||Sri Ram Jeyram Jai Jai Ram||

Chapter – 11 – Sundara Kandam

Rama approaches the ocean King Sagara/spies of Ravana advises him to take shelter at the lotus feet of Rama

Lord Rama speaks “Oh! Sakha, listen to me, Sage Kakabhushundi, Lord Parameshwara, and Goddess Girija know about me very well. If a person who performs all those atrocities and harass the three worlds, take shelter at my feet leaving all those immoral deeds, Madham, Moham, Ashcharya, wickedness, etc., I will not abandon him. The worldly bondages are like threads, are attachments to parents, relatives, wife, children, companions, wealth, body, fame, etc. a noble soul who intertwine them as a single thread and take shelter in me, he considers everyone as the same, understands the all-pervasive nature of me, does not yearn for personal gain, and his mind and intellects are free from trepidations, anxieties, fears, etc, these kinds of people are dear to me resides in my heart, like a Lobhi yearns wealth. Oh! Vibheeshana, people like you are dear to me, I have incarnated on the Earth for the people like you. Oh! Sakha, whoever worships my Sagunaroopa, always do good for others, righteous, truthful, perform austerities, stick to their promises, and highly devoted to Bhramins are dear as my life. Oh! Lankesha, you have all those virtues in you. Therefore you are dear as my life.” All the Vanaras assembled were extremely happy listening to the compassionate words of Prabhu.

The Vanaras assembled cheered “Hail Sriramachandra”, Vibheeshana could not control his emotions, he fell at the feet of Prabhu, his heart was yearning to hear more and more nectar-like words of Prabhu, he transported to a state of bliss, felt like his heart is going to explode in any moment with the happiness and he repeatedly prostrated before Prabhu and spoke “Oh! Prabho, Pranatharthiharin, Oh! Lord of living non-living things, Oh! Knower of all, all my impurities have washed off with the touch of your feet, the water from the pond of Bhakti washed off all my impurities, Oh! Kripalu, kindly give intense devotion and faith at your lotus feet, which would please the supreme Lord Shiva.” The Supreme Lord said ‘Let it be’. Ramachandra adorned vermilion and sandalwood paste on Vibheeshana’s forehead, the deities showered flowers upon him.

Raghava protected Vibheeshana, thus he got relieved from the pain of heart-piercing harsh words of Ravana that was burning him alive, and Prabhu showered an abundance of boon on him. Vibheehana became one of the sincere servants of Prabhu, the entire Vanaras felt immensely pleased with the kindness of Prabhu. The Supreme Lord Ramachandra who is all-pervasive, omniscient, impassionate, unblemished, assumes various forms for the welfare of the Universe and its living beings, began to speak affectionately “Oh! Kapeesha, Oh! Valorous Lankapathi, listen to me, how did we cross this vast ocean of dangerous aquatic animal?” Vibheeshana speaks “Oh! Raghunayaka, your powerful arrows are capable of dries up the ocean, but it is fair to ask permission from the King of the ocean, to leave the pathway to Lanka. Oh! Prabho, the King Sagara born in the illustrious Surya clan, is the deity of the ocean. If you discuss with him he would provide an appropriate suggestion before you, so that all the Vanaras and bears can cross the ocean effortlessly.” Rama said “Oh! Sakha, you have put forward an appropriate suggestion. We will see that it works or not.” Lakshmana was not happy at the decision of Prabhu, he was not willing for a peace treaty with the King of Sagara, he wanted Prabhu to dry up the entire ocean, Sri Ramachandra pacified his brother and approached the shores of Sagara. He prostrated before the ocean, spread a Dharbha mattress, and sat on it.

The moment Vibheeshana left the city of Lanka, Ravan appointed a few of his spies to follow Vibheeshana and to find out the details of the enemies. They have assumed the form of Vanaras and heard all those conversations with Prabhu and Vibheeshana, and they heartily praised the kindness and virtues of Sri Ramachandra. They openly praised the humility and benevolence of Prabhu, eventually, they have forgotten their nature as spies of Ravana.    The Vanaras fastened these demons that have disguised as Vanaras and produced before Sugriva who ordered to disfigure them and send back to Lanka. The Vanaras physically and verbally ill-treated the spies of Ravana, they cried out for Lakshman to release them, he felt pity for them eventually all those demons were released at the order of Lakshmana, with a powerful message “ Oh! Demons, tell your King Ravana to return Devi Sita with all respects and keep peace in the city or he has to face his death, pass on this message to your King” The demons are fallen at the feet of Lakshmana, received the written message to deliver to Ravana and praised the splendor of Rama and return to Lanka.

The demons returned to the city of Lanka praising the glories of Rama, they have prostrated before Ravana was enquired with a loud laugh “Oh! Shuka, how are you? Tell me about my brother Vibheeshana who is waiting for his death, that fool has left the stately luxuries of Lanka, he will face his death like worms and tell me about the unfortunate armies of Vanara and bears, it was the ocean stood before them to protect from me. Oh! Shuka, tell me about the Tapasvis, who are frightened of my prowess. Have you met them? Or they have run off after listening to my prowess? Why are you speaking about the enemies and their might? I think you have become insane after witnessing them.”