Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Uththara Kanda – The beauty of the river Sarayu and its surroundings

 

Chapter - 29– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Uththara Kanda – The beauty of the river Sarayu and its surroundings

 

The market places in the city of Ayodhya were beyond description, and the things available in the markets were in abundance, difficult to name them, how could the splendor of the abode of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi describe in words? The wealthy merchants, bankers, were seated majestically on their shops resembled Kuberas, women, and men of all age groups were blissfully moving around the city fearlessly, all have virtues, good conduct, and graceful appearances. On the northern side of the fortress, the sacred river Sarayu was flowing gracefully with her crystal-clear waters, and the beautifully constructed steps leading to water stole the heart of viewers, and there was no trace of trashes anywhere on the ghats. There was a particular area far off from these ghats for the wild animals to quench their thirst, places for the water sport of horses and elephants, there was marvelously constructed ghats exclusively for women, where no men were allowed to take bath, there were stunning ghats for bathing the people of Chathurvarnnyam, on the bank of river Sarayu there were beautiful shrines located in the lovely groves. There were hermitages on the river banks, and the noble souls engaged in the austerities and meditation, Swadhyaya, and these places were clustered with the Tulsi plants nurtured by the Santh and Mahatmas. The city of Ayodhya and the outskirt of the city were equally marvelous, those were beyond words. The stunningly beautiful city of Ayodhya and its pleasure garden, well, rivers, shelter houses, hermitages, river Sarayu, and the woods situated on the river banks were just enough to remove the sins of the viewer.

 

Bajara Ruchira  Na Banayi Baranatha  Basthu Binu Gatha Payiye | Jaha Bhoopa Ramanivasa  Thaha Ki Sampadha  Kimi Gayiye || Baite Bajaja Sarapha  Banika  Aneka  Manahu Kubera  The | Sab Sukhi Sab  Saccharitha Sundhar Nari Nara Sisu Jarata  Je ||

 Uththara Dhisi Sraju Baha Nirmala  Jalagambheera | Bandhe  Ghat Manohara  Swalpa Panka Nahi Theera ||

Dhoori Pharaka  Ruchira so Ghat | Jaha Jala Piahi Baji Gaja  Data || Panighata Parama Manohar Nana | Thaha Na Purusha  Karahi Ashrana || Rajaghat Sab Bidhi Sundhara Bara | Majjahi Thaha Barana Chariau Nara || Theera Theera  Dhevanha Ke Mandhira | Chahu Dhisi Thinha Ke Upaban Sundhara || Kahu Kahu Saritha Theera Udhasi | Basahi Gyana Ratha Muni Sanyasi || Theer Theer Thulasika Suhayi | Brindha Brindha Bahu Muniha Lagayi || Pura Sobha Kachu Barani Na Jayi | Bahera  Nagara Parama Ruchirayi || Dhekhatha Puri Akhila Adha Bhaga | Bana Upabana Bapika  Thadaga ||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Uththara Kanda – The marvelousness of the city of Ayodhya

 

Chapter - 28– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Uththara Kanda – The marvelousness of the city of Ayodhya

 

The fortress of Ayodhya decorated with jewels and innumerable lamps of crystals, the coral studded threshold, pillars of gold inlaid with emeralds, gave out stunning appearance as if the creator Bhrama put all the marvelous things together in his creation, the beautiful courtyards decorated with gems and crystals, the huge palace gates embellished with gold and diamonds. All the houses have beautiful halls decorated with murals and paintings of Rama, and the legend of Rama imprinted on the wall of the houses that would steal the heart of dispassionate, the Rishis and Sages visited the majestic Kingdom of Ayodhya looked at the beauty of the city cravingly. Every house has a beautiful well-maintained garden with great care, loaded with creepers, flowering plants of rich fragrances, crammed with flowers in all seasons, and it has become the favorite spot of birds of all seasons and the humming bees, the cool rich fragrant breeze, the children sang melodiously while having pleasurable times in the garden, peacock, swans, cranes, and pigeons are regular visitors in these gardens added loveliness to the atmosphere, they beautifully danced watching their mirror images on the crystal flooring, the children surrounded by the Myna, Parrot, and Cuckoo, were taught the verses “Rama Raghupathi Janapalaka”. The stunning palace of Ayodhya, the huge palace walls, gateways, pathways, roads, market places…etc. were beyond description.

