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RAMA
THE PATH TO TRUTH
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EDITORIAL
T
he response to our August 2010 issue was
overwhelming and we have decided to ‘intuitive eyes of knowledge’ – chakshyumati
continue in our present September issue to vidya.
highlight aspects of the Hindu Epic Ramayana. It
“If I cannot be Rama, then I would be Ravana, for
seems that the readers have found an
he is the dark side of Vishnu.” – Sri Aurobindo.
undiscovered analysis of the text. Our way is both
unique and universal. We present old wine in new The text lends itself to allegory but the allegory is
bottles because the mystic wine is the same and not of personal whim or fancy. It has a mystical
causes the same effect when drunk. We are synergy. With our mental caprice we can concoct a
merely preparing a menu that suits the appetite of meaning and interpretation. This fabrication would
the seeker. be a travesty of truth. The truth is hidden from the
unscrupulous and revealed only to the sincere
We intend to do a trilogy on Ramayana and a third
seekers who have risen above the moral dualities
issue would be forthcoming. This issue will focus
and who have adopted the path of the sannyasin –
on women in the Ramayana a will be our
divine outlaw, one who has gone beyond the laws
Deepavali issue. The October issue will focus on
of mortal men.
Sufism as a tribute to the Islamic month of
Ramadan. This issue on Sufism will relate to the Our singular approach is to give hints of the
growth of Naqshbandi Path in India and another mystical and point towards the moon (in this case
issue the Hindu Influence in Naqshbandi path. the Sun). Truth is such that is cannot be said
directly, that is the very nature of truth. We can
In our present issue that deals with the Ramayana,
only give hints and indicate towards some
we highlight some of the main characters of the
dimension beyond the known.
Epic. And give special emphasis on the Gayatri
Mantra. In a subsequent issue we will deal One encounters truth along the sojourn to life
exclusively with this most potent Mantra. eternal. Then one comes to understand why the
truth cannot be said. A truth that can be said is not
The relation of Gayatri to Rama is that Rama is a
truth. Truth is silence. When all the noise and
descendent of the Sun Dynasty, and Gayatri
chatter of the mind, when the waves of thought
(Savitri) is the daughter of the Sun God. Hence a
have receded into the vast eternity of love’s mute
direct bond is established. Also the guru of Rama is
gestures, truth shines like a thousand sun – Gayatri
Vishvamitra who got his siddhis from the Sun God
illumines the intellect and the eyes of knowledge
through recitation of the Gayatri Mantra.
open to see the Reality as it with no mind, no
The demon king Ravana is a much misunderstand thought , no feeling – this is the truth . Ramayana
and misrepresented character of the Ramayana. is the path to truth. Rama is the incarnate truth.
His role cannot easily be unravelled without the Aham Rama Asmi – I am Rama.
Solar Power and the Gayatri Mantra
R
the verse as preserved in the Rigveda Samhita
ecitation of the Gayatri Mantra is is one syllable short, the first pāda counting
preceded by om (ॐ) and the formula seven instead of eight. Metrical restoration
would emend the attested vareṇyaṃ with a
bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ (भूर ् भुवः स्वः), known as the tetra-syllabic vareṇiyaṃ.
mahāvyāhṛti (‘great utterance’). This prefixing of
the mantra proper is described in the Taittiriya
Aranyaka (2.11.1-8), which states that scriptural Translation
recitation was always to begin with the chanting
of the syllable OM, followed by the three A literal translation of the Gayatri verse proper
Vyahrtis and the Gayatri verse. can be given as:
Following the mahāvyāhṛti is then the mantra ‘May we attain that excellent glory of Savitar the
proper, the verse Rigveda 3.62.10: god:
So may he stimulate our prayers.’
tát savitúr váreṇyaṃ The Hymns of the Rigveda
bhárgo devásya dhīmahi
dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt AUM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA,
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
Whereas in principle the gāyatrī metre specifies BHARGO DEVASAYA DHEEMAHI
three pādas of eight syllables each, the text of DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT.
Summary of the Gayatri Mantra Solar power is the ultimate answer for the
energy crisis because it is a clean source of
Gayatri Mantra (the mother of the Vedas), the energy that is unlimited, though the technology
foremost mantra in Hinduism and Hindu beliefs, for it may take a few decades more to develop
inspires wisdom. Its meaning is that ‘May the fully. We must make solar power the priority in
Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us energy research. We must return to the Sun to
along the righteous path’. save the Earth.
The mantra is also a prayer to the ‘giver of light The Vedas are said to reside in the rays of the
and life’ - the sun (savitur). Sun, which hold the Vedic mantras. The Vedas
are the manifestation of solar intelligence, or
Oh God! Thou art the Giver of Life, the light of consciousness on Earth. The
Remover of pain and sorrow, sacred syllable OM itself is the sound of the
Sun and the essence of the Vedas. The Vedic
The Bestower of happiness,
mantras carry light and power both for the
Oh! Creator of the Universe,
body and the mind. India, therefore, should
May we receive thy supreme sin-destroying light,
be at the forefront of solar research in order
May Thou guide our intellect in the right direction.
to keep up with its ancient Vedic heritage.
Gayatri Mantra in Sanskrit Our society is also complaining about low energy
on a personal level. Particularly, in the
developed world low energy diseases like
The Vedas worship the Sun, Surya, as the source
chronic fatigue, depression and weak immune
of light for the entire world. But for the Vedic
conditions are almost epidemic. Many people
people, light is not a material force but a power
find that they lack the vitality to do what they
of life, love and intelligence. Nor is the Sun a
want to do. Even if we try to meditate in order to
distant entity unrelated to us. It has a presence
contact a higher power, we often end up falling
on Earth through the power of its rays, which
to sleep in the process and nowhere owe to a
not only pervade our environment but also
lack of mental energy.
touch our very hearts. By the Sun the Vedas do
not simply refer to the outer luminary, the
According to the Vedas, the inner Sun is Prana
central star of our solar system. They mean the
or vital energy or orgone, which manifests
principle of light and consciousness on a
through the breath. To increase our personal
universal level, of which the Sun is our local
energy, both for physical health and for mental
representative.
acuity, the best practice is Pranayama or breath
control. Breath carries the subtle essence of
One of the main problems in the world today is
speech, which is mantra. The incoming breath
the energy crisis, which is endangering the very
carries the sound ‘so’ and the outgoing breath
roots of life on the planet. Where can we get the
carries the sound ‘ha’. The natural mantra
power to run all our new technology, industry,
“So’ham” in Sanskrit means, “He am I,” referring
transportation and media? Our energy needs are
to the Purusha or consciousness in the Sun, as
increasing daily with the growth in population
the Isha Upanishad so eloquently proclaims.
and the increasing affluence of the third world
Our very breath is based upon unity with the
that is now demanding the same conveniences
solar creator and source of life and can be used
that the western world has enjoyed for decades.
to connect with its power.
Where do we get this additional energy? And
how can we create it without destroying the
We all want to increase our intelligence,
planet by pollution that is the byproduct of most
concentration, memory and capacity for
of our energy sources?
information. This is the key to strength and
success in the information age. The best way to succeeded, but not for long, and to fulfill another
do this is to harness the power of the inner Sun, purpose that perhaps the Gods had not planned.
which is to connect with cosmic intelligence From his union with Menaka, Vishvamitra
through mantra and meditation. Each one of us begat a daughter, Shakuntala, who eventually
possesses a portion of the light of consciousness, became the wife of King Dushyanta. From the
a ray of the solar creator that endows us with union of Dushyanta and Shakuntala was born
understanding. This faculty is called ‘dhi’ in King Bharata, from whom the name of India as
Vedic thought refers to the meditative aspect of Bharat arose. The whole country of India,
the mind (dhyana manas) and ‘buddhi’ in later through its determinative dynasty carries the
Indian thought, referring to awakened blood and spirit of Vishvamitra, which is
intelligence. closely, connected to that of the warrior Goddess
Durga.
