||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 3 - Aranya Kandam

Devi Anasuya's advice on Sthree Dharma to Devi Sita

Devi Sita prostrated before Devi Anasuya, and received her blessings. Devi Anasuya embraced Devi Sita and offered a seat next to her. She decorated Devi Sita with marvelous ornaments, and clothes, that remains pure and flawless always. Devi Anasuya described the Sthreedharma to Devi Sita  “Oh! Princess, listen to me carefully, brother and father are most promising to a girl child, but they cannot provide happiness and welfare for a long time. Oh! Vaidhedhi, a woman who forgets to serve her husband is immoral. The Dhairya, Dharma, companion, and wife will put into test during the hours of crisis. Oh! Janaki, a woman has to serve her husband sincerely, even if he is blind, ill, old, sick, dull-minded, poor, speechless, and arrogant, a woman who disrespects husband would be considered as morally wrong and undergoes hellish torture. The scriptures strongly recommend that the woman has only one duty, that’s to serve her husband with mind, deed, and words and she should have devotion at his feet.  There are four types of chaste women mentioned in scriptures, Veda, and Rishis and Sages. 1) The woman who does not give space for another man not even in her dreams, is considered as highly virtuous and highly praised in Veda and Rishis 2) Woman who considers men in the society as her brother, father or son is known as Madhyamam 3) The Adhama is a woman who follows the duties and responsibilities to her husband to protect  Dharma and for the welfare of the clan 4) Woman who completely ignore the duties and responsibilities towards her husband, due to some reasons or fear, and fall in love with another man is heaved to hell called Raurava for hundreds of Kalpa. The woman, who takes pleasure in the physical relationship with the stranger, would be considered as a grave sinner. The woman who sincerely follow the chastity and duties and responsibilities towards her husband attain Paramamgathi effortlessly, If not she would take several births and become a widow at a young age.”

 

Devi Anasuya continues “Oh! Janaki, a woman is considered as impure by birth, but she attains purity and Paramagathi by sincerely serving her husband. Devi Tulsi is beloved of Lord Hari, she is well known for her chastity, the four Vedas eulogizes the glories of Devi Tulsi. Oh! Sita, listen to me, Srirama is beloved to you, therefore people contemplate you as well, in this way they will protect their Sthree Dharma, and I have narrated all these for the welfare of the world.” Devi Janaki reverentially prostrated before Devi Anasuya. Lord Rama spoke to Sage Atri “Oh! Mahamune, I shall take leave with your permission, kindly shower your compassionate grace upon us, I shall take leave to the woods, and I am your sincere servant, kindly keep showering love upon us.” Sage Atri affectionately replied “Oh! Rama, Oh! Vathsa, you are righteous and beloved of ascetics and noble souls, you are relative of distressed people, even Lord Bhrama and Lord Shiva, Sanakadhis, Paramarththavadhis yearn for your presence, is benevolent to me. I have understood why Devi Sita refused all the deities and married to you. She is highly intelligent, who does not want to have incomparable Lord in their lives? Oh! Swami, how did I ask you to keep exploring the woods? Oh! Antharyami, Oh! Natha, kindly advise me.” Sage Atri stood before Rama with folded hands, shed tears of extreme compassion, and fixed his gaze on the lotus-like face of Rama.

 

Sage Atri reverentially looked at the lotus feet of Rama and thought “What kind of austerities and penance I have undertaken to attain the presence of supreme Lord who is all-pervasive, beyond Triguna, sense, and mind? It is necessary to undergo extreme austerities, Japa and Yoga, to attain intense devotion and faith, that’s the reason Tulsidas constantly sang in praise of supreme Lord Raghuveera and his glorious legends. Whoever sings in praise of the splendor of Srirama would get rid of impurities of the mind. It is the source of permanent bliss, whoever listens to the glorious legends of Sri Rama with devotion would attain the grace of him. The Kali era is the collection of evilness, there will not be Dharma, Gnana, Yoga, Tapas, etc. Therefore whoever takes shelter at the lotus feet of Rama, leaving all other faith would be considered as intelligent.”

