||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 28 – Dhoha – 27

The penance of Lord Mahadeva

Lord Mahadeva immersed in deep meditation for several years, in the meantime Devi Sati lived in the Mount Kailash with extreme grief and sorrow, days have seemed Yugas to her. She was besieged with intense grief, she was utterly miserable without knowing the way to cross the ocean of sorrow, she remembered “ I have disrespected supreme Lord Mahadeva, and his words, I have insulted Lord Raghupathi, therefore I deserved punishment for my sin. It is meaningless to live on after separating from beloved Lord Mahadeva.” Devi Sati who was highly intelligent prayed to Lord Rama “Oh! Bhagavan, all are praising your compassionate nature, you are addressed as Dheenadhayala, Vedas eulogizes you as Sankataharana, I shall bow before you and request you, Oh! Prabho, If I have faith upon the lotus feet of Mahadeva, If I have followed the austerities and vow with intense devotion and faith, let my Jeeva separate from this body. Oh! Prabho, let my Jeeva separate from this body effortlessly and protect me from this miserable state.” Devi Sati, who is the daughter of Daksha, became inconsolable burdened with overwhelming grief.  It took eighty-seven thousand years for Lord Shambhu got out of his deep meditation and recited the Ramanama. Devi Sati got to know the news of Lord Shambhu got out of meditation, she rushed to his feet and prostrated before him.  Lord Shambhu advised Devi Sati to be seated before him and described various legends of Lord Hari.

During this period of Lord Mahadeva’s several years of penance, Lord Bhrama after a deep thought honored Daksha as Prajapathi of all the creatures in the Universe. It created extreme haughtiness in Daksha, it is quite natural to become proud of sudden fame and appreciation. He invited all the Rishis and Sages and conducted a Yaga. Further, he reverentially invited all those deities who accepts oblation from the fire sacrifices. Thus, Yaksha, Kinnara, Naga, Siddha, Gandharva, and deities were invited to attend the Yaga started to leave with their consorts, except Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara.  All those deities traveled in their respective celestial vehicle to the palace of Daksha, Devi Sati witnessed all those deities traveling in marvelous vehicles, the most beautiful female deities singing songs that disturbed the meditation of the Sages. Devi Sati enquired Lord Shiva about the event, was described by Lord Mahadeva. She felt immensely happy to know that her father has arranged a Yaga, decided to stay with her family for sometimes, and get rid of her grief if Lord Mahadeva permits. Devi Sati was scared of rejection by Lord Shiva, was guilty of her deed, so she did not speak about it.  Later, she was timid, with a pleasant voice enquired Lord Mahadeva “Oh! Prabho, Oh! Kripanidhe, my father is performing a grand Yaga, if you permit shall I go and take part in it.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 27 – Dhoha – 26