The best mantra for awakening the higher mind
is the Gayatri mantra, which is a mantra to the Vishvamitra’s Gyatri mantra is the most
solar light of consciousness to awaken our important mantra of the Hindus, probably still
meditative mind (dhi). It brings us the Divine recited by more than half of the people in India
solar power of consciousness, love and prana— today. It is the most sacred Vedic mantra,
the supreme light of truth. reciting at sunrise, noon and sunset. We can
literally translate it as:
Vishvamitra and the Gayatri
We meditate upon the supreme effulgence of the
The Gyatri mantra was the gift to the world of Divine Solar Creator that he may inspire our
the great Rishi Vishvamitra, seer of the third intelligence!
book of the Rigveda. Vishvamitra was one of
the greatest yet mosy controversial Vedic Rishis. The Gayatri mantra encourages creative
He began as a great king and warrior who thinking, not as mere human invention but as
wanted to add spiritual power to his worldly our portion of cosmic intelligence. It exhorts us
conquests. This brought him in contact and in to attune ourselves to the cosmic mind and its
conflict with Vashishta, the greatest and purest laws of dharma. This chant is as valuable and
of the Rishis. appropriate in the modern world as it was in
ancient times. We can use it whenever we wish
Vishvamitra persisted through all difficulties, to gain new insight and inspiration or to
including those created by his own ambition, increase memory and concentration, even for
until after a long period of struggle through his mundane tasks.
will power and tapas he ultimately achieved Self-
realization. Vishvamitra’s path, therefore, was Vishvamitra in the Rigveda states that his
more of human effort than Divine grace. His was prayer or Brahma protects the people:
the path of the warrior, of discipline and
struggle, defeat and victory. He shows the (visvamitrasya raksati brahmedam bharatam
development of an indomitable will that can janam, Rig Veda III.53.12).
overcome all obstacles and even challenge the
Gods. His prayer of course is the Gayatri mantra. As
long as that mantra is recited, ancient spiritual
Vishvamitra by his tapas eventually created heritage will be preserved. Man should not
such an internal fire that it began to threaten the forget the Gayatri mantra, Vishvamitra or its
Gods in heaven by its heat. For this the Gods sent connection to the Sun. That is the key to its
the celestial nymph (apsara) Menaka to seduce destiny as a nation. Humanity also must
him and take him off his path. The strategy remember the Divine Self in the Sun, the Prana
that is the universal energy, and our role in the
cosmos to bring the Divine light of knowledge are known as the ‘Mahavyahriti’. These
into the darkness of physical matter. This is not syllables express the nature and the inherent
an issue of mere science and technology. It qualities of the God.
requires an inner science of Yoga and the
enlightenment of the mind. BHUR
Gayatri Mantra We see pain and sorrow all around us. However,
through supplication to God, we can be freed
Aum Bhur Bhuvah Swah from that pain and hardship. God Himself is
devoid of any pain. Though He is Conscious of
AUM (ॐ), the Supreme name of God. BHUR all, and is thus aware of pain, it does not affect
BHUVAH SWAH. These three words collectively Him.
It is our own ignorance that makes us SWAH – Vyana, Heaven, Ananda, Bliss
susceptible to the effects of Maya, or illusion,
which causes us to feel pain. Through true
devotion to God, we can be freed from the TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
clutches of Maya, and thus be rid of pain and
sorrow. TAT
Thus Mahavyahriti can be summed up by The word Savita explains the status of God’s as
comparison to the word AUM itself. It is through the fountain, the source of all things. It is
this comparison to the tripartite structure, it can through His Divine Grace that the Universe
be compared to the essential nature of God, exists, and so this word sums up the
which differentiates Him from the other two Mahavyahriti, by describing God’s ability to
entities recognized in that structure (namely, create the Universe and sustain it, as well as, at
matter and soul), in the same way as the the right time, bring about its dissolution.
comparison between the three parts of the word
Satchidananda, another name also used to Savita is also indicative of God’s gift to mankind.
describe God... Humans also have, in limited amount, the power,
or shakti, of Savita. This shakti acts as an
BHUR- Prana, Earth, Sat, Existence impetus in humans, to do something. They
cannot sit idle, and are constantly searching for
BHUVAH – Apana, Sky, Chit, Consciousness
something to do. This is what is commonly complete purity - being absolutely pure Himself,
known as the ‘creative urge’. It is through this God also has the ability to purify those that come
shakti that mankind has created art, and it is into contact with Him. Thus, Bhargo is
through this shakti also that scientific advances indicative of God’s power to purify, and to
are made. The gift of Savita also gives creatures destroy all sins and afflictions. In the same way
the ability of procreation. Hence, Savita can be as a metal ore placed into a fire will yield the
thought of as meaning Father (or Mother) also. pure metal, by merging with God, by realizing
His Divine Form and establishing unity and
Finally, it is the power of Savita that enables oneness with Him, we can cleanse ourselves and
mankind to distinguish right from wrong, and be made pure by His Grace.
vice from virtue. Through this ability, we are
able to in some part direct our own selves, and Though the soul, being itself Divine in nature,
thus, Savita imparts to us a certain self-guiding possesses that Light, it lacks luster, having been
ability. Thus, by using this word in the mantra, made impure by the sins and vices, which are a
we demonstrate that we are making efforts result of the darkness of Maya. By removing the
ourselves also, since God will not help us unless veil of Maya, and cleansing our soul, God can
we are willing to help ourselves. enable the soul to realize it’s true, Divine self,
and thus purify it.
VA-RE-NY-AM
DE-VAS-YA
Varenyam signifies our acceptance of God, and
can be translated as meaning ‘Who is worthy’. The word Devasya is derived from the root
Ever ready to obtain all the material riches of the Deva. However this word has been translated by
world, more often than not, they are a different people in many different ways. It is
disappointment once they have been achieved. generally thought of as meaning simply ‘God’.
God however is the one who, once realized and However, its meaning is more complex than that.
achieved, has the ability to truly satisfy. We
therefore accept Him as the Highest reality, and Deva, which forms the root of the words
it is to Him that we dedicate our efforts. ‘Devata’ and ‘Devi’, means ‘quality’ or
‘attribute’, and can be thought of as another
Varenyam can also be interpreted as signifying word for ‘Guna’. Thus, the various forms of God
one who is eligible. We have chosen Him to be are given this name, as each of those forms is
our Leader and our Guide. We place our all into related to a specific quality and function (for
His hands, and accept Him regardless of example, Brahma has the quality of Creation;
anything else. We place no conditions on this Kamadeva has the quality of love, etc.). Also,
acceptance, as it is all out of sheer devotion. Deva is thus used to describe anyone who is
considered to possess a special quality.
Bhargo is taken to signify the Glorious Light that Thus, Deva is indicative of the various
represents God’s love and power. It indicates His multifaceted entities that is the absolute
Personality of God. It describes in one word all Having firmly set God in our hearts, we now
the functions, roles and different attributes of must try to emphasize His presence and
God, and symbolizes therefore his absolutely influence on our mind and intellect.
essential nature - without God, nothing can exist.
Material prosperity holds no true meaning for
DHI-MA-HI the person who is truly devoted to God. Pain and
suffering are of no consequence to him as,
Meaning to meditate and focus our mind on God. touched by God, he is imbued with God's own
Meditation on God implies that we remove all Divine Bliss, and all worldly sorrows pale to
other thoughts from our mind, since thoughts of nothingness in comparison. However, still the
the world render our mind impure, and thus we individual must live in the world. Thus, it is
are unable to conceptualize the absolute purity important that the person’s intellect remains
of God. We must be able to concentrate, and focused on serving God, and that it is able,
direct our mental energies towards the task in through the medium of the body, to serve God to
hand - which is communion with God. the best of its ability.
Vālmīki is celebrated as the poet harbinger in The Uttara Khanda chapter of the Ramayana tells
Sanskrit literature. He is the author of the epic the story of Valmiki’s early life. He was a Brahman
Ramayana. He is revered as the Adi Kavi, which by birth belonging to the lineage of Bhrigu. Fate
means First Poet, for he discovered the first śloka consigned him to a family of robbers which brought
i.e. first verse, which set the base and defined the him up. Accidental contact with the Saptarsis - the
form to Sanskrit poetry. Seven Sages and with the sage Narada changed his
life.
The Yoga Vasistha is attributed to him. A religious
movement called Valmikism is based on Valmiki’s In those days, there was a thick forest all along the
teachings as presented in the Ramayana and the banks of the river Ganga. Many sages built their
Yoga Vasistha. By the 1st century AD, Valmiki’s hermitage in that forest for their ‘tapas’; that means
reputation as the father of Sanskrit classical poetry they meditated on God. Among them was a sage by
seems to have been legendary. Ashvagosha writes the name of Prachetasa. He had, a son called
in the Buddhacarita, Ratnakara. When he was very young boy, one day
he went into the forest. While playing he lost his
‘The voice of Valmiki uttered poetry which the way and began to cry. Just then a hunter came there
great seer Chyavana could not compose.’ looking for a prey. He saw the chubby boy and
fondled and pacified him. The hunter had no
This particular verse has been speculated to children. He took the boy to his hut in the midst of
indicate a familial relationship between Valmiki the jungle.
and Chyavana, as implied by the previous and
subsequent verses. Ratnakara’s father searched for his son all around
the hermitage, but could not find him. Finally he and
his wife thought that the boy had become the prey
Introduction - Out of the Ant-hill of some wild beast. Both wept very much.
Valmiki also lived in the age of Sri Rama - called the The hunter and his wife brought up the lad with
‘Treta Yuga’ (the Age of Treta). great love. Ratnakara forgot his parents. He took
the hunter for his father and the hunter’s wife for
Valmiki was born in the Naga clan. However the his mother. He was taught how to hunt by the
details of Valmiki’s life are not very clear as there father. Ratnakara was a clever boy and learnt it
no written records. He was the author of quickly. He became a hunter with a sure aim.