 

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 2 - Aranya Kandam

Rama's visit to the hermitage of Sage Atri

Namami Bhakthavathsalam  Kripalu Sheelakomalam | Bajami They Padhambhujam Akaminam  Swadhamadham || Nikama Shyamasundharam Bhavambunatha Mandharam | Praphulla Kanjjalochanam Madhadhi Dhoshamochanam || Pralamba Bahuvikramam Prabho Aprameya Vaibhavam | Nishanga Chapasayakam Dharam Thrilokanayakam || Dhinesha Vamsha Mandanam Mahesha Chapa Gandanam | Muneendhrasanth Ranjjanam Surarivrindha Bhajjanam || Manojavairi Vandhitham Ajadhi Devasevitham | Vishudhdha Bodhavigraham Samasthadhooshanapaham || Namami Indirapathim Sukhakaram Sathamgathim | Bhaje Sashakthi Sanujam Shachipathipriyanujam || Thvadhanghri Moole Ye  Nara: Bhajanthi Heenamathsara | Pathanthi No Bhavarnnave Vitharkkaveechi Samkule || Viviktha Vasina: Sadha Bhajanthi Mukthiye Mudha | Nirasya  Indhriyadhikam Prayanthithey Gathimswakam || Thamekam Athbhutham Prabhum Nireeham Eshwaram Vibhum | Jagathgurum Cha Shashvatham Thureeyameva Kevalam || Bhajami Bhavavallabham Kuyoginam Sudhurllabham | Swabhaktha Kalpapadhapam Samam Susevyamanvaham || Anooparoopabhoopathim Nathoahamurvijapathim | Praseedha Mey Namamithey Padhabjabhakthi Dhehi Mey || Padanthi Ye Sthavam Idham Nara Adharenathe Padham | Vrajanthina Athra Samshayam Thvadheeya Bhakthi Samyutha: ||

Lord Maheshwara speaks “ Oh! Devi, Sri Ramachandra performed various amusements while living in the Chitrakoot, which are like nectar to ears.  After a few days of living in Chitrakoot, Rama decided to leave the place to avoid the crowd of ascetics, Sages, Rishis who understood the nature of supreme Lord personified on the Earth. The two brothers and Devi Sita visited the Rishis and Sages and prostrated before them and took a leave from Chitrakoot, and proceed to the hermitage of Sage Atri. Maharishi Atri was immensely pleased to receive the news of Rama’s visit to his hermitage, he rushed to meet them, Rama, Lakshmana and Devi Sita walked towards the Sage and prostrated before him. Sage Atri embraced Rama and Lakshmana with extreme affection and shed tears of joy; he took great pleasure watching the lovely face of Rama and took them to the hermitage. Sage received them with great respect, offered seat and fruits, Sage Atri stood watching the loveliness of Rama.

 

