||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 53– Ayodhya Kandam

" Bharath Koopa"

The people of Ayodhya and Mithila soaked in the ocean of nectar-like happiness, listening to compassionate speeches of Rama, and it compelled Devi Sharadha to become quiet, Bharatha got relieved from the grief and sin, he prostrated before Rama and spoke with folded hands “Oh! Natha, I have gained the fruitfulness in my life, I have attained immense bliss following to you in the woods, Oh! Prabho, Oh! Ramachandra, I am prepared to follow the duties and responsibilities and all your commands, Oh! Prabho, kindly give me shelter at your lotus feet until your return from Vanavasa. Oh! Swami, we have brought sacred waters in the vessels at the instruction of preceptors, kindly advise us. I have a yearning that I cannot express in words, due to fear and embarrassment.”  Rama permitted Bharatha to reveal his desire; Bharatha began to speak “Oh! Prabho, I would like to conduct visits to those shrines, Theerthas, woods, hills, and mountains where your footprints are visible.” Rama said “Oh! Dear Brother, you can follow the instructions of Sage Athri, you can visit those forests of Chitrakoot without any fear. This entire forest of Chitrakoot is auspicious, pure, and supremely attractive under the supervision of Sage Atri, you can deposit the waters of sacred Theertha in the ponds and rivers of Chitrakoot with the advice of Sage Atri.” Bharatha became extremely happy and prostrated before the lotus feet of Sage Atri.

 

The deities who are extremely selfish, showered flowers on Rama and Bharatha, after listening to the most pleasing conversation took place between the brothers; the deities highly praised the clan of Raghu. Sage Vashishta, Midhiladhipa, and ministers of the assembly were highly appreciated Bharatha. King Janaka highly praised the virtues of Bharatha and Rama, the members of the assembly praised the marvelous speech took place between the Master and the servant, the bonding between Bharatha and Rama, and pure love between them. The people assembled were equally besieged with sorrow and happiness. Devi Kausalya who considers happiness and sorrows as equal pacified the other queens assembled in the hermitage, she narrated the virtues of Rama and transported them into a state of bliss.  The people assembled were highly praised the virtues of Rama and Bharatha as well.

 

Sage Atri advised Bharatha “Oh! Thatha, shortly we will make a visit to the woods, you can deposit the water in a beautiful well located near the mountain, I shall advise you to deposit this pure and nectar-like water in that well.” Bharatha instructed men to bring all those vessels of sacred waters, thus he and Shathrughna along with the ascetics conducted visit to the forests in the Chitrakoot ultimately arrived at the place where the well is situated. Sage Atri spoke to them pleasingly “Oh! Vathsa, this well and the mountain are there for a long time now, and this is a highly promising place for the Sadhakas who conduct austerities and penances,  it has inundated in the passage of time, later my disciples conducted a deep excavation in this place and found the large source of water, and today it has become purer with all those waters from sacred rivers. The ordinary souls do not understand the concept of Dharma, whoever takes a bath in this water would understand it, now onwards we will name it ‘Bharath Koopa’, it has multiplied its sanctity with all those sacred waters you have deposited in it. Whoever takes a dip in the ‘Bharath Koopa’ with devotion and faith would attain purity by heart, words, and actions.

 

All their way back, the ascetics and sages assembled narrated the significance of the ‘Bharath Koopa’ and arrived in the hermitage of Rama. Sage Atri narrated those glorious legends of Bharathakoopa to Raghurama as well. In this way, they happily spend the whole night describing various Dharmic legends and it lasted until the daybreak.  Bharatha and Shathrughna finished the morning rites, attired in ordinary clothes, without sandals to protect their feet went to seek the permission of preceptors, Sage Atri and Rama, and eventually left to woods to visit all those places where Rama stayed. The mother Earth made her surface compliant for the two brothers who were walking without sandals to protect their feet, she hid all those sharp grasses and stones, in this way Bhoodevi paved beautiful pathways for them. There was cool breeze carrying the rich fragrances of freshly blossomed flowers in the atmosphere, deities showered flowers, the sky was filled with rain clouds, trees, shrubs, and creepers were filled with flowers and fruits, lush green grasses added smoothness to the pathways. There were herds of deer staring at them, Cuckoo was singing melodiously, in this way, all those creatures in the forest served Bharatha and Shathrughna, knowing them are the dearest of Rama.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 52– Ayodhya Kandam

