||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 4 - Aranya Kandam

 Rama's meeting with Rishi Sharabhanga and Sage Sutheekshna 

Rama who is the Lord of deities, Sages, Rishis, and ascetics, prostrated before Sage Atri and Devi Anasuya and received their blessings, eventually left to woods.  Rama who is attired in saffron robes walked in the forefront, Devi Sita behind Rama closely watching his footsteps, shone like ‘Maya’ between Paramathma and Jeevathma, and followed by Lakshman. The dense wood, streams, rivers, hilltops, valleys, rough pathways recognized the arrival of their Prabhu and paved soft pathways for him. The clouds packed on the pathways of Raghurama as if they were holding an umbrella for him, while they were moving through the dense wood, they met the dreadful demon Viradha, who was killed by Rama, eventually attained union with the Lord. Thus they have continued journey to the hermitage of Rishi Sharabhanga.  The Rishi received Rama, Lakshmana, and Devi Sita, with great pleasure, offered seats and fruits, he looked at the beautiful face of Rama and took great pleasure in that loveliness like a honey bee. In this way, Rishis Sharabhanga received the highest of the fruitfulness of his life.

 

Rishi Sharabhanga speaks “Oh! Raghuveera, you are an ocean of mercy, Oh! Hamsa who takes immense pleasure in the divine pond like the heart of Lord Mahadeva, I was leaving to Bhramaloka exactly that was the moment I came to know about your arrival in the woods. I was keenly waiting for your arrival here; my heart is serene after witnessing your lovely form. I have not performed numerous religious practices or rites, although you have showered an abundance of grace upon me and considered as your sincere servant. Oh! Prabho, you are absolute truth, you have followed the promise to your sincere devotees, kindly reside here before my eyes, till I leave this mortal coil and reach your supreme abode.” Rishis Sharabhanga surrendered all those Japa, Tapa, Yajja, Vratha, and Yoga to Prabhu, prepared a pile of burning materials, leaving all his bondage, entered into that pyre and prayed with folded hands “Oh! Prabho, Oh! Rama who has the complexion of dark clouds kindly resides in my heart with Devi Sita and Lakshman permanently.” In this way, he gave up mortal coil in the Yogagni, and attained the supreme abode of Sri Vaikunda. The Sages and Rishis assembled were extremely happy watching Rishi Sharabandha’s devotion to Rama.

 

The Sages and Rishis eulogized Rama “Victory to the supreme Lord Ramachandra who is the inseparable companion and the source of compassion! Oh! Prabho Hail you!” Raghuram continued journey through the woods was followed by the Sages. On their way, Raghunatha witnessed a heap of skeletons, felt sad watching them, and enquired the reason for it was replied “Oh! Prabho, you are aware of all, you witness all that happening in the Universe, and you are the knower of everyone’s heart, Oh! Prabho, you are Sarvantharyami, there is a group of demons eating the flesh of Sages and Rishis and leaving the skeleton here.” Raghurama’s eyes overflown with tears listening to them, Prabhu raised his hands in the sky and promised to destroy all those demons from the woods. He visited the hermitages of Sages and Rishis and made them happy.

 

Sage Agasthya had a brilliant disciple Sutheekshna who was a fervent devotee of Rama. He was an ardent devotee performed words, deeds and thoughts contemplating upon Rama, took complete surrender at the lotus feet of Rama, came to know about the visit of Rama in the woods, immersed in various thoughts “Oh! Lord, Raghurama who is Dheenabandhu will he shower grace upon a dull-minded person like me? Will he accept me as a sincere servant? I have no firm devotion or faith, I have no Virakthi, Bhakti, or Gnana, I have no association with saintly men or ascetics, and I have not performed Yoga, Japa, and Vratha. I have not practiced intense devotion at the lotus feet of Raghuram. All that I have done was contemplated upon the Prabhu who is Karunanidhi. I have a thorough faith that he will protect his ardent devotees who are surrendered at his feet, his lotus feet are capable to remove the fears and anxieties of worldly existence, and it provides liberation from the cycles of repeated births as well. My eyes are yearning to witness those lotus feet.”

 

Lord Mahadeva explains “Oh! Parvathi, Sage Sutheekshna immersed in various thoughts and walked through the woods, his state of ecstasy was beyond description, he was not aware of the directions, and did not understand pathways he has crossed, he was not aware of himself or where he was heading to, in this way Sage Sutheekshna was completely immersed in the thoughts of Raghuveera. Prabhu who was hiding behind a tree realized the rush of love and emotions of the Sage Sutheekshna, showered grace on the Sage.  Immediately Sage Sutheekshna could witness the marvelous form of Raghurama in his heart. That Gnani drenched in Premasagar of love for Raghu, he was not conscious about him and he was dancing and moving to and fro, sung in praise of Prabhu and dancing to the tune, finally he sat motionless as a statue. Raghava moved closer to his passionate devotee and highly pleased watching the Sage in a transcendental state. Prabhu tried all efforts to get him out of that supreme bliss, but he could not. Rama removed the marvelous appearance of him from the heart of the Sage and showed his form with Chathurbhuja. Immediately Sage Sutheekshna pushed into a state of extreme agony like the serpent lost its precious gem on the forehead. Soon, he witnessed Rama, Lakshman along with Devi Sita before him, he elevated into a state of supreme ecstasy and fallen at their feet like a stick. Prabhu raised Sage Sutheekshna from his feet and embraced him, the dark cloud complexioned body of Rama shone in the luster of gold in the embrace of Sage who stood watching the lovely face of Rama without the blink of the eyes.”