Sage Atri eulogizes Rama “Oh! Rama who is Bhakthavathsala, Kripalu, and most pleasing to his devotees, offers his own abode to them, I shall prostrate the lotus feet of that Rama. Oh! Bhagavan, you have the complexion of dark clouds, resembles the Mandara Mount that can be used for churning the ocean of Samsarasagara. Your beautiful eyes resemble lotus flower petals, which is capable to remove the impurities and egos in your worshiper. Oh! Thrilokanayaka, your long hands have endless prowess, your splendor is incomparable, you are adorned in powerful bow and arrow, and you are the protector of three worlds. Oh! Prabho, you are the Surya in the Dhineshavamsha/Surya clan, you have broken the powerful bow of Mahesha, and you are the source of happiness to Munindhra and saintly people. You are the destroyer of the enemies of deities. Oh! Prabho, you are beloved of Lord Maheshwara and worshiped by Lord Bhrama, Devendra, and deities. You symbolize absolute Bhramam, which imparts the supreme knowledge of Prakrithi and Purusha. You are the destroyer of wickedness and impurities in the Universe. I shall prostrate before Indirapathi who is the essence of supreme bliss and source of Moksha for the noble souls and Mahathma. I shall prostrate before the Shachipathipriyanuja who is the younger brother to Lord Indra, along with Lakshmana and Devi Sita. Oh! Bhagavan, people who have taken shelter at your lotus feet are free from impurities of the mind, therefore they do not fall in the cycle of birth and death again and again. Oh! Bhagavan, people who have the utmost control over senses, and the people who have no interest in worldly matters or bondage, contemplate upon you and realizes the eternal presence of the supreme Lord in them. Oh! Jagathguru, you are mysterious, you are void of duality, you are impassionate, you have all-pervasive nature, you are mighty Lord, you are Jagathguru who imparts the knowledge of supreme Bhramam, you are eternal, you are beyond the three virtues/Rajasik, Sathvik and Tamasik,  and you are flawless. I shall take refuge at your lotus feet. Oh! Prabho, I shall meditate upon you, Oh! Bhagavan, you are beloved of passionate devotees, you are not attainable for the people who are soaked in worldly matters and bondage, you are Kalpavruksha to your passionate devotees and Yogis, you are impartial, and you are easily attainable for the noble souls. Oh! Seethapathi, your loveliness is incomparable, oh! Bhoopathi, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you, Oh! Bhagavan, kindly shower your merciful grace upon us and blesses us to have intense faith and devotion at your lotus feet. Oh! Prabho Ramachandra, whoever reads or listens to the above verses with dedication would attain immense devotion at your lotus feet; undoubtedly they would attain your supreme abode.” Sage Atri repeatedly prostrated before Rama and prayed with folded hands “Oh! Prabho, my mind, and intellect should always take rest on your lotus feet; it should not abandon contemplation upon your lotus feet.”

 

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 1 - Aranya Kandam

 The story of Jayantha who assumed the form of a crow

Prarthana Shloka:

Moolam Dharmatharor Vivekajaladhe: Poornendhumanandhadham Vairagyam Ambhujabhaskaram Hyaghaghanadhvanthapaham Thapaham | Moham Ambodharapooga Padanavidhau Swa: Sambhavam Shankaram  Vandhe Bhramakulam Kalanka Shamanam Sri Ramabhoopa Priyam ||

 

I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Shankara who is originated from the Bhruvormadhye/middle of the eyebrows of Lord Bhrama, he is the essence of righteousness, an ardent devotee of Lord Rama, he symbolizes full moon that gives bliss to the ocean like wisdom, he symbolizes Vairagya, like Surya that causes blossoming the lotus flower, he is the powerful wind that removes the ignorance like clouds, he removes the darkness of the sins, he is the destroyer of Thapathraya/afflictions caused by the body, people and wealth, and eradicates intense desires in worldly matters.

 

 Sandra Anandhapayodha Saubhagathanum Peethambaram Sundharam Panau Banasharasanam Katilasath Thoonirabaram Varam | Rajeevayatha Lochanam Dhritha Jata Joote Samshobhitham  Seetha Lakshmana Samyutham Pathigatham Ramabhiramam Bhaje ||

 

 I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Rama who has the complexion of dark rain clouds, he has a lovely appearance and physical features, he is attired in yellow silk garment, he is wielded in bow and arrows, the protective shield of arrows tied on the waist, his eye has the resemblance to the lotus flower petals, he has matted hair locks and explores through the woods with Devi Sita and Lakshman.

 

Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Uma, listen to me carefully, Rama’s virtues are highly confidential, the intellectuals and noble souls attain Virakthi after listening to his glorious myths. People who have no devotion to Sri Hari, people who do not take any interest in righteousness, people who are soaked in worldly matters, and bondage would get confused listening to his glorious myths. I shall make an earnest effort to narrate the devotion of Bharatha and the people of Ayodhya to Lord Rama. I shall describe the marvelous legend of Prabhu who provided immense bliss to Sages, Rishis and ascetics, deities, and the people in the woods. Once, Rama collected fresh alluring flowers from the woods, and created an attractive garland with it, and adorned it on the long curly hairs of Devi Sita who was seated on the crystal stones, and took a seat with her. At that moment the son of Indra who has assumed the form of a crow pricked on the feet of Devi Sita and flees from the sight, it was like an ant wants to measure the depth of the ocean, he wanted to experiment the female force of Rama. That dull-minded son of Indra caused to bleed Devi Sita’s feet.  Suddenly, Ramachandra who is extremely compassionate and kind noticed the bleeding feet of Devi Sita and shot an arrow of Bhramasthra aiming at the crow, it chased Jayantha. He terrified and assumed his real form, approached his father Lord Indra, but he refused to give shelter to his son knowing that he is an enemy of Rama. Jayantha terrified of the Bhramasthra that was following him everywhere, he rushed to Bhrama Loka and Kailash, but he did not get freed from the Astra,  it was like Sage Durvassa chased by Sudharshana to the three worlds. None of the deities were willing to give shelter to the enemy of Rama.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “ Oh! Garuda, listen to me, the person who keeps enmity to Rama, would consider their mother as death, father as Yama, nectar as toxic poison, companions as hundreds of enemies, sacred river Ganga as Vaitharani, and the whole Universe as a furnace.  Maharishi Narada felt sad for Jayantha who was exhausted running all over the three worlds, Oh! Garuda, the saints, and ascetics are extremely compassionate and kind, he advised Jayantha to return to Rama and take shelter at his feet. Thus Jayantha took shelter at the feet of Rama and requested “Oh! Pranatharththiharin, kindly protect me. Oh! Raghunatha, I am a dull-minded person, wanted to test on your incomparable prowess. Oh! Prabho, I have received the punishment for my evilness. Oh! Prabho, I shall surrender at your lotus feet. Kindly protect me. ” Oh! Parvathi, that compassionate Prabhu felt empathy on Jayantha and left him with one eye. Jayantha committed a grave sin which deserves death punishment, but that kindhearted Lord Raghuveera did not hurt him, hence there is no one in the Universe benevolent as Rama.”

 

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 56– Ayodhya Kandam

 The concluding part of Ayodhya Kandam - Bharatha's life in Nandigauv

Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana lived in that beautiful hermitage in the Chitrakoot, it was like Gnana, Bhakti and Vairagya personified on the Earth. The sages and Rishis, preceptors, ministers, King Janaka, and the people of Ayodhya and Mithila were besieged with the pain of separation of Rama and Sita. They were contemplated upon Lord Rama, and traveled in utter silence, they have crossed the river Yamuna, that day they did not consume a meal. On the next day, they have crossed the river Ganga and arrived in the village Shrungabheripura. Guha was already arranged for their comfortable stay and meals; they have crossed river Gomathi on the fourth day, and took a bath in it, and reached the city of Ayodhya. King Janaka stayed in the Kingdom of Ayodhya for four days and took an inspection of the administration of the Kingdom and the duties of the Kingdom was assigned to preceptors, Bharatha and Ministers, and returned to Mithila. The people of Ayodhya sincerely followed the instructions of the preceptors and lived happily.

 

The people of Ayodhya conducted fasting and various austerities to extend their life span to see Rama’s return after Vanavasa, they sacrificed luxuries and ornaments and waited for the return of Rama. Bharatha instructed the ministers and attendants in the administration of the Kingdom, they sincerely followed his instructions,  Bharatha called for Shathrughna and instructed him to take care of mothers, he called for twice-born and prostrated before them, and spoke with folded hands “Oh! Vipradevatha, kindly inform about everything, whether it is minor or major issues, good or bad in the Kingdom of Ayodhya from time to time.” He invited the people of Ayodhya and his families, and he went to meet Preceptors with Shathrughna and prostrated before them and spoke “Oh! Swami, with your permission I shall take leave to conduct the life of a Tapasvi.” Preceptors replied “Oh! Bharatha, whatever you do would be for the welfare of the Kingdom and its people, it must be the essence of the righteousness as well.”

