||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 25– Ayodhya Kandam

Life of Rama, Sita, and Lakshman in the woods

The Supreme Lord who symbolizes eternal bliss started living in the beautiful forest of Trikoot, which is the abode of auspiciousness and beauty was beyond description.  The people who have eyes attained the fruitfulness of their lives merely witnessing the compassionate Lord, the non-living things attained piousness by carrying the dust from the feet of Raghuvara. In this way, all those living beings and non-living things achieved the status to be in the Paramapadham. The Supreme Lord Rama and Goddess Sita who abandoned the milky ocean and Ayodhya lived in a spectacular forest which was not describable even for thousand tongued Adishesha.  How could a person who is like the tortoise living in the marshy lands describe that beauty? Lakshman relentlessly served Rama and Sita with mind, words, and action. He fixed gaze at the feet of Rama and Sita and realized their love for him, did not even think of King Dhasharatha or mother Sumithra or the Kingdom of Ayodhya.

Devi Sita took great pleasure living with her dearest husband, she was completely forgotten about her people or Ayodhya or attendants, and she was like baby Chakora that fixed gaze at the lotus-like face of Ramachandra. She lived a blissful life with her husband who has immense love and kindness to her, and the love between the couple grown beyond words; she has taken immense pleasure at the lotus feet of Rama.   The dense wood seemed thousands of Ayodhya to her, she loved the tiny hermitage that was built in the middle of the forest, the deer and birds were her family members. She considered Munishwaras as her father-in-law, and their wives as her mother-in-law, and she selflessly served them. The fruits and fiber roots available from the forest were tasted nectar to her, the grass mattress they slept was warmer than the hundreds of luxurious beds of Manmatha. She is Jagathjanani, Paramba, Bhagavathi who is inseparable from that supreme Lord capable to provide the status of Lokapalaka, how could fall for the material comforts? The devotees of Rama abandon all the comforts and luxuries of life as grass and attain that supreme Lord, she is Jagathjanani and wife of that supreme Lord took the least interest in the worldly matters or comforts.

Raghunatha always speaks or acts most promising to Lakshman and Devi Sita, he narrates glorious legends from scriptures to entertain them. Lakshman and Sita took great interest in listening to those legends.  Rama whenever thinks of Ayodhya, his eyes welled up in tears. Prabhu who is Kripasindhu, thought about his loving parents, families, relatives, brothers, and especially Bharatha, and his love, humility, and devotion brought tears in his eyes. Soon, he regains control over his emotions, Devi Sita and Lakshman notice the grief of Prabhu and they also sink in grief. Immediately, Rama starts describing the legends from the scriptures watching the tears in the eyes of Sita and Lakshman, in this way they have regained their happiness and peace.

Rama and Sita lived in a beautiful hermitage in the Chithrakoota with Lakshman, like Devi Shachi with Lord Indra and her son Jayantha. He took great care of Devi Sita and Lakshman like his eyeballs. Lakshman persistently served Rama and Sita. Thus, Prabhu who is most promising to birds, animals, deities, and ascetics, spends the happiest days in the forest. I have described the life of Rama in the forest, now I shall describe Sumanthra’s return to the city of Ayodhya.

  Nishadharaja/Guha came to know that Sumanthra returning to palace without Rama, Sita and Lakshman, he could not control his grief; he wept bitterly calling out “Ram, Ram, Sita, Sita Lakshman” he fell on the ground and became inconsolable. The horses did not stop neighing and they were extremely anxious like wingless birds, it did not touch water or grass, it shed tears, all those Nishadhas were miserable watching the state of horses of Rama. Nishadharaja/Guha regained his courage and spoke to Sumanthra “Oh! Sumanthra, leave all your grief, you are highly intelligent and knower of Paramarththa, kindly regain your courage.” Nishadharaja described various legends to relieve the grief of Sumanthra and encouraged him to be seated on the chariot to return to the palace. Alas! Sumanthra could not drive the chariot due to extreme grief. The pain of separation from Raghuvara was unbearable for Sumanthra. The horses were not prepared to move on the pathways if anyone utters the name of Rama, Sita and Lakshman, it neighs looking at them affectionately. How did I explain the pain of separation of the horses of Rama? They were miserable like the serpent lost its gem. Nishadha King was extremely distressed watching the wretched state of horses and Sumanthra. He called for his four sincere charioteers and caretakers of the horses and asked them to drive Sumanthra safely back to the way to the palace.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 24– Ayodhya Kandam