Ramayana, one of the greatest epics of India. The
Ramayana tells the story of Prince Rama of To the birds and beasts of the forest, he became
Ayodhya who always stuck to his morals and verily Yama, the God of Death. When he came of age,
emerged triumphant in the battle fought with his foster father searched for a bride and celebrated
demon king Ravana. The biography of Valmiki is an his marriage with a beautiful girl from a hunter’s
intriguing one and the exact dates of existence are family. In a few years she gave birth to children.
not known. Thus Ratnakara’s family grew in size. It became
very difficult for him to provide food and clothing to replied positively, but Narada told him to confirm
his large family. So he took to robbery. He began to this with his family. ‘My friend, will any member of
attack people going from one village to another, your family partake of your sin also? Go and ask
frighten them and to away all that they had. If they them, and bring back their reply.’
opposed him, he killed them.
Ratnakara thought that Narada was trying a trick
One day Ratnakara was sitting by the side of a road to make his escape. Narada understood it and again
waiting for a victim. It happened that the sage said, ‘Well, child, if you do not trust me, you can tie
Narada was passing that way. Narada had his me to this tree and then go.’
favorite musical instrument, a Veena, in his hands. Ratnakara thought that was all right. He tied
As he played on the Veena, he was singing a song in Narada to a tree and went home.
praise of God. When he was thus lost in joy,
suddenly Ratnakara rushed at him. As an unnamed On reaching home, he first went to his father and
highway robber he tried to rob the sage Narada for said, ‘Father, I rob people to get food and clothing
the benefit of his family. He lifted the stout staff in for you all. It seems that is a sin. Do you not share in
his hands and shouted, ‘Look here! Hand over all that sin?’
you have or else I’ll break your head.’
His father was angry and said, ‘You sinner, you
But Narada was not an ordinary man. He was a should not do such bad things. Am I to share your
divine sage, and one who wandered all over the sins? No, never. You have to suffer for what you do.’
Earth, the Heaven and the Underworld. He was not
frightened by the loud shouts of Ratnakara. He Ratnakara went to his mother and said, ‘Surely
smilingly, ‘My dear man, all that I have only this old mother, you will share my sin, won’t you?’ But she
Veena and the rags I wear; If you want them, you also scolded him and sent him away.
can certainly take them. Why should you break my
head for these?’ He then went to his wife and said, ‘Do you know
how I earn to provide you and your children with
Ratnakara was astonished at these words. He food and clothing? It is by robbery. But I steal for
looked up at Narada’s face. There was neither fear your sake. Therefore you are also partners in my
nor anger except peace of a greater depth and sin. Isn’t that so?’
awareness. And how bright was that face! He was
surprised to see a face tender and innocent like that The wife was displeased and said, ‘What are you
of a child. He had never seen such a lovely face. As saying? What have we to do with your sin? You are
he gazed, his cruel mind melted into tenderness. my husband, and my children are your children. It is
your duty to look after us and give us food and
Narada sat beneath a tree and as played on the clothing.’
Veena, sang a song in praise of God. It was sweet
like the song of cuckoo. Ratnakara was deeply The robber asked his family, but none agreed to
moved. Noticing the change, the sage Narada bear the burden of sin. Ratnakara’s eyes were
paused in his song and said, ‘Brother, stealing is a opened. He realized that he alone was responsible
sin. Killing animals is also sinful. Why do you do for all his sins no one else would share his sin.
such evil?’ Dejected, the robber finally understood the truth of
life and asked for Narada’s forgiveness.
‘Sire, what can I do Ratnakara replied, I have a
large family. There are my old parents and my wife As soon as it was clear to him, he ran to Narada. He
and children. They partake of my happiness and my untied the sage and amidst weeping, narrated to
troubles. I have to provide them with food and him all that had happened in his home. Falling at
clothing. Hunting and stealing are all I know. What Narada’s feet he asked the sage, ‘Oh, sire now what
else can I do?’ of me? How can I atone for all the sins I have
committed? You are my only savior.’
Narada asked him if his family would share the sin
he was incurring due to the robbery. The robber
Narada rejoiced at his transformation. He lifted the touched him all over. Ratnakara felt new life
robber to his feet and told him, ‘Fear not, my son. flowing through him. He touched the sage’s feet.
There is one name, the Taraka, which redeems Narada lifted him up and embraced him. Valmiki
even the greatest of sinners. Repeat the name with attained the supreme state of a ‘maharishi’ or great
all your mind and soul in it. All your sins will be sage. Since a ‘valmika’ or an anthill had grown over
washed away soon.’ He then whispered in his ears his body during his long period of austerities and
the sacred name, ‘Rama’ and asked the robber to poised state of penance, Narada said to him,
repeat it. ‘Ratnakara, you are blessed. God is pleased with
your tapas. You are now a sage of the highest order,
The whole of his life was spent in doing and saying a Brahmarishi. As you are now reborn from a
only harsh things. So the robber could not utter the Valmika (the ant-hill), you will hereafter be famous
word ‘Rama’ try as he might. But Narada was too as Valmiki.’ Thus he came to be known as Valmiki.
kind to leave him thus. So he tried another method. Finally, a divine voice declared his penance
He slowly uttered the word ‘Ma ra’ inverting the successful, bestowing him with the name ‘Valmiki’:
sacred name. This time the robber could pronounce ‘one born out of ant-hills’.
the letters, ‘Ma ra’, Ma ra....’ And he started
repeating the letters in quick succession... ‘Ma ra, Ma Tears of joy welled up in Valmiki’s eyes at these
ra, Ma... Ra.... Ma Ra...Ra...Ma...Rama....Rama....Rama...’ words. He prostrated before Narada again and said,
Thus after a time without his realizing it, the robber ‘Sire, all this is your kindness. The company of good
was repeating the Taraka nama. He was captivated men uplifts man. I am myself a proof of this.’
by the charm of the sacred name and he went on Narada blessed him and went his way.
repeating the name forgetting his surroundings. He
sat on like that continuously without moving and The sage, Valmiki, now formed his ashrama or
without opening his eyes and years passed away. hermitage near the river Ganga. His fame spread
This undisturbed tapas washed off all his sins and at every – where Many other sages went with their
last he gained a vision of Lord. Overflowing with families and settled down in his ashrama.
great joy and bliss, he rose from his seat shedding
off the ant hills around him. As he rose from the ant One day Sri Rama with his wife Sita and brother
hills, ‘Valmika’ as they are called in Sanskrit, he Lakshmana came to Valmiki’s ashrama. Valmiki’s
came to be called Valmiki. joy knew no limit. With the help of his disciples he
waited on them with great enthusiasm. His disciples
Narada taught the robber to worship God. The brought them water to wash their hands and feet,
robber meditated for many years, so much so that and spread mattresses for them to sit upon. They
ant-hills grew around his body. Thus repeating the offered the guests fresh milk and tasty fruits.
Ramanama or the name of Ram, Ratnakara
continued his ‘tapas’. His eyes were closed. His After resting a while, Sri Rama narrated his story.
whole mind was concentrate on the chanting of the He had come to the forest so that his father’s
name of the Lord He forgot his existence. He had promise might be fulfilled. Valmiki was very
neither food nor sleep for days and days. And in this pleased to hear it. He said, ‘Rama, there is none so
way quite a few years passed. An ant hill grew all truthful as you are. You have given up your kingdom
around and above him. He could not even be seen so that your father’s promise may be kept. Giving up
by anybody. a king’s throne, you have come to the forest. You are
not an ordinary man but the Almighty Himself. The
At last one day the sage Narada again came that power of your name is such that I have changed
way. Of course, he knew that Ratnakara was inside from a sinful hunter to a sage, a Brahmarishi. Your
the anthill. Very carefully he cleared that anthill still grace is great.’
Ratnakara was totally absorbed in his ‘tapas’ and
did not wake up to the world around him. Narada Sri Rama smiled. Then he said to Valmiki, ‘O great
chanted the name of Rama in his ears. Then he sage, we have come here to live near your
opened his eyes and saw the sage standing before hermitage. Please show us a suitable spot.’ There
him. He saluted him from where he was sitting. was a hill very near Valmiki’s hermitage. It was
Narada helped him to get up. He also gently called Chitrakuta. It was a beautiful place with
many kinds of plants full of flowers and trees Then he suddenly stopped surprised at his own
bearing fruits. Valmiki guided Rama to that hill. Sri words. For it was not his usual way of speaking....
Rama lived for a while on the hill with his wife and these words contained a rhythm and a melody. He
brother. realized that it was a poem that came out of his
heart’s anguish, the first poem that he ever
Composer of the Epic Ramayana composed. In fact it was the first sloka in the history
of the world for no one wrote any poetry till then.
