paeans. They lifted him on their shoulders; they fed him and

fondled him. They embraced him, poured their love on him. Vibhishana stood

before Rama and said, "Lord! What shall I say of your Leela, your Sport? You

alone can reveal to us the meaning of your acts and activities. You have come

with the resolution to wipe off the Rakshasa denizens even in the Nether

Regions. All this stage-acting, is, I know, to fulfill that resolution".

Ravana came to know that Rama and Lakhsmana had been brought back by Hanuman

from the kingdom of Ahi-ravana. He heard the tragic news of the death of his

son, Ahi-ravana. He collapsed and fell on the ground; he lamented his loss,

long and loud; tears flowed in streams from his eyes. Mandodari, the Queen,

came to him and tried her best to console him and reduce his grief. He did not

give ear to her words; he only grew more and more enraged at her soft counsel.

Ravana mustered courage and rose suddenly, to meet a Minister who presented

himself at that time. His name was Sindhuranatha; he was a respected elder, far

gone in years. He was a very wise man, who was in close proximity to Vibhishana,

when he was formerly in Lanka. He advised him on various moral virtues and on

the mortality of men and things. Ravana did not listen to his words; he even

treated them with patent disgust. The Minister was sad when he saw his

reaction. He felt, "In times of

misfortune, intelligence too gets warped. Poor fellow! He is heading towards

disaster and so, even sweet counsel tastes bitter to him". Still, out of

compassion, he continued with his words of sympathetic advice.

Ravana said to himself: "Now my kith and kin have been decimated; there is no

one left alive". Just then, an aged Minister said, "Why do you say so? You have

another surviving son, Narantaka, who has with him 72 crores of Rakshasas. Call

him for support; send a messenger immediately. He can destroy the enemy; you

need have no doubt". Ravana was delighted at these words. He sent the

messenger, named Dhoomakethu with instructions to bring with him the clever

Narantaka. The messenger described the tragedies that had overtaken Lanka and

communicated the urgent appeal Ravana had made for his help. He proceeded, on

the spot, with his hordes and as soon as he reached the field he fell upon the

Vanara forces. Hanuman spied him from far. He went forward to confront him. On

seeing him and his terror striking form Narantaka was struck with fear. He

asked Dhoomakethu who he was and was told that he was

Hanuman, the invincible hero who had killed all his brothers. Hearing this,

Narantaka became even more ferocious; he placed arrows on his bow and let them

off against Hanuman; but, he caught them all by the hand and broke them to

pieces. He came very close to Narantaka and pounded his breast heavily with his

clenched fist. He lifted him aloft and turning him around fast, threw him deep

into a Nether Region named Rasatala [see Srîmad Bhâgavatam, Canto 5, Chapter

24, (verse 7): The Nether Worlds]. Millions of his Rakshasa followers were

thrown into the sea. He broke into smithereens the chariots in the army of

Narantaka; the charioteers were also decimated.

Bhajan:Mohana Raghu Rama(Charming Rama of the Raghu dynasty)

 

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/ch9.htmlVahini.org: 'Vahini' Books

written by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

 

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