Rama addressing the assembly of preceptors, King Janaka and Ministers

Devendra who is extremely deceitful, always looked for the welfare of the deities, was never bothered of other’s loss, all that he wants the prosperity of the deities and he do not trust anyone.   His trick began to influence the intellect of the people assembled and transformed them dull, but he could not harm their devotion to Lord Rama. They were extremely frightful and lethargic, therefore they could not take a firm decision to go back to homes or live in the woods, their part of the heart wants to go back to the luxuries in their homes, and the other half wants to be with Rama in the woods. Therefore the people of Ayodhya and Mithila were extremely saddened and confused as well.   The compassionate Lord understood the reason for their grief, smiled to himself. The King Janaka, preceptors, Bharatha and intelligent ministers remained untouched by the influence of Devamaya. The ministers, preceptors, King Janaka have highly praised the devotion of Bharatha, they looked at Rama and stood like portraits. Bharatha’s fame is unblemished like Chandra, and the poets are like the Chakora that fixes gazes upon luster of Chandra. Bharatha’s virtues and nobility are indescribable even for Veda. Oh! Poets, kindly forgive my incompetent intellect, which made an effort to describe it. Whoever speaks or listens to the devotion and virtues of Bharatha would definitely attain intense devotion at the lotus feet of Rama and Devi Sita, the remembrance of Bharatha itself would create devotion to Rama and Devi Sita.

Rama who is righteous, valorous, impartial, symbolizes truth and love, ocean of bliss, highly disciplined, compassionate, an excellent speaker,  understood the dilemma of the people assembled before him, he thoroughly understood the desire of Bharatha, after taking into consideration of the region, time, and the society, he began to speak most inspiring and promising words “Oh! Dear Bharatha, you are incomparable, there is no one pure and innocent like you on the Earth. How did I describe the endless virtues of my dearest brother before my preceptors and society? Oh! Dear brother, you are thoroughly aware of the disciplines in the Surya clan. You know very well about our father who is truthful, and eminent. You are aware of the heaviness of the situation, and our conditions. You are aware of our responsibilities towards our preceptors.  You are aware of your companions, your enemies, and people who are neutral to you. You are aware of the individual responsibilities, duties, and responsibilities to the Kingdom and its subjects, and our collective responsibilities as well. I have deep trust in you, although I shall take this opportunity to advise you. Oh! Thatha, it is our preceptors who are guiding force of us to perform the duties and responsibilities in the absence of our father, otherwise, our people, relatives, families, and all of us would have vanished from the Earth. It was Sage Vashishta, and Sage Vamadeva helped us to regain our glories.”

Rama continues “ Our preceptors took great care of the duties and responsibilities of the Kingdom, they have also protected our fame, glory of our clan, Dharma, possessions, wealth, treasures, and it would be well-taken care off in the coming days in the presence of our preceptors, and everything will work smoothly the way we all desires. It is the grace of our preceptors that keep us protects us in our homes and woods like Adishesha bears the Universe on his hood.   Hence following the commands of parents, preceptors and the supreme Lord is the righteous deed. Oh! Dear brother, listen to our preceptors, mothers and the Lord, and remain the protector of the clan of Surya, it would provide Sadhaka all kinds of the Siddhis, fame like Thriveni, Sadhgathi and welfare as well. Oh! Brother, you have to keep the Praja and your family happy at any circumstances, they all have participated in my troubled times. You will have a harsh time during my life in the woods, you are too kind and I have been hard to you, it was not proper to talk like this during this difficult time, only the sincere brothers stand together during the crisis. A flawless Master should order his servants, and the sincere servants should be vigilant, watchful, and hardworking.” 