Rama's life in Chitrakoot

Maharishi Valmiki spoke “Oh! Suryakulanayaka, listen to me, there is a beautiful place in the forest, in Chithrakoota, you can settle there for some time. You will have all the facilities in that forest, there are beautiful mountains and forest, it is a dense forest, place of wild animals, deer, elephants, lions, and birds, there is a marvelous stream exists from the past several years now, this sacred stream was created with the divine powers and austerities of Devi Anasooya, wife of Sage Athri was known as river Mandakini which is a tributary of river Ganga. It removes the sins of the worshiper instantly, like the Dakinis kill the infants. It is the place where various illustrious Rishis and Sages, and Athri, engages in extreme penances, Yoga, austerities, and fire sacrifices Japa and Tapa. Oh! Rama, kindly make a visit to the mountain Chitrakoot, and visit this place and thereby, shower your grace upon those sages and ascetics, let them achieve an abundance of piousness.” Maharishi Valmiki described the splendor of Chitrakoot in detail to Rama. Thus, they bade farewell to Rishi Valmiki and proceeds to Chitrakoot and took a holy dip in river Mandakini.

Raghuvara advised Lakshmana to construct a hermitage close to the river Mandakini, Lakshmana took a visit to the northern side of riverbank of Payasvini, and found a small stream that has the shape of a bow; Rama visited the place and felt happy to settle there. The deities understood that the place close to the bow like watercourse attracted Rama, therefore Vishwakarma made a visit to this place.   They took the form of Kiratha and Kola/tribes and constructed a beautiful hermitage with grass, leaves, and creepers and one for Lakshman as well; the beauty of the hermitage was beyond description. Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana entered inside that marvelous hermitage, it was like Kamadeva and Devi Rathi, along with Vasantharithu.

The Nagas, Kinnaras, deities, Ashtadikpalakas made a visit to the hermitage of Rama was received with great reverence, in this way the deities achieved the fortune of their eyes, and they showered flowers upon Prabhu and revealed their happiness and peace, eventually returned to their respective abodes. The Sages and Rishis arrived in several groups to visit Rama in Chithrakoota. Raghukulachandra received them happily and prostrated before them. They embraced Raghuveera, and blessed him, watching the loveliness of Rama, Sita, and Saumithri they have realized that all their piousness and austerities have become fruitful. These Sages and Rishis returned to their hermitage and continued Yoga, Tapas, Japa, Yaga at their own will.

The tribal and Kiratha of the forest were extremely happy like Lord Kubera and Navanidhis settled in the forest. They brought fruits in cane baskets and went to meet Rama like the poor went to steal the gold. They described the splendor of Rama and Devi Sita and Lakshman and arrived in the hermitage. Rama received them heartily and they respectfully kept the fruit basket before Prabhu, they could not take eyes off from Raghurama, they stood like portrait watching the loveliness of Rama, Lakshman and Devi Sita. Their eyes filled in tears of love; Rama conversed pleasantly and received them with great love. They bow before Rama and with folded hands spoke “ Oh! Swami, we feel protected at your lotus feet, Oh! Kosala Raja, we feel our fortune has brought you in this dense forest of Chitrakoot, Oh! Prabho, the land, mountain, forest, and pathways are fortunate to bear your footprints. They have attained the fruitfulness of their lives; we with our families had the opportunity to see you and made our lives fortunate. You have chosen one of the beautiful and most appropriate places to live in the forest. You can live here peacefully in all the seasons. We will do all the service to you, we can keep you protected from the wild animals, elephants, lions, serpents, tigers, etc. Oh! Prabho, this forest has deep caves, colossal mountains, dense forest, and deep foothills. We have seen all those places, we will take you to those places for hunting, we will show you huge watercourses, ponds, and streams, etc. We and our families are your sincere servants, therefore Oh! Swami, do not hesitate to order us.”

The Supreme Lord who is eulogized by Veda and Vedanta, and incompetent to describe his splendor, the illustrious Sage who undertakes extreme penance and austerities to attain that supreme Bhramam, the compassionate Lord Rama listened to those innocents’ words of Kiratha, like a father affectionately listens to his children. The earnest love only can attract Rama, let people understand whoever wants to know the truth. Rama conversed with them in sweet words, and made them happy, they returned to their living places praising the virtues of Rama. In this way Rama, Sita and Lakshmana pleased deities and sages in the woods. The forest achieved all the auspiciousness the day Raghunatha settled in the Chithrakoota, there were numerous auspicious trees burdened with flowers and fruits, there were beautiful flowering creepers appeared as in heaven, it was like all those auspicious trees and creepers left heaven and settle in Chithrakoota, the pack of honey bees was buzzing all around, there was a cool breeze which carries rich fragrances of flowers, there were a large number of blue-necked birds, cuckoos, Chathaka, Chakravaha, Chakora and numerous species of birds sang beautifully, and attracted everyone. The wild animals, elephants, lions, tiger, porcupine, deer, monkeys, lived in complete harmony, they moved in herds, the deer were in the search of food looked at the loveliness of Rama, and forgot their hunger. All the deities and woods got jealous of the magnificence of Chithrakoota where Rama settled.  All those sacred rivers Devanadhi Ganga, Saraswathi, the Yamuna who is the daughter of Surya, the Narmada who is the daughter of Mountain, most contented Godavari, and all the rivers, streams, oceans praised the fortune of river Mandakini. All those mountains, Kailash, Mandhara, Meru, Himalaya which is the abode of deities, praised Chitrakoot, the Mountain Vindhyachala felt extremely fortunate to be a part of Chitrakoot. The deities eulogized the fortune of the birds, animals, trees, creepers, forest, and creatures of Chitrakoot.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 23– Ayodhya Kandam

