||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -105 – Dhoha

Rama and Lakshmana meets King Dhasharatha 

The female deities showered flowers upon the people gathered and sing melodiously, deities produced the sounds of Dhundhubi.  The people of King Janaka kept all those precious gifts before King Dhasharatha, and reverentially greeted, and requested to accept all those gifts. King Dhashratha gracefully received all those gifts and distributed it to the people gathered. They respectfully invited King Dhasharatha and his people to the fortresses arranged for them to stay that were magnificent with all the modern amenities. There were grand carpets spread all over the pathways, Lord Kubera felt crushed his pride, watching the arrangements have made by King Janaka. Devi Sita felt extremely happy at the arrival of the groom’s procession, she remembered her Sidhdhis and instructed to provide all those richness, wealth, happiness, heavenly pleasures to her guests.

The people who accompanied the procession of the groom experienced the heavenly pleasures in their fortress, but none realized the divine play of Devi Sita. Everyone sung in praise of King Janaka, it was Rama who was aware of the divinity of Devi Sita. Rama felt extremely happy watching the love of Devi Sita. The two brothers could control their excitement and happiness at the arrival of their father, even though they had an intense desire to meet him, they did not mention to their preceptor due to embarrassment. Sage Vishwamithra understood the simplicity and the humility of Rama and Lakshmana, he embraced them affectionately, his eyes filled in tears, eventually, they went to meet King Dhasharatha, and it was like for a thirsty moving closer to the pond.

King Dhasharatha saw Rama and Lakshmana along with Maharishi Vishwamithra marching towards his chamber; he rushed to greet them in extreme bliss. King Dhasharatha prostrated before Maharishi, and took the dust from his feet and adorned it on his head. Kaushika embraced King Dhasharatha and enquired the welfare of the people of Ayodhya. Rama and Lakshmana prostrated before Dhasharatha, he could not control his happiness, he embraced them tightly and removed his grief of separation from them, and it was like the dead regained the life. Rama and Lakshmana prostrated before Sage Vashishta, was embraced by Rishis. They reverentially greeted all those twice-born assembled, Bharatha and Shathrughna prostrated before Rama was embraced tightly. Lakshmana embraced Bharatha and Shathrughna in extreme delight.

The Supreme Lord who is extremely compassionate, met all those people arrived from Ayodhya, met them separately and greeted them, he met Prajas, attendants, relatives, beggars, ministers and friends. The people who arrived after long hours of journey forgot their tiredness watching the pleasing Rama, and soaked in extreme love for each other, it was beyond description. It was like the four sons of Dhasharatha were the Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha like Purushartha incarnated on the Earth.  The people who witnessed Dhasharatha with his four handsome sons were drenched in extreme bliss, deities showered flowers upon them, and the sounds of Dhundhubi echoed in the air, the female deities beautifully danced to the tunes.  King Janaka and his preceptor, Shathanandha, twice-born, ministers, and the Vandhigana, Magadha, Sutha who were singing in praised of both the clans, received King Dhasharatha and his people, eventually returned to their palaces. The procession of the groom was reached before the day of the celestial wedding; therefore the Kingdom of Mithila has arranged various grand festivities for their guests. All of them were taken great pleasure in Bhramananda and requested Lord Bhrama to keep the day and night prolonged.

The people who met each other spoke highly praising Rama and Sita “This divine pair is the essence of beauty and fortune.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -104 – Dhoha

The arrival of the grand procession of groom in the city of Mithila 

The elephants while trumpeting, the beautiful bells tied on their neck produced loud noises. The wheels of chariot produced harsh sounds while rolling on the uneven roads, the horses neighed, the sounds of Dhundhubi excelled the sounds of thunder, and therefore none could hear or speak during the journey.  The females in the city stood in their balconies of the homes, send off the procession with Mangalaharathi in their hands, and they beautifully sang and watched the procession.

Sumanthra who the charioteer of King Dhasharatha is brought a line of marvelous chariot tied with the horses which have the speed of the wind excelled the beauty of the chariot Surya, and it dutifully stood before the King, even Goddess Saraswathi cannot describe the beauty of it. These chariots were decorated with precious gems and various exquisite ornaments.  King Dhasharatha reverentially invited Sage Vashishta to a well-decorated chariot, they approached the chariot had the resemblance of Devendhra and Bhrihaspathi respectively, they finished the traditional rites according to the prescribed methods in Veda, finally, Dhasharatha took leave from Sage Vashishta and took a seat in another chariot which has the same splendor of the chariot of Sage Vashishta, he stepped into the magnificent chariot contemplating upon supreme Lord Shiva, preceptor, Goddess Parvathi, and Lord Ganesha. 

The deities showered flowers on the people assembled for the procession of the wedding of Rama, the neighing sounds of horses, the trumpeting sounds of elephants, and the loud sounds of divine instruments, filled in the air. The female of deities and humans sang beautifully, flutes, and windpipe instruments as accompaniments, the sounds of the bell echoed everywhere. The people who are skilled in the dances and various physical exercises took great pleasure in the music, people who are expert in comic, music, kept entertaining themselves. The valorous princes made their horses dances to the tunes of music, Dhundhubi, and repercussion, people who are skilled in classical dances performed arts. 

The procession of the groom was beyond description, they have witnessed various auspicious omens all their way. The Kagabird that has a blue mark on the neck took a meal from the left side of the procession, revealed the upcoming auspiciousness. On the right side, they have witnessed crow and mongoose, they have experienced cool, soft and fragrant wind blowing in a promising direction. One Sumangali/woman who has a husband walked with a pot of water and a child, a fox often appeared and vanished from their sights, in front of the procession there was a cow feeding its calf, a herd of deer appeared on the right side of the procession, an eagle flew up in the sky, they could witness a black cuckoo on an auspicious tree on the left side, they could see a person with the pot of curd and fishes, twice-born with the scriptures walking in front of the procession, in this way they could witness various auspicious omens before them.