 

Manidheepa  Rajahi Bhavana Bhrajahi Dhehari Bidhruma  Rachi | Mani Khambha Bheethi Biranchi Biranchi Kanaka mani Marakatha Khachi || Sundhara Manohara Mandhirayatha Aajir  Ruchira Phatika  Rache | Prathi Dhwara Dhwara Kapata  Purata Banayi Bahu Bajranhi Khache ||

Charu Chithrasala Griha Griha Prathi  Likhe  Banaye | Ramacharitha  Je Nirakha Muni The Man  Lehi Chorayi ||

Sumana Batika  Sabahi Lagayi | Bibidha Bhanthi Kari Jathana Banayi || Latha Lalitha Bahu Jathi  Suhayi |Phoolahi Sadha  Basantha  Ki Nayi || Gunjjatha Madhukara  Mukhara Manohar a| Marutha Thribidhi Sadha Baha Sundhara || Nana Khaga  Balakanhi Jiaye | Bolatha Madhura  Udatha  Suhaye || Mora Hamsa  Sarasa Paravath | Bhavanani Par Sobha  Athi  Pavath || Jaha Thaha Dhekhahi Nija  Paricchahi | Bahu Bidhi Koojahi Nrithya Karahi || Suka Sarika  Padavahi Balaka | Kahahu  Rama Raghupathi Janapalaka || Raja Dhuara  Sakala Bidhi Charu | Beethi Chauhat Ruchira  Bajaru ||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Uththara Kanda – The magnificence of Avadhapuri

 

Chapter - 27– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Uththara Kanda – The magnificence of Avadhapuri

 

The happiness and welfare of the people of Avadhapuri can’t be described in words, even the thousands of Adhishesha are incompetent to describe the prosperity and the bliss of the people of Ayodhya under the regime of Sri Ramachandra. The illustrious Sages Sanaka, Sanandhana, Sanathkumara, Sanathana, Maharishi Narada, and others visited the King of Kosala on a regular basis and forgot their dispassion witnessing the magnificence of the city, its splendid pleasure gardens, gem and pearl decorated fortresses, market places, pathways, patio, etc. The huge stunning wall decorated with jewels on the four sides of the magnificent palace of Ayodhya excelled the beauty of Amaravathi, the abode of Lord Indra. The roads and pavements were decorated with various colors of crystals and gems, stolen the hearts of the dispassionate, the white marble fortresses stood tall as if it was touching the sky, the sparkling domes on the pinnacle of the fortresses excelled the effulgence of moon and sun, the windows decorated with gems and pearls gave out a spectacular view, the entire city engulfed in the luster of precious gems, every home lit up with the sparkling of gems and pearls.

Avadhapuri  Basinha Kara Sukha Sampadha Samaja | Sahasa  Sesha Nahi Kahi Sakahi Jaha Nripa Rama Biraja ||

Naradhadhi Sanakadhi Muneesa | Dharasana Lagi Kosaladheesa || Dhinaprathi Sakala  Ajodhya  Aavahi | Dhekhi Nagaru Biragu Bisaravahi || Jatharoopa  Manirachitha  Atari | Nanaranga  Ruchira Gacha Dari || Pura Chahau Pasa  Kota Athi Sundhara | Rache  Kangura  Ranga Ranga  Bara || Navagraha Nikara  Aneeka  Banayi | Janu Gheri Amaravathi Aayi || Mahi Bahu Ranga Rachitha Gachakancha | Jo Biloki  Munibara  Mana Nacha || Dhavala Dhama Oopara Nabha Chumbatha | Kalasa  Manahu Rabi Sasi  Dhyuthi Nindhatha || Bahu Mani Rachitha Jjarokha  Bhrajahi | Griha Griha  Prani Manidheepa Birajahi ||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Uththara Kanda – The daily practices of Lord Sri Ramachandra

 

Chapter - 26– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Uththara Kanda – The daily practices of Lord Sri Ramachandra

 

The supreme Bhramam personified as Lord Sri Ramachandra who is beyond perception and description, Aja/unborn, has neither birth nor death, is the essence of wisdom and knowledge, free from afflictions/Maya, even though inseparable from Prakrithi, resides as a soul in the Jeeva, which is the source of functioning of the mind, intellect, Chiththa, Ahamkara, Panchaprana, Karma and Gnanendhriyas, exhibited the ideal behavior of human to the world.

 

Lord Sri Ramachandra followed strict disciplines and austerities and set an example to follow others, he takes bath in the early hours of dawn on the sacred river Sarayu, and attend the assembly of Bhramanas and noble souls. Sage Vashishta describes the exploits from Veda and scriptures to Rama who is the essence of Veda itself, the compassionate Lord listens to them all attentively as if he was not heard of anything before. He took meals with his young brothers, that brought immense pleasure to all the mothers, then Bharatha and Shathrughna follow Vayuputhra to the garden, and insists him to describe various amusements and virtues of Lord Sri Ramachandra, the passionate devotee Hanumantha take a plunge into the ocean of his wisdom, and beautifully narrate the splendor of Ramacharitha, and the two brothers who continue listening to them at heart’s content, shedding tears on their eyes, keep requesting Vayuputhra to repeat them all again and again. The people of Ayodhya were highly devoted at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Ramachandra, they recite various legends from scriptures, Veda, and sing in praise of virtues of the Lord on a regular basis, men and women together recited the glorious legends of Rama, thus they haven’t realized the passage of time.