Maharishi Valmiki's brilliant advice to Rama 

Sage Valmiki came to know about the arrival of Raghuveera, approached him was prostrated by Rama, and received the blessings of the sage who took great pleasure watching the loveliness of the couple and Lakshman. Sage Valmiki took them to his hermitage, received them respectfully, and offered seats and fruits. He offered them a beautiful place to stay; Sage took great pleasure in watching the Mangalmoorthi Rama who spoke with folded hands “Oh! Muneeshwara, you are omniscient, the whole Universe is visible in your palm.” Further, Raghuram, explained why did Devi Kaikeyi send him to the forest. “Oh! Prabho, I am fortunate to follow the command of my father and satisfy my mother Kaikeyi, I am fortunate to crown Bharatha as the King of Ayodhya, and meeting you in the forest. I consider everything as a great fortune to me. Oh! Muniraja, I am fortunate to bow before your lotus feet. I want to settle in a place in the forest where you consider appropriate for me, and I do not want to create any obstacles to the austerities of ascetics in the forest. The Kings who create impediments to the Saints and Rishis who engage in various pious activities would meet their death without fire. The highest of the auspiciousness is providing happiness to the twice-born, making them happy at all times, and their curse is enough to destroy the entire clan. Kindly advise me of a place where I have to settle in the forest. Oh! Kripalu, I can build a hermitage with Sita and Lakshman, and take shelter in it.”

The illustrious Sage Valmiki after listening to the calm and soft words of Rama, replied “ Oh! Raghuveera, you are right, you are the sincere follower of Dharma and those prescribed in the Veda, you are the Dharmadhvaja of Raghu clan. You are the protector of Vedic rites, you are Jagadheeshwara. Devi Janaki is your powerful Maya, who creates preserves and destroys the Universe and its living beings at your will. Lakshmana who bears the Universe and its living beings on his hood is a thousand hooded Adishesha who is the protector of the Universe. You have incarnated as King on Earth, to fulfill the desires of the deities, and destroy the wicked demons. Oh! Rama, you are beyond description and intellect, you are incomparable, and you are highly confidential and eternal as well. The Veda eulogizes you as ‘Nethi Nethi’. This Universe is the ‘Dhrishya’/visible and you are Dhrishta/one who sees everything. You represent Bhrama, Vishnu and Maheshwara, even they could not perceive you, and therefore you are known only to whom you introduce yourself. Whoever understands about you attains the union with you. Oh! Raghunandhana, your devotees understand you with your grace, Oh! Bhakthavathsala you are the essence of Chidananda, you are void of impurities, only the intellectuals, and fortunate ones knows about you. Oh! Raghunandhana, you have incarnated as King for the welfare of noble souls, saintly men, ascetics, and deities, Oh! Rama, the fools get infatuated after witnessing your various amusements and the intellectuals take pleasure in it. Whatever you do or speak is ‘Truth’. Everyone has to perform their character sincerely on the stage of the drama, and you are asking me where to stay in the forest. I shall ask you one question tell me where you are not present in this Universe? Then only I can show an appropriate place to stay in the forest.”