King Dhasharatha experienced an abundance of auspiciousness omens, from the day he has achieved the supreme Lord as son Rama/Sagunaroopa.  The people assembled were praised King Dhasharatha and King Janaka are noble souls who have achieved Rama and Sita as their children, and they felt that Lord Bhrama has done justification to his creation. Thus the huge procession of the people of the groom, with the number of chariots, elephants, horses, men, and women, accompanied by the sounds of Dhundhubi, arrived in the city of Mithila.  King Janaka who was aware of the visit of King Dhasharatha, was already constructed tunnels, bridges, shelter homes, to ease tiredness of a long journey. The city resembled Amaravathi of Lord Indra, there was a grand arrangement for the food, bedding, and clothes for the travelers, and the people forgot their homes and took great pleasure in the stay in shelter homes. Finally, the process of the groom’s family arrived in the city of Ayodhya was received by the dignitaries in Ratha-Gaja – Thuraga-Padhathi. They were holding gold vessels full of nectar-like fruit juices, sweets, savories, fruits of various types in several trays for King Dhasharatha. King Janaka sent precious ornaments, finest garments, gems, birds, deer, horses, elephants, various vehicles, highly fragrant scents, and Mangaladhravyas as a gift to King Dhasharatha. One set of people were carrying curd, flattened rice, and various gifts for the King Dhasharatha.  The people who arrived to receive the procession were extremely happy.  Everyone becomes happy seeing all the efficient arrangements for the people of the groom, they produced the divine sounds of Dhundhubi. The people from the groom’s procession and the bride’s procession united together in high spirits.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -103 – Dhoha

The grand procession of the people of the groom to the city of Mithila

The people of the city of Ayodhya started decorating their homes, public places, streets, etc, in great enthusiasm, even though the City of Ayodhya is always marvelous, the people wanted to exhibit their love and respect for their caring and compassionate prince Rama, they engaged in various decorative works. The city gained a new look with the decorative, Dhwaja, Pathaka, curtains, Chamara, and built numerous tents and decorated them with golden Kalash, Thorana, gem decorated windows.   They have decorated with the grass, turmeric, curd, Akshatha, flower garlands in the tents. The people always keep their houses decorated with the marvelous Rangoli drawn, sprinkled the streets with the water contained the paste of sandalwood, saffron, Gorochana and camphor.  The most attractive women assembled in the city,  some of them had supreme brilliance, some of them had a lustrous face like the moon, some had the eyes resembles antelope, some of them excelled the beauty of Devi Rathi, and had sixteen types of skills of beautification, sang melodiously that excelled the Cuckoos. The splendor of the palace of King Dhashratha was beyond description, the Mandapa constructed was attracted to the whole Universe, was decorated with various Mangaladhravya. The sounds of Dhundhubi reverberated in the sky; Vandhigans were singing in praise of the clan of Raghu, the twice-born were reciting Vedic chants, the attractive women folks singing in praise of Rama and Sita. The city of Ayodhya was overflowing with bliss.  How a poet did describe the splendor of the city of Ayodhya, which is the birthplace of the Supreme Lord Rama, who is the jewel in the crown of deities ?.

King Dhashratha called for Bharatha and spoke “ Oh! Dear son, get ready with the horses, elephants, and chariots, and be prepared to leave for the wedding procession of Rama.” Bharatha and Shathrughna were extremely happy, Bharatha instructed the care-takers of the animals and they rushed to follow the orders of the princes. They have decorated the horses, elephants, and chariots with various decorative, there were various types of good quality horses in different colors and breed got ready for the procession, there were attractive and fast-runners of various breeds, they flew like the wind, there were handsome princes of Bharatha’s age driven the chariots, horses, and elephants. The Princes were attired in marvelous clothe, adorned in various ornaments all over the body, wielded in bow and arrow. These youth were experts in the usage of armaments, enthusiastic, and valorous as well. The procession followed with the sounds of divine instruments, and repercussions. The charioteers were decorated their chariot with various colors of Dhwaja, Pathaka, Chamara, bells, and gems, they excelled in the beauty of the chariot of Surya. They had lots of marvelous horses with their ears in black color; they were safely tied to the chariots.  Even the ascetic got attracted to the beauty of these horses adorned in ornaments,  had great speed, seemed their hooves are not touching the water or sand. The chariots were filled with various Astra Shastra, thus the preparation for the procession got over and duly informed their master.

The people of the groom arrived in a number of chariots assembled in the out of the city; everyone has performed their duties in a perfect manner. The elephants got ready with beautiful seats on their upper back, these elephants were beautifully decorated with ornaments and silk garments, they moved in cluster resembled the dark rain clouds in the month of Shravana. There were numerous vehicles, palanquin, Doli decorated with colorful silk clothes and ornaments.  The twice-born took a seat in the palanquin resembled the Chandass of Vedas. Magatha, Sutha, Vandhiganas traveled on the vehicles according to their status. The goods were carried on the back of donkeys, camels, and bulls, and crores of people carried the luggage on their shoulders. There were several thousand attendants of the palace assembled on that journey. They were extremely happy and anxious to meet Rama and Lakshmana.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -102 – Dhoha