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 51– Ayodhya Kandam

 The passionate speeches of Bharatha

King Janaka visited Raghukuladeepa was received with great respect. Sage Vashishta spoke appropriate measures and well suited for the situation that was highly promising to society and were not against righteousness. He detailed the conversation took place between King Janaka and Bharatha, he repeatedly mentioned the excellent speeches of Bharatha, and his willingness to follow the command of Rama wholeheartedly. Raghunatha began to speak with folded hands before the assembly addressing his preceptors, “Oh! Swami, it is inappropriate to speak anything in front of the elderly people like you and King Janaka/Midhilesha, therefore I shall follow all those orders of you and Midhilesha sincerely, and everyone will accept the same. King Janaka and preceptors were stunned listening to the pleasant words of Rama, and they looked at Bharatha who was controlling emotions like Sage Agasthya who blocked the growth of Vindhyachala.  It was like, the grief like demon Hiranyaksha was already taken away the Earth which is the place of auspiciousness, but Bharatha’s intellect like Varaha, restored the auspiciousness effortlessly.

 

Bharatha prostrated before the assembly, with folded hands and spoke “It is inappropriate to speak before the assembly of intellectuals; I am making a humble effort to pronounce before you, kindly forgive me.” He spoke words that were highly intelligent, pure, and full of righteousness, like the Swan that separates milk from the water. The whole assembly was in a supreme state, he repeatedly prostrated before preceptors, King Janaka, twice-born, Rishis, and Sages, Raghupathi and Devi Sita, and began to speak “Oh! Prabho, Oh! Sri Ramachandra, you are my father, mother, companion, preceptor, Lord, you are most promising and you are supreme soul resides as the soul in living beings. You are unblemished and innocent, you are the commander of Universe and its living beings, you are the protector of all, you are the closest companion of people who takes shelter in you, you are all-pervasive, you symbolize valor and wisdom, you are Sharanagathavathsala, you are generous, and you destroy sins and wickedness. Oh! Prabho, you are supreme Lord, I am an untrustworthy servant of you. I have taken a journey to woods with the people of Ayodhya, without following the command of our father. The Universe is a mixture of good and bad, wicked and truthful, mortal and immortal. I have never seen anyone against your command, I have pronounced words against you, and I have acted against your will, even though that was taken as a promising act by my Lord Ramachandra. He is merciful and noble, he always thought of my wellness, even my wicked act has become an ornament of fame in his grace.”

 

Bharatha continues “ Oh! Prabho, your disciplines, and magnanimity are known to the whole Universe, and it is mentioned in Veda and scriptures as well. Even the wicked, cruel, sinners, evil-minded, blemished, impure, shameless, and non-believer who worship you and take shelter in you would achieve your grace. You are generous, did not take notice of their mistakes, and highly praise the virtues in them. It is difficult to find a noble Master like you, who is extremely compassionate and kind to his servant, and fulfills all his desires, and not even think of the favors done to your servant, always look for the wellness and comfort of your servant. It is Sri Ramachandra who is the Master, who showered grace upon me always. A bird can sing and an animal can dance after learning from its master, but the loveliness in the acts entirely depends on the efficiency of the Master. You are most compassionate, a jewel on the crown of Sadhus, keep praising and respecting your servants; it would be possible only for the supreme Lord Ramachandra who is generous and ocean of mercy. Oh! Prabhu, I have overruled your command due to my grief, and love for you, my immature behavior forced me to visit you in the forest. Oh! Prabhu, you have not displeased or disheartened me, I worship at your lotus feet which is the source of all the auspiciousness. Oh! Prabho, I came to know that you are most promising to me. Oh! Karunanidhi, I am an extremely fortunate one, I could feel that overflowing love of you,  Oh! Kripanidhe, you have not taken my grave sins seriously, I do not deserve all those kindnesses, Oh! Prabho, I have spoken words that may not be appropriate to the situation, but you have forgiven all those, with your nobility. Oh! Prabho, kindly forgive me if I have uttered anything harsh against you or the society. Oh! Prabho, I should not have stretched this conversation too long, the intellectuals do not take pleasure in long conversations. Oh! Prabho, kindly order me, you have fulfilled all my desires. Oh! Prabho, who is absolute truth, flawless, you are the source of auspiciousness and fortune I want to be dust at your lotus feet always, in the state of awakening, sleep and dream. I want to serve you without any personal gain or for the achievement of Purusharththa. Oh! Prabho, kindly order me, and give me an opportunity to serve you.” Bharatha was in a state of ecstasy, shed tears of contentment, and fallen at the louts' feet of Ramachandra were beyond description. Rama raised Bharatha from the ground, and pacified him, and made him seated next to him, Rama and the people of the assembly were drenched in extreme love, listening to the flawless speech of Bharatha.