Rama smiled in his heart watching the devotion of Munishwara, who also smiled at Rama and continued to speak affectionately “ Oh! Rama, listen to me, I shall narrate the places where should you stay with Sita and Lakshmana. 1) Oh! Rama, you should reside in their hearts of people whose ears are relentlessly listening to your glorious myths, but not get satisfied in it, like the ocean even though various streams merge in it but never get satisfied, hence you should live in their hearts. 2) Oh! Rama, you should reside in their hearts of people whose eyes fixed on your marvelous form and takes immense pleasure in it, like the Chathaka bird fixes its gaze on the rain clouds, and yearn to consume the raindrops, Chathaka never consumes water from the watercourses, beautiful ponds or rivers. 3) Oh! Rama, you should reside in their hearts of people whose tongue takes pleasure in singing the glorious legends and virtues of you, like the swans in the Manasarovar lookout for the pearls? Oh! Rama, You should reside in their hearts.  Oh! Rama, listen to me, 4) Oh! Rama you should reside in their hearts of people whose nose takes pleasure in the fragrances of the flowers, sandalwood paste, vermilion, offered to you 5) Oh! Rama you should reside in their hearts of people who consume the Prasadha offered to you and whoever adores that ornaments, clothes, offered to you 6) Oh! Rama you should reside in their hearts of people who reverentially prostrate before deities, preceptors, and twice-born, 7) Oh! Rama you should reside in their hearts of people whose hands take pleasure in the veneration of you 8) Oh! Rama, you should reside in their hearts of people whose heart constantly contemplates upon you 9) Oh! Rama, you should reside in their hearts of people whose feet rush to visit the sacred places and shrines on the Earth 10) Oh! Rama, you should reside in their hearts of people who constantly recites the Manthrarajam/King of all the chants ‘Rama’, and worship you with their families, 11) Oh! Rama you should reside in their hearts of people who follow ancestral rites and prescribed fire sacrifices, 12) Oh! Rama you should reside in their hearts of people who please the twice-born with sumptuous meals and contributions 14) Oh! Rama, you should reside in their hearts of people who serve their preceptor sincerely and respectfully, and worship them as superior to you 15) Oh! Rama, you should reside in their hearts of people who performs all those above said and pray for intense devotion at the lotus feet of you,  and have nothing to ask other than intense devotion at your lotus feet as a boon, you should reside in their hearts with Devi Sita and Lakshman.”

Maharishi Valmiki continues “Oh! Rama 16) People whose heart is pure without Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Madha, Ashcharya, Ragadhvesha, deceitfulness, Dhambham, etc... Oh! Raghuram resides in their hearts 17) Oh! Raghuram, people who are loved by all, who are friendly to all, who consider happiness and sorrows, praise and criticisms are alike, people who talk truth and kind words, people who are completely surrendered to your lotus feet, people who realize you as the ultimate asylum while sleep and awake, Oh! Rama, you should reside in their hearts. 18) Oh! Raghunandhana, the people who consider women as their mother and respects them, people who do not take interest in others wealth and treat them as poison, people who get highly pleased in others welfare, people who feel extremely unhappy and painful in others troubles, and people who sincerely love you,  is the place highly auspicious to live. 19) Oh! Rama, you should reside with Devi Sita and Lakshman in the hearts of the people who consider you as their father, mother, companion, preceptor, and deity. 20) People who find goodness in others and ignore their faults, people who serve cows and twice-born, people who are virtuous and righteous are the place you should reside. 21) Oh! Rama, you should live with Devi Vaidhehi in the hearts of people who consider all the goodness is your grace, and take responsibility for their weakness, and always surrendered at your lotus feet and respect and serve the devotee of you. 22) Oh! Raghuram, you should reside in the hearts of the people who have abandoned their comfortable living, caste, families, relatives, wealth, fame, etc. and always contemplate upon you. 23) Oh! Rama, you reside in the hearts of the people who consider hell and heaven and Mukthi as same and envision your all-pervasive nature in every living being. 24) Oh! Rama, you should reside permanently in the hearts of the people who perform all the deeds, words, heart, contemplating upon you and serve you sincerely. Lastly, Oh! Rama, you should reside permanently in the hearts of the people who are contented, has nothing to expect from you and have sincere devotion at your lotus feet. Oh! Raghuvara, it is your permanent residence. ” In this way, the illustrious Sage Valmiki introduced several places for Rama to settle with Devi Vaidhehi and Lakshman.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 22– Ayodhya Kandam

Rama arrives in the hermitage of Maharishi Valmiki

The woman folks with the folded hands spoke to  Sita “ Oh! Devi, Long live! be inseparable like the divine couple Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, kindly shower your compassionate grace us. Oh! Devi, we sincerely request you to keep us as your sincere attendants, kindly visit us when you return back to your Kingdom and give us an opportunity to serve you all.” Devi Sita comforted them with her sweet and melodious words, like the moon rays showers coolness to lotus flowers. Rama understood the pouring love of the people, decided to leave the village and Lakshman enquired them the way to enter into the dense forest. The male and females were extremely sad, their eyes filled with tears. Their happiness vanished instantly, watching them leaving the village, felt like the precious gem lost from their hands. They became calm and sunk in deep sorrow; the men regained courage and instructed them the easiest way to approach the forest.

