||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 62 – Dhoha – 61

 The legend of King Sathyakethu of Kaikeya 

The compassionate Lord pronounced “Thadhasthu/let it be! Oh! Rajan, make a visit to the abode of Lord Devendra, and take pleasure in it for some time, Oh! Father, in due course of time, you will take birth as the King of Ayodhya, I will be born as your son, and perform various amusement to make my devotees blissful. Whoever listens to my pastimes with devotion and faith, leaving all their pride would easily cross the unfathomable ocean of the worldly existence.  The supreme Goddess Adishakthi who is my Maya is the creator of the Universe; she will manifest as her own at that moment of my birth. In this way, I shall fulfill your desires, this is my promise to you, and my words never go untrue.” The supreme Lord Hari disappeared from their sight.

Maharishi Yajjavalkhya speaks “Oh! Bharadhwaja, Manu and Devi Shatharoopa contemplated upon that marvelous form of that supreme Lord Hari and spend their times in the hermitage; eventually, they left their mortal coil and followed the instruction of Lord Hari and lived in the abode Amaravathi. This glorious legend of Manu and Devi Shatharoopa was narrated by Lord Mahadeva to Uma. Oh! Bharadhwaja, I shall narrate another legend about the reason for the birth of Lord Rama, which was narrated by Lord Shambhu to Goddess Bhavani, listens to me carefully, Oh! Muni, There was a marvelous city in the name of Kaikeya, which was ruled by King Sathyakethu who was righteous, impartial to his subject, has great prowess, extremely valorous, and pleasing natured. He had two sons who were storehouses of virtues, and valorous like their father. The elder son was Prathapbhanu who was the heir to the throne of Kaikeya, the second son was Arimardhana, equally powerful like his brother and father. These two brothers were lived in good terms, they had no hatred or jealousy between them. The King Sathyakethu ruled Kaikeya for several thousand years and latter crowned his elder son as the King and returned to woods and immersed in the meditation upon Lord Hari.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 60 – Dhoha – 59

Lord Hari's boon to Devi Shatharoopa and Manu 

The pious couple Swayambhuva Manu and Devi Shatharoopa looked at the indescribable form of supreme Lord Hari, with extreme devotion, felt unsatisfied, they fell down at the lotus feet of Lord Ramachandra like a stick and tightly hold the feet of that supreme Lord. The compassionate Lord affectionately patted their heads and immediately took hold of them from his feet and began to speak “Oh! Manu and Devi, I am extremely pleased with your devotion and dedication, kindly asks for a boon.” Manu listening to those soft and affectionate words of Prabhu, with folded hands spoke “Oh! Prabhu, after witnessing your lotus feet all our desires got fulfilled, still, a desire lingering on us, even though it’s attainable but difficult to achieve, therefore cannot express them in words. I am feeling like a beggar who is asking for immense wealth after achieving Kalpavruksha, without the knowledge of it. You are Antharyami who resides as a soul in living beings; you know all that I desired, Oh! Swami kindly fulfills our desires.” The supreme Lord spoke “Oh! Rajan, ask for whatever you feel, do not hesitate. I am willing to provide whatever you ask.” Manu speaks “Oh!  Dhanashiromani, Oh! Kripanidhe, I shall disclose my yearning I want to have a son like you, I cannot hide anything from you.”

The supreme Lord Hari was highly pleased with the couple and with a smile spoke “Oh! Rajan, let it be! Oh! Rajan, where did I go in search of a person like me? Therefore, I shall take birth as your child.” Lord turned towards Devi Shatharoopa who was standing with folded hands “ Oh! Devi, kindly asks whatever boon you would like to achieve.” Devi Shatharoopa replied “Oh! Prabho, I am extremely pleased with the boon asked the intelligent King Manu, even though you have agreed to provide them, we are unqualified for that boon.  Oh! Prabho, you are the father of Lord Bhrama and all the deities. You are the Lord of the Universe and its living beings, you all-pervasive, you are supreme Bhramam. Still, I am having a few qualms, Oh! Natha kindly blesses us with the devotion, bliss, and the Paramamgathi of your ardent devotees. Oh! Prabho, we yearn to have happiness, SathGathi, Bhakti, and intense love at your lotus feet, we yearn for that intellect and wisdom, and the way of living of your passionate devotees. Oh! Prabho kindly blesses us with all that.” The supreme Lord Hari was smiled listening to the highly confidential, beautiful and soft requests of Devi Shatharoopa and began to speak “Oh! Devi, you will achieve all that you have desired, there is no doubt in that, Oh! Matha, you will not forget your spiritual knowledge.” Manu prostrated before Lord and speaks “Oh! Prabho I have an appeal to you, I should have extreme affection to the lotus feet of my child, like the ordinary people, let people may address me as a fool, I have no worries, Oh! Bhagavan, a serpent cannot live without its jewel on the forehead, a fish cannot live without the water, let my life always dependent on you, and take shelter at your lotus feet.” Thus Manu embraced the lotus feet of Lord Hari.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 60 – Dhoha – 59