The Ramayana in Slokas He later on wrote Ramayana, the story of the
incarnation of Vishnu as Rama in a melodious,
Valmiki symbolizes purity, penance, benevolence beautiful verse. It is sung reverentially by all Hindus
and meditation personified. The sole object of his daily, even though thousands of years passed away
dedication and contemplation was Man - a man since it was composed. Valmiki is acclaimed as the
leaves his selfish existence and lives for others Adi Kavi, the first poet and is gratefully
identifying himself with the composite culture of the remembered by all poets when they begin to
cosmic creation. The only work available of the compose a new poem. It is said that Valmiki taught
great sage-poet, The Ramayana, has established the the Ramayana to the sons of Rama, Luv and Kush.
poet’s timeless fame. He is also said to have given shelter to Sita after she
was banished from the kingdom. The Ramayana is
Valmiki Maharishi lived on the banks of the Ganges sung rather than just recited. Those who have read
in an ashram of his own. He was touched by an act the Ramayana have bowed to Valmiki with great
of love between two birds and that transformed him respect. It is said that when Luv and Kush were
drastically. One day while he was returning from the singing the Ramayana in their sweet voices in front
river after the morning bath he saw a Krouncha Rama, he himself was unaware of the fact that they
birds couple, flying joyously in the sky and having were his own sons! Though the epic is still there,
their love play. He was charmed by the innocent joy there are no written records of Valmiki and his
of the birds and continued to look at them in blissful period of existence.
rapture. Just then an arrow struck the male bird in
the heart who fell down bleeding and piteously Like the story of Valmiki’s becoming a sage, the
crying. Seeing her mate gone, the female bird arose story of his composing the Ramayana is also very
in great grief and flying round and round the body interesting. One day the sage Narada came to
of her mate, moaning and shining. The bird’s Valmiki’s ashrama. Valmiki was very happy. He
wordless grief was so pitiable, that the kindly sage’s showed him great courtesy, offered milk and fruits.
heart was touched. Tears came out of his eyes and Valmiki and his disciples sat with folded hands
he felt all the misery of the small bird in his own before Narada. Then Valmiki said to the divine
heart. He looked around and saw a hunter sage, ‘Sire, you visit all the three worlds, and
crouching nearby. In infinite mercy and sorrow therefore know what happens anywhere. You can
Valmiki cried out, certainly answer my questions. Please tell me, who
is the most virtuous person among all the human
‘A future, O hunter, none you will have For killing beings on the earth? One who always speaks the
the Krouncha in the midst of love’ truth, and is always calm? Who is he, who desires
the well being of everyone, and is loved by all? Who
He realized the power of speech he had in him and the man, whose words and actions are praised by
the ability to create rhythmic verses. He then had a the gods? Who is famous as the greatest hero and
divine vision of Brahma, who urged Valmiki to use the noblest of men in the world?’
this potential to the maximum and write the story of
Ramayana. Thus began the preparation of one of In response to Valmiki’s question, Narada
the most sacred and revered epics of India. The mentioned the name of Sri Rama. Narada narrated
poetry and language used in Ramayana is how Sri Rama was born as the eldest son of King
commendable and unmatched. Dasaratha, married Sita, and went to the forest for
fourteen years to honor his father’s promise. He told
them in detail how in the forest Ravana stole Sita,
how Sri Rama killed that very evil person, returned
to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana, and was
finally crowned as King. Hearing all this, Valmiki
was very happy. He praised Narada and bowed to
him. The divine sage blessed him and left.
mā niṣāda pratiṣṭhāṁ
Sometime after Narada left, Valmiki went to the tvamagamaḥ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ
river Ganga to bathe. Bharadwaja accompanied yat krauñcamithunādekam
him carrying his clothes. On the way they came avadhīḥ kāmamohitam
across the Tamasa Stream. The water in it was very
clear. Valmiki said to his disciple, ‘Look, how clear You will find no rest for the long years of Eternity
is this water, like the mind of a good man! I will For you killed a bird in love and unsuspecting
bathe here today.’
Emerging spontaneously from his rage and grief,
The Ramayana originally written by Valmiki this was the first śloka in Sanskrit literature. This
consists of 24,000 verses in six cantos - some say Sloka is soaked Later Valmiki composed the entire
seven i.e. including the Uttara Ramayana. These Ramayana with the blessings of Lord Brahma in the
cantos are known as - kāṇḍas. The Ramayana same meter that issued forth from him as the śloka.
tells the story of a prince, Rama of Ayodhya, whose Thus this śloka is revered as the ‘first śloka’ in
wife Sita is abducted by the Rākshasa king of Hindu literature. Valmiki is revered as the first
Lanka, Rāvana. The Valmiki Ramayana is dated poet, or Adi Kavi, and the Ramayana, the first
variously from 500 BC to 100 BC, or about the same kavya.
origin as with early versions of the Mahabhārata.
As with many traditional epics, it has gone through His first disciples to whom he taught the Ramayana
a long process of interpolations and redaction’s, were Kusha and Lava, the sons of Rama.
making it impossible to date accurately.
Insight into the character of the
The first Śloka Epic by Narada
Valmiki was going to the river Ganga for his daily When the mythical sage Narada came to his
ablutions. Bharadwaja one of the disciples was hermitage, Valmiki who received him with due
carrying his clothes. On the way, they came across honor, posed a question - who was an ideal man?
the Tamasa Stream. Looking at the stream, Valmiki The reply came from Narada in the form of
said to his disciple, ‘Look, how clear is this water, Samkshepa Ramayana which formed the
like the mind of a good man! I will bathe here today.’ foundation on which the magnificent 24,000 verse
When he was looking for a suitable place to step edifice was built by Valmiki. Then, immersed deep
into the stream, he heard the sweet chirping of into this story, Valmiki left for the river Tamasa
birds. Looking up, he saw two birds flying together. with his disciple Bharadwaj. The pleasant and
Valmiki felt very pleased on seeing the happy bird placid river reminded the seer of the mature and
couple. Suddenly, one of the birds fell down, hit by modest quality of his hero. He visualized a pure and
an arrow; it was the male bird. Seeing the wounded pious man's mind reflected in the deep waters. In
one, its mate screamed in agony. The female could the next instant he witnessed a heartless hunter
not bear the agony inflicted by separation from the mercilessly killing a male bird that was in love with
male bird. Valmiki’s heart melted at this pitiful its mate. The piteous wailing of the distressed
sight. He looked around to find out who had shot the female moved the heart of the sage so much that he
bird. He saw a hunter with a bow and arrows, spontaneously uttered a curse on the hunter.
nearby. Valmiki became very angry. His lips opened However, this curse came out of his mouth in the
and he uttered the following words: form of a ‘sloka’, a perfectly metrical composition,
which surprised the sage himself: ‘No - You shall not
command any respect in society for a long time as
you have shot dead an innocent bird engrossed in and perseverance which Valmiki practiced his
love’. The sage had turned into a poet. entire life.
His powerful emotions found equally powerful ‘I am the tenth son of the sage Prachetas. You
medium for their manifestation. It was a belong to the great dynasty of Raghu. I do not
spontaneous outburst of his inner voice motivated remember to have uttered any lie so far in my life. I
by divine will. When he returned to his hermitage, say that these two boys are your sons. I performed
Brahma (the four faced God, the creator), appeared penance for thousands of years. I shall not accept
to him and commanded him to compose an epic the fruit of all my penance if there is any blemish in
poem on the story of Ram as he had heard it from Maithili (Sita). I never entertained any ignoble
the great sage Narada, in his newly discovered thought, I never wronged any person, and I never
meter. He also gave him the boon of the visions of spoke any vulgar word - I shall derive the benefit
all the incidents and the revelation of all the secrets thereof only if Maithili is void of sin.’
connected with the story. Accordingly, Valmiki
composed the epic, named it The Ramayana - the Maharshi Valmiki
way or the conduct or the life story of Ram - the
story of Ram’s march in search of truth and The journey of Rama through life is the
righteousness. ‘Ramayana’ – Ramasya ayana sa Ramayana asti!
– Rama’s journey!
A contemporary of the heroes of the Ramayana,
Mahairshi Valmiki gives very little information It is remarkable that Sri Rama himself listened to
about himself since he was a sage who had the story of the Ramayana and was pleased. Lava
completely dedicated his life to contemplation on and Kusha sang the story before Rama very
God and service to humanity. History has no sweetly; Rama did not know that they were own
account of his life except that he figures briefly and sons! The poet Valmiki composed ‘Ramayana’ and
modestly on two occasions in the course of the epic taught the song and story to Lava and Kusha.
he wrote:
Valmiki’s Ramayana is in the Sanskrit language. It
Valmiki’s Character in Ramayana is a very beautiful poem. Long poem narrating the
story of a very great hero is called an epic. Valmiki's
He is one of the first sages whose hermitage Ram 'Ramayana' is the very first such poem in Sanskrit.
visits along with his wife and brother on his way to Therefore, it is also called the ‘Adi-Kavya’ or - the
Chitrakoot after leaving Ayuodhya. Valmiki First Poem; Valmiki is also known as the ‘Adi-Kavi’,
welcomes them with love, affection and reverence which means the First Poet.
and utters just one word ‘asyatam’ (be seated). He
feels honored when Ram accepts his request and Valmiki’s ‘Ramayana’ can be sung. It is delightful to
sits a while. the ear like the sound of the cuckoo. Valmiki has
been described as a cuckoo on the tree of poetry,
The other occasion is when Ram banishes Sita, it is singing sweetly. Those who read the 'Ramayana'
Valmiki that shelters her and rears up her twin sons bow to the great Valmiki first and then turn to the
Luv and Kush. When they recite the epic poem in epic.
his royal court, Ram invites Valmiki and requests
him to bring Sita along so she can prove her chastity A Queen Comes to a Hermitage
before the elders and sages. Valmiki is offended yet
keeps his composure and says Sita would comply After Sri Rama killed Ravana in a great war to
with Ram’s wishes for he is her husband. While regain Sita, he returned to the city of Ayodhya with
presenting Sita in the Mandapa (prayer hall) Sita and Lakshmana. He was then crowned King of
Valmiki utters words that highlight the penance the Kosala country. Sita was now the Queen. They
were happy. All his subjects were also very happy and gold ornaments to be given to the wives of the
and joyful. After some years Sita became pregnant. Rishis. She told everyone in the palace that she was
Sri Rama was very pleased that his line would going on a visit to hermitages, and took leave. Sri
continue. He said to her, ‘Sita, you are now with Rama was not in the palace. So she requested
child and you may have some desire or the other. Kausalya, her mother-in-law, to inform Sri Rama.