 

Bhartha felt highly pleased with the advice of preceptors, he called for the astrologers and found an auspicious day to install the Padhukas of Rama on the throne of Ayodhya, and eventually, the throne was sanctified with the Padhukas of Rama. Bharatha who symbolizes righteousness, prostrated before his mothers and took permission from the preceptors, and settled in the hermitage in Nandigauv close to the city of Ayodhya. He attired in saffron robes, has matted hair locks, adorned in rosary beads, slept on the divine grass, consumed fruits, and fiber roots, he sincerely followed austerities, and Niyama and conducted Rishidharma. He abandoned all those worldly pleasures by words, actions, and heart. The throne of Ayodhya roused jealousy in Lord Indra. The wealth of King Dhasharatha put shame on Kubera, even though Bharatha lived like a honey bee in the wood of Champaka, the honeybees never take honey from the flowers of Champaka.   Bharatha has no interest in wealth or the throne of Ayodhya. Whoever attains intense devotion at the lotus feet of Rama would abandon the worldly matters and bondage like spew.

 

Bharatha's devotion to Rama was like the Chathaka which is famous for its sincerity, and the Swan for its intelligence to separate the milk from the water.  Thus Bharatha started living in the hermitage of Nandigauv, his body emaciated due to the rigorous fasting and austerities, the strength of the body and brilliance of the face remained. His fire like devotion to Rama was blazing day by day. His righteousness multiplied, like the scarcity of the water does not stop the water plants to grow and the lotus flowers to blossom. He was free from grief, sincerely followed Niyama, Dhamam, Shamam, Samyamam, and Upavasa, that sparkled like the stars in the sky as the heart of Bharatha. His faith and devotion were like the pole star/Dhruva, Rama’s return after Vanavasa was the full moon, and contemplation upon Rama cemented his devotion. His love for Rama was pure and unblemished, shone like Chandra amid the stars. Bharatha’s austerities, renunciation, virtues, splendor, and life in Nandigauv was beyond description, that was caused perplexity in Adishesha, Sharadha,  and Lord Ganesha.

 

Bharatha gave instructions to conduct the detailed worship of the sandals of Rama, with intense devotion and faith. His heart filled with devotion to Rama and Sita, he constantly recited the name of Rama and shed tears. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita lived in the woods. Bharatha living in the city of Ayodhya undertook the life of a Tapasvi and undertook extreme austerities. Everyone praised Bharatha’s devotion and love to Rama. The saintly men and ascetics felt gloomy watching the extreme penance and fasting of Bharatha. The Maharishis felt ashamed of themselves watching the extreme austerities of Bharatha. The legend of Bharatha and his austerities in the Nandigauv is the source of happiness and auspiciousness, it removes the evilness in the Kaliera, it removes sufferings and sins, and it removes the darkness of ignorance as well. It removes the Mahamoha/Jeeva who completely soaked in worldly matters/ of the Jeeva like the brilliance of sunrays. It’s like Mrigaraja/lion who kills the herd of untamed elephants like sins, it removes all the sufferings of the worldly existence, it gives bliss to the devotees, it removes the hurdles of worldly existence, and it is the essence of Sri Rama Bhakti.

 

If Bharatha was not born, who would instruct those Vratha, Niyama, Yama, Shama, Dhama, which is not understandable even for ascetics? He is the essence of Sri Ramaprema. Who would remove the sufferings of worldly existence, extreme afflictions, sufferings of poverty, impurities of the mind, with their fame other than Bharatha? Who would transform the evil mind as the dwelling place of Sri Rama?

 

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “Whoever listens to the legend of Bharatha with intense devotion and faith, would attain extreme devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Rama and Devi Sita, and they would get relieved from the interest in worldly matters.”

