||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 2 - Aranya Kandam

Rama's visit to the hermitage of Sage Atri

Namami Bhakthavathsalam  Kripalu Sheelakomalam | Bajami They Padhambhujam Akaminam  Swadhamadham || Nikama Shyamasundharam Bhavambunatha Mandharam | Praphulla Kanjjalochanam Madhadhi Dhoshamochanam || Pralamba Bahuvikramam Prabho Aprameya Vaibhavam | Nishanga Chapasayakam Dharam Thrilokanayakam || Dhinesha Vamsha Mandanam Mahesha Chapa Gandanam | Muneendhrasanth Ranjjanam Surarivrindha Bhajjanam || Manojavairi Vandhitham Ajadhi Devasevitham | Vishudhdha Bodhavigraham Samasthadhooshanapaham || Namami Indirapathim Sukhakaram Sathamgathim | Bhaje Sashakthi Sanujam Shachipathipriyanujam || Thvadhanghri Moole Ye  Nara: Bhajanthi Heenamathsara | Pathanthi No Bhavarnnave Vitharkkaveechi Samkule || Viviktha Vasina: Sadha Bhajanthi Mukthiye Mudha | Nirasya  Indhriyadhikam Prayanthithey Gathimswakam || Thamekam Athbhutham Prabhum Nireeham Eshwaram Vibhum | Jagathgurum Cha Shashvatham Thureeyameva Kevalam || Bhajami Bhavavallabham Kuyoginam Sudhurllabham | Swabhaktha Kalpapadhapam Samam Susevyamanvaham || Anooparoopabhoopathim Nathoahamurvijapathim | Praseedha Mey Namamithey Padhabjabhakthi Dhehi Mey || Padanthi Ye Sthavam Idham Nara Adharenathe Padham | Vrajanthina Athra Samshayam Thvadheeya Bhakthi Samyutha: ||

Lord Maheshwara speaks “ Oh! Devi, Sri Ramachandra performed various amusements while living in the Chitrakoot, which are like nectar to ears.  After a few days of living in Chitrakoot, Rama decided to leave the place to avoid the crowd of ascetics, Sages, Rishis who understood the nature of supreme Lord personified on the Earth. The two brothers and Devi Sita visited the Rishis and Sages and prostrated before them and took a leave from Chitrakoot, and proceed to the hermitage of Sage Atri. Maharishi Atri was immensely pleased to receive the news of Rama’s visit to his hermitage, he rushed to meet them, Rama, Lakshmana and Devi Sita walked towards the Sage and prostrated before him. Sage Atri embraced Rama and Lakshmana with extreme affection and shed tears of joy; he took great pleasure watching the lovely face of Rama and took them to the hermitage. Sage received them with great respect, offered seat and fruits, Sage Atri stood watching the loveliness of Rama.

 

Sage Atri eulogizes Rama “Oh! Rama who is Bhakthavathsala, Kripalu, and most pleasing to his devotees, offers his own abode to them, I shall prostrate the lotus feet of that Rama. Oh! Bhagavan, you have the complexion of dark clouds, resembles the Mandara Mount that can be used for churning the ocean of Samsarasagara. Your beautiful eyes resemble lotus flower petals, which is capable to remove the impurities and egos in your worshiper. Oh! Thrilokanayaka, your long hands have endless prowess, your splendor is incomparable, you are adorned in powerful bow and arrow, and you are the protector of three worlds. Oh! Prabho, you are the Surya in the Dhineshavamsha/Surya clan, you have broken the powerful bow of Mahesha, and you are the source of happiness to Munindhra and saintly people. You are the destroyer of the enemies of deities. Oh! Prabho, you are beloved of Lord Maheshwara and worshiped by Lord Bhrama, Devendra, and deities. You symbolize absolute Bhramam, which imparts the supreme knowledge of Prakrithi and Purusha. You are the destroyer of wickedness and impurities in the Universe. I shall prostrate before Indirapathi who is the essence of supreme bliss and source of Moksha for the noble souls and Mahathma. I shall prostrate before the Shachipathipriyanuja who is the younger brother to Lord Indra, along with Lakshmana and Devi Sita. Oh! Bhagavan, people who have taken shelter at your lotus feet are free from impurities of the mind, therefore they do not fall in the cycle of birth and death again and again. Oh! Bhagavan, people who have the utmost control over senses, and the people who have no interest in worldly matters or bondage, contemplate upon you and realizes the eternal presence of the supreme Lord in them. Oh! Jagathguru, you are mysterious, you are void of duality, you are impassionate, you have all-pervasive nature, you are mighty Lord, you are Jagathguru who imparts the knowledge of supreme Bhramam, you are eternal, you are beyond the three virtues/Rajasik, Sathvik and Tamasik,  and you are flawless. I shall take refuge at your lotus feet. Oh! Prabho, I shall meditate upon you, Oh! Bhagavan, you are beloved of passionate devotees, you are not attainable for the people who are soaked in worldly matters and bondage, you are Kalpavruksha to your passionate devotees and Yogis, you are impartial, and you are easily attainable for the noble souls. Oh! Seethapathi, your loveliness is incomparable, oh! Bhoopathi, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you, Oh! Bhagavan, kindly shower your merciful grace upon us and blesses us to have intense faith and devotion at your lotus feet. Oh! Prabho Ramachandra, whoever reads or listens to the above verses with dedication would attain immense devotion at your lotus feet; undoubtedly they would attain your supreme abode.” Sage Atri repeatedly prostrated before Rama and prayed with folded hands “Oh! Prabho, my mind, and intellect should always take rest on your lotus feet; it should not abandon contemplation upon your lotus feet.”