Tell me whatever it is, and I shall fulfill it.’ She then entered the chariot. Lakshmana himself
drove the chariot.
Sita smiled and said, ‘My lord, what other wish can I
have? I only desire your happiness and your love. They sped along and soon reached the banks of the
Still there is a small thing I would like to mention. river Ganga. Nearby was the hermitage of Valmiki
When we were in the forest years ago, we used to go Rishi. But Lakshmana did not go to the ashrama.
to the hermitages of the Rishis. But I could not give He got down in the forest near the ashrama. He
anything to the wives of the sages at that time. Can I helped Sita to alight from the chariot. Then tearfully
go there now, and offer them gifts to my heart’s he said to her, ‘Mother, Sri Rama has asked me to
content? I would like to spend some time with leave you in the forest. Some people in Ayodhya
them.’ Sri Rama gladly agreed to fulfill her desire. have spoken ill of you with doubts in their minds.
They blame Sri Rama for having brought you back
After a few days, one morning Sri Rama was sitting from Ravana’s prison. A king has to win the respect
in his chamber attending to his kingly duties. Then a of his subjects. Therefore, Rama has given you up.
spy came to him. His work was to disguise himself This has given him great pain, but he is bearing it
at night and to listen to what different persons said. because he thinks of his duty. I have obeyed his
In the morning he met the king and reported instructions. I am a very great sinner, to be leaving
everything. The previous night he had heard some you in the forest. Kindly forgive me.’ He touched her
persons criticizing Sri Rama. It was his duty to tell feet. Then he left the weeping Sita in the forest and
the king whatever he had heard. He said to Rama, returned to Ayodhya.
‘Sire, the people of Ayodhya are full of praise for
you. But there are some who do not approve of one Lakshmana’s words came like a thunderbolt to
of your actions. ‘Queen Sita was a prisoner in Sita. She stood for a long time staring at
Ravana’s palace. Ravana was the King of Lakshmana who was going away. Deep sighs
Rakshasas, and a wicked fellow. Therefore what of escaped from her lips. Unable to stand, she
Sita! Who was his prisoner? Sri Rama was wrong in collapsed on the ground. She recalled the entire
bringing her back.' I have heard some persons speak story of her life. Should this be the fate of a woman
like this.’ who always thought of her husband as her God? She
wept and wept. But yet she did not blame her
Sri Rama was greatly pained to hear this. He knew husband. She thought it was her bad fate. She was
that Sita always thought only of him, and was very soon to become a mother and was wearied by the
pure. But a king should always so conduct himself as journey; she had eaten no food and her mind was
to please and satisfy his subjects. That is the quality full of agony, so she crumpled up. She was
of a good king. Therefore Sri Rama decided to overtaken by sleep and lay down under a tree.
abandon Sita. He sent for his brother Lakshmana
and told him all that he had heard from the spy. He Sita awoke from her sleep by the evening. She did
asked Lakshmana to take away Sita at once and not know what to do and began to cry loudly. Just
leave her near Valmiki’s hermitage. Lakshmana then Valmiki’s disciples had come to the forest to
was shocked at the order he received from his elder gather flowers and leaves for the master’s worship.
brother. He tried to change the mind of Sri Rama They heard the loud wails of Sita and followed in
but in pain. Lakshmana had no choice so he had to the wake of the sound.
take away his sister-in-law.
They approached her and said to her, ‘Mother, who
He brought a chariot to the gate of Sita’s palace. Sita are you? Why are you crying alone in the forest? We
thought that Sri Rama was fulfilling her desire to are disciples of the sage Valmiki. Have no doubts.
visit the ashramas of sages. She was all enthusiasm. Guruji’s hermitage is quite near. Please come with
She got up a big package of haldi, kumkum, bangles us, Mother.’
The very mention of Valmiki Rishi brought Sita Sri Rama Hears His Own Story
some comfort. She took courage and went with the
disciples to the ashrama. The boys grew up day by day and advanced in their
education in Valmiki’s ashrama. Sri Rama’s reign
As soon as she saw Valmiki Sita prostrated before continued. He thought of performing the great
the sage with great devotion. Weeping, she narrated sacrifice of Ashwamedha. In those days an
her whole story to the sage. Valmiki was deeply Ashwamedha Yaga was no small matter. It was the
moved. He consoled her in various ways. He then greatest aim and ambition of many a king. Only the
assured her that he would keep her in his most heroic of kings in the world would be able to
hermitage. He asked the women of the ashrama to perform that sacrifice successfully. A king desirous
look after her. He told them that she was a very of undertaking it would worship a horse of a fine
virtuous lady and they should look after her with all breed. As the horse was free to roam, if any other
possible care and affection. king tied up the horse he had to be conquered in a
war. Thus the king who wanted to perform
After a few days Sita gave birth to two sons. They Ashwamedha had to conquer all kings on the earth
were born on a good day under very auspicious and become an emperor. After the horse roamed
stars. The two babies were beautiful like dolls made over all countries and returned home, the owner
of moonlight. Valmiki rejoiced when he saw them. could perform the Ashwamedha sacrifice. Sri Rama
On the tenth day after their birth, he named them undertook such a venture. All other kings on earth
Lava and Kusha. Everyone in the ashrama was offered their tributes and gifts, and accepted him as
very fond of these babies. Someone or the other Emperor. Then he performed the great Sacrifice. All
among the inmates of the ashrama was always the sages in the land were invited to the sacrifice. So
carrying the babies and fondling them. Their was Valmiki Rishi, who went there with his
affection for her children filled Sita with joy. Seeing disciples.
those pretty children, she was able to forget her
sorrows. And this brought Valmiki great relief. Sri Rama’s Ashwamedha Yaga went on for several
days in grandeur. Poor people were given food and
Lava and Kusha grew up day by day like the good clothing to their heart’s content. Brahmins
waxing moon. Valmiki himself taught those boys and rishis were pleased with the generous gifts and
the first letters. He taught them to read and to write. money. On the final day when all the rishis were
The boys also learnt to recite several songs of gathered together in the evening, Valmiki asked
prayer. They had very sweet voices. When they sang Lava and Kusha to recite his Ramayana. Another
all around listened spellbound. Valmiki would often disciple of his played on the flute pleasingly. It was a
make the children sing before Sita; their song night of the full moon. The two boys sang the
delighted her like divine nectar. ‘Ramayana’ to the accompaniment of the flute. The
recitation went on all night. The rishis and the
Lava and Kusha were now eight years old. Valmiki Brahmins who had assembled there were
performed their ‘sacred thread ceremony’ - the overjoyed. The sages and Brahmins, being so
Upanayana. Then he began to teach them the pleased, gave gifts to the boys. Valmiki was over
sacred Vedas. He had by now completed the whelmed with joy at this appreciation of his poem
Ramayana, which also he taught them. The two and of the recitation by his disciples.
boys learnt it by heart. They sang the ‘Ramayana’so
movingly that Valmiki was filled with joy. He made During the night when Lava and Kusha were
them sing his long poem before Sita. Her heart singing, Sri Rama was lying down on the open
melted at the story of the ‘Ramayana’, the singing terrace of his palace. He heard the song of the boys.
and the sweetness of the voices. Their recitation It was like nectar to him. He sent for the boys the
gave the story of ‘Ramayana’ a new beauty and next morning. When they came there, he requested
appeal. Sita’s eyes were filled with tears of joy. them to sing the ‘Ramayana’ again. As they sang
Valmiki felt proud of the boys and their singing. He and as he listened to the story of his own life, he was
would ask Lava and Kusha to sing the ‘Ramayana’ very pleased. He shed tears whenever there was
before everyone who came to his ashrama.
mention of Sita. Alas, how much had she suffered! by four serpents. Bhoodevi drew Sita into her arms
She had married him; what happiness had the and embraced her. In a moment, both disappeared
marriage brought her? Her whole life was full of into the earth with the throne. The earth, which had
trouble and sorrow. Sri Rama wiped his tears; opened, closed again. Seeing Sita vanish
hardly able to speak, he asked the boys, ‘Who are underground, Sri Rama was in great misery. He
you?’ wept loudly. Sita was the daughter of Bhoodevi. She
had again entered the mother’s womb. Sri Rama
‘We are Sita’s sons and disciples of Valmiki,’ they prayed to Bhoodevi, his mother-in-law, to give his
said. wife back to him; he blamed himself, craved for Sita,
and raved angrily. But it was all in vein. Then
Sri Rama was stunned at the mention of Sita. ‘Did Brahma, the Lord of the Creation, appeared to him
Sita, whom I sent away to the forest, give birth to and soothed him. ‘Sri Rama,’ he said, ‘You – are no
these children? Are they then my own sons he human being, but Lord Narayana. You were born a
thought? He sent for sage Valmiki at once. When the human being to kill the demon - king Ravana. That
Rishi arrived, Sri Rama heard from him the story of mission is over; you must now get back to your own
those two boys in detail. He was very eager to get world of Vaikunta. Your wife Sita awaits you there
back Sita and begged Valmiki to fetch her. He gave as Lakshmi.’ Sri Rama realized that these words
the assurance that she would again be his queen. were true. His sorrow subsided. The assembled
gods and sages were filled with wonder.