Rama, Lakshman, and Sita prepared to leave, the villagers began to follow them were pacified by Rama, and returned to their village, but they have left their hearts with them. The people while returning to their village wept bitterly and cursed the deity, “The Supreme Lord is unpredictable and partial, he is unashamed and cruel at times, he created Lord Chandra sick and blemished, he created Kalpavruksha among the ordinary trees and created the ocean water salty. The creator has sent these beautiful youths to the forest, if the forest is suitable to live for these charming youths, then all these comforts in the cities are meaningless. These youths are walking through the harsh paths without protection, if so all these comfortable vehicles created are worthless. These youths are taking shelter under trees and sleeping on the Kusha, if so there is no use of this luxurious mattress and marble fortress. These marvelous youths are attired in saffron robes, matted hair locks and adorned in prayer beads, hence the magnificent ornaments and clothes created have no use, these youths are living on fiber roots and fruits, and then there is no use of those sumptuous meals at all.” The other person remarked “These handsome youths must have self-incarnated, not created by God.  If we refer to all those sacred texts and scriptures, we could not find the most beautiful man and woman like Rama and Sita in these fourteen worlds. Lord Bhrama must be enthused by their loveliness and made all efforts to create like them, alas! None of his creations matches with the beauty of Rama and Sita, therefore he must have sent this attractive pair to the forest.” Another person said, “We have not much knowledge, but we are really fortunate and content in our lives, whoever witnesses this beautiful pair Rama and Sita who was accompanied by Lakshmana are extremely fortunate.” The people assembled spoke highly about Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, shed tears, and said “How did they cross the rough pathways? They are too tender to walk on these uneven roads.” The woman folks felt extremely sad like the Chakravaha that get anxious during the hours of dusk. They spoke softly “Their soft and supple feet of reddish color may get hurt, why did Jagadheeshwara not spreading flowers on their pathways? Why did he send them to the forest? If God is willing to provide boons to us, we can ask for the welfare of them.” The villagers who missed seeing Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana got anxious and enquired “Oh! Brother, where did they go? How could we reach them?” and rushed through the pathways following their footprints, some of the courageous ones made their way to reach Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana and achieved the fortune in their lives and returned in a state of bliss. The women and children who missed seeing them cursed their fate, in this way the places where Rama, Sita, and Lakshman visited have become the most fortunate lands on the Earth, and the people on these places were attained the highest of the piousness in their lives.

The villagers came to know about the decision of King Dhashara and Devi Kaikeyi to send Rama, Devi Sita , and Lakshman to the forest, some of the people strongly criticized them, and others felt it was their fortune to see Rama, Sita, and Lakshman. The males and females spoke “The parents of these children are highly fortunate, the Kingdom they have born is fortunate, and the cities, regions, mountains, forests, are fortunate to bear their footprints. Lord Bhrama who created these handsome youths should be revered highly.” 

Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Uma, The cities, villages, and forest sang in praise of these handsome youths, in this way Rama, Sita, and Saumithri spread bliss through their ways to the forest. They were attired in saffron robes, Rama walked in the forefront, Devi Sita behind him and later Saumithri.  Devi Sita shone like Maya, of the supreme force of Lord, between the supreme Lord and Jeevathma. If I describe the beauty of Devi Sita, it was like Devi Rathi between Vasantha Rithu and Manmatha, she was like Devi Rohini in between Budha and Chandra. Devi Sita closely watched the footprint of her husband, walked on it. Lakshmana did not touch the footprints of Devi Sita or Rama; he walked on the right of them. The love of Rama, Lakshmana, and Devi Sita was beyond description, it was ideal, even the birds and animals fell in love on them.”

The villagers whoever met Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana traverse their tedious journey of worldly existence effortlessly.  Whoever purified their hearts watching these stunning travelers, would definitely achieve his abode at least in their dreams, which is difficult to attain even for the ascetics. Rama saw Devi Sita is tired of the journey, took shelter under a tree, consumed fruits and fiber roots, and spends that night under the shade of the tree. In the early morning, they had a bath and performed the morning rites, and began their journey. They have walked through the beautiful dense wood, watching trees, ponds, mountains and arrived in the hermitage of Maharishi Valmiki. Rama took a walk on the surroundings of the hermitage, watching that beautiful forest, mountains, and crystal clear watercourses. The ponds were filled with the cluster of lotus flowers; the whole forest was packed with the flowering plants packed with the honey bees of buzzing sounds. The birds and animals were happily moving around without any hatred of each other. Rama who has eyes resembles the lotus flower petals took great pleasure in the beauty of nature.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 21– Ayodhya Kandam

Rama's journey through the banks of river Yamuna

On that night Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Guha spend their night in the hermitage of Sage Bharadhwaja. In the early morning, Rama took bath in Prayag and conducted morning rites after they bade farewell to Sage Bharadhwaja. Rama enquired the Sage about the place where he should conduct austerities, Sage Bharadhwaja smiled in his heart and spoke “Oh! Rama, all the ways to the forest is effortless for you.” Sage Bharadhwaja instructed fifty of his disciple to guide Rama to the forest, they were extremely happy to take Rama to the forest, all of them were highly enthusiastic to go with Rama, and all had intense love and devotion for Rama. Finally, Sage Bharadhwaja instructed four of the Bhramacharis to guide Rama to the forest, those where highly fortunate ones who had performed various piousness in their previous births. Rama prostrated before Sage Bharadhwaja and continued his journey, while they were moving through the villages, the people lived in the villages rushed to meet Rama, leaving all their household chores and felt their life has attained fruitfulness. In this way, they have crossed several miles, Rama advised the four Bhramachari’s to return to their hermitage, they felt they have attained the greatest fortune to follow them.

Rama took a dip in the dark waters of Yamuna, people who lived on the river banks rushed to meet Rama. They kept staring at the loveliness of Rama, Lakshman, and Devi Sita, they forgot their work at home. They were too shy to ask the whereabouts of the three lovely people, but some of the elderly people who were highly intelligent recognized him as Rama. They described the reason Rama left the palace to keep the promise to his father, and the people assembled were extremely unhappy, and they criticized the deeds of King and the Queen. In the meantime a charming youthful ascetic arrived, he was highly devoted to Rama with his mind, words, and deeds, he was attired in saffron robes, saw his beloved Lord Rama, his eyes welled up in tears of joy, he prostrated before Rama, it was difficult to describe the devotion and the state of that youthful ascetic. Rama embraced him, it was like a beggar achieved Parasmani for that ascetic. Rama and the ascetic resembled Paramarththa and devotion. The youthful ascetic fallen at the feet of Lakshmana was raised affectionately, he took dust particles from the feet of Devi Sita and adorned on his head, Devi Sita blessed him, realized his as her son. The King of Nishadha prostrated before the youthful ascetic was embraced by him.  He thirstily drank the nectar-like beauty of Rama with his eyes. The people assembled conversed each other “How did the parents of these youths send their children to the forest?” the people from the village near the river banks of Yamuna kept looking at the loveliness of these youths.

Several days have passed,  Raghuveera advised Guha to return to his village Shrungabheripura, finally, he had to leave them unwillingly. Ram, Lakshman and Sita with the youthful ascetic prostrated before the daughter of Lord Surya/Yamuna, eulogized her splendor and conducted their journey. On their way, they met people who advised affectionately Rama “Oh! Children, you all resemble the royal family, kindly do not walk away through the dense forest. We feel very painful to watch you walking on the harsh pathways, the ways to the forest are extremely harsh, full of mountains, and dense wood. Moreover, you have a beautiful girl with you, this forest is densely inhabited with wild animals like lions, tigers, elephants, foxes, jackals, etc. if you allow us, we will follow you, and will help you to guide inside the forest.” The people assembled were revealed their willingness to serve them, was send back affectionately with pleasing words by Rama.

The deities felt jealous of the pathways and the villages that had attained the fortune to bear the footprints of Rama that excelled the splendor of Amaravathi of Lord Indra. The villagers who met Rama, has the complexion of dark clouds, Devi Sita and Lakshman was highly praised by the deities. The rivers and ponds where Rama took dip were excelled the piousness of the rivers in the abode of deities. The Kalpavruksha in the abode praised those trees where Rama took shelter underneath, the Mother Earth felt highly fortunate to bear the dust particles from the feet of Rama. The deities showered flowers upon them; Rama enthusiastically watched the birds, animals, mountains, and the creatures in the woods, and continued their journey. Whenever they arrive in the villages, the people assembled there watching the loveliness of them leaving all their work at home, in this way they have attained the piousness in their lives. The villagers kept watching at the beauty of them and shed tears of joy, it was beyond description, it was like the beggar attained the treasure of gems. Some of the people followed Rama, they could not take back their eyes from him, and they took great pleasure in the loveliness of Rama through the doors of eyes and locked it in their hearts.

The People assembled under Vatavruksha spread grass mattresses and advised them to take rest for a while; others brought mud pot full of water and offered to them. Rama looked at Devi Sita who was already exhausted, therefore decided to take shelter under the Vatavruksha. The people assembled around him were like Chakora birds fixing its gaze on the moon. Rama, who has the complexion of ‘Thamala’ /dark cloud complexion, excelled in the beauty of crores of Kamadeva. The two charming youths were wielded in bow and arrow, holding an arrow in their hands, they have attractive matted hair locks,  broad chest, long hands, and beautiful eyes resemble lotus flower petals. Their face has the resemblance to the autumn moon was filled in sparkling perspiration, the loveliness of Rama and Lakshman was beyond description. I am not competent to describe their splendor.