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 55– Ayodhya Kandam

 

 Bharatha, preceptors, King Janaka, and the people of Ayodhya and Mithila leaving the forest 

Bharatha prostrated before Prabhu and bade farewell was tightly embraced. Devendra became immensely pleased watching the scene and played his trick on the people who were already besieged with immense grief of separation from Rama, Lakshmana and Devi Sita.   It gave them hope to wait for Rama’s return after Vanavasa, otherwise they might have died on the spot. It was the grace of Rama, the deities relieved from their qualms. Brothers remained in the embrace of each other, their love and kindness were beyond description, they shed tears of grief, they have lost courage, and the deities became gloomy watching the pain of separation among the brothers. It did not leave the highly intelligent preceptors, and Vairagins, who underwent extreme penances, King Janaka who is extremely valorous, and the Jeevanmukthas who abandoned worldly desires and bondage, lost their words, intellect, and Vairagya, and they too became emotional watching the love and affection between the brothers. King Janaka and preceptors became restless watching the bonding between the brothers, it was beyond description. Rama embraced Bharatha and Shathrughna, the ministers and the attendants immersed in their duties and responsibilities. The people of Ayodhya and Mithila began preparations to leave the woods; they could not control the grief. Thus, Bharatha and Shathrughna, prostrated before Rama and attentively listened to his command, began their journey. They prostrated before preceptors, Vanadevatha and all the sages and Rishis assembled, Bharatha embraced Lakshman.  Shathrughna prostrated before Lakshman. Bharatha and Shathrughna prostrated before Rama and Sita, and adorned the dust from their feet on their forehead; they have received abundant of blessings of Devi Sita, which is the source of all the auspiciousness.

 

Rama with his brothers prostrated before King Janaka and spoke “Oh! Swami, you have been very kind to us and took all the troubles to visit the forest with your people. Kindly bless us and return to Mithila.” King Janaka and the people of Mithila prepared to leave the forest; Rama worshiped the twice-born and illustrious Rishis and Sages, as Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Rama and Lakshmana met their mothers-in-law, and prostrated before them, and received their blessings. Rama, Bharatha, Lakshman, and Shathrughna prostrated before the preceptors, Vamadeva and Vashishta, Kaushika, Jabali, and people of Ayodhya and his ministers and families, and bade farewell to them. Rama spoke compassionately to the males and females of his age, and bade-farewell to them. Prabhu prostrated at the feet of Devi Kausalya, and embraced her; he pacified her and helped her to get seated into the attractive palanquin. Devi Sita bade farewell to her parents and the people of Mithila eventually returned to her dearest husband. She prostrated before her mothers-in-law and embraced them, Devi Sita enthusiastically bade farewell to all of them, and it was beyond description. She listened to her advice and received an abundance of blessings from them; she was soaked in the love with parents and mothers-in-law. Raghupathi helped his mothers to get seated inside the beautiful palanquin kept ready for them. Bharatha and Shathrughna embraced Rama and Lakshmana repeatedly. A huge army of men mounted on elephants, horses, and chariots, was followed by Bharatha and King Janaka and the people of Ayodhya and Mithila. All of them left the wood as if in their dreams. The various animals in the forests ox, horses, elephants, were walked away heavy heartedly. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, prostrated before the preceptors Vashishta and Vamadeva and returned to their hermitage, they were in a state of mixed feelings of grief and happiness which was unexplainable.

 

King Nishadha was highly revered by Rama, Lakshman, and Devi Sita, prepared to take leave from the forest, he moved away from heavy heartedly. The tribes in the forest Kola, Kirtha, and Beela were repeatedly prostrated before them and took a leave. Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana took a seat under a huge Vatavruksha and grieved on the separation of his dearest people. He narrated all those conversations that took place with Bharatha to Devi Sita and Lakshmana, and continuously praised the virtues and love of Bharatha. He was completely drenched in the love of Bharatha, his face revealed his boundless love for Bharatha. It was a difficult time for the creatures in the forest; even for the fishes in the rivers and ponds, birds and animals and non-living things were saddened. The deities showered flowers upon Rama, and they returned to their respective abode in absolute peace.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 54– Ayodhya Kandam