Valmiki sent his disciples to fetch Sita from the
ashrama. When Sita arrived, Sri Rama said to her, After a few days Sri Rama left the earth and
‘Sita, swear before all the sages assembled here, returned to Vaikunta. The story of Valmiki is
that you loved me alone and are in truth a virtuous meaningful. Valmiki is a great example of how
woman. Let the minds of all those who doubt you be people are uplifted by the company of good men. By
cleared. Then I shall take you back.’ Sage Valmiki coming into contact with Narada, he became a great
protested. He said to Sri Rama, ‘Sri Rama, Sita is sage, a Brahmarshi; and he also gave the
the most virtuous of women. Please do not test her ‘Ramayana’ which the world can never forget. It is
again and again. Why should she again swear before one of the great epics of the world. People of other
this gathering? Her mind is already greatly hurt. Do countries read it in their own languages. The study
not pain her again. You are verily Lord Mahavishnu, of the ‘Ramayana’ can reform our lives. We can
the great Protector of the Universe, and she is your never forget Valmiki who gave this great epic to us.
divine consort, Mahalakshmi. Let there be no Let us offer our salutations to that great sage and
further test.’ bard.
But Sri Rama did not agree. He said the test was
needed in order to remove the suspicion of people.
Sita felt ashamed. She stood with her head bowed.
Tears flowed like a stream from her eyes. All the
gods came down from heaven to witness the test of
this most virtuous woman. Before all those gods and
the rishis, Sita prayed to the Earth Goddess,
V
ishvamitra is considered to be one of the According to Vishnu Purana, Kushika married a
most revered sages of the ancient India. As girl belonging to Puru-kutsa (later called as
per the holy Puranas, there have been only Shatamarshana lineage - descendents of Ikshvaku
24 Rishis in India who have the Gayatri Mantra. It king Trasadasyu) dynasty and had a son by name
is believed that Vishvamitra is the first of the 24 Gadhi who had a daughter named Satyavati (not to
saints, and Sage Yajnavalkya the last. He also be confused with Satyavati of Mahabharata).
claims the distinction of being the author of the
majority portion of the Mandala 3 of the Rig-Veda. Satyavati was married to an old Brahman Richika
who was foremost among the race of Bhrigu.
Kaushika Richika desired a son having the qualities of a
Brahman, and so he gave Satyavati a sacrificial
offering (charu) which he had prepared to achieve
The story of Vishvamitra is narrated in the this objective. He also gave Satyavati’s mother
Balakanda of Valmiki Ramayana. The another charu to make her conceive a son with the
Mahabharata adds that Vishvamitra’s relationship character of a Kshatriya at her request. But
with Menaka resulted in a daughter, Shakuntala Satyavati’s mother privately asked Satyavati to
whose story is narrated in the Adi Parva of the exchange her charu with her. This resulted in
Mahabharata. Satyavati’s mother giving birth to Vishvamitra, the
son of a Kshatriya Gadhi with the qualities of a
Vishvamitra was a king in ancient India, named Brahman; and Satyavati gave birth to Jamadagni,
Kaushika - ‘the descendant of Kusha’. He was a the father of Parasurama, a Brahman with
valiant warrior and the great-grandson of a great qualities of a Kshatriya.
king named Kusha. The Valmiki Ramayana, Sarga
51 of Bala Kanda, starts the legend of Vishvamitra
thus, Feud with Vashishta
There was a king named Kusha, a brainchild of Once it happened that he and his soldiers took rest
Prajapati, and Kusha’s son was the powerful and in the ashram of Vashishta. There, his whole army
verily righteous Kushanaabha. One who is highly was well fed and taken care of. This caused a doubt
renowned by the name Gaadhi was the son of in the king’s mind as to how it was possible for this
Kushanaabha, and Gaadhi’s son is Vishvamitra. simple ashram to take care of all the arrangements
Vishvamitra ruled the earth for many thousands of to feed an entire army. He expressed his surprise to
years. the sage. Vashishta replied,
His story also appears in various Puranas, however ‘O king, this feast that you have partaken with your
they show variations from the Ramayana. The kinsmen, has been provided by my calf Nandini
Vishnu Purana and Harivamsha chapter 27 (sometimes referred as Sabala), who was gifted to
(dynasty of Amaavasu) of Mahabharata narrates me by Indra. You must know that she is the
the birth of Vishvamitra. daughter of Indra’s cow Kamadhenu. She provides
me with everything I need.’
Kaushika was filled with wonder when he heard undergoing intense meditation and severe
this. He began to think that possessing this cow asceticism, he was bestowed with the title of
would mean a lot to him; after all, the sage did not Brahmarishi by Lord Brahma himself. He was
have to provide food and sustenance for a large given the name of ‘Vishvamitra’.
army every day. He expressed a desire to the sage
for obtaining Nandini from him. Vashishta was
polite, but steadfast in his refusal. He would not be Legends surrounding
tempted by the offer of untold wealth that was
made by, for after all who can set a price on a cow,
Vishvamitra
which can readily yield all the riches in the world.
It is said that Sage Vishvamitra created a parallel
The king grew exceedingly angry. He insulted the heaven, known as Trishanku Swarga, for King
Brahmarishi with harsh words, and ordered his Trishanku. It is also believed that in the great epic
soldiers to seize the cow, and drive it to his Ramayana, Vishvamitra was born as Lakshmana,
kingdom. By his yogic powers, the great sage the brother of Rama. He gave his brothers the
Vashishta, called forth an entire army of fierce knowledge of the Devastras (celestial weaponry),
warriors. They fought the army of Kaushika and trained them in advanced religion and taught them
defeated it thoroughly. Kaushika was captured and how to kill powerful demons.
presented before Vashishta. The sage pardoned the
king and sent him away with words of advice. According to Hinduism a Brahmarshi - a
tatpurusha comes from two words Brahma and
In an alternate version, Vashishta destroyed ṛiṣi. A Brahmarshi is a sage who has understood
Kaushika’s entire army by the simple use of his the meaning of the word Brahma and has attained
great mystic and spiritual powers, breathing the the highest divine knowledge Brhmajnana. A
Aum syllable. Vashishta also thus kills one hundred Brahmarishi is a member of the highest classes of
of Kaushika’s sons, while restoring his hermitage’s Rishis (‘seers’ or ‘sages’), especially those credited
beauty and life. with the composition of the hymns collected in the
Rigveda.
Kaushika then undertakes a tapasya for several
years to please Lord Shiva, who bestows upon him The superlative title of Brahmarishi is not attested
the knowledge of celestial weaponry. He proudly in the Vedas themselves and first appears in the
goes to Vashishta’s ashram again, and uses all kinds Sanskrit epics. According to this a Brahmarishi is
of powerful weapons to destroy Vashishta and his the ultimate expert of religion and spiritual
hermitage. He succeeds in the latter but not in the knowledge known as ‘Brahmajnana’. Below him
former. are the Maharishis
An enraged Vashishta brings out his brahmadanda, The Saptarshis created out of Brahma’s thoughts
a wooden stick imbued with the power of Lord are perfect Brahmarishi. They are often cited to be
Creator Brahma. It consumes Kaushika’s most at par with the Devas in power and piety in the
powerful weapons, including the brahmastra. Puranas.
Vashishta then attempts to attack Kaushika, but his
anger is allayed by the Devas. Kaushika is left Bhrigu, Angiras, Atri, Vishvamitra, Kashyapa,
humiliated while Vashishta restores his hermitage. Vashishta, and Shandilya are the seven
brahmarshis. However, there is another set of
Saptarshis also who are also Gotra-pravartakas, or
Tapasya the founders of Brahamanical clans, and this
second list appeared somewhat later, but still
The above mentioned incident deeply affected belongs to ancient period.
Kaushika and made him realize that power of
penance was greater than that of physical strength. All the hymns of third mandala of the Rig Veda are
He relinquished his throne and began his journey to ascribed to Vishvamitra including the Gayatri
become a sage, greater than even Vashishta. After mantra. According to Puranic stories, Vishvamitra
was the only Brahmarishi who rose to the position one thousand years, after which Brahma names
out of pure tapas. Originally belonging to the him a Rajarishi, or royal sage.
kshatriya caste of kings and warriors, he rose by After another long penance of ten thousand years,
pure merit to a Brahmarshi. Vishvamitra is also Brahma names him a rishi, thus leaving his royal
referred to as Kaushika, because he attained lineage permanently.