 

Gyana Gira Gotheetha Aja Maya Man Guna Para | Soyi Sacchidhanandha Ghana Kara Nara  Charitha Udhara ||

Prathakala Sarau Kari Majjana |Baitabhi Sabha  Sanga  Dhvija  Sajjana|| Bedha Purana Basishta  Bakhanahi | Sunahi Rama Jadhdhyapi Sab Janahi || Anujanha Sanjutha Bhojana Karahi | Dhekhi Sakala Janani Sukha Bharahi || Bharatha Sathruhna  Dhonau Bhayi | Sahitha  Pavanasutha  Upabana Jayi || Boojjahi Baiti Rama Guna Gaha | Kaha Hanumana Sumathi Avagaha || Sunatha Bimala Guna Athi Sukha Pavahi | Bahuri Bahuri Kari Binaya Kahavahi || Sab Ke  Griha Griha  Hohi  Purana | Ramacharitha  Pavana Bidhi Nana || Nara Aru Nari Rama  Guna Ganahi | Karahi Dhivasa Nisi Jatha Na  Janahi ||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Uththara Kanda – Sri Ramacharitha and the blissful life of people of Ayodhya

 

Chapter - 25– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Uththara Kanda – Sri Ramacharitha and the blissful life of people of Ayodhya

 

Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi worshiped the lotus feet of Lord Sri Ramachandra relentlessly, forgetting her supremacy on the fourteen spheres, whose compassionate grace is yearningly sought after by the deities, Rishis, Sages, and humans.  The three younger brothers, Bharatha, Lakshman, and Shathrughna served the Lord selflessly, and their love and devotion for Rama have no bound. They stood dutifully gazing at the marvelous form of Lord Sri Ramachandra, waiting for his orders, and always been ready to follow the command of the Lord, and the compassionate Lord took every opportunity to impart the supreme knowledge and loved them dearly. The people of Ayodhya lived a bountiful and blissful life which is difficult to dream even for the deities, they were highly devoted at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Ramachandra, immersed in the veneration of the Lord Day and night, and asked for the one and only boon ‘Ananyabhakthi/perpetual devotion’ in return. In the meantime, Devi Sita gave birth to two beautiful infants Kusha and Lava, who were mirror images of Lord Sri Ramachandra, and they have possessed the courage, virtues, valor, amiability of the Lord. Bharatha, Lakshman, and Shathrughna had two sons each, and all of them were the mirror image of that supreme Bhramam who is the essence of virtues and valor.

Jasu Kripa  Katacchu Sura Chahath Chithava Na Soyi | Rama Padharabindha Rathi Karathi Subhavahi Khoyi ||

Sevahi Sanakoola  Sab Bhayi | Ramacharana Rathi Athi Adhikayi || Prabhu Mukhakamala Bilokatha  Rahahi | Kabahu Kripala Hamahi Kacchu Kahahi || Rama Karahi Bhrathanha Para Preethi | Nana Bhanthi Sikhavahi Neethi || Harashitha Rahahi Nagar Ke  Loga | Karahi Sakala Sura Durllabha Bhoga || Ahanisi Bidhihi Manavath Rahahi | Sreeraghubeera  Charanarathi Chahahi || Dhuyi Sutha Sundhara Seetha Jaye | Lava Kusa  Bedha Purananha Gaye || Dhoau Bijayi Binayi Gunamandhira | Hari Prathibimba Manahu Athi Sundhara || Dhuyi Dhuyi Sutha Sab Bhrathanha Kere | Bhaye Roopa Gunaseela Ghanere ||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Uththara Kanda – The splendor of Devi Sita

 

Chapter - 24– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Uththara Kanda – The splendor of Devi Sita

 