 

The people of Mithila and Ayodhya, preceptors, Saints and Rishis, Midhiladhipa and Raghurama highly praised Bharatha’s affection and devotion. The deities showered flowers upon Bharatha praising his virtues. Tulsidas says that the people who listened to the speeches of Bharatha drenched in extreme grief, like the lotus flower at the beginning of the night hours. Devendra who is impure, and deceitful, watching the extreme agony of the people of Mithila and Ayodhya, remained unmoved, did not back from his selfish motive. He has no trust in anyone, and has the nature of crow; he plotted against all the people assembled, but their devotion to Rama kept them unharmed. The Devamaya worked very well on the people assembled, they preferred to take pleasures in the comforts of their respective homes, even though they got attracted to the beauty of woods where Rama settled, therefore everyone became restless. Prabhu Ramachandra realized the trick of Devendra, smiled to him. Thus, the powerful Devamaya persuaded everyone assembled except the preceptors, King Janaka, Bharatha, intelligent ministers, and saintly people.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 50– Ayodhya Kandam

 King Janaka, preceptors, Bharatha and Ministers meeting with Rama 

Sage Vashishta and Vamadeva met King Janaka, and began to speak affectionately “ Oh! Maharaja, you have to do the most beneficial and promising to all. Oh! Raja, you are the essence of Dharma, wisdom, knowledge, and virtues. You are to resolve the current issue before us efficiently.” King Janaka soaked in extreme compassion, and immersed in thought “It was not the right decision to visit Rama in the forest. It was the command of King Dhasharatha on Rama, anyway, we have to leave them behind and return to Kingdom.”

King Janaka with his men went to meet Bharatha, who rushed towards them and received King Janaka with great respect and offered a seat. King Janaka spoke “Oh! Bharatha, you know very well about Rama who is Sathyavratha and Dharmaniratha. He highly respects love and companionship of all; he has to undergo afflictions because of his extremely compassionate nature. Oh! Bharatha, you tell me about your final decision, I shall inform him.” Bharatha’s eyes filled in tears, and began to speak “Oh! Prabho, you are highly venerable and loveable like my father, my preceptors and mothers are highly promising to me. I am fortunate to be with you and Sage Vishwamithra and Vamadeva, and ministers, who are the ocean of wisdom. Oh! Swamis, kindly consider me as your child, and sincere servant, and advise me. I am incapable to take a decision while the ocean of wisdom is present before me, if I keep quiet that would be disrespectful if I speak anything it won’t be sensible. I would like to talk about something, kindly forgive my ignorance.  The righteousness of a servant is extremely difficult as described in Veda, Agama, and Puranas, and it is well known to the world. A sincere servant cannot be selfish; there is no place for attachments for him. Oh! Rajan, kindly advice us after taking into consideration of Rama’s desires, Dharma, and austerities, and the people’s choice and promising to Rama.”