Brahmajnana on the banks of the river Koshi.
At this point, Indra attempts to test the
Vishvamitra by sending Menaka, an apsara to
seduce him. Kaushik then lives with Menaka for 10
years. They have a baby girl Shakuntala. Kaushik
becomes angry as Menaka had destroyed his years
of meditation and thus he cursed her that she won’t
possess her beauty, of which she was proud, in next
birth. And hence in the next birth she became a
monkey and mother of Hanuman, Anjani.
Vishvamitra was the author of the revered great Enraged even more by this, the powerful
Mantra - The Gyatri Mantra. It is a mantra that is Vishvamitra then commenced the creation of
found in all the three Vedas; Rig, Yajur and Sama another heaven for Trisanku. He had only
Veda. Vedas clearly state that anyone can chant this completed the heaven when Brihaspati ordered
Mantra, and gain its benefits. Gyatri Mantra: him to stop. Trisanku, however, did not enjoy
Trisanku Swarga, he remained fixed in the sky and
Om Bhur Bhuva Svah was transformed into a constellation.
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi In the process of forming a new universe,
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat Vishvamitra used up all the tapas he had gained
from his austerities. Therefore after the Trisanku
We meditate on the glory of the Creator; episode, Vishvamitra had to start his prayers again
Who is worthy of Worship, to attain the status of a Brahma Rishi, to equal
Who is the source of knowledge, Vashishta.
Who is the bright light,
May he illuminate our intellect. Harishchandra’s Sacrifice
Gayatri Mantra is so called because it liberates one While undertaking a penance, Kaushika helps a boy
who chants it. named Shunashepa who has been sold by his
parents to be sacrificed at Harishchandra’s yagna
Vishvamitra is famous in many legendary stories to please Varuna, the God of the Oceans. The king’s
and in different works of Sanatana dharma. son Rohit does not want to be the one sacrificed, as
was originally promised to Varuna, so young
Sunashep is being taken. A devastated and terrified
Sunashepa falls at the feet of Kaushika, who is decided to split from the main group and started
deep in meditation, and begs for his help. their own branch of this line.
The Gyatri mantra encourages creative thinking, ‘While the king Ambariisha is taking rest that
not as mere human invention but as our portion of highly brilliant Shunashepa came to the lakeside of
cosmic intelligence. It exhorts us to attune ourselves main Holy Lake with high anxiety, and there he
to the cosmic mind and its laws of dharma. This indeed saw his maternal uncle Sage Vishvamitra
chant is as valuable and appropriate in the modern who is performing access along with other sages.
world as it was in ancient times. We can use it Shunashepa became pitiable and sulky faced by
whenever we wish to gain new insight and strain and thirst, oh, Rama, and he immediately fell
inspiration or to increase memory and in the lap of saint Vishvamitra saying this sentence.
concentration, even for mundane tasks.
‘I have no mother or a father to save me. Then
Vishvamitra in the Rigveda states that his prayer wherefore cousins or relatives will be there to
or Brahma protects the people: protect me. Oh, peaceable saint the eminent, it will
be apt of you to protect me according to saintliness.
(visvamitrasya raksati brahmedam bharatam Oh, illustrious sage, you alone is the savior to each
janam, Rig Veda III.53.12). and every one, isn’t it! You alone are the guardian
angel, isn’t it! Hence, let the purpose of the king
His prayer of course is the Gayatri mantra. As long Ambariisha be achieved, and let longevity come to
as that mantra is recited in India, its ancient me, and I on becoming imperishable and indeed on
spiritual heritage will be preserved. India should performing an unexcelled access, I wish to enjoy in
not forget the Gayatri mantra, Vishvamitra or its heavenly worlds.
connection to the Sun. That is the key to its destiny
as a nation. Humanity also must remember the ‘You shall be my providence with a providential
Divine Self in the Sun, the Prana that is the sentiment as I stand unprotected, and oh, virtue
universal energy, and our role in the cosmos to soul one, it will be apt of you to protect me from
bring the Divine light of knowledge into the misfortune, like a father protecting his own son.’
darkness of physical matter. This is not an issue of Thus Shunashepa appealed to Vishvamitra.
mere science and technology. It requires an inner
science of Yoga and the enlightenment of the mind. ‘On hearing that sentence of Shunashepa and on
pacifying him in many ways, Vishvamitra of higher
access indeed said this to his sons. For what reason on dog’s meat, like the sons of Vashishta.’ Thus
parents engender sons, desiring positivity and for Vishvamitra cursed his sons.
the purpose of welfare in the other worlds, this is
the time that has come for fulfilling that reason. ‘On making his sons bounden by curse, then that
best saint spoke to the pitiable Shunashepa, on
Vividly: ‘A father’s ambition in begetting sons is to making unharmed invulnerability to him with
do something good and positive to the society in the sanctifying hymns.
present world and when departed a right place is
acquired in heavens through these sons, by their ‘When you are fastened with sacred fastener to the
yearly death-day rituals etc., and hence you do some sacrificial post of Vishnu, smeared with red paste
good in saving this boy from premature death and and garlanded with red garlands, you praise fully
earn an apt place for me in heavens...’ address the Fire-god with the words I going to
impart to you in Vedic hymns. These two divine
‘This youngest is the son of sage and he aspires hymns, oh, son of saint, shall be chanted in the
shelter from me. Hence, oh, sons, give him Vedic-ritual of Ambariisha, and then you will
satisfaction just by giving life to him. You all have obtain your aspiration.’ Thus Vishvamitra taught
done very good pious deeds and you all abide by two Vedic hymns to the boy. Shunashepa having
probity. Hence, you bestow appeasement to Fire- taken those two hymns from Vishvamitra very
god on your becoming the ritual-animals of king attentively has instantly gone to that lion-king
Ambariisha in lieu of this boy Shunashepa. As a Ambariisha and indeed spoke to him.
result, Shunashepa will have protectors, Vedic-
ritual will be unimpeded, gods will be oblated, and ‘Oh, king the lion, let us go promptly to your ritual
my word too will be actualized.’ Thus Vishvamitra place, oh, best king, you may apply yourself to your
said to his sons. pledge in completing the ritual, with me as its
sacrificial animal,’ thus the boy said. On listening
‘But on hearing the saying of the sage, oh, Rama, the that sentence of the son of sage, the king
best of men, Madhushyanda and the other sons of Ambariisha is gladdened and proceded to the ritual
Vishvamitra said this, haughtily and disparagingly. hall immediately and spiritedly. The king with the
permission of officiators of ritual got the boy
‘On sacrificing your own sons how can you save prepared as a ritual animal with sanctified bodily
another’s son, oh, lordly father, we deem this as a features and clad him in red clothes and got him
wrongdoing and as good as dog’s meat in a dinner.’ securely fastened to the sacrificial post.
Thus the sons of Vishvamitra replied their father.
‘When Shunashepa is tied to ritual post he
Vishvamitra will be nagged by almost all, including immensely pleased two gods, namely Indra and
his sons, on this ‘dog-meat-eating.’ There is a Upendra as well, with those two hymns he got from
parable in Mahabharata that Vishvamitra once Vishvamitra. Then the Thousand-eyed Indra who
tried to eat dog’s meat when he did not get any food, is satisfied with esoteric laudation is gladdened, and
but caught red-handedly. Later this has become the oh, Raghava, then he bestowed longevity to
curse-theme to Vishvamitra when he cursed Shunashepa.
Vashishta’s sons. At the present juncture also he
curses his own sons with the same theme. ‘Oh, Rama, the best one among men, he that king
Ambariisha also obtained the fruits of that Vedic-
‘On listening that saying of his sons sage ritual in manifold, resulted from the grace of
Vishvamitra started to curse them while fury Thousand-eyed Indra.
reddened his eyes. You all have not only
transgressed my word, but pertly replied me in an ‘Oh, Rama, the best among men, even the great
impudent manner which is abhorrent and hair- ascetic Vishvamitra again performed access at the
raising, and recriminatory according to probity. You same Holy lakeside for another thousand years.’
all will be whirling around the earth totally for a Thus Sage Shataananda continued the narration of
thousand years taking birth in the race that subsists Vishvamitra’s legend.
When Rama was about to leave Ayodhya at the end of his presence on earth,
Rama in his original form of Vishnu ordered Vibhishana to stay on earth
and serve the people and guide them to the path of truth and Dharma.
Hence, Vibhishana is considered one of the seven immortals, or Chiranjeevins.
Furthermore, Vishnu ordered Vibhishana to pray to the family deity
of Rama’s natal Sun Dynasty, Lord Ranganatha.
Symbolically, Vibhishana represents devotion Rahula, the sælalihini sandesaya, the Myna is
to Sri Rama, and as a demon devotee, he shows ordered to carry the missive to Vibhishana at
that the Lord does not distinguish between his his temple in Kelaniya. After the 16th Century
followers based on birth or circumstances in he was replaced as a God of the four warrants
life. The same taught exists in the story of by the goddess Pattini. He continues to be
Prahlada and Narasimha. worshipped by a diminishing number of
adherents, mainly in the Kelaniya area.