 Bharatha receives the 'Padhuka' of Rama 

Siddhas who constantly recite the ‘Ramanama’ and attains supernatural powers, Bharatha who is the Prana of Rama does not seem to get surprised watching the mesmerizing beauty of the forest. Bharatha and Shathrughna walked all over the woods, even the saints and ascetics felt ashamed of their dedication watching Bharatha’s devotion to Rama. Sage Athri described the water-courses and its origin, birds, animals, hills, mountains, mangroves, forests, etc. They took bath in sacred rivers, explored the forest and its beautiful landscape, they took seated in a place and contemplated upon Rama and Lakshmana.  The deities of the woods/Vanadevatha blessed them, praised their virtues and devotion to Rama. It was on the third Prahara of the day, Bharatha and Shathrughna returned to their hermitage and contemplated upon Prabhu. In this way, they have visited all those sacred Theerthas of Chitrakoot in five days, and engaged in the listening and reciting the glories of Lord Hari and Lord Hara.

 

It was early morning hours, after finishing the morning rites, all the twice-born, Bharatha, King Janaka, and preceptors assembled before Rama. Bharatha prostrated before Rama and with folded hands, began to speak “Oh! Prabho, you have fulfilled all my desires, everyone has to undergo troubles because of me, Oh! Swami kindly gives me permission to return to the Kingdom of Ayodhya, I shall wait for your return from Vanavasa. Oh! Kosaladheesha, kindly advise me on how to keep me alive during the period of long separation from you, and when I could see this lotus-like feet again. Oh! Prabho, Ramachandra, the people of your kingdom and families are extremely happy serving your lotus feet, you are omnipresent and omniscient, and you reside as a soul in living beings, Oh! Swami, Sharanagathavathsala, you are the protector of Jeeva in this Universe and their afterlife as well. Oh! Prabho, Kindly order your sincere servant. ” The people assembled were highly praised the nobility and humbleness of Bharatha.

 

The Supreme Lord Rama who is Dheenabandhu and Sarvajja was highly pleased with the devotion and plea of Bharatha, he began to speak after taking into consideration time, zone, and circumstances “Oh! Dear Brother Bharatha, it was Guru Vashishta and King Janaka is worried about us and the people of Ayodhya while we are in the woods or the Kingdom. We have Sage Vishwamithra and King Janaka as guardians; therefore we will not have any afflictions not even in our dreams. Our prime duties are listening to our parents; it is the Dharma, Paramarththa, Janmasaphalya, wealth, and fame as well. It is a highly promising act to follow the command of our father, according to Veda and Shastra. People who sincerely follow the command of preceptors, parents, and Lord, even if they commit mistakes they would remain protected. Therefore leave all your worries and qualms, and continue ruling the Kingdom of Ayodhya until my return after Vanavasa. Our preceptors will take care of our treasures of the Kingdom, people and relatives, the dust from the feet of our preceptors are capable to protect them. You have to sincerely follow the instructions of our preceptors, mothers, and Minister Sumanthra, and wisely rule the Kingdom, and its people and the palace.”

 

Rama continues “Oh! Bharatha, a significant person should perform the duties of a mouth, it performs the task of consumption of nutritious meals for the growth of the body, and the internal organs take care rest of the process and keep the body healthy. The duties and responsibilities of the King are well described in the Shastras.” In this way, Prabhu consoled Bharatha, but he could not keep himself free from trepidations and anxiety. He has an extreme love for his brother Bharatha, on the other side, the presence of preceptors, ministers, and King Janaka put Rama in a state of embarrassment. Prabhu showered his compassion on Bharatha, he offered Padhuka to Bharatha that was respectfully carried on his head. This pair of Sandals of Prabhu was like 1)  the  two powerful guards to protect the people of Ayodhya 2) it was like two jewel boxes to keep the gem-like devotion and love of Bharatha 3) It was like the two sacred syllables that are capable to protect the people to safely cross the ocean of worldly existence 4) It was like the two powerful wooden doors to protect the clan of Raghu 5) It was like the two hands to perform all the righteous deeds and 6) it was two powerful eyes which show the path of righteousness and service to humanity. Bharatha was extremely happy to receive those pairs of sandals, and considered as if Rama and Sita’s willingness to reside in the Kingdom of Ayodhya.

 

||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.