Manu and Devi Shatharoopa conducted penance consuming water for six thousand years, later they have lived on Vayu for seven thousand years and continued their austerities; further, they have refused to take Vayu, and stood on the single leg and conducted penance for ten thousand years.  Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara approached Manu and inspired him to ask for a boon. But this couple was too firm in their devotion did not ask for any boon, their body become nothing other than skeleton but their mind and intellect were too strong did not find any difficulties. The supreme Lord understood Manu and Devi Shatharoopa are his sincere attendants, suddenly a compassionate voice that sounds like the nectar of immortality, rose from the sky, it entered through their ears and immediately their skeleton body has transformed into beautiful and attractive, exactly like the time they left their kingdom, immediately the couple prostrated before that direction of the divine voice heard.

Manu spoke “Oh! Prabho, you are the safest asylum and Kalpatharu for your devotees. The dust from your lotus feet is worshipped by Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Mahesha. Your worships are simple and you are the provider of welfare and happiness. You are the Lord of all the living and non-living things, and you are the protector of them. Oh! Anathabandho, If you are really pleased with us, kindly give us a boon and reveal that magnificent form of you as Lord Rama who resides in the heart of Lord Shiva,  was sought after by illustrious sages and rishis, resides as a swan in the heart of Sage Bhushundi and eulogized as Saguna and Nirguna Bhramam by Veda. Kindly shower your auspicious grace on us and make it possible for us to take great pleasure in that glorious form of you.” The supreme Lord Hari was highly pleased with the kind words of King Swayambhuva Manu and Devi Shatharoopa. Thus the Supreme Lord Rama who is Bhakthavathsala, Kripanidhi, and all-pervasive appeared before them.

Maharishi Yajjavalkhya speaks “ Oh! Bharadhwaja, the supreme Lord Rama who has lustrous body resembles the blue lotus flower, rain cloud complexioned and the sparkling of blue sapphire, excels the beauty of crores of Manmatha. He is the epitome of beauty, his face has the luster of the full moon, beautiful cheeks, and jawline has attractive conch-shaped neck, red lips resembles Bimba fruits, lovely nose and attractive line of teeth. He has a beautiful smile that excels full moon, his eyes have the resemblance of freshly bloomed lotus flower petals, has an attractive gaze, his eyebrows excel the beauty of the bow of Kamadeva, his lustrous forehead was adorned in sandalwood and vermilion paste, his ears were adorned in Makarakundala, and decorated in the magnificent crown, the attractive dark curly hair locks resemble a pack of honey bees, he has adorned in Srivathsa, Kausthubha, and  Vanamala, and various gem decorated precious ornaments all over the body, he has adorned in sacred thread across the chest, he has long hands resembles the trunk of elephant adorned in armlets and bangles, he was adorned in marvelous waist ornament, wielded on bow and arrow. He was attired in beautiful yellow silk garment excels the beauty of lightning, he has attractive three lines on the stomach, his navel resembles the beauty of deep circles in the water current of Yamuna. The Supreme Lord Rama whose lotus feet are  eagerly sought after by the Rishis and Sages like a pack of honey bees were beyond description, on his left  Adishakthi/Devi Sita who is chaste wife symbolizes storehouse of virtues, the epitome of beauty, most promising to her husband, and the source of the Universe and its living beings. The supreme Goddess Sita is the source of numerous Lakshmi, Uma, and Saraswathi, the movement of her eyebrows is enough to perform the task of creation of the universe and its living beings.  Thus, Swayambhuva Manu and Devi Shatharoopa looked at that glorious form of supreme Lord Hari who is the ocean of beauty with his consort, they  kept looking at them without blinking their eyes."