When Vibhishana became the King of Lanka,
he turned his subjects from the path of evil to
the path of good and Dharma or righteousness. In the Ramayana
His wife, Queen Sarma also helped him in this
effort. Vibhishana had a sattvic (pure) mind and a
sattvic heart. From his early childhood, he
Vibhīshaṇa or Bibhishan is a character in the spent all his time meditating on the name of the
epic Ramayana. He was the younger brother of Lord. Eventually, Brahma appeared and
the demon Ravana. Though a half-demon offered him any boon he wanted. Vibhishana
himself, Vibhishana was of a noble character said that the only thing he wanted was to have
and advised Ravana, who kidnapped and his mind fixed at the feet of the Lord as pure as
abducted Sita, to return her to her husband lotus leaves (charan kamal). He prayed that he
Rama promptly. When his brother did not should be given the strength by which he would
listen to his advice, Vibhishana joined Rama’s always be at the feet of the Lord, and that he
army. Later, when Rama defeated Ravana, would receive the darshan (holy site) of
Rama crowned Vibhishana as the king of Vishnu. This prayer was fulfilled, and he was
Lanka. able to give up all his wealth and family, and
join Rama.
In the Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition,
Vibhishana was one of the Gods of the Four Vibhishana was the youngest son of Sage
Warrants (satara varam deviyo) until the Vishrava, and the grandson of Sage Pulatsya,
Kotte period. According to the Ravana Katha one of the mental sons of Brahma. Vibhishana
of Wickramasinghe Adigar, after the defeat of was the younger brother of the king of Lanka,
Ravana, Vibhishana transferred the Yaksha Ravana and King of Sleep, Kumbakarna. Even
capital from Alakamandawa to Kelaniya. In though he was born in the demon race, he was
the 15th Century poem of Totagamuwe Sri
alert and pious and considered himself a light and the man of tamsic tendencies chooses
Brahmin, since his father was intuitively such. the path of darkness.
Ravana’s life is a typical example of brilliance gone wrong. He was given the very best instruction and was
truly great in his abilities and achievements but never learnt the lesson of humbleness. His egoism and pride
were boundless. Instead of following the path of Dharma, he consistently chose to break it. Instead of gaining
fame for his countless good qualities, he was known for his improper behavior. His atrocities kept growing in
number and eventually became so terrible, that it took an incarnation of Vishnu to subdue him.
Ravana is the primary antagonist character of the Dasagva (ten-headed) and Navagva (nine-
Hindu legend, the Ramayana. He is the demon headed). These early beings may be the actual
king of Lanka. In the classic text, he is mainly forerunners of the later character in the
depicted negatively, kidnapping Rama's wife Sita, Ramayana.
to claim vengeance on Rama and his brother
Lakshmana for having cut off the nose of his sister Ravana also authored Ravana Sanhita, a powerful
Surpanakha. book on the Hindu astrology. Ravana possessed a
thorough knowledge of Ayurveda and political
Kaikesi on the other hand is the mother of Ravana science. He is said to have possessed the nectar of
and the daughter of Sumali (or Sumalaya), king of immortality, which was stored under his navel,
the Daityas. Somali wished Kaikesi to marry the thanks to a celestial boon by Brahma. According to
most powerful being in the mortal world, so as to some theories, he was a historical emperor who
produce an exceptional heir. Therefore, he rejected reigned over Sri Lanka from 2554 BC to 2517 BC.
the kings of the world, as they were less powerful
than him. Kaikesi searched among the sages and
finally chose Vishrava, - the son of sage Pulastya, Etymology
the father of Kubera. Ravana was thus partly
Brahmin and partly Daitya. The name ‘Ravana’ obtains from the root ‘ru’
‘raavayati iti raavaNaH’ 'one who makes enemies
This depiction is, however, open to other cry by his violent actions. The name Ravana
interpretations. Ravana is described as a devout obtains from the root, ‘Ra’ signifies the sun and
follower of Shiva, a great scholar, a capable ruler ‘vana’ signifies generation. Ravana had many other
and a maestro of the Veena. He has his apologists popular names such as Dasis Ravana, Ravan,
and staunch devotees within the Hindu traditions, Raavan, Ravula, Lankeshwar, Ravanaeshwaran
some of whom believe that his description as a ten- all signifying the qualities.
headed person is a reference to him possessing a Variations of the name include the following:
very thorough knowledge over the 4 Vedas and 6
Upanishads, which made him as powerful as 10 1. Burmese: [jàwəna̯]
scholars. An alternative interpretation is that he is 2. Indonesian: Rahwana
guided by and does not have control over the five 3. Javanese: Rahwana or Dasamuka (from
senses and five bodily instruments of action. His Daśamukha or 'ten faced')
counterpart, Rama, on the contrary, is always in 4. Khmer: Rabana or Rab, Krong Reap
full control of these ten. However, there is mention 5. Lao: Raphanasuan
in Atharvaveda of Demonic Brahman called 6. Malay: Rawana or Wana
7. Maranao: Lawana
8. Tamil: Iravanan Kartavirya Arjuna
9. Thai: ทศกัณฐ์ , Thosakan (from Dashakanta or humbles Ravana
'ten necked')
10. Yuan: Rahbanasun The Ramayana tells that Ravana had close
connections with region of the Yadus, which
Birth included Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra and
Rajasthan up to Mathura south of Delhi. Ravana
Ravana was born to a great sage Vishrava (or is related to Lavanasura, also regarded as a
Vesamuni), and his wife, the daitya princess Rakshasa, of Madhupura (Mathura) in the region
Kaikesi. He was born in the Devagana gotra, as of the Surasenas, who was conquered and killed
his grandfather, the sage Pulastya, was one of the by Shatrughna, youngest brother of Rama.
ten Prajapatis or mind-born sons of Brahma and
one of the Saptarishi (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in After worshipping a Shiva Linga on the banks of
the first Manvantara. the Narmada, in the more central Yadu region,
Ravana was captured and held under the control
Kaikesi was the daughter of, Sumali (or of King Kartavirya Arjuna, one of the greatest
Sumalaya), king of the Daityas. He wished Kaikesi Yadu kings. It is very clear from the references in
to marry the most powerful being in the mortal the Ramayana that Ravana was no commoner
world, so as to produce an exceptional heir. He among the Humans or Asuras, a great chanter of
rejected the kings of the world, as they were less the Sama Veda.
powerful than him. Kaikesi searched among the
sages and finally chose Vishrava, the father of
Kubera. Ravana was thus partly Brahmin and
Tapas to Brahma
partly Daitya.
Following his initial training, Ravana performed
Even though he was partly Brahmin and partly an intense penance to Brahma – the Creator
Rakshas, Rama praised Ravana as lasting several years. During his penance, Ravana
Mahabrahmin. Rama had to do Ashwamedha cut off his head 10 times as a sacrifice to appease
Brahma. Each time he sliced his head off a new
yagna as penance for killing a Brahmin
head arose, thus enabling him to continue his
(Brahmahatyadosha).
penance. At last, Brahma, pleased with his
His brothers were Vibhishana, Kumbhakarna and austerity, appeared after his 10th decapitation and
Ahiravana. Through his mother, he was related to offered him a boon. Ravana asked for immortality,
which Brahma refused to give, but gave him the
the daityas Maricha and Subahu. Kaikesi also
produced a daughter, Meenakshi (‘girl with fish celestial nectar of immortality. The nectar of
like eyes’), although later she was dubbed the immortality, stored under his navel, dictated that
infamous Shoorpanakha - ‘winnow-like nails’. he could not be vanquished for as long as it lasted.
His father Vishrava noted that while Ravana was Ravana also asked for absolute invulnerability
aggressive and arrogant, he was also an exemplary from and supremacy over gods, heavenly spirits,
scholar. Under Vishrava’s tutelage, Ravana other Rakshas, serpents, and wild beasts.
Contemptuous of mortal men, he did not ask for
mastered the Vedas, the holy books, and also the
arts and ways of Kshatriyas (warriors). Ravana protection from these. Brahma granted him these
was also an excellent veena player and the sign of boons in addition to his 10 severed heads and great
his flag had a picture of veena on it. Sumali, his strength by way of knowledge of divine weapons
and magic. Thus Ravana known as ‘Dasamukha’
mother’s father, worked hard in secret to ensure
(Dasa = ten, mukha = mouth/face).
that Ravana retained the ethics of the Daityas.
King of Lanka Lord Shiva had given his sword Chandrahasa with
a caveat that if it was used for unjust causes, it
would return to the three eyed one and Ravana’s
After winning these boons, Ravana sought out his days would be numbered. Ravana uses the sword
grandfather, Sumali, and assumed leadership over to kill Jatayu when kidnapping Sita and it
his army. He then set his sights on capturing the disappears when he uses it to kill Jatayu.
island city of Lanka (present day Sri Lanka).
After Ravana had been given the Celestial juice of
Lanka was an idyllic city, created by the celestial Immortality by Brahma, he went on to please
architect Vishwakarma for Kubera, the treasurer Shiva. He cut his head and put it as sacrifice for
of the gods. Kubera had generously shared all that pