Hari Aum.
Om Namo Narayanaya.
I hope all readers are keeping well. I wanted to write this post much earlier but have been somewhat preoccupied by various commitments, not least, an upcoming Bharatanatyam dance examination in a few weeks. (I had promised myself that I would never do another examination if I could possibly help it after my last major medicine-related examination around ten years ago-- however, I have somehow ended up facing an examination again, and am currently grappling with memorising a large number of Sanskrit slokas from an ancient dance textbook while also trying to get to grips with various dance pieces-- which I am not finding at all easy!).
Anyway, having made a little progress on the exam revision front, I am glad to be able to finally take a break from it for a short while, and make my escape once again into the glorious world of the Ramayana. (By the way, these days, very likely due to the effects of reading the Ramayana, I particularly enjoy listening to this lovely rendition of the famous Bhavayami Raghuramam song-- am sharing this in case any of you would like to have a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sRQtVxdrH8.)
Ok, so let us continue our study of the next portion of the Ramayana of sage Valmiki. In the previous post on this subject, we saw how sage Vishvamitra paid King Dasharatha an unexpected visit and requested the help of Sri Rama to protect the sages in the forest and rid them of some negative forces. Let us see what happens next.
Sage Vishvamitra followed by Sri Rama and Lakshmana left Ayodhya. After walking around twelve miles or so, they reached the river Sarayu (that encircled the city on three sides except for the south), and the sage decided that they should rest for a while upon its banks.
Now, before becoming a Self-realised sage, Vishvamitra had been a great warrior king who had knowledge of many divine weapons. One of his main roles in the life of Sri Rama, was to act as His Guru in the art of warfare. (Although he and other sages were well aware the Rama was Narayana Himself, and thus, the Universal Guru, they faithfully played the roles that He had assigned to them in His lila as a human being).
The sage, therefore, lost no time in beginning his teaching. After Sri Rama and Lakshmana has rested on the banks of the river and drunk some water to quench their thirst, the sage told them that he wished to give them the knowledge of two key mantras that would impart great strength to a warrior.
He explained to the Princes that these divine mantras, known as 'Bala' and 'Atibala', would protect and preserve all functions of body and mind. They would grant freedom from hunger, thirst, fatigue and weakness and would infuse great strength and vitality into the one who recited them. They also helped to ensure a sharp intellect and high levels of concentration which were vital for success in battle. Sri Rama and Lakshmana listened carefully to the teachings of their Guru and mastered the knowledge of the mantras with ease.
As night had now fallen, the three of them made beds of straw, grass and leaves and slept on these by the river bank. Valmiki remarked that, although these beds were not really the sort that the Princes had been used to in the palace, they were delighted with them and slept very well. This was due to the joy of being in the company of their Guru, sage Vishvamitra and receiving his blessings.
As was the practice of sages, Vishvamitra awoke early at dawn to spend time in meditation upon the Supreme. In accordance with his duty as a Guru, he also awakened his two disciples and instructed them to meditate. He told them that it was important to begin the day with contemplation upon the Supreme and with the performance of spiritual practices including mantra recitation and study of sacred texts.
Sri Rama and Lakshmana therefore arose from their beds, bathed in the river, and then sat down to meditate. They recited the great Gayatri mantra of the Vedas and studied the scriptures. They then proceeded to serve their Guru, Vishvamitra, by collecting wood for the usual sacred fire ritual that he would perform in the morning to worship the Supreme Being.
After all the morning rituals of worship were completed, the three of them set off again on their journey to the forests. On their way, they spent a night at a hermitage that was particularly sacred as Lord Shiva had spent much time there in meditation. Sri Rama asked Vishvamitra to tell him the legend of the hermitage.
The sage explained that this was the sacred spot where an extraordinary lila involving Shiva and Kamadeva had taken place a very long time ago. Kamadeva had, on the instruction of Indra, attempted to disturb the meditation of Shiva and had incurred His wrath. The mystical third eye of Shiva had opened in anger, and a great flame had emanated; this had burned the body of Kamadeva to ashes, leaving him in a formless state (he was later reborn as Pradyumna, the son of Krishna). At dusk, the sages who resided at the hermitage, performed worship along with their guests. They all felt very blessed to have encountered the human avatar of Narayana in the form of Sri Rama.
They next day, the three set off again and encountered the sacred river, Ganga, which they crossed in a boat. After a while, they reached a place where the Ganga joined with the Sarayu river, making a great sound. Nearby, was a dense forest that appeared rather dark and foreboding. From within it, emanated unpleasant, loud sounds of birds and beasts of prey, including the harsh screeches of vultures and fearful roars of ferocious wild animals.
Sri Rama, upon seeing the forest, asked Vishvamitra to tell Him about this place. The sage explained that the area where this forest now existed was once a beautiful place comprising of two lands, known as 'Malada' and 'Karusha'. These lands had been blessed by the demi-god Indra and used to be very beautiful and prosperous.
However, misfortune had struck the region many years ago when it had become inhabited by a terrible being known as Tataka. She had originally been a beautiful woman belonging to the Yaksha clan (a group of beings who possessed supernatural powers). However, due to her demonic nature that always sought to harm others, she had been cursed by the great sage Agastya, to assume a dreadful demonic form that reflected her true nature.
Vishvamitra explained that it was she, along with her two sons, who had been tormenting the sages and other living beings in the forest. Her malign influence had transformed the previously divine land into a fearful forest filled with vicious beings who struck terror into the hearts of all good people.
The sage told Sri Rama that he wanted Him to restore this place back to its original divine nature by ridding it of these wicked beings. This was to be the first battle between Sri Rama and the demonic forces and His first step in becoming a powerful warrior king who would go on to establish dharma on Earth.
To be continued.....
Om Sri Ramaya Namah.
Om Namo Narayanaya.
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
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