The grief of Devi Sati

Lord Mahadeva received Devi Sati with a pleasant smile and enquired “Oh! Devi, how did you test Lord Rama?” Devi Sati who was already terrified of her mistake did not reveal the truth to Lord Mahadeva and replied “ Oh! Prabho, I have not tested him, I prostrated before him and your words cannot be untrue. I have complete faith upon you.” Lord Shankara immersed in meditation and realized that Devi Sati has assumed the form of Devi Sita, and was forced to tell lie due to the influence of Maya of Lord Hari. He realized all that happens at the will of Lord Hari.  Lord Mahadeva felt deeply hurt after realizing that Goddess Sati assumed the form of Devi Sita with his divine power, decided not to express his love to Devi Sati that would be against the Dharma if he continues to love her as his consort.  Lord Mahadeva immediately sacrificed Devi Sati within his heart, to protect the Bhakti and righteousness.  Lord Mahadeva besieged with intense grief, was in dilemma, Devi Sati is pure, therefore she don’t deserve to be rejected, if he considers her as consort that would be a grave sin, therefore he did not speak a single word. Lord Shankara heartily offered salutation to Lord Rama and promised not to have any relationship with Devi Sati as long as she continues to be in the body of the daughter of Daksha. They slowly returned to the Mount Kailash, suddenly a divine voice heard in the sky “ Hail Lord Mahesha!  Hail Lord Mahesha who reinstated Bhakti! Oh! Lord, No one can make a promise like Lord Mahadeva, Hail to that Lord Mahesha ! Oh! Lord Mahadeva, you are Lord of Lords, you are mighty Lord and a sincere devotee of Lord Rama.” Devi Sati enquired Lord Maheshwara after listening to the divine voice in the sky “Oh! Kripalu, kindly reveal to me about that promise you have taken. Oh! Prabho you are the essence of ‘truthfulness’, you are compassionate one.” Even though Devi Sati tried to get an answer to her question, the supreme Lord Mahadeva remained silent. Devi Sati realized that Lord Shambhu understood all that happened in the wood, she felt extremely guilty for being dishonest to him, she understood the nature of women is low and dull-minded. The milk added with water usually sells them as pure in the market; a single drop of acid in the milk is enough to split them apart. Devi Sati tormented with extreme grief and agony, she understood Lord Mahadeva is like an unfathomable ocean, that’s why he did not point out her mistakes. Devi Sati understood Lord Mahadeva abandoned her in his heart, it multiplied her grief. She understood her inconsiderate deed harmed Lord Mahadev, she tossed herself into burning grief. Lord Mahadeva realized Devi Sati is lamenting over her deed, completely distressed, he made an effort to raise her mind from the miserable state, described interesting myths to her, and thus they have arrived in Mount Kailash. Lord Mahadeva remembered his promise once again, took a seat under Vatavruksha, and immersed in deep meditation and it continued for several thousand years.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 26 – Dhoha – 25

Devi Sati's appearance before Lord Rama 

Maharishi Yajjavalkhya speaks “ Oh! Vathsa, the compassionate Lord Mahadeva speaks to Devi Sati “Oh! Devi, if you have any doubt about that supreme Bhramam Lord Ram, you can conduct a test on his virtues, I shall wait under the shade of Vatavruksha, and get rid of your misapprehension.” Thus Devi Sati who got the permission from Lord Mahadeva decided to put Rama into a test and moved away. Lord Mahadeva became anxious and understood that the daughter of Daksha is going to have some inauspiciousness while testing the Parambramam. He spoke to himself “I have advised Devi Sati, but her fate is not willing to follow them, she has not cleared her doubts yet, this test is not going to bring her any good, anyway all that happens at the will of Rama, therefore it is no use of arguing with her and make the matter out of control.” He immediately immersed in the recitation of sacred names, while Goddess Sati moved towards the place where the supreme Lord Rama who is supreme bliss, resides in the wood.”

Maharishi Yajjavalkhya continues “ Oh! Mune, Devi Sati assumed the form Devi Sita and followed the pathways of Lord Rama. The valorous Lakshmana became speechless and stunned after witnessing Goddess Uma in disguise, he was well aware of the splendor of Lord Ram who is all-pervasive, knower of all; Lord of Lords Rama did not find it difficult to recognize Goddess Uma in disguise.  Devi Sati tricked on that supreme Lord Rama who removes the ignorance of Jeeva who remembers his glories. The depth of the mind of women is immeasurable, Rama smiled at his own Maya and began to speak pleasantly, and he greeted her with folded hands. He introduced her as the son of Dhasharatha and enquired about Lord Shiva/Vrishakethu, and asked the reason for moving all alone in the woods. Goddess Sati felt ashamed of the speech of Lord Rama, she returned to Lord Mahadeva in intense guilt, on her way she felt ‘I have not respected the words of Lord Shankara, I have used my ignorance as a weapon against Lord Rama, how did I return to Lord Mahadeva and how did I answer to him?” Devi Sati was besieged with intense sorrow. The compassionate Lord Rama realized that Devi Sati returned with guilt, he used his divine power, Devi Sati looked back and saw Rama walking along with Devi Sita and Lakshman, she looked around and witnessed the same in all directions, she also saw Lord Rama seated in a sanctified seat is worshiped by Siddhas, illustrious Rishis, and Sages. Devi Sati saw Lord Rama attired in majestic garments and ornaments worshiped by deities; she saw numerous gorgeous Sati, Bhramani, and Lakshmi attired in the finest garments. She saw Lord Rama with Devi Sita, surrounded by several deities and various creatures serving him. In this way, Devi Sati witnessed endless Rama with Devi Sita and Lakshman, it created intense trepidation in her and lost consciousness, and she shut her eyes tightly and sat down for a while after some time she opened her eyes and found nothing.  Once again she heartily prostrates before Lord Rama and returned to Lord Gireesha.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 25 – Dhoha – 24

Lord Shambhu's meeting with Lord Rama

Maharishi Yajjavalkhya speaks “ Oh! Mune, Lord Shambhu, and Devi Sati while returning from the hermitage of Sage Agasthya, surprisingly they met Lord Rama in the dense wood. Lord Shambhu could not take his eyes off from that marvelous appearance of Lord Vishnu, soon immersed in a state of ecstasy; both of them did not reveal their identity to each other, Lord Shambhu heartily praised Lord Rama “Oh! Satchidananda Swaroopa, Oh! Lokapavana Hail  you.” Thus Lord Shambhu and Devi Sati moved forward in extreme bliss, Devi Sati was surprised to notice the sudden change in Lord Shambhu, caused an upsurge of several questions in her mind “ The Supreme Lord Shiva, is highly propitious to the Universe and its living beings, he is Shankara who symbolizes auspiciousness, he is Jagadheeshwara, he is worshiped by the deities, demons, Rishis, and Sages,  and humans etc.  Why did he prostrate before the prince of Ayodhya? Why did he eulogize him Sacchidhananda and Paramdhama? Why did he fall for his marvelous appearance and could not control that bliss? How did that supreme Bhramam which is indescribable, all-pervasive, pure, unblemished, neither birth nor death, void of desire, independent, undividable, beyond Maya, incompetent for Veda to understand, incarnates on the Earth? Lord Vishnu who assumes various incarnations for the welfare of the deities is equivalent and Sarvajja as Thripurari. How did Rama who symbolizes supreme wisdom, Sripathi, destroyer of demons could act like an ignorant and lamenting over the separation from his dearest wife, conducting search all over the woods? The words of Lord Shambhu never go wrong, he is Sarvajja and the whole Universe knows about it.” In this way, Devi Sati immersed in various thoughts that augmented her restlessness, even though she kept all her qualms within her, the Antharyami who resides as soul, Lord Shambhu realized her anxiousness and spoke “Oh! Sati, you have all those eagerness like the ordinary woman, although you should not have given space for it in the first place. He is Raghuveera whose glories were sung by Sage Agasthya, he is Rama who is worshiped by liberated and noble souls, he is my beloved Lord, and I have already narrated the devotion upon Lord Hari to Sage Agasthya in front of you. He is Rama who is worshiped and contemplated by fearless Rishis and Sages, noble souls, Yogis, and Siddha. He is eulogized by Veda, Vedanta, Purana, Upanishads, and all the sacred scriptures as ‘Nethi Nethi’/incomparable.  He is absolute Bhramam who is all-pervasive, independent, Lord of the Universe, Mayapathi has taken birth as Rama, a precious gem in the illustrious clan of Raghu for the elevation of the souls.” Oh! Mune, in this way Lord Shambhu repeatedly eulogized the glories of Lord Rama, did not appease Goddess Sati. The supreme Lord Maheshwara smiled at Goddess Sati and remembered the Maya of Lord Rama.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 24 – Dhoha – 23

The visit of Lord Shambhu and Goddess Bhavani to the hermitage of Sage Agasthya

Maharishi Yajjavalkhya with a pleasant smile on his face begins to speak “ Oh!Vathsa, you are thoroughly aware of the splendor of supreme Lord Rama, You are a fervent devotee of Rama, with your action, words, and deeds, I know your skills very well. You wanted to listen to those highly confidential virtues of Rama, that is the reason you have revealed your sincere desire to me. Oh! Vathsa, I shall narrate the legend of Lord Rama in detail, listen to me carefully with intense devotion and faith. The endless desires are the dreadful demon/Mahishasura, the legend of Rama is the dreadful Kali who is the killer of that Mahishasura. The legend of Rama is like the cool rays of the full moon, the ascetics and saintly men like Chakora birds takes great pleasure in it. Devi Bhavani raised various questions about the legend of Rama to Lord Mahadeva was elaborately described to her. I shall narrate that conversation between Lord Shambhu and Goddess Uma, according to my knowledge. Oh! Mune, listen to the time and circumstance of the conversation took place between them, it will remove all your grief.”

