Hari Aum.
I hope all readers are having a wonderful Navaratri. The tenth day after Navaratri, known as Vijaya Dashami, is also celebrated as Dussehra, a day that is associated with a significant event in the life of Sri Rama. This is the perfect time therefore to continue the study of the Valmiki Ramayana.
So, let us begin. In previous posts on the Ramayana, we have studied the birth, childhood and early youth of Sri Rama. Valmiki has described Him as being the very embodiment of dharma or righteousness. We have seen how He has excelled in serving His father and Gurus, the sages Vasistha and Vishvamitra. In the next section, we see Sri Rama adopt the life of a householder and take on greater responsibilities towards His family and people.
The news of the extraordinary exploits of Prince Rama had spread among the citizens of Kosala. They were astounded to hear that the youthful son of their beloved King, and future heir to the throne, had defeated dreadful asuras in the forest and protected the sages. Not only this, He had then gone on to break the bow of no less than the mighty Lord Shiva Himself and had won the hand of the daughter of King Janaka, Princess Sita, in marriage. And, on the way to Ayodhya, He had faced none other than the fearsome Lord Parashurama, annihilator of kshatriyas, and had defeated Him in battle!
The citizens of Ayodhya were beside themselves with pride and joy at the thought of Sri Rama's valour and noble qualities. They could not believe their good fortune in having Him as their future King. When would He return, they asked each other, impatient to get a glimpse of Him!
Hearing that King Dasharatha was on his way home accompanied by Sri Rama, His brothers and their brides, the people were filled with great joy and excitement. They decorated the entire city to welcome them home. There were flags and banners everywhere, along with flowers, incense and all manner of other colourful adornments. They thronged the streets hoping to get a glimpse of their King, Sri Rama and His wife, Princess Sita (who they had heard was a very charming young lady!).
At long last, their wishes were fulfilled. King Dasharatha entered his kingdom accompanied by his sons, their wives, the sages and his army. As they arrived, there was tremendous rejoicing amongst the citizens who regarded the King as their very own. He too, in return, was delighted to be home, and greeted his people with great affection.
They then made their way to the palace where they met with the three queens, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. The queens were delighted to see their sons and their new brides and welcomed them all home with great love. With the return of Sri Rama to Ayodhya, the entire kingdom appeared to be filled with a bliss that could only be compared with Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu.
Valmiki describes the love between Sri Rama and Princess Sita as being similar to that between Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi in the celestial realm. He states that their love for each other only grew as they learned more about each other. Thus, while living in Ayodhya and serving their people, they enjoyed a life of great marital bliss.
After the princes had all returned to Ayodhya and settled into a happy householder life with their wives, a message came from the King of Kekaya. He was the father of Queen Kaikeyi and had long desired to spend some time with his beloved grandson, Prince Bharata. He sent Prince Yudhajit, his son and brother of Queen Kaikeyi, to Ayodhya with a request to Dasharatha to permit Bharata to spend some time with him in Kekeya.
King Dasharatha gladly agreed to this and Bharata travelled to Kekeya accompanied by his brother, Shatrughna. Sri Rama and Lakshmana remained in Ayodhya where they immersed themselves in service of the King and their people.
This was a period of great peace and bliss in the kingdom of Kosala. The people lived a life of great contentment under the noble and just rule of King Dasharatha, aided by Sri Rama, the incarnation of dharma. The presence of Sita, the embodiment of all auspiciousness (and an avatar of the celestial Lakshmi), brought great prosperity and wealth to the land which flourished in all aspects, both material and spiritual.
Under the loving care of King Dasharatha and Sri Rama, it seemed as though the peace and prosperity of Ayodhya would never end-- it truly resembled the celestial realm of Vaikuntha in every way.
To be continued......
A very happy Vijaya Dashami and Dussehra in advance to all readers. May Sri Sita Rama and Sri Durga Shiva bless us all.
Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama.
Om Sri Durgayai Namah.
Om Namo Narayanaya.
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
P.S. I will aim to write the next installment of the Ramayana soon (hopefully in the next couple of weeks, time-permitting).
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