The villagers assembled were looking at the loveliness of Rama, Lakshman, and Devi Sita, their mind and intellect was completely wedged in their beauties, and stood like a portrait, fixed their gaze at them, like the male and female deer stares at the brightness. The females of the village approached Devi Sita, and engaged in pleasing conversation with her, they repeatedly prostrated at the feet of Janaki, who was reluctant to speak anything, and they began to speak slowly “Oh! Princess, we are villagers, we are scared to talk to you anything. Kindly forgive us, do not mistake us. These two youths are extremely handsome, resembles emerald and gold, one has the complexion of dark clouds and another one is fair, both are extremely attractive. They have a lustrous face resembles the autumn moon, and the eyes resemble the lotus flower petals. Oh! Devi, Oh! Sumukhi, these handsome youths excel the beauty of crores of Kamadeva, how are you related to them?” Devi Sita became shy and smiled to herself.  Sita looked at their faces and fixed her gaze on the Earth with extreme shyness, Devi Sita who has fair complexion has the voice of cuckoo, and the eyes resemble eyes of antelope, spoke with shyness “ The youth who has fair complexion is Lakshmana, he is the younger brother to my husband.” She covered her lustrous face resembles the moon with the tip of her clothing, and with the flickering movements of eyes, and gestures she introduced Rama as her husband. The females of the village were extremely happy, they prostrated at her feet and blessed her “As long as Adishesha holds the Universe on his hoods, live a  blissful married life.”

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 20– Ayodhya Kandam

 The splendor of Prayagraj /Rama meets Sage Bharadhwaja

Rama took a bath in the river Ganga, and worshiped the Parththivashiva Linga, made of sand; Devi Sita worshiped Devanadhi Ganga and prayed “Oh! Mother kindly fulfills my desire to worship you with my husband and brother-in-law while returning to the city of Ayodhya.” There was a divine voice heard “Oh! Devi Sita, who is the dearest darling of Raghuveera, listen to me carefully, who is not aware of your splendor? Whoever attains your grace would become Lokapalaka. All those Sidhdhis worships you with folded hands, you have shown great respect to me, you will return safely with your husband and brother-in-law to the city of Ayodhya after fourteen years of Vanavasa, you will get all your desires fulfilled to worship, and your fame will spread all over the world.”  Devi Sita immensely pleased listening to the divine voice of Devi Ganga.

Rama looked at Guha and asked him to return to his village, Guha could not control his grief, spoke with folded hands “Oh! Prabho Oh! Raghukulathilaka, kindly listen to my prayers, kindly allow me to follow you to the forest, I shall guide you to the forest, in this way I can serve you all. Oh! Rama, I can build a beautiful hermitage for you to live in the forest. Oh! Raghuveera, I shall follow all your orders.” Rama decided to take Guha with him, Guha bade farewell to his people was highly pleased thinking about his fortune to follow Rama.  Prabhu Raghunatha contemplated upon Lord Ganesha, and Lord Shiva, prostrated before Devanadhi Ganga and proceeded journey with Guha, Lakshman, and Sita.

They took shelter under a tree, Guha and Lakshman prepared the necessities for them. On the next day, Rama finished the morning rites and began a journey to the sacred land Prayaga. The King of Prayaga has truth as a minister,  Shraddha as a wife, and dearest companion Bindu Madhav. He is the essence of Purusharththa.  The kingdom of Prayaga is the sacred place of the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, the river Prayag resembles the strongest and beautiful fortress, no one can conquer it, not even in their dreams. All the sacred rivers are the powerful warriors of the sacred river Prayag, they are extremely valorous and removes the accumulated sins of the Jeeva. The confluence of Ganga and Yamuna is the throne of Prayaraj, and that beautiful Akshayavat is the Cchathra on the throne, which captivates the hearts of ascetics. The water currents of Ganga and Yamuna are Chamara, mere witnessing the marvelous sight of Prayagraj would destroy the sufferings and miseries of Jeeva. The ascetics and noble souls relentlessly serve the Prayagraj and attain an abundance of piousness. The Vedas and Puranas highly praise the piousness of Prayagraj.  The splendor of Prayaraj is impossible to describe, how did the herds of elephant-like sins stand before the lion-like Prayaga? Rama, who is the ocean of bliss, became extremely happy watching Prayaraj. Rama described the various glorious legends of Prayagraj to Devi Sita, Lakshman, and Guha. He described the importance of the stunning woods surrounded by Prayagraj and the sacred lands. Thus Rama took a dip in the sacred Prayagraj, which is capable to provide all the auspiciousness just remembering its name. They took a dip in the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, and visited all the sacred shrines and worshipped according to the prescribed rites.