Maharishi Yajjavalkhya continues “Oh! Vathsa, once in Thretha Yuga Lord Shiva went to meet the Kumbhasambhava Sage Agasthya in his hermitage. Lord Shiva who is Lord of Lords was accompanied by Jagathjanani Devi Sathi, was received reverentially by Sage Agasthya. Later, Sage Agasthya explained the legend of Rama to this divine couple, was listened by Maheshwara with great devotion and love. Sage enquired about the glorious devotion to Lord Hari, was explained by Lord Maheshwara elaborately.  In this way, the divine couple Lord Shambhu and Goddess Sati resided in the hermitage of Sage Agasthya for sometimes, listening to the glorious legends of Raghupathi. Finally, Lord Kailasanatha, Thripurari bade farewell to Sage Agasthya and returned to Kailash with the daughter of Daksha. Those were the days the supreme Lord Hari manifested as Raghupathi in the illustrious clan of Raghu to reduce the burden on the Earth was exploring the dense wood of Dhandakavana.  Prabhu was sincerely following the promise to his father, abandoned the crown of Ayodhya, and attired the saffron robes, with hair lock like an ascetic wandered all over the woods.  Lord Hara who was while returning to Mount Kailash was in deep thought, how did I get the Dharshan of that Prabhu who is incarnated on the Earth? If I visit him in person the whole world would come to know about it.  This created intense anxiousness in Shambhu, but Devi Sati was not aware of any of these. Ravana has already attained a boon from Lord Bhrama that he would be killed in the hands of a human, Prabhu has to make the boon of Bhrama truthful if I did not visit the Raghuram later I would regret it.  In this way, Lord Shambhu immersed in various thoughts. In the meantime, the wicked Dhashanan arrived with Mareecha who disguised into a golden deer, later the depraved Ravana abducted Devi Sita was not aware of the glory of Lord Rama. Prabhu returned with Lakshman from wood after killing the Mareecha who was in the form of a golden deer, found the hermitage empty, could not control his tears. He lamented over the separation from his dearest wife, like an ordinary human. The two brothers were conducted thorough search all over the woods. Rama who is beyond Samyoga and Viyoga expressed his intense grief of separation from his wife.  The various amusements of Raghupathi are indescribable, which can be understood only by highly intelligent and noble souls. The dull-minded people who are soaked in the desires of the material world cannot understand it.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 23 – Dhoha – 22

The conversation between Maharishi Yajjavalkhya and Sage Bharadhwaja,

Sant Tulsidas Maharaj offering initial salutation to Lord Shambhu and Goddess Bhavani, describes the endless virtues of Lord Rama like the serene water in the river, taking immense pleasure in the nectar-like water describes them according to his intellect.  The conversation between the Sage Kakabushundi and Sage Bharadhwaja took place in the hermitage of Sage Bharadhwaja in Prayagraj.  The Rishis were discussed on the following 1) The nature of Bhramam 2) Righteousness/Dharma and the purpose of performance of various religious and spiritual rites to understand the nature of the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings and 3) Bhakti, Gnanam, and Virakthi.  Thus they have spent the whole month of the auspicious Magh took a holy dip in the sacred river and returned to their respective hermitages, several sages, and ascetics took a dip in this sacred river during the Makarasankranthi.  In this way, all the saintly men visited Prayagraj were returned to their locations after the holy and veneration of the deities.   The illustrious Maharishi Yajjvalkhya was one among the visitors,  was prepared to leave the city of Prayagraj stopped by Maharishi Bharadhwaja, fallen at the feet of Maharishi Yajjavalkhya and requested him to visit his hermitage. He received Maharishi Yajjavalkhya to his hermitage with great reverence washed his feet and offered a sanctified seat, praised his endless virtues.  