King Dhasharatha's conversation with the emissaries of King Janaka

The emissary replies “Oh! Mahipathi, your sons Ram and Lakshman is the jewel that decorates the crown of entire Universe, therefore you are highly fortunate. They are Purushasimha/lions, and they spread supreme brilliance in the Universe, even Chandra cannot withstand before their fame and glories, Surya seems to be cool before them. Oh! Prabho, you want to hear how they got introduced to King Janaka, Oh! Rajan, your children resemble Sun, hence is there any light requires witnessing the Sun? There were several kings attended the Swayamvara of Devi Sita, all of them where extremely valorous, but none of them could move the Shivadhanuss, thus all of them failed miserably. The Kings who were overproud of their prowess were got crushed their pride before the Dhanuss of Lord Shambhu. Banasura who is capable to lift the Mount Sumeru, circumambulated the Shivadhanuss and returned with disappointment. Ravana who derisively made an effort to lift the Mount Kailash was humiliated in the assembly. Oh! Rajan, at that moment, Raghukulathilaka effortlessly hoisted the Shivadhanuss, and it’s like the stem of lotus broken into two pieces. Parashurama/ Bhrigupathi arrived in the assembly after hearing the news of Shivadhanuss, and threatened Rama, after witnessing the prowess of Rama; he eulogized Rama and returned to woods for Tapasya. Oh! Rajan, Lakshmana is equally courageous and powerful as Rama. The kings assembled were terrified watching at him, like the youthful lion terrifies the group of elephants with its stare. Oh! Deva, after seeing your two sons, our eyes do not take an interest in anything.”

The members of the assembly became extremely happy listening to the kind and the descriptive remarks about the valorous deeds Rama and Lakshmana by the emissaries of King Janaka. King Dhashratha became too emotional and provided an abundance of contributions to them, but they flatly refused to accept anything calling it as immoral deed to accept any contribution from King Dhasharatha, and closed their ears. The entire assembly got surprised to watch the righteousness of them.

King Dharashratha went to meet Sage Vashishta and handed the Mangalapatrika, the emissaries explained all that happened in the Mithila. Maharishi Vashishta became extremely happy and spoke “The righteous people will always have an abundance of piousness, happiness, and wealth, like the river confluence with the ocean, all the piousness would come in search for them. The service to preceptors, Go, twice-born, and deities would bring commendable meritorious rewards, the devotion and chastity of Devi Kausalya multiplies the piousness. Oh! Rajan, there is no one in this world fortunate as you, and none will be fortunate as you in the future, Oh! Rajan, you have Rama who is virtuous, valorous, humble, and righteous, and you have four sons who are the abode of virtues, therefore you are the fortunate one in the whole world, and it would bring all the auspiciousness to you. Therefore be ready for the procession of marriage with the sounds of Dhundhubi and the divine music.”

King Dhasharatha sincerely followed the instruction of preceptor Sage Vashishta and ordered grand accommodation facilities for the emissaries of King Janaka. King Dhasharatha returned to the palace and called for a meeting with the women folks, and he read out the Mangalapatrika arrived from King Janaka. All the women got excited, King Dhasharatha explained all the information about the children, the queens could not control their happiness; they expressed their merriment like female peacocks. The wife of preceptor Vashishta and the elderly women in the family showered blessings upon the children, the mothers of four children were drenched in extreme happiness. These mothers took Mangalapatrik on their bosom and felt the coolness and presence of their children. King Dhasharatha repeatedly described the valor of Rama and Lakshman and the kindness and compassion of Sage Vishwamithra upon his children. Queens invited twice-born and provided an abundance of contribution to them, they received the gifts with great happiness and blessed the children. The queens invited beggars and provided them with various sweets and savories, clothes, and an abundance of contributions, and in return, they blessed their children. The sounds of divine instruments echoed in the sky, the people of Ayodhya understood the auspicious news of Rama’s wedding with Devi Sita, soon the festivities began all over the place. The fourteen worlds drenched in happiness after listening to the marriage of Devi Janaki and Raghuveera.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -101 – Dhoha

 The grand arrangements made for the wedding of Rama and Devi Sita

Janaka felt extremely happy and immediately called for messengers and send them to Ayodhya. He invited all the prominent ones in the Mithila, King ordered to decorate the Kingdom of Mithila, especially the shrines, houses, commercial places, and all the streets. King ordered his men to construct fabulous tents, they have invited excellent workers to construct the tents, they have prayed to Lord Bhrama and began their work, and they have constructed several plantain tree models in gold. The leaves, fruits, were decorated with precious gems, and the flowers were adorned in Pushpapraga, Lord Bhrama became awe-struck watching the brilliance of the work. The pillars of the tent were made of Marakatha, creepers of betel leaves were constructed with gold, they have constructed numerous lotus flowers with the Ruby, diamond, emerald, coral, etc. they have creates different species of bees and birds. The golden pillars were carved in the pictures of deities, holding various Mangaladhravya. The floor was decorated with exquisite types of machinery decorated in pearls. They have created mango leaves with blue sapphire, flowers of mango trees in gold, mangoes in emerald, etc. They have created numerous banners and decoratives, which were like the noose of Kamadeva, they have created Dhwaja, Pathaka, Yavanika, Chamara, Mangalakalasha etc. The grand hall was decorated with diamonds, it is impossible to describe the beauty of the Mandapa arranged for Rama and Devi Sita. The throne arranged for Rama who is the storehouse of beauty, virtues, disciplines, and compassion, was highly spoken in the three worlds. The brilliance of the palace of King Janaka was seen from the houses in the city, it excelled in the beauty of fourteen worlds. The wealth of the poorest in the city kindled a desire in Devaraja. The supreme Goddess Lakshmi who has incarnated as Devi Sita in the Kingdom of Mithila was beyond description even for Vagdevi Goddess Sharada and thousand hooded Adishesha.