Rama along with Sita, Lakshman and Guha meets Sage Bharadhwaja and prostrated before him, Sage embraced Rama affectionately and transported himself to a state of ecstasy that was the state of union with the Bhramam. He blessed Rama and considered all his austerities were answered with the Dharshan of Rama. Sage received them to his hermitage, offered sanctified seats and fruits, they took great pleasure in the fruits, took rest for a while, Sage Bharadhwaja spoke affectionately “Oh! Rama, I have attained the meritorious rewards of my penances, visits to sacred Theerthas, and sacrifices, all those prayers, austerities, and Yoga has given its fruits. Oh! Rama, I have attained the highest of the piousness in our meeting. Oh! Rama, I have nothing more to ask from you, I have fulfilled all my desires with our meeting, kindly offer a boon to have firm and perpetual devotion at your lotus feet. Oh! Rama, none of the material comforts or worldly pleasures could not provide pure happiness not even in dreams unless and until there is sincere devotion with words, mind, and deed at your lotus feet.” Rama highly pleased with the devotion of Sage Bharadhwaja and spoke “Oh! Mune, you are highly devoted to that supreme Lord who is the essence of the Universe and virtues,” They engaged in pleasant conversation and expressed devotion to each other. Soon, Sage Bharadhwaja’s hermitage filled with the twice-born, illustrious Rishis and Sages of Prayag, Siddhas, Bhramacharis, etc.. and a line of noble souls who yearns to meet the lovely children of King Dhasharatha.  Rama prostrated before them, they have achieved the fruitful benefits of the eyes in their lives, and they drenched in extreme bliss, they have praised the glories of Rama and returned to their hermitage.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 19– Ayodhya Kandam

Rama meets the ferryman

Sumanthra felt disappointed after listening to the emotional speeches of Devi Sita, he became anxious about the safety of Devi Sita in the woods, like a serpent that has lost the gem on its forehead, he could not respond anything to her, Rama pacified Sumanthra, but he could not get peace. Sumanthra made all efforts to follow Raghava, but Rama advised him to return to the palace, he could not refuse the command of Raghunandhana, left everything to destiny, and prepared to leave them. Sumanthra prostrated before Rama, Lakshman, and Sita, and retired like a trader who has become a pauper. Sumanthra got into the chariot, the horses neighed looking at Rama, the Nishadhas wept bitterly and bet their head and spoke “Even the animals cannot bear the separation from the Prabhu, how did the people of Ayodhya and his parents survive in the absence of Rama?” Thus Rama convinced Sumanthra back to palace, he unwillingly drove the chariot to the city of Ayodhya.

Rama along with Lakshman and Sita returned to the riverbank of Ganga and called for a ferryman, but he refused to take him into his ferry, he spoke “Oh! Rama, I know the truth of you, everyone says that the dust particles of your feet make the immovable into living beings, my ferry is not hard as stone, if my ferry turned out a beautiful chaste woman like Ahalya, that would put me into deep trouble, I am earning a livelihood by carrying people on my ferry, I am taking care of my large family with that income and I do not know any other work, hence, Oh! Swami,  if you want to cross the river, first thing let me wash your feet with the water. Kindly give me permission for that. I can let you on the ferry after washing your feet; I do not need any money to carry you all on my ferry, Oh! Rama, I am telling you the truth, let Lakshman gets angry with me and shoots an arrow on me. But one thing is certain, I will not let you inside the ferry, before washing your feet, Oh! Prabhu of Tulsidas kindly gives me your permission to wash your feet otherwise I won’t let you inside my ferry.” Rama smiled looked at the face of Lakshman and Janaki, after listening to the compassionate and innocent words of the ferryman.

The Supreme Lord whose sacred name is enough to save the Jeeva to cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence, whose feet measured the three worlds in three strides, that compassionate Lord requested the ferryman “Do whatever you need to protect your ferry, bring water and wash my feet, I have to cross the river at the earliest.” Rama smiled at him with extreme love. The ferryman immediately ran towards the water and brought a wooden vessel full of water, and he affectionately washed the feet of Rama. The deities showered flowers upon the ferryman and praised his fortune and got jealous of him. He washed the feet of Prabhu and consumed that water with his family and they have attained supreme piousness, eventually he dropped Rama, Lakshman and Devi Sita on the other side of the river. The ferryman fell at the feet of Rama, who thought he has nothing to give to the ferryman, immediately Devi Sita handed him with her gem studded ring, Rama gave it to the ferryman.   The ferryman has fallen at the feet of Rama with intense devotion and spoke “Oh! Swami, Oh! Prabhu, Today my grief, miseries, and suffering has ended, I have been working as ferryman for so long, but today I have got the fruitful result of my work. Oh! Dheenadhayala, I do not need anything other than your compassionate grace, when you return from the woods, I will wait here to receive whatever you give to me.” Rama and Lakshmana insisted the ferryman to receive the gem-studded ring of Janaki, but he refused to accept it, instead, he received intense devotion and faith upon Supreme Lord Rama.