Ramakatha Rasavahini - Part 1

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'commonplace' in the careers of Avathars. Whatever is seen and taken as of that

nature is really 'super-human', 'super-natural', deserving high reverence!

The story of Rama is not the story of an individual; it is the story of

the Universe! Rama is the Personification of the basic Universal in all beings.

He is in all, for all time, in all space. The story deals not with a period that

is past, but with the present and future without end, with beginningless eternal

Time!

Style'"> No ant can bite, without Rama's Will! No leaf can drop from

its branch, without Rama's prompting! Sky, wind, fire, water and earth - the

Five Elements that compose the Universe - behave as they do for fear of Him,

and in tune with His Orders! Rama is the Principle which attracts - and endears

through that attraction - the disparate elements in Nature. The attraction that

one exerts over another is what makes the Universe exist and function.

That is the Rama principle, without which the cosmos will become chaos.

Hence, the axiom: If there be no Rama, there will be no Panorama (Universe).

Chapter 2The Imperial Line

1"> In the Immaculate pure Solar Dynasty was born the highly mighty,

the far famed, the strong armed, the Intensely loved and revered ruler,

Khatvanga. His rule showered supreme bliss on the immense populations under his

throne and persuaded them to pay homage to him, as if he were himself God. He

had a 'one-and-only' son, named Dileepa. He grew up, shining in the glory of

knowledge and virtue; he shared with his father the joy and privilege of

guarding and guiding the people. He moved among his subjects, eager to know

their joys and sorrows, anxious to discover how best to relieve pain and

distress, intent on their welfare and prosperity. The father watched his son

grow straight and strong, virtuous and wise. He sought a bride for him so that

after the marriage, he could place on his shoulders part of the burden of the

sceptre. He sought her in royal houses far and wide, for she must be a worthy

companion for

the prince. At last, the choice fell on the Magadhan princess, Sudakshina. The

wedding was celebrated with unsurpassed pomp and exultation by the people and

the court. Sudakshina was endowed with all womanly virtues in ample

measure. She was saintly and simple and a sincere votary of her husband; she

served her lord and poured love on him, as if he were her very breath. She

walked in the footsteps of her husband and never deviated from the path of

righteousness.

Style'"> Dileepa, too, was the very embodiment of righteousness, and,

as a consequence, he saw that neither want nor disappointment affected him in

the least. He held fast to the ideals and practices of his father so far as the

administration of the empire was concerned, and so he could slowly and without

any dislocation, take upon himself the full responsibility of administration.

Thus, he was able to give his father rest in his old age. Khatvanga rejoiced

within himself, contemplating the great qualities of his son and observing his

skill, efficiency and practical wisdom. Some years passed thus. Then, Khatvanga

directed the court astrologers to select an auspicious day and hour for the

Coronation of Dileepa and on the day fixed by them he

installed Dileepa as the Monarch of the realm. From that day Dileepa

shone forth as the Lord and Sovereign of the Empire, which stretched from sea to

sea, with the seven islands of the Ocean. His rule was so just and

compassionate, so much in conformity with the injunctions laid down in the

scriptures, that rains came as plentifully as needed and the harvest was rich

and profuse. The entire empire was green and glorious, festive and full. The

land was resonant with the sacred sound of the Vedas recited in every village,

the purifying rythm of the manthras chanted in the Vedic sacrifices performed

throughout the land; every community lived in concord with all the rest.

(Chapter 2 To Be Continued..) SaiRam.