The emissaries of Janaka arrived in Ayodhya, they have astonished watching the mesmerizing beauty of the Palace of Ayodhya and they stood on the palace gate and informed the King about their arrival. King Dhasharatha received them inside the palace and they handed the Mangalapathrika to the King. He collected the Patrika from the emissaries, after reading it, his eyes welled up in tears of bliss, and he felt contented. He immersed in the various thoughts of Rama and Lakshmana while holding the Mangalapathrika, and kept silent for a while, he could not utter a word. He got out of the state of bliss, and read the Patrika loudly in the assembly. The members in the assembly were extremely happy, Bharatha and Shathrughna with all his playmates rushed to the assembly and asked for the  place of the Patrika. He was inquiring about the welfare of his brother, and anxious to know their whereabouts. King Dhasharatha read out the Patrika once again. The two brothers were extremely happy for their elder brothers; they have become too emotional after hearing the news of their brothers, the members of the assembly surprised to watch the pure love of the brothers.

King Dhasharatha called out the emissaries and began to speak in kind words “Oh! Companions, how are the two children? Are they fine? You must have seen them right, one is dark cloud complexioned one and another one is fair. They are wielded in bow and arrows, they are too young, must have arrived with Maharishi Vishwamithra, have you recognized them? Tell me about their nature. I am getting the news about them today after leaving them with Maharishi Vishwamithra several days back, how did Vidheharaja introduce to them? Tell me in detail. ” King Dhashratha with his overflowing love for his children repeatedly asked about Rama and Lakshman, listening to the extremely compassionate words of King Dhasharatha, the emissaries smiled at him.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -100 – Dhoha

Parashurama eulogizes Rama

Rama spoke “Oh! Mune, kindly think before you speak, I have committed a very small mistake, your anger is more than that, I was lifted the old Shivadhanuss and it has broken into two, in that why should I take pride in it? Oh! Bhrigunatha, you are a twice-born, if you consider I am impolite to you, please listen to the truth, why should I bow down before the valorous Kshatriya? If it was a Dhanava, deity, or King, or army of warriors or Lord of death, of equivalent to my prowess invited for a battle I would happily meet their challenge. If a Kshatriya refuse to fight would be considered ignorant, and bring ill fame to his clan. Oh! Mune, I am not praising my clan, I am talking to you the truth, Raghuvamshis are not scared to fight against Lord Yama. But whoever scares to fight with you get rid of all their fears, you have born in the illustrious clan of twice-born Bhrigu.”

Parashurama was transported to the world of extreme bliss, his illusion faded, after listening to the soft and compassionate words of Rama. “Oh! Rama, fasten the bow of Ramapathi and remove my qualms.” Thus the bow voluntarily slipped from Parashurama to the hands of Ramapathi, it put Parashurama in an extreme state of surprise. He understood the splendor of Rama, and his body soaked in extreme ecstasy.  Parashurama’s heart filled in love for Rama with folded hands spoke “ Victory to Rama who is Surya in the clan of Raghu enhances the happiness of cluster like lotus flowers of the clan, Victory to Rama who is Agni destroys the demons, Victory to Rama who  is promising to twice-born, cows, and righteous, Victory to Rama who removes the impurities like haughtiness, pride, anger, lust, desire, hallucination, etc. Victory to Rama who is the abode of humility, virtues, disciplines, compassion, and love, Victory to Rama who is excellent in speech, Victory to Rama who multiplies the happiness of virtuous, pious,  and his attendants, Victory to Rama who is the abode of loveliness that excels the beauty of crores of Kamadeva. Oh! Rama, how did I praise your glories with one tongue? Victory to Rama who resides as a swan in the heart of Shiva, I have spoken harshly due to my ignorance, the two brothers who are the abode of endurance, kindly forgive me, Victory to Raghukulathilaka!” Thus, Parashurama retired from the city of Mithila and proceeded to wood to undertake extreme penance.  The wicked kings assembled were terrified, and flee to different directions.

The deities showered flowers upon Rama and Lakshmana, the sounds of Dhundhubhi echoed in the sky, the people of the Mithila became extremely happy, all those grief that was created out of ignorance were disappeared. The sounds of music reverberated in Mithila, stunning woman adorned in Mangaladhravya sang beautifully, like Cuckoo. Janaka drenched in a state of bliss, like the beggar who attained precious gem. Devi Sita freed from fear and anxiousness, once again she became happy like the female Chakora bird that yearning look at the Chandra. Janaka prostrated before Vishwamithra and spoke “Oh! Swami, it was your grace Rama broke the Shivadhanuss. These two brothers have fulfilled my desires. Oh! Prabho, kindly instruct me about the next plan of action.” Sage Vishwamithra spoke “Oh! Wise King, Oh! Naresh, listen to me carefully, the Dhanuryajja was the purpose of finding an appropriate groom for Devi Sita, and the marriage went on well in the presence of deities, Manushya and Naga, after the Shivadhanuss broke into two pieces. Further, you have to follow all the family traditions, according to your family customs, go and meet the twice-born, elderly in the family and preceptors,  discuss with them after that do whatever necessary. Firstly, send a messenger to the Kingdom of Ayodhya, let them reverentially bring King Dhasharatha to Mithila.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -99 – Dhoha