King Janaka and his people highly praised Bharatha, whose speeches are difficult to perceive and easy to observe, soft as well as intelligent, sweet as well as bitter, precise as well as elaborate. King Janaka, Bharatha, preceptors, and ministers went to meet Rama who is the source of welfare and happiness of the deities. The people of Ayodhya and Mithila sunk in uneasiness, after knowing that their time has arrived to return to their cities without Rama and Sita, like the fishes in the first downpour. The deities keenly observed the state of the preceptor, then the affection of Vidheharaja, and Bharatha who is the essence of devotion to Rama. The deities overwhelmed, and extremely worried about watching the distress of the people of Ayodhya and Mithila. Devendra spoke “Rama cannot ignore the slightest apprehensions of his people. Therefore we have to plan something to keep us safe from the turn of events.” The deities prayed to Devi Sharadha and eulogized her “Oh! Devi, we are taking shelter at your lotus feet, kindly protect us, kindly change the mind of Bharatha with the influence of your Maya, kindly do something to protect the welfare deities.” Devi Sharada understood deities who are extremely selfish and soaked in Maya, she replied to them “Oh! Devendra, you are asking me to change the mind of Bharatha, it is pathetic to note that after all that thousands of eyes of yours cannot see the holy Mount Meru. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara’s Maya are extremely powerful, even they cannot influence Bharatha, and you are asking me to persuade Bharatha’s intellect. Bharatha’s heart is the dwelling place of Rama and Devi Sita. The darkness cannot enter in the place where the brilliant rays of sun prevail.” Thus, Devi Sharadha returned to Bhramaloka, the deities became restless like the Chakravaha in the night hours. The deities who are impure and wicked natured created an illusion in the minds of the people of Mithila and Ayodhya, it roused intense fear and misapprehensions in them, eventually, it created an internal conflict in the people; Devendra left the after results of his trick in the hands of Bharatha.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 49– Ayodhya Kandam

King Janaka and Devi Sunayana praises the splendor of Bharatha 

Devi Sunayana described the plight of the situation of Bharatha, his virtues, devotion, and love to Rama, it was like nectar absorbed from the moon, and King closed his eyes filled in tears. He highly praised Bharatha “Oh! Sumukhi, Oh! Sulochana, listen to me carefully. The legend of Bharatha is capable to remove all the afflictions of the worldly existence. I have been introduced to Dharma, Rajaneethi, and Bharamavichara, I have attained knowledge in all these fields, but I could not touch even the shadow of the legend of Bharatha, my intellect is powerless to describe his splendor. It would be highly pleasing for Lord Bhrama, Lord Ganesha, Adhishesha, Lord Shiva, Goddess Sharada, intellectuals, poets, wise, and noble souls, they would love to recite and listen to the legend of Bharatha, his fame, valor, Dharma, virtues, companionship, which excels the splendor of Devanadhi Ganga, and the taste of nectar. Bharatha is incomparable like the Mount Sumeru which stands majestically beyond comparison, even the intellectuals, and poets finds it difficult to narrate his splendor.”

 

King Janaka continues “ Oh! Sundari, it is impossible to describe the virtues of Bharatha, it would be like a fish trying to swim without water. Oh! Rani, Rama knows it all, even though he could not describe the virtues and devotion of Bharatha.” In this way King Janaka continued to praise the virtues of Bharatha and spoke “ If Lakshmana returns to the city of Ayodhya, and Bharatha stays with Rama and Sita would be appropriate, and everyone desires of it. Oh! Devi, the bond between Bharatha and Raghuvarana is incomprehensible, Rama is the essence of impartiality, and Bharatha is the essence of love and devotion. Bharatha must have never thought of his personal or spiritual welfare, or his comforts not even in his dreams. His mind is wedged at the lotus feet of Rama and Sita, he has an intense devotion and love to Rama, I understand this is the Dharma of Bharatha, he could not ignore the advice of Rama, not even in the dreams.” In this way King Janaka highly spoke of the unique bond between Rama and Bharatha and his voice got interrupted by the rush of emotions and admiration to them.

In this way King Janaka and Devi Sunayana immersed in the conversation of praising the virtues of Rama and Bharatha did not notice the time. In the early morning, the people of Vidheha and Ayodhya took a dip in the Devanadhi and conducted the worship of deities. Rama took a dip in the Devanadhi and went to meet preceptors; he prostrated before them and spoke pleasantly “Oh! Swami, Bharatha, my mothers and people of Ayodhya and Mithila are going through difficulties in the wood; kindly do something which is promising to all.” Sage Vashishta and Vamadeva became happy to watch the simplicity and kindness of Rama and spoke “ Oh! Rama,  life is hell for the people of Ayodhya and Mithila without you. You are Prana in them, you are the luxuries in them, and they have already abandoned their homes to be with you. Oh! Srirama, life without devotion at your lotus feet is meaningless. Karma and Dharma without devotion at your lotus feet are futile, Yoga and Gnana without devotion at your lotus feet remain Kuyoga and Agnana/ignornace. The People drenched in sorrows because of the absence of devotion at your lotus feet, people who are blissful in their lives with the constant remembrance of you. Oh! Ramachandra, you are the knower of all, you are the commander of Universe and its living beings, Oh! Kripalu, you are omniscient, you can return to your hermitage now. ” Munishwara transported to a state of bliss watching him, the compassionate Rama prostrated before him and returned to his hermitage.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 48– Ayodhya Kandam

 

 Devi Sunayana's meeting with the Queens of Ayodhya

In this way, four days have passed, the people assembled were took great pleasure in the company of Rama and the preceptors. They all had one thought in mind “It is impossible to return to the Kingdom without Rama and Sita.  Hence, living in the wood with Rama and Sita only could provide the happiness that excels the crores of happiness in Amaravathi. Whoever prefers to live without Rama, Sita and Lakshman would never have a good fate. It is the grace of the Lord we have got the fortune to be with Rama.”  They all took bath in Mandhakini thrice a day, they have visited Rama who is the source of happiness and auspiciousness, they have visited the Kamadhagiri Parvath and surrounding woods, and the hermitage of Maharishis, consuming the fruits that have the taste of nectar. They have already made up their mind living in the woods for fourteen years in the presence of Rama would provide them an abundance of happiness. They all were highly devoted at the feet of Raghuvara and thought “it is impossible to get that happiness in our lives permanently, we are not fortunate enough to have that blissful life forever.”

 

Devi Sunayana sends her female attendants to find the three queens are having leisure hours and found that it was the right time to make a visit and converse with them. Devi Sunayana and the elderly women of the palace of Vidheha were received with great respect by the mothers-in-law of Sita.  They were received appropriate seats and shared extreme love and compassion with each other; it would melt the hardest of Vajra. They resembled the kindness took the form of the females and stood like statues of love for Rama and Sita. Devi Sunayana spoke “ Oh! Devi, destiny is indescribable and unique. We could seek crow, pelican, owl, everywhere but it is difficult to find Swans, which could be seen in Manasaras only.” Devi Sumithra spoke in extreme grief “It is not the fault of anyone, our happiness and sorrows are predestined according to our Karma. God only knows the sharp destiny; he is the one providing the fruits of Karma of Jeeva. He is responsible to all, he is the one giving life and taking it back, he is the one responsible for Shrishti – Sthithi and Laya. Oh! Devi, it is meaningless to grieve over things. The deeds of destiny are indescribable and endless, we are grieving over the death of the King because of our personal interest on him.” Devi Sunayana replied “ Oh! Devi, your intelligent words are true, you are the queen of the Ayodhyapathi who is Punyathma. Even if Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita are live in woods, there won’t be any harm.” Devi Kausalya spoke “I am worried about Bharatha only. It is the blessings of the deities, and you, my sons, and daughters-in-law are pure like the Devanadhi Ganga. Oh! Sakhi, I shall tell you the truth, it is Bharatha’s love, compassion, kindness, sincerity, nobleness, virtues, simplicity, love for brothers, devotion, trust, and goodness cannot be praised even by Devi Sharadha. I always consider Bharatha as the earthen lamp in the clan of Surya, I have heard it several times from King Dhasharatha, like the quality of the precious metal can be understood by rubbing it on the stone, a gem trader knows the qualities of it, the nature of a person can be well understood during the hours of crisis, a person who is drenched in sorrows and love cannot speak sensibly.” The queens assembled were shed tears listening to the words of Devi Kausalya, which are pure and sacred as waters of Ganga.