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 59 – Dhoha – 58

The legend of Swayambhuva Manu and Devi Shatharoopa

Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Parvathakumari, I shall narrate the interesting myth on how did Lord Rama who is Nirguna Bhramam became the King of Ayodhya? I shall narrate that supreme cure for the illusion caused in you to assume the form of Devi Sita and to conduct the test on the Lord Ramachandra who was attired in saffron robes, and matted hair locks wandering in the woods with his younger brother. He is the greatest cure for the lust and desire like illusions in humans; I shall narrate the various pastimes of Lord Rama in detail, listen to them carefully.”

Maharishi Yajjavalkhya speaks “Oh! Bharadhwaja, Devi Parvathi felt embarrassed and smiled listening to the words of Lord Shankara.  Vrishakethu began to explain the various amusements of Prabhu. Oh! Munisha, I shall narrate them all, listen to me carefully, the legends of Rama removes all the impurities of the Kali era, it provides an abundance of piousness to the listeners and readers, and it’s marvelous. The creations of humans have started from Swayambhuva Manu and Devi Shatharoopa, this couple was extremely pious and righteous, Veda eulogized the righteousness followed by this couple. Uththanapadha the son of Devi Shatharoopa and Swayambhuva Manu, had a son Dhruva who was a fervent devotee of Lord Hari. Priyavratha the younger son of Swayambhuva Manu and Devi Shatharoopa was highly praised by Veda and scriptures. This couple had a daughter Devahoothi who was married to Kardama Prajapathi. Devahoothi gave birth to one of the incarnations of supreme Lord Hari as Kapila who was compassionate imparted the knowledge on Sankhyashasthra, he was profound in all the philosophies.  Swayambhuva Manu ruled the kingdom for several thousand years and sincerely followed the command of supreme Lord Hari.”

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ I have reached the fourth stage of Ashrama during my latter years of age  spends in the house as Grihasthashrami, I could not get rid of the sensual pleasure till now.” He had intense grief and lamented on wasting all life without the devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Hari.

Maharishi Yajjavalkhya speaks " Oh! Bharadhwaja, Swayambhuva Manu at the latter years of age sacrificed the Kingdom and royal comforts and left to wood with his wife Devi Shatharoopa. They have moved to the sacred wood of Naimisharanya, which is the famous place where the ascetics and sages engage in various pious activities, it is one of the places where a large number of Siddhas, Rishis, and Sages lived, the King and the Queen walked through the dense wood as if Gnana and Bhakti took the form of humans. They took a bath in the sacred river Gomathi, soon all those Siddhas and Rishis assembled to meet the Rajarishi. They took the King and Queen to the most purified and beautiful places in the Naimisharanya. The husband and wife attired in saffron robes, with delicate bodies took their seat among the Siddhas and Rishis who gave lectures on sacred scriptures on a regular basis. They sincerely contemplated the Dhvadhasha Manthra ‘Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya’ with great devotion and faith; eventually they have attained the supreme state of devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Vasudeva. They have consumed fruits and vegetables and fiber roots from the forest, immersed in the supreme Bhramam, later they have refused to eat anything, consumed water, and conducted austerities. In this way, they have engaged in an extreme penance contemplating upon supreme Lord who is  Nirguna, flawless, has neither end nor the beginning, and constantly contemplating upon by the Paramaththavadhi, Veda describes the supreme Lord as ‘Nethi Nethi’, his is Sacchidhananda, independent, and beyond comparison, is the source of numerous Bhrama, Vishnu, and Shiva.  The supreme Lord is fastened by the devotion of his ardent devotees, he assumes various form for his devotees and performs numerous amusements, if all those pronounced in the Veda about the supreme Lord are true, all our desires would get fulfilled."

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 58 – Dhoha – 57

The powerful Maya of Lord Vishnu

Maharishi Narada was overwhelmed with extreme trepidation, looked at Lord Hari, there was no Goddess Mahalakshmi or Devi Vishwamohini. Narada fallen at the feet of Lord Hari in extreme guilt and got hold of his lotus feet and spoke “Oh! Pranatharththihari, kindly protect me, Oh! Kripalu let my curse go futile. Oh! Bhagavan, I have showered abuses on you, how did I get relieved from the sin?” The merciful Lord Hari spoke “Oh! Maharishi it was my wish, you will get rid of the sins of your curse upon me, contemplate upon Lord Shankara and recite his sacred names, it will remove all the grief, I have no one beloved other than Lord Hara, do not forget it even in your dreams. Oh! Mune, whoever does not have the grace of Lord Purari, will not have faith and belief in me, keep this in your mind always and continue to explore the three worlds, my Maya will not touch you.” Lord Hari pacified Maharishi Narada and disappeared from his sight. Narada singing in praise of Lord Rama and his endless virtues arrived in Sathyaloka.

Maharishi Narada happily conducted exploring the worlds, met Shivaganas on his way, they were in extreme anguish, they approached Maharishi Narada with intense fear and fallen at his feet, and spoke in utter grief “ Oh! Munishwara, we are Ganas of Lord Shiva, we have disguised as twice-born, and we have committed a grave sin and got the punishment for it, Oh! Kripalu kindly protects us from sin.” Maharishi Narada compassionately spoke “Oh! Ganas, I can't take back the curse, you will be born in the Asurayoni, you will have an abundance of wealth, glory, prowess and you will conquer the whole world. The supreme Lord Hari will take birth as a human, in a battle with Lord Rama you will attain Mukthi in his hands, in this way you will be relieved from repeated births.” The two Ganas prostrated before Maharishi Narada, in due course of time these two Ganas took birth as demons.

Lord Mahadeva speaks “ Oh! Devi, The supreme Lord Hari who has taken the vow to provide welfare to the pious and saintly people, please the deities with various amusements, and reduce the burden of the Earth, incarnated on the Earth in a Yuga. The birth and various passionate sport of Lord Hari are endless, and all of them are extremely stunning, pleasing, and unique. The supreme Lord Hari takes birth in every Kalpa and performs various amusements. The saintly people and ascetics sing in praise of his various legends and they describe endless stories that are beyond comparison. The saints and holy men never get surprised listening to it, because the Supreme Lord Hari is eternal and his legends are endless as well. The saints sing his glories in various methods, the amusements of Lord Ramachandra cannot sing and complete in crores of Kalpa. Oh! Bhavani, I have narrated the legend of Maharishi Narada to inform you that even the illustrious sages and ascetics like Narada is not free from the powerful Maya of Lord Hari.  The supreme Lord Hari is amusing and extremely compassionate, the fortunate get the opportunity to serve him, and he removes all the sufferings of them. Lord Hari’s Maya is extremely powerful, he  is Mayapathi, did not spare deities, sages, or humans; therefore we should constantly contemplate upon him.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 57 – Dhoha – 56

Maya on Maharishi Narada

There was two Shiva Ganas who were disguised as twice-born were aware of all that happened between Maharishi Narada and Lord Hari were present in the assembly, these two Shivaganas took a seat on the row of Maharishi Narada was eagerly waiting for the comic story to begin. They have started commenting on Maharishi and spoke: "Lord Hari blessed him with marvelous appearance, therefore the princess will definitely choose Maharishi Narada as her wedded husband, and she may get confused and think of him as Lord Hari and adore him with the Jayamala.” It enhanced the expectation and hallucination in Maharishi Narada, the Ganas were taking extreme pleasure in mocking Devarishi who was completely besieged with the Maya of Lord Hari.  He could not understand the sarcastic comments of the Gana, none could see the transformation in Maharishi Narada other than the princess Vishwamohini.  She gracefully walked through the assembly, saw the monkey-faced, huge body of Narada, it infuriated her. The Princess Vishwamohini with her female attendants walked gently like a swan before the assembly of members, holding the Jayamala watching upon the Kings, she moved elegantly in the huge assembly. Vishwamohini did not throw a single look at Maharishi Narada, she proudly walked all over the assembly. Maharishi Narada could not control his restlessness, he wanted to get all her attention, and several times he raised from the seat to get a glance from her was completely ignored. The Shivaganas could not control their laugh, at the funniest movements of Maharishi Narada. There was supreme Lord Hari disguised in the form of a King seated in a magnificent throne in the assembly, Vishwamohini moved towards him and adorned the King with the Jayamala. Thus Lakshminivasa took the new bride with him and left the assembly, all the Kings present were returned in extreme disappointment.

Maharishi Narada was extremely inconsolable, felt like the gem that was tied into his upper clothing was lost. The Ganas of Hara laughed at Maharishi Narada and spoke “Oh! Munishvara, look your face in the water” and they ran out of the assembly. Maharishi Narada looked the mirror image of his face in the water, he cannot control his anger, and he cursed the Shivaganas in extreme fury. “Oh! Sinners, you will be born as demons, you have humiliated me, and therefore you will suffer for that sin, further, you will not dare to do the funniest remark on saints or sages.” He once again looked at the water image and found he has regained his old form, but he could not control his disappointment, his lips quivered in anger, left to the abode of Lakshmipathi, he thought on his way “Either I will curse him, or I will die at his doors, he made me fool before the huge assembly.”