The conversation between Rama and Parashurama

Lakshmana bowed before Parashurama and speaks with a smile “ The kindness is most promising to your body, your speeches are too pleasant like tress showering flowers, Oh! Mune, your kindness  resembles Agni, the supreme Lord can only help you in anger.” Parashurama screamed “Oh! Janaka, this arrogant prince yearning to live in the abode of Yama, he is ignorant, move him out of my eyesight, even though he is small, he is too wicked.” Lakshman said, “Kindly close your eyes, the whole world will become dark before you.” Parashurama quivered in anger and said to Rama“Oh! Shata, after breaking the bow of Shambhu, are you teaching me a lesson? Your brother talking impolitely to me with all your permission, you are bowing before me like the humble natured, you are playing innocent drama, leave it all, we will have a battle and satisfy me, or leave that name ‘Rama’ Oh! Shivashathro, leave all your wickedness and fight with me, otherwise, I will kill you along with your brother.” Bhrigupathi lifted his axe in extreme anger, Rama smiled to himself and bowed down before him, and spoke to himself “Even though Lakshmana committed the mistake, the sage is angry on me, sometimes the humbleness causes harm.” Rama speaks politely “Oh! Mune, kindly control your anger, you have axe in your hand, and my head before you. Kindly do whatever you feel to control your anger, kindly recognize me as your sincere attendant. How did a Master and servant fight each other? Oh! Bhramanashreshta, kindly leave your anger, that adult has spoken all that seeing you in the form of a warrior, kindly do not complain. Oh! Mune, after watching you with all that bow, arrow, and axe, he considered you as a warrior, that’s why he spoke angrily. Even though he had heard of your valorous deeds, have not seen you before, therefore he spoke all those words angrily exactly as the nature of his family if he had understood you as a supreme ascetic, Oh! Punyathma, he would adore the dust from your feet on his head. Kindly forgive him for his demeanour, without knowing you thoroughly. A twice-born should have an abundance of kindness in his heart. Oh! Swami, what’s the difference between you and me? We both are having the same name, you are Parashurama and I am Rama, Oh! Deva, I have a bow as a weapon, you have the nine superior qualities like serenity, Dhama, Tapa, purity, patience, honesty, wisdom, Vignana, and faith upon the supreme Lord. Therefore I am inferior to you. Oh! Bhraman kindly forgives all my mistakes.”

Parashurama’s anger did not cool down listening to Rama who addressed the latter as Sage and Bhramana, he spoke in fury “You and your brother are the same, both of you are wicked. You know me as a Bhramin, I shall narrate which type of Bhramin, my bow represents the ladle of the Yajja, the arrows are offerings to the fire sacrifices, my fierceness is the Yagagni, my warriors are Samith which adds fire in the Yagagni, these valorous Kshatriyas are my sacrifices to that Yaga, I have given several kings as offerings to that fire sacrifice. In this way, I have performed several crores of Samarayajja and Japa. You do not know my splendour that is why you have addressed me as a Bhramin, you have broken the prominent Shivadhanuss, and have crossed all the boundaries. You have considered yourself as a prominent one who won over the three worlds.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -98 – Dhoha

The argument between Lakshman and Parashurama

The Raghukulasurya poured out cool water like words “ Oh! Swami, kindly shower your grace upon the child, kindly do not shower your anger on the little child of innocent words. If he has aware of your legends would he engage in derisive arguments with you? The preceptor and parents get pleased when the children show foolishness. Kindly consider him as a child and a servant of you, and shower your kindness upon him. Oh! Mune, you are impartial, kind and valorous, you are highly intelligent as well.” Parashurama cooled down for a while listening to the sweet nectar-like words of Rama, but Lakshmana laughed out with ironic comments, it irritated the Muni, could not control his anger and spoke “ Oh! Rama, your brother is a sinner, he has no virtue of mother’s milk on his words, he has toxic poison in his mouth, even though he has a fair complexion, his heart is too dark, he is wicked nature he cannot follow your discipline or kindness. This ignorant child does not consider me as his death.”

Lakshmana speaks with a smile “Oh! Mune, kindly listen to me, the anger is the root cause of Papa/Sin, people commit various sins when they get besieged in anger, and performs all those notorious deeds which are against the progress of the Kingdom. Oh! Munivara, I am your servant, kindly leave your anger and shower kindness upon me. Your anger cannot bring back the Shivadhanuss which is already broken. Kindly be seated on the throne, your feet must have been aching, if you are too attached to that Shivadhanuss, we can ask someone who is expert to fix it.” Janaka terrified at the words of Lakshmana, and advised to stop commenting; the villagers were frightened and said: “The the younger brother of Rama is too uncontrollable.” Parashurama felt extremely raged and soon his body felt weak, he spoke “Rama, I am leaving him as he is your brother, his body is fair but the heart is too impure, he is a toxic poison in the golden vessel.” Lakshman laughed out once again, Rama looked at him in anger, immediately he left the scene and stood with the preceptor in embarrassment.

Rama approached Parashurama with folded hands and spoke to him amiably “Oh! Mahamune, Oh! Natha, kindly listen to me, you are a storehouse of wisdom, you should not take the words of a child seriously, honey bee and adults are same and create lots of buzzing noises, therefore the saintly men will not consider them seriously. Oh! Swami, he did not do any harm to you. Oh! Swami, I am your sinner, Oh! revered Sage, kindly consider me as your sincere attendant, and you can impose any punishments upon me, you can shower kindness, or anger, or death punishment or imprisonment, kindly do whatever you feel right. Oh! Munivara, kindly imposes the punishment at the earliest so that your anger could not harm you. I will sincerely follow them.”

Parashurama speaks “Oh! Rama, your brother’s sarcastic look did not reduce my anger, how did I control my anger? I will not get freed from this anger until I cut off his neck with my powerful axe. The wives of the kings have lost their fetus, listening to the glories of my axe, I feel extremely annoying to watch the enemy prince alive while I was holding the same powerful axe in my hand. My anger hurts my heart, even though my hands are not moving, this axe has lost its sharpness after killing numerous Kshatriyas, fate has turned against me. That’s why I have changed my attitude towards him; otherwise, the kindness will not touch my heart at all, that kindness causing ache in my heart.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -97 – Dhoha

Maharishi Vishwamithra's intervention

Bhrigukula Thilaka after listening to the words of Lakshmana, spoke in extreme fury “Oh! Vishwamithra, listen to me, this child is dull-minded and wicked as well, he is inviting troubles and death to him, further, he will add destruction to his clan. He is one of the stained spots in the clan of Surya Vamsha, he has no control on words, he is uncontrollable, ignorant, and act on sudden impulses. I think he is inviting death in seconds; I am not responsible for that. If you want to protect him, you have to control him, and describe my fury and prowess to him.”

