||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 17– Ayodhya Kandam

 Rama arrives in Shrungabheripura

It was early morning, people got up from their sleep and searched for Rama and found there was no chariot or Rama. They shrieked out in tears, and called out loudly for Rama, it was like a ferry full of people sunk deep in the water, created huge chaos among them. They cried to each other and behaved like the fishes out of the water. They cursed their fate, “ Our life is cursed without Raghurama, If God has the right to separate us from our dearest Raghuveera, why he is not willing to give death when we ask for it?” finally they returned to their homes in Ayodhya, it was impossible to describe the pain of separation of the people of Ayodhya. They lived with the sole hope that Rama will be back after fourteen years of his Vanavasa, till that decided to hold on to their lives. The males and females conducted various austerities for the safe return of Rama after the Vanavasa. Their lives were truly pathetic like the Chakravaha and lotus flowers in the absence of Surya.

Rama, along with Sita, Lakshman and Sumanthra arrived in Srunghaberapura on the shores of Ganga.  Rama enthusiastically got down from the Chariot and rushed towards Ganga and prostrated before her, Lakshmana, Sita and Sumanthra followed him. They took great pleasure in the shores of Ganga. The Devanadhi/suranadhi Ganga removes all the afflictions of people and provides perpetual bliss and auspiciousness to them. Rama described the glorious legends of Suranadhi Ganga to his beloved wife, dearest brother, and respectable Sumanthra. They took bath on the sacred waters, and forgot the tiredness of the journey; they drank the sacred waters and felt great happiness. Whoever listens or remembers the splendor of the sacred river Ganga, or take a holy dip and consume her water would get relieved from the cycles of death and birth. The supreme Lord Rama who is the essence of Sacchidhananda, performed all the rites like an ordinary human, the Lord of the clan of the Surya dynasty waved the path of the righteousness to cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence.

Guha who is the chief of the tribal clan of Shrungabheripura arrived with his people and family; they brought fruits and fiber roots in several baskets and came to meet Rama with extreme happiness. He kept the basket before the Lord and reverentially prostrated before him, and he could not withdraw eyes from Rama, he kept looking at Rama with great love with folded hands. The compassionate Raghurama asked him to take a seat near him and began to converse each other, Guha spoke “Oh! Natha, your lotus feet are the source of welfare and happiness of Jeeva, I am extremely fortunate one, Oh! Deva, my land, wealth, and the house is your wealth, I and my family are your slaves. Kindly make a visit to our village and purify them, and shower your eternal grace upon us. Let the entire village get the fortune to witness you.” Rama replied “Oh! Guha, intelligent one, you are absolutely right, but my father has a different command for me. He has ordered fourteen years of Vanavasa for me, and my lifestyle, food, and clothing should be like an ascetic, therefore my visit to your village is impossible.” Guha felt extremely unhappy listening to the words of Rama. The females of the village accompanied Guha praised the loveliness of Rama, Lakshman, and Devi Sita, “How did they send these tender and lovely children to the woods? Anyway, it is good for us; we have the fortune to make our life fruitful.”  The king of Nishadha,  Guha led Rama, Lakshman, and Devi Sita under the shade of an Ashoka Vruksha, it was a beautiful place, the people spend some time with Rama and returned to their village. Raghuvara prepared to perform the worship of Surya in the hours of dusk, in the meantime, Guha prepared a beautiful mattress of Dharbha/sacred grass for Rama, and he prepared vessels out of the leaves and served all those fruits before him. Raghukulathilaka consumed the fruits with Sita and Lakshman and Sumanthra.  Rama relaxed on the Dharbha mattress, Lakshmana massaged the feet of the Lord. Once, Rama has fallen asleep, Lakshman advised Sumanthra to get some sleep. Lakshmana took his bow and arrow, and settled himself little away from Rama, to watch for the safety of the couple. Guha called his men and instructed them to protect them from different directions of the wood, he took his bow and arrow and seated with Lakshman.

Guha felt extremely unhappy watching Rama sleeping on the grass bed, his eyes filled with tears, and spoke to Lakshman “ The palace of Ayodhya excels the beauty of Amaravathi of Devendra, its roof made of precious yellow metals and gem decorated, it has exquisite beauty as it was made by Kamadeva, it is the abode of luxuries, richness, purity, and splendor, decorated with full of fresh alluring flowers of rich fragrances, and highly expensive mattresses and pillows, gem decorated earthen and crystal lamps, and it is the abode of prosperity and luxuries indeed. The mattress must be decorated with highly expensive fur, gem, and beautiful cushions, bedspread, etc. It must be the place where Rama and Sita spend their nights that kindle jealous even in Kamadeva and Devi Rathi. It is difficult to watch Rama and Sita sleeping on the grass without a single spread to cover them, and they have fallen asleep in extreme exhaustion. Rama who is beloved of his parents, people of Ayodhya, Kings’ men, companions, relatives, and attendants, sleeping on the grass floor is tearing my heart apart. Devi Sita whose father is Rajarishi Janaka, father in law is well famous King Dhasharatha who is Raghukuladheesha and associate of Devendhra, and her husband Ramachandra, is sleeping on the ground. Is Rama and Devi Sita is deserved to be in the forest? As everyone says the destiny is powerful.”