 

Devi Kausalya began to speak “Oh! Devi, Midhileshi, you have King Janaka who is the ocean of wisdom with you, therefore whenever you speak to the King, kindly ask him to advice Lakshmana to return to Ayodhya, and send Bharatha with Rama and Sita to the forest, if you and the King find it's advisable kindly do the needful. I am extremely anxious about Bharatha, it is difficult to understand the heart of Bharatha, I am scared of him, if he stays back without Rama, and he may commit something unpleasant.” All the queens felt stunned watching the brimming love of Devi Kausalya for Bharatha, they did not utter a word due to the sudden rush of emotions, and deities showered flowers praising the nobility of Devi Kausalya. The Siddhas, Yogis, and Sages sunk in a deep state of bliss, all those women in the hermitage became speechless, Devi Sumithra spoke: “Devi, the one Yama/period or portion, in the night is already over.” Devi Kausalya stood before the women assembled and with folded hands began to speak pleasantly “Kindly return back to your residing place; we are taking refugee at the feet of Supreme Lord and most promising Midhilapathi.” Devi Sunayana listening to the most pleasing words of Kausalya, prostrated before her and touched her feet, and spoke “Oh! Devi, you are the wife of valorous King Dhasharatha and virtuous son Rama, your simplicity is beyond words. It is the nature of noble souls, they show great respect to their servant too, like the flame carries fumes on its head, the mountain gives space for the grass to grow on its peak. Kin Janaka is your sincere servant by heart, words, and deeds. Lord Maheshwara and Goddess Bhavani are your favorite deities, therefore who is qualified to help you in this world? A simple earthen lamp cannot help Lord Surya. Oh! Devi, Ram will finish fourteen years of Vanavasa, and fulfill all the desires of the deities, and return to Ayodhya and rule his kingdom. Rama will rule the Kindom of Ayodhya, and the Naga, Deva, and Humans will live a protected and happy life under his regime. These are already prophesied by Maharishi Yajjavalkhya, Oh! Devi, the prediction of a Sage won’t go waste.”

 

Devi Sunaya fallen at the feet of Devi Kausalya and asked her permission to take Devi Sita with her, thus, Devi Sunayana took her daughter to the place of her stay. King Janaka received permission from Sage Vashishta and left the hermitage of Rama. Devi Sita met all her people, watching her in saffron robes, all of them became gloomy. King Janaka embraced her daughter who is the abode of love, happiness, and peace. Devi Sita could not control her emotions watching the brimming love of her parents; soon Bhoomiputhri regained her courage and remembered her Dharma, duties, and responsibilities. King Janaka spoke affectionately “Oh! Putri, you have purified the two clans, your fame excelled the Devanadhi Ganga, which spread Koti Bhramanda. Devi Ganga attained fame in three places on the Earth, in Haridwar, Prayaga, and Gangasagar, but your fame has spread all over the hearts of saintly men and ascetics.” King Janaka who was soaked in extreme love for his daughter highly praised her; she became too shy listening to him. They embraced her, blessed her, and advised her. Devi Sita felt it is not advisable to stay that night with her parents, Devi Sunayana conveyed her message to King Janaka. They praised Devi Sita, embraced her, and bade farewell to her. Devi Sunayana took this opportunity to explain about Bharatha’s pitiable state and Devi Kausalya’s anxiousness about him.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 47– Ayodhya Kandam

 