Lakshman spoke “Oh! Mahamune, how did we forget your fame and prominence as long you are alive? You have described your splendor many times by yourself. If you are not satisfied with that, kindly narrate them. You need not suppress your anger and feel unhappy. You have carried out the role of a great warrior; you are valorous and unforgivable as well. Therefore it is not suitable for you to complain against me.  The powerful warrior performs several valorous deeds on the battlefield, but he won’t be engaged in self-praising. The cowards would do self-praising against his enemies. You are calling out my death as if the Lord Yama would follow your command.” Parashurama could not control his rage after listening to the harsh words of Lakshman, he took the axe on his hand and spoke “No one should blame me for this act, this arrogant child deserves death, I have spared him for several times for his misdemeanor and considered as a child, now the time has arrived for his death.”

Sage Vishwamithra spoke “Oh! Mahamune, kindly forgives that child, saintly people will not consider the mistakes of the children as a grave sin. They will not take notice of their virtues or misdemeanor,” Parashurama spoke “Oh! Sage, my axe is extremely fierce, I am not compassionate one and furious, I consider the person who disrespected my preceptor as my enemy. He is not heeding to my words, Hey Vishwamithra! I have spared him only because of my respect for you. Otherwise, I would have killed him with my axe effortlessly and would have fulfilled my responsibilities and respect towards my preceptor.”

The son of Gadhi smiled at heart and spoke to himself “ Parashurama has mistaken, he sees everything as green, he is fighting against iron sword, not with the sugarcane, he is still in the darkness of ignorance, he did not understand about these two divine youths.” Lakshman speaks “Oh! Mune, who is not aware of your valorous deeds? Who is not aware of your long history of virtues and discipline? You have paid off the debt of your parents, and you have only one debt to pay off, that is the debt to your preceptor. It has created an intense anxiousness in you, and it was caused by us. You have to pay off heavy debt; we will pay off that debt in the form of wealth.” Parashurama could not control his rage listening to the sarcastic words of Lakshmana, he took axe in his hand, the whole crowd said “It is really sad”  Lakshmana said “Oh! Munishwara, you are threatening me with your axe, I am leaving you because you are a twice-born, and you have not met any valorous youth, Oh! Bhramanadevatha, you are a prominent one from the illustrious family.” The people assembled were felt terribly unfair to happen. Rama showed gestures to stop his fury to Lakshman. Raghukulapathi saw Parashurama’s fury was multiplying in the Ahuthi like the harsh words of Lakshmana.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -96 – Dhoha

The fury of Parashurama

Parashurama looked around and asked Janaka “What’s the reason for this huge gathering?” even though he knows everything; eventually, his facial appearance has changed in extreme anger.  King Janaka explained all those incidents took place in the Dhanuryajja and the reason for the visits of the Kings from neighbouring countries. Suddenly, Parashurama noticed the two pieces of Shivadhanuss on the floor; he screamed in extreme fury “Hey, Jada, Janaka who has broken the divine bow of Shambhu? Show me the person who has shown the courage to break it; otherwise, I will throw your Kingdom upside down.” King Janaka did not utter a word in fear, the wicked Kings felt extremely happy, the deities, Rishis Sages, Nagas, male and females of Mithila became anxious, mother of Devi Sita grieved “Oh! Bhagavan, all those happened in an auspicious manner destroyed by fate.” Devi Sita who was heard of the valorous legends about Parashurama became worried, every second became a Yuga for her. Raghuvara watched the distress of the crowd and fear of Devi Janaki, he was neither happy nor sad, and spoke “Oh! Swami, the Shivadhanuss must have broken by one of your sincere servants, kindly order me.” Parashurama could not control his rage, screamed “The person who serves the preceptor is the sincere servant, the person who has broken the Shivadhanuss is my enemy, and he has performed the part of an enemy, so he must be prepared for a battle with me. Let him stand out from the crowd, otherwise, I will kill all those Kings.”

Lakshmana laughed at the words of Parashurama, he mockingly commented “Oh! Swami, I have broken many bow and arrows in my childhood days, but Swami! You have not got angered, why are you so attached to this bow?” The Brighukulathilaka felt extremely humiliated listening to Lakshmana and spoke “Oh! Nripabalak, you are under the clutches of death that is why you have no control over your words, you have compared the most prominent Shivadhanuss with other bows.” Lakshman answered with a smile “Oh! Deva, kindly listen to me, I have considered all the bows are same; it was a rusted bow, what’s the use of it? Therefore it is not going to create any gain or loss. Rama mistook the bow as the new one; the moment he touched it broke into two pieces. Therefore Raghupathi is not responsible for it. You are getting angry without any reason.” Parashurama looked at his axe and spoke “Oh! Ignorant child, you have not known about me, I am leaving you as a child; otherwise, I would have killed you. Oh! Foolish one, you have considered me as a saint, I have undertaken the vow of celibacy from my childhood, and fierce as well. The whole Kshatriya clan knew me as their enemy. I have emptied the Earth without Kshatriya, solely with the strength of my hands, and donated the land to several twice-born. Look at this axe, Oh! Prince, it removed the thousands of hands of Sahasrabhahu. Therefore do not create grief for your parents. Oh! Prince,  this powerful axe has killed several infants in the womb.”

