RAMAKATHA RASAVAHINI – PART – II [1]

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RAMAKATHA RASAVAHINI – PART – II [1]

The Rama Story, Stream of Sacred Sweetness

As told by the Divine Lord Himself in the present Avatar as Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Foreword by N. Kasturi

This Book!

The Rama Story, Stream of Sacred Sweetness, has been for millions of men, women

and children, for many centuries the perennial source of solace during sorrow,

vitality when floored by vacillation, illumination while confounded,

inspiration in moments of dejection and guidance while caught in quandaries. It

is an intensely human drama, where God impersonates as man and gathers around

Him, on the vast world-stage, the perfect and the imperfect, the human and the

sub-human, the beast and the demon, to confer on us, by precept and example,

the boon of Supreme Wisdom. It is a Story that plays its tender fingers on the

heart-strings of man, evoking lithe, limpid responses of pathos, pity,

exultation, adoration, ecstasy and surrender, rendering us transformed, from

the animal and the human, into the Divine which is our

core.

No other story in human history has had such profound impact on the mind of man.

It transcends the milestones of history and the boundaries of geography. It has

shaped and sublimated the habits and attitudes of generations. The Ramayana,

the Story of Rama, has become a curative corpuscle in the blood stream of

mankind, over vast areas of the globe. It has struck root in the conscience of

peoples, prodding and prompting them along the paths of Truth, Righteousness,

Peace and Love.

Through legends and lullabies, myths and tales, dance and drama, through

sculpture, music and painting, through ritual, poetry and symbol, Rama has

become the Breath, the Bliss, the Treasure of countless Seekers and Sadhaks.

The characters in the Rama Story have invited them to emulation and to be

elevated themselves. They have provided shining examples of achievement and

adventure; they have warned the wavering against vice and violence, pride and

pettiness; they have encouraged them by their fidelity and fortitude. To every

language and dialect that the tongue of man has devised for the expression of

his higher desires, the Story of Rama has added a unique, sustaining sweetness.

Sai (Isa, God), whose Thought is the Universe, whose Will is Its History, is the

Author, Director, Actor, Witness and Appraiser of the Drama that is ever

unfolding in Time and Space. He has now deigned to tell us Himself the story of

this one epic Act in that Drama, wherein He took on the Rama role. As Rama, Sai

instructed, inspired and invigorated, corrected, consoled and comforted His

contemporaries in the Treta Age. As Sai Rama, He is now engaged in the same

task. Therefore, most of what the readers of Sanathana Sarathi perused, month

after month, (during these years) with ardour and pleasure, as installments of

this narrative -- The Ramakatharasavahini -- must have appeared to them

"contemporary events and experiences", and "direct counsel to them in the

context of contemporary problems and

difficulties". While reading these pages, readers will often be pleasantly

struck by the identity of the Rama of this Story and the Sai Rama they are

witnessing.

"Science" has moulded this earth into the compactness and capsularity of a

space-ship in which mankind has to live out its destiny. "Sai-ence" is, we

know, fast moulding this space-ship into a happy home of Love. This book must

have been willed by Sai as a paramount panacea for the removal of the ills that

obstruct that Universal Love - the morbid itch for sensual pleasure, the

mounting irreverence towards parents, teachers, elders, spiritual leaders and

guides, the disastrous frivolity and flippancy in social, marital, and familial

relationships, the demonic reliance on violence as a means of achieving immoral

ends, the all-to-ready adoption of terror and torture as means of gaining

personal and group gains, and many more evils besides.

Sai Rama has recapitulated herein, in His own simple, sweet and sustaining

style, His own Divine Career, as Rama! What great good fortune, this, to have

in our hands, to inscribe on our minds, to imprint on our hearts, this Divine

narrative! May we be processes by the study of this Book into efficient and

enthusiastic tools for consummating His Mission of moulding mankind into One

Family, of making each one of us realise Sai Rama as the Reality, the only

Reality that IS.

Sai has declared that He is the same Rama come again, and that He is searching

for His erstwhile associates and workers (Bantu, as He referred to them in

Telugu) in order to allot them roles in His present Mission of resuscitating

Righteousness and leading man into the Haven of Peace. Let us pray, while

ruminating over the first half of this Story, that we too be allotted roles and

may He grant us, as reward, the Vision of that Haven.

Rendered into English by N. Kasturi.

Prashanthi Nilayam, India.

The Inner Meaning

Rama is the Indweller in every Body. He is the Atma-Rama, the Rama (Source of

Bliss) in every individual. His blessings up surging from that inner spring can

confer Peace and Bliss. He is the very embodiment of Dharma of all the Codes of

Morality that hold mankind together in Love and Unity. The Ramayana, the Rama

story, teaches two lessons: the value of detachment and the need to become

aware of the Divine in every being. Faith in God and detachment from objective

pursuits are the keys for human liberation. Give up sense-objects; you gain

Rama. Sita gave up the luxuries of Ayodhya and so, she could be with Rama, in

the period of 'exile'. When she cast longing eyes on the golden deer and

craved for it, she lost the Presence of Rama. Renunciation leads to joy;

attachment brings about grief. Be in the world, but, not of it. The brothers,

comrades, companions and collaborators of Rama are each of them examples of

persons saturated with Dharma. Dasaratha is the representative of the merely

physical, with the ten senses. The three Gunas - Satwa, Rajas and Tamas - are

the three Queens. The Four Goals of Life - the Purusharthas - are the four

Sons. Lakshmana is the Intellect; Sugriva is Viveka or Discrimination. Vali is

Despair. Hanuman is the embodiment of Courage. The Bridge is built over the

Ocean of Delusion. The three Rakshasa chiefs are personifications of the

Rajasic (Ravana), Tamasic (Kumbhakarna) and the Satwic qualities (Vibhishana).

Sita is Brahmajnana or the Awareness of the Universal Absolute, which the

Individual must acquire and regain undergoing travails in the crucible of Life.

Make your heart pure and strong, contemplating the grandeur of the Ramayana. Be

established in the faith that Rama is the Reality of your existence.

-BABA-

Prashanthi Nilayam, India.

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 valor 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. He neutralized

the blade of grass that had become a missile of fire 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.

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 Ashram,

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 thine, of grief or joy and mine. He is the embodiment of

fearlessness; He is strength personified. Purusha or the Eternal Masculine has

wedded Nature or Prakriti, 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 Ashram 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 Ashram

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 the arrows

wounded it, Viradha transformed into a blazing fury of anger and appearing like

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

that the struggle was exhausting his brother; 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 Savior, 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 ashram, 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 the Lord Himself blessed Sarabhanga. 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, Savior

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 ashram of Agastya,

with Sita and Lakshmana following him.

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 splendor.

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

riverbank.

When they neared the ashram, 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 Ashram 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 Darshan (sight), Sparshan (contact) and Sambashan

(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 favorite 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 Gauthama. 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. Gauthama 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-hatya' (bovicide)! They condemned him as an outcast and a

heathen. Gauthama 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, Bhrigu. Bhrigu 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 Sadhakas

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 bunch of fragrant

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

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

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

indicated.

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.

TO BE CONTINUED

With Sai love from Sai brothers – ‘’