The meeting of Rama with King Janaka in the woods

Raghunatha followed by his brothers, ministers, preceptors and the people of Ayodhya went to receive King Janaka, preceptor Shathanandha, and the queens. King Janaka got out of the chariot and hurried to Rama and bow down before him, he had no exhaustion of long hours of journey, and he was highly enthusiastic to meet Rama and Vaidhehi. King Janaka with his family moved towards the crowd, Janaka prostrated before the preceptors Vamadeva and Vashishta, and saintly men, twice-born and ascetics, and reverentially greeted people of Ayodhya. Raghunandan prostrated before the twice-born, Rishis and Sages, preceptors of Vidheha. Rama with his brothers courteously received King Janaka and his family to the hermitage.

 

The hermitage of Rama resembled the ocean of Rishis, sages, ascetics, King Janaka and his people were the resembled the compassionate watercourses that rush to merges in the ocean, the watercourses brimming with the Gnana and Vairagya merged in the ocean of Saintly men. There was grief, the sigh of despair, cries, fear, and trepidations, like swivel was clearly visible in the watercourses, there was highly intellectuals and preceptors like ferries were waited to save them from the trepidations of the people.   The Kolas and Kirathas were distressed watching the gloominess in the atmosphere, thus the water-courses merged in the ocean.  The hermitage of Rama filled with the grief, everyone lost their courage, and they all praised the valor and splendor of King Dhasharatha and grieved at his loss. Janaka was inconsolable, the Siddhas and ascetics watched the miserable state of King Janaka who was brokenhearted over the death of King Dhasharatha. There were ascetics pacifying the people who wept bitterly, and Sage Vashishta approached King Janaka and consoled him.

 

King Janaka who is highly scholarly like the brilliance of Surya removes the darkness of ignorance, and the lustrous sun causes the blossoming knowledge was besieged with sorrow due to his overflowing love for Rama and Sita. There are two kinds of people as described in the Veda 1) people who are soaked in worldly matters and bondage 2) people who have the knowledge of Paramarththa/Sadhaka 3) Intellectuals who are free from worldly matters and bondages. The person who has intense love and devotion at the feet of Rama is considered as highly respectable among the Sadhus. The knowledge without the devotion at the feet of Rama is like a ferry without the man to drive in it. Sage Vashishta advised Vidheharaja and elevated him from the sorrow.   They have taken a dip in Devanadhi where Rama took bath, all the male and females were drenched in grief, and they spend the day not even drinking water, surprisingly the animals were fasting, therefore nothing to talk about the people of Ayodhya.

 

The people who are arrived from Mithila and Ayodhya, for the achievement of Laukika and Paramarththa, reverentially seated before the twice-born, preceptors of both the clans, who conducted lectures on Dharma, Neethi, Virakthi, and Viveka, etc. Sage Vishwamithra explained various legends from scriptures appropriate for the situation and elevated their souls. Raghunatha spoke to Kaushika “Oh! Swami, all are fasting from yesterday, not even consumed a drop of water.” Kaushika said “It was true, Raghava is right it is already mid-noon,” King Janaka spoke “It is advisable not to eat any grains during this period of time.” They all went to have a bath in Devanadhi after receiving permission from preceptors. The Vanavasis brought loads of fruits and fiber roots for the people of Ayodhya and Mithila. The wood was providing an abundance of fiber roots and fruits for them, and the very sight of its stunning appearance removed the grief of the people. The streams, watercourses, and ponds were brimming with water, trees and creepers were overburdened with fruits and flowers, the birds were producing chirping sounds, and the honey bees were buzzing all over the woods, the whole of wood was filled in the happiness. The cool breezing carrying rich fragrance removed their exhaustion; the beauty of the wood was beyond description. It was like Mother Earth was serving King Janaka and her guests enthusiastically. They all had a bath in Devanadhi and set out for searching shelter places under huge trees. Sage Vashishta instructed the tribes to offer various beautiful fruits that have the taste of nectar to their guests in huge baskets. They worshiped Pithrus, deities, Guru, and guests, and consumed the fruits.