Lakshmana smiled at him and spoke softly “ Aho! The Maharishi considered himself as the great warrior, he threatens me with his axe, and he tries the mountain to fly with a lung full of air. Oh! Maharishi there is no one here to crush under your pointing finger, like tender pumpkin. I have spoken with great respect to you after seeing you with the bow, arrow and axe, now I have understood that you have born in the Bhrigu clan after seeing your Yajjopaveetha, therefore I am not going to show any anger towards you. We do not mistreat twice-born, cows, deities, devotees of Lord Hari, etc, killing any of these would bring grave sin. If you punish us, we will fall at your feet. Your words are equivalent to crores of Vajrayudha, therefore these bow, arrow and axe are no use for you. Oh! Mahamune, if I have uttered any disrespecting words against your weapons, kindly forgive me.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -95 – Dhoha

Parashurama's arrival in the Yajja arena

The Kings, who were desired to marry Devi Sita, could not control their frustration, those wicked kings left the arena, and they furiously got out of their seats, carried their weapons, and went out annoyingly. One of the wicked King spoke “ Oh! Kings, abduct Devi Sita, arrest the two princes, fasten them with the chains, there is no use of breaking the Shivadhanuss, it is utter shame for us, while we are alive, he cannot marry Devi Sita, If Janaka came to fight with us, we can defeat him and the two brothers as well.” The virtuous Kings spoke “Oh! King, It is shameful to be part of these wicked Kings, you have lost all your fame, glories, wealth and possession and intellect along with the Shivadhanuss, are you proud of the same valor? Or have you got extra valor? Your wicked thoughts made you ugly and unhappy. Therefore leave all your jealousy, pride, ego, and enjoy the beauty of Rama. You are not aware of the Lakshman who has the ferociousness of Agni, do not let yourself burn like flies in that massive fire. Don’t be like a crow that desired for the portion of Garuda, don’t be a rabbit that desired for the portion of a lion, don’t be like an unhappy and angry person desires for happiness, a miser and greedy cannot attain fame, a lustful person cannot attain purity, the person who is far from the feet of Lord Hari cannot achieve Paramgathi, Oh! Kings, your desires are exactly the same as I have described.”

Devi Sita terrified after listening to the conflicts between the Kings, she was taken to her mother immediately, Rama praised the sincere love of Sita and went to prostrate before Maharishi. The queens and Devi Sita were extremely anxious; none has the idea about fate has to offer.  Lakshmana looked all around listening to the arguments of the Kings, he was scared of Rama so he did not do anything, his eyebrows were curved, his eyes were red in anger, he stared at the Kings that was like a youthful lion preparing to fight against a group of untamed elephants. The females of the city got terrified, and all of them cursed the wicked kings.  At that moment, Parashurama who is the sun in the Bhrigu clan arrived after hearing the news of Rama broke the Shivadhanuss. The Kings who were creating chaos stopped, stared at him silently like the birds get frightened at the arrival of Garuda. Parashurama was smeared in sacred ashes all over the body, he has a fair complexion, he was beautifully adorned in Tripundra, he had matted hair locks tied up on the pinnacle of the head, his face was reddened in anger, his eyebrows were curved, eyes were reddened in rage and his whole appearance revealed his anger. He has strong shoulders like bull, broad chest, long hands; the chest is adorned in the sacred thread, Rudraksha beads and half of the chest is covered in the skin of deer. He was attired in saffron robes, wielded in bow and arrow, and axe, even though he was attired in saffron robes he has the history of series of the massacre, he has beyond description, he symbolizes valor that has taken the form of an ascetic, he arrived at the place where the Kings were assembled and argued each other.

The kings stood from their seat and reverentially greeted Parashurama. They have formally introduced themselves and their father’s name and prostrated before him. King Janaka came to greet Parashurama called for daughter Devi Sita and asked her to prostrate before him. He blessed Devi Sita, all her companions were extremely happy. Devi Sita retired to the place where the woman folks took the seat. Sage Vishwamithra arrived with the two handsome youths Rama and Lakshmana and instructed them to prostrate before him, and introduced them to Parashurama as the son of King Dhasharatha. He blessed them, he has lustrous eyes that are capable to crush the pride of Kamadeva took great pleasure in the attractiveness of Rama.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -94 – Dhoha

Devi Sita adorns the Jayamala on the neck of Rama

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ The  crowd realized Rama broken the Shivadhanuss, they cheered in extreme joy, the Shivadhanuss is the ferry to cross the ocean of worldly existence, the power of the hands of Rama was the ocean.”

Prabhu left the hold on the two pieces of the bow, everyone became happy. Sage Vishwamithra resembled the unfathomable ocean of affection, watching Rama who has the resemblance of the lustrous full moon and his charming appearance, Sage Vishwamithra immersed in extreme happiness, his heart beamed in extreme bliss that was like tied in the ocean. The sky filled in the divine sounds of Dhundhubi, celestial Apsaras performed dances.   Lord Bhrama, deities, Siddhdhas, Maharishis eulogized Rama and showered flowers upon him. Kinnaras sang beautifully, the sounds of cheers echoed in the sky. In the whole city, people have nothing to talk about other than the news of Rama who broken the Shivadhanuss into two pieces. VandhiGana, Sootha, Magadha sang in praise of the handsome youth and offered charities of horses, elephants, wealth, land, clothes, precious jewels, and ornaments, to the people.

There were huge sounds of auspicious instruments and conch, Bheri, Mridanga, Dhundhubi, etc. The ladies sang auspicious songs; the queen became extremely happy with her female companions like the dried paddy field attained the downpour. King Janaka felt extremely pleased and tired as well, felt exhausted after swimming for long hours finally reached on the shore. The Kings lost their brilliance like the earthen lamp losses its brilliance in daylight. Devi Sita, it was like the Chakora bird received the raindrops. Lakshmana fixed his gaze at Rama like the baby of Chakora looks at Chandra. Sage Shathanandha warned Devi Sita to proceed further towards Rama.