Maharishi Narada met Lord Hari who is the enemy of demons, on his way, with Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi and Vishwamohini.  The Supreme Lord, who is Lord of Lords, spoke amiably “Oh! Mune, where are you going in extreme disappointment?” Narada could not control his fury listening to Lord Hari, he was completely besieged with the Maya of Lord, spoke “ Oh! Hari, you are envious of others' happiness, you have extreme jealousy and wickedness in you, and you have influenced the deities while Samudramanthan and made Lord Rudra consume the toxic poison. You have distributed Varuni to demons, toxic poison to Lord Hara and you have taken possession of Goddess Rama and the precious gem Kausthubha. You are extremely selfish, wicked-natured, and engage in manipulative deeds. You are independent to act according to your will. You are not inferior to anyone; therefore you are free to act at your own will. You are the provider of grief to good souls, happiness to the wicked souls, and never regret or feel bad about it. You have experienced these kinds of manipulative deeds. You are fearless to achieve whatever you want with great enthusiasm. You are never bothered about auspicious or inauspicious deeds, and none has intervened or questioned your deeds. You have played the trick on fire, you shall reap what you sow, I am cursing you for giving me the appearance as Vanara, you will have Vanaras as your attendants, you have put me in extreme grief, and therefore you will undergo extreme anguish from the separation from your consort. ” Lord Vishnu amiably accepted the curse of Maharishi Narada, and the compassionate Lord removed his powerful Maya from Narada.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 56 – Dhoha – 55

Lord Hari's boon on Maharishi Narada

Maharishi Narada surprised watching the mesmerizing beauty of the princess Vishwamohini, he could take his eyes off from her immediately fell in love with her.  He forgot his Virakthi, continued to stare at her for a long time, he was in a state of dream watching her lovely appearance, but he did not express it outside. He thought “Whoever marries to this beautiful young lady would become immortal, cannot defeat him in battlefield, he would be worshiped by Chara and Acharas’   after reading her palm, Maharishi kept all those within him about the characteristics of her future husband, and filled their ears with made-up stories, and highly praised her auspiciousness, and left the scene. Maharishi Narada immersed in various thoughts “how did I get married to that princes? I have to get her in my life, how did I face her? In this moment it is necessary to  get a good physique and attractive appearance, then she will wed me as her husband, and she will adorn me with the Jayamala publicly, for that I should get the most charming appearance as a boon from Lord Vishnu, but it will take too long to reach the abode of Lord Hari, but he is the only one promising to me, therefore he should come to help me at this moment.’ in this way, Maharishi Narada engaged in various thoughts about Vishwamohini, soon forgot all his Japa and Tapa. Maharishi Narada contemplated upon Lord Hari, immediately the compassionate Lord appeared before Narada, watching the bountiful Lord, Narada’s eyes filled in devotion. He was quite sure that Lord Hari would definitely heed to his prayers, he narrated all those incidents happened in the city of King Sheelanidhi, and spoke “Oh! Prabho, kindly shower merciful glance on me, kindly give me your charming appearance, I cannot wed that the stunningly beautiful daughter of King Sheelanidhi without an attractive appearance, therefore kindly do what’s appropriate for me I shall remain a sincere servant always.”

Lord Hari smiled at the influence of his Maya on Maharishi Narada, and spoke “Oh! Narada, listen to me carefully, I will do whatever good to you, I am promising to you, my words never go untrue. Oh! Yogi, a physician will not give anything the patient wants, especially while the patient is under strict medication, it is impossible for a physician to break the rules and give whatever the patient wants. Therefore, I will do whatever promising to you. ” Soon that compassionate Lord disappeared from the sight. Maharishi was completely besieged with the Maya of Lord Hari, he could not understand the highly confidential words of Lord Hari. The illustrious Rishi Narada hastily moved to the palace like a dull-minded person.

In the grand assembly of King Sheelanidhi, there was handsome Kings were seated on the well-decorated throne, impatiently waiting for the arrival of the bride.  Maharishi Narada was heartily pleased and thought “My physique and appearance are definitely superior to the Kings present in the assembly, therefore the princess Vishwamohini would definitely choose me as her wedded husband.” Alas! The supreme Lord Hari has completely changed the appearance of Maharishi Narada as repulsive which was beyond description, but none could make out the transformation, all the dignitaries present were reverentially greeted Maharishi Narada.