In the Ramarajya, the cool rays of full moon flooded during the night, and the Sun shed light and heat as it was required for the day, similarly, the downpour and clouds were adequate to flourish the land, there was no Athivrishti/heavy downpour or Anavrishti/lack of rains. Bhagavan Sri Ramachandra performed several fire sacrifices such as Ashwamedha Yaga and provided an abundance of charities to Bhramins, the supreme Lord Sri Ramachandra resembled Lord Indra on the Earth, has represented Sathvik, Rajasik, and Thamasik qualities, he was the protector of Veda and Vedic rites, and the champion of righteousness. He is the storehouse of beauty, amiability, and virtues, and Devi Sita was a virtuous and devoted wife to Lord Rama, she knows the greatness of the lotus feet of Lord Rama, and she fervently adored him. Although the palace of Ayodhya was full of servants to attend to the needs, Devi Sita performed all the household duties, served the family, and found time to be close to her consort. Devi Sita performed all those household tasks without any pride which was dear and delightful to Lord, without even asking for it, she served her mothers in law, and all her relatives selflessly. Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Devi Uma, Devi Sita is Jagathjanani, Paramba Bhagavathi, she is flawless, she is the mother of the Universe, who is worshiped by Lord Bhrama, deities, Rishis and Sages.”

 

Bidhu Mahipura Mayukhanhi Rabi Thapa Jethanehi Kaja| Mage  Baridha Dhehi Jala Ramachandra Ke Raja ||

 

Kotinha Bhajimegha Prabhu Keenhe | Dhana Aneka  Dhvijanha Kaha Dheenhe || Shruthi Patha Palaka Dharma  Dhurandhara | Gunatheetha  Aru Bhoga  Purandhara || Pathi Anukoola  Sadha Raha Seetha | Sobha  Khani Suseela  Bineetha || Janathi Kripasindhu Prabhuthayi | Sevathi Charana Kamala Manlayi || Jadhdhyapi Griha Sevaka Sevakini | Bipula Sadhaseva Bidhi Guni || Nija Kara Griha Paricharaja  Karayi | Ramachandra  Aayasu Anusarayi || Jehi Bidhi Kripasindhu Sukha Manayi | Soyi Kara Sree Seva  Bidhi Janayi || Kausalyadhi Sasu Griha  Mahi | Sevayi Sabniha Mana Madha Nahi || Uma Rama Bhramadhi Bandhitha | Jagadhamba Santhathamanindhitha ||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Uththara Kanda – The glory of Ramarajya

 

Chapter - 23– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Uththara Kanda – The glory of Ramarajya

 

In the Ramarajya there were no punishments/Danda, or Bhedha/separation, the people were so truthful, righteous, and sincerely followed the Varnna and Ashrama Dharma, hence there were no sins or punishments, all that was heard in the Ramarajya was ‘Victory’! The trees, creepers, and plants bore flowers and fruits throughout the year, the elephants and lions lived in complete harmony, the birds and reptiles forgot their natural animosity and lived friendly, birds joyfully cooed, and the animals fearlessly wandered all over the forest with their herds, and the life was blissful even the midst of the birds and animals. The air was rich, cool, and fragrant, and the buzzing of honey bees in search for flowers in abundance, creepers, and trees dropped honey at the request of the people, cows yielded milk at the heart’s content of cowherds, the Earth was flourished with an abundance of rich natural and mineral resources, although it was Thretha Yuga, it has seemed as Sathya Yuga. The ruler of the Earth Lord Sri Ramachandra, the absolute Sacchidhanandha Swaroopa Paramathma Parambhramam brought immense happiness and welfare on the Earth, the mountains were the storehouse of mines and precious gems, rivers carried sweet and nectar-like water, oceans never crossed their boundaries, and generously deposited the precious stones and gems on the shores from time to time, ponds were crammed with various water lilies on the crystal-clear water.

Dhanda Jathinha Kara Bhedha  Jaha  Narthaka Nrithya Samaja | Jeethahu Manahi Sunia Asa Ramachandra Ke Raj ||

Phoolahi Pharahi Sadha Tharu Kanana | Rahahi Yek Sanga Gaja Panchanana || Khaga Mriga  Sahaja Bayaru Bisarayi | Sabanhi Paraspara Preethi Badayi || Koojahi Khaga Mriga  Nana Brindha | Abhaya Charahi Bana Karahi Anandha || Seethala Surabhi Pavana Baha Mandha | Gunjjatha Ali Lai Chali Makarandha || Latha Bitapa Mage Madhu Chavahi | Manabhavatho Dhenu Patha Shravahi || Sasi Sampanna Sadha Raha Dharani | Thretha  Bhayi Krithajuga Kai Karani || Pragati Girinha Bibidhi Mani Khani | Jagadhathama Bhoopa  Jagajani || Saritha  Sakala Bahahi Barabari | Seethala Amala Swadha Sukhakari || Sagara Nija  Marajadha Rahahi | Darahi Rathna Thatanhi Nara Lahahi || Sarasija Sankula  Sakala  Thadaga | Athi Prasanna Dhasa Dhisa  Bhibhaga ||