The number of attractive ladies, attired in magnificent clothes and adorned in precious ornaments, singing auspicious songs, accompanied Devi Sita who has the resemblance of a baby swan, beautifully walked towards Rama. Devi Sita shone as the most marvelous idol among the beautiful idols, she was holding most attractive Jayamala in her hands, she felt shame before the huge crowd but extremely happy in heart, none has noticed her highly confidential love for Rama. She moved further close to Rama and watching his mesmerizing features, she stood like a portrait, she stood silent for a while, and one of her companions spoke “Oh! Devi, adorn the Jayamala on the neck of the groom”, she lifted the Jayamala in her hands, with the sudden rush of love she could not adorn him, and it was like two lotus flowers stood high in the water and fearfully looked at the moon and adorn Chandra with the Jayamala. The companions started singing loudly; Sita adorned Rama with the Jayamala. The deities showered flowers watching the Jayamala on the chest of Raghuvara. The kings gathered were extremely disappointed.

The city and the sky were filled in the music and sounds of divine instruments, the wicked people felt unhappy, saintly people became happy. The deities, Kinnara, Manushya, Naga, and Maharishis showered their blessings on the newly wedded couple. The celestial Apsaras beautifully danced and showered flowers upon them. Vandhiganas sang in praise of them, thus the most auspicious news of Rama broke the Shivadhanuss and married to Devi Sita was spread all over the world. The people of Mithila took Mangalharathi, they showered blessings and sincere prayers upon them, the couple Sita and Rama has appeared as the beauty and Shringararasa took the form of humans.  The companions advised Devi Sita to touch the feet of Rama, but she was too scared did not touch, she remembered Devi Ahalya who was turned as a beautiful woman from the rock at the touch of the feet of Rama, she did not touch his feet. Raghuvamshamani laughed at his heart realizing the love of Devi Sita.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -93 – Dhoha                                                       

Rama fastens the Shivadhanuss

Vaidhehi looked at Rama and prayed to all the deities with intense trepidation “ Oh! Maheshwara, Oh! Bhavani, kindly shower your grace, kindly reduce the weight of the Shivadhanuss, and shower your mercy upon me, and make all my pious deeds fruitful. Oh! Gananayaka, Oh! Varadhayaka, I have prayed for this day, kindly listen to my repeated prayers, and reduce the weight of the Shivadhanuss.” Devi Sita looking at Rama frequently, heartily prayed, her eyes welled up with tears in love, and body quivered in fear.  She watched Rama with intense love and took great pleasure in his attractiveness. Her father’s promise pushed her into extreme uneasiness, she thought, it is pitiable, my father has taken a decision which would end up either in happiness or distress, the ministers have no influence upon the King, therefore they did not advise him about the terrible consequences of it. It is inappropriate in the assembly of intellectuals, one side the powerful Vajra like Shivadhanuss on the other side the tender and soft natured Rama. Oh! Bhagavan, how could I attain peace? How did a flower bud perforate a diamond? All the people in the assembly are ignorant, Oh! Shivadhanuss, you are the only solace of mine, kindly make yourself lighter than ever before, the moment Rama approaches you.” Devi Sita was deeply distressed, every second seemed Yuga to her.

Devi Sita restlessly looked at Rama and Mother Earth, her eyes of Kamadeva that is restless like fishes in the pond.  Her lotus-like mouth did not utter a word in shy like a bee in the darkness of the night. Her eyes filled in tears, but the tears did not come out like the miser hidden the gold on the Earth, she felt extremely anxious, and spoke to herself “If I have performed austerities, vow, and rites with devotion and faith, If I have followed all the austerities with a pure mind, action, and deed, the supreme Lord who is all-pervasive would give me an opportunity to serve the lotus feet of Rama. People, who have intense faith and love on each other, would definitely unite in life.”  Devi Sita looked at Rama with extreme love, the supreme Lord Rama who is merciful read the mind of Devi Sita, he moved to the Shivadhanuss and looked at it like Garuda looks at the baby serpent. Lakshmana could not control his enthusiasm watching his brother’s attention on Shivadhanuss, he pressed his feet on the Earth and spoke “ Oh! The prominent ones, Oh! Koorma, Oh! Varaha, Oh! Anantha keeps protecting the Mother Earth from her fear. Rama has decided to fasten the Shivadhanuss, therefore keep you ready to protect the mother Earth.”  The men and women started praying to their family deities, Pithrus.  The ignorance, disbelief, misapprehensions and the haughtiness of the Kings, the grief and disappointments of King Janaka and Devi wanted to move away from sitting on the ferry like Shivadhanuss, to cross the vast ocean  with the help of powerful hands of Rama.

Rama looked at the people of Mithila,  who was sitting like the statue, and watched Devi Sita who was extremely anxious and frightful, Vaidhehi felt every second as Yuga, it was like a person died out of thirst has no use of the nectar-like ocean, the tree that had dried up completely has no use of downpour, there is no use of regretting over the lost opportunity, she thought of all these and looked at Prabhu, he was immensely pleased to watch her deep love. He sincerely prayed to his preceptor and lifted the Shivadhanuss effortlessly, it gave out the appearance of lightning, eventually, the light went on the sky created a circle, none could witness the way he fastened the Dhanuss and stretched the arrow up to ears, everyone has noticed that he was standing with the bow, that instantly split into two, the huge boisterous sound reverberated in the three worlds. Lord Surya’s horses lost its track, the prominent ones cheered out of extreme joy, earth quivered, Adishesha, Varaha, and Koorma shaken terribly. The deities, demons, Rishis, and Sages closed their ears and enquired the reason for it.