||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 20– Ayodhya Kandam

 The splendor of Prayagraj /Rama meets Sage Bharadhwaja

Rama took a bath in the river Ganga, and worshiped the Parththivashiva Linga, made of sand; Devi Sita worshiped Devanadhi Ganga and prayed “Oh! Mother kindly fulfills my desire to worship you with my husband and brother-in-law while returning to the city of Ayodhya.” There was a divine voice heard “Oh! Devi Sita, who is the dearest darling of Raghuveera, listen to me carefully, who is not aware of your splendor? Whoever attains your grace would become Lokapalaka. All those Sidhdhis worships you with folded hands, you have shown great respect to me, you will return safely with your husband and brother-in-law to the city of Ayodhya after fourteen years of Vanavasa, you will get all your desires fulfilled to worship, and your fame will spread all over the world.”  Devi Sita immensely pleased listening to the divine voice of Devi Ganga.

Rama looked at Guha and asked him to return to his village, Guha could not control his grief, spoke with folded hands “Oh! Prabho Oh! Raghukulathilaka, kindly listen to my prayers, kindly allow me to follow you to the forest, I shall guide you to the forest, in this way I can serve you all. Oh! Rama, I can build a beautiful hermitage for you to live in the forest. Oh! Raghuveera, I shall follow all your orders.” Rama decided to take Guha with him, Guha bade farewell to his people was highly pleased thinking about his fortune to follow Rama.  Prabhu Raghunatha contemplated upon Lord Ganesha, and Lord Shiva, prostrated before Devanadhi Ganga and proceeded journey with Guha, Lakshman, and Sita.

They took shelter under a tree, Guha and Lakshman prepared the necessities for them. On the next day, Rama finished the morning rites and began a journey to the sacred land Prayaga. The King of Prayaga has truth as a minister,  Shraddha as a wife, and dearest companion Bindu Madhav. He is the essence of Purusharththa.  The kingdom of Prayaga is the sacred place of the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, the river Prayag resembles the strongest and beautiful fortress, no one can conquer it, not even in their dreams. All the sacred rivers are the powerful warriors of the sacred river Prayag, they are extremely valorous and removes the accumulated sins of the Jeeva. The confluence of Ganga and Yamuna is the throne of Prayaraj, and that beautiful Akshayavat is the Cchathra on the throne, which captivates the hearts of ascetics. The water currents of Ganga and Yamuna are Chamara, mere witnessing the marvelous sight of Prayagraj would destroy the sufferings and miseries of Jeeva. The ascetics and noble souls relentlessly serve the Prayagraj and attain an abundance of piousness. The Vedas and Puranas highly praise the piousness of Prayagraj.  The splendor of Prayaraj is impossible to describe, how did the herds of elephant-like sins stand before the lion-like Prayaga? Rama, who is the ocean of bliss, became extremely happy watching Prayaraj. Rama described the various glorious legends of Prayagraj to Devi Sita, Lakshman, and Guha. He described the importance of the stunning woods surrounded by Prayagraj and the sacred lands. Thus Rama took a dip in the sacred Prayagraj, which is capable to provide all the auspiciousness just remembering its name. They took a dip in the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, and visited all the sacred shrines and worshipped according to the prescribed rites.

Rama along with Sita, Lakshman and Guha meets Sage Bharadhwaja and prostrated before him, Sage embraced Rama affectionately and transported himself to a state of ecstasy that was the state of union with the Bhramam. He blessed Rama and considered all his austerities were answered with the Dharshan of Rama. Sage received them to his hermitage, offered sanctified seats and fruits, they took great pleasure in the fruits, took rest for a while, Sage Bharadhwaja spoke affectionately “Oh! Rama, I have attained the meritorious rewards of my penances, visits to sacred Theerthas, and sacrifices, all those prayers, austerities, and Yoga has given its fruits. Oh! Rama, I have attained the highest of the piousness in our meeting. Oh! Rama, I have nothing more to ask from you, I have fulfilled all my desires with our meeting, kindly offer a boon to have firm and perpetual devotion at your lotus feet. Oh! Rama, none of the material comforts or worldly pleasures could not provide pure happiness not even in dreams unless and until there is sincere devotion with words, mind, and deed at your lotus feet.” Rama highly pleased with the devotion of Sage Bharadhwaja and spoke “Oh! Mune, you are highly devoted to that supreme Lord who is the essence of the Universe and virtues,” They engaged in pleasant conversation and expressed devotion to each other. Soon, Sage Bharadhwaja’s hermitage filled with the twice-born, illustrious Rishis and Sages of Prayag, Siddhas, Bhramacharis, etc.. and a line of noble souls who yearns to meet the lovely children of King Dhasharatha.  Rama prostrated before them, they have achieved the fruitful benefits of the eyes in their lives, and they drenched in extreme bliss, they have praised the glories of Rama and returned to their hermitage.