Maharishi Bharadhwaja began to speak “Oh! Mahamune, I have a question in my mind that keeps worrying me, even though I feel shame to reveal my inability, If I did not disclose it to you, I would lose a great opportunity to learn from you.  Oh! Maharishi, you are profound of Veda and its deep routed knowledge, the righteous and noble souls strongly recommend that Vedas and sacred scriptures declare if anyone keeps secret from his preceptor, he would lose the purity of the intellect. Oh! Prabho, I shall reveal my desire to you, kindly shower your compassionate grace on this sincere attendant of yours. The noble souls, scriptures, Upanishads, and various sacred texts describe the endless glories of the sacred names of supreme Lord Rama.  The mighty Lord Shiva who symbolizes wisdom and virtues constantly contemplates the sacred names of Lord Rama.  The creatures on this Universe are categorized into four; the Jeevas who leaves mortal coil on the sacred land of Kashi attains Paramapadham. Oh! Munisaththama, it reveals the greatness of recitation of the sacred names of Lord Rama because Lord Shiva whispers on the ears of the Jeeva who leaves mortal coil on this sacred land of Kashi. Oh! Kripanidhe, who is Rama? Kindly narrate it to me. Was that the Prince of Ayodhya? Rama who ruled the city of Ayodhya is well-known to the whole world, he had gone through the intense grief of separation from his dearest wife, later killed Ravana in the battle ?. Oh! Prabho, the supreme Lord Shiva who is Thripurari reciting the names of the Rama who ruled the city of Ayodhya or someone else? Oh! Mune, you are Sarvajja and have profound knowledge in scriptures, kindly clear my qualms. Oh! Thatha, kindly clear my misapprehensions and narrate the legends to me.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 22 – Dhoha – 21

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ The mutual understanding, co-operation, kindness, respect, humility, pleasing personality, and the relationship with the family members of these four brothers Ram, Lakshman, Bharath, and Shathrughna symbolizes the sweetness and the fragrance of the water in the river.  My endless desires and pitiable state represents the weightiness of that sacred water. This mysterious water like the legend of Rama is capable to destroy the thirst like endless desires of the Jeeva, and highly promising to the listener, it removes all the impurities of the mind and intellect of the listener, it enhances the devotion at the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Rama, it removes all the evil effects of the Kali era, it removes all the miseries and sorrows of this era, it removes the sufferings of worldly existence, it provides contentment and satisfaction to the listener. The glorious legend of Rama destroys the sins, miseries, sufferings of poverty, impurities, etc. it eradicates Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Madha, Moha, and Mathscharya, it enhances pure intellect and sense of renunciation in the listener.  Whoever takes a dip in this water of legend of Ramakatha and taste its water would get rid of the sins and Thapathraya/sufferings caused by body consciousness, attachments to people and attachments to material things.  Whoever does not take a dip in this glorious water like Ramakatha are unfortunate of the evilness of the Kali era, these Jeevas constantly chases after the sensual pleasures and material well-being, get troubled with extreme thirst and run after the illusion of images of water caused by the extreme heat. Finally, get disappointed like the deer’s that run behind the illusion of water.”

Tulsidas Maharaj brilliantly describes the glorious legend of Rama like serene water of rich sweetness and fragrance, and the virtues of Lord Rama, according to his intellect, and takes dip in this sacred water, offering initial salutations to Lord Shankara and Goddess Bhavani. He prostrates before the lotus feet of  supreme Lord Raghupathi and adores them in his heart, and begins to describe the conversion between the illustrious Sages Kakabhushundi and Sage Bharadhwaja which spread immense bliss to the listeners.

The illustrious sage Bharadhwaja who is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama lives in the Prayaga, symbolizes Tapa/asceticism, Shama/appeasement, Dhama/self-restraint has achieved the highest state of Paramarththa with his constant austerities. During the auspicious month of Magh, the people from various lands arrive in the King of Theertha, Prayagraj for a holy dip in this Theertha.  The deities, demons, Kinnaras, and humans assemble on this riverbank and sincerely undertake holy dip in this water, and worships the supreme Lord Bindu Madhav.   They offer salutations to the Akshayavata and get themselves sanctified.  The hermitage of Sage Bharadhwaja is the dwelling place of illustrious Rishis and Sages are one of the beautiful and sanctified places in the  Prayagraj and it is a sheltered place for all those saintly people who arrives to take a dip in the Prayagraj.  The Rishis and Sages assembled in this hermitage takes bath in the early hours of dawn, engages in various spiritual and religious rites, and spend the remaining hours in the glorious chants and listening to the marvelous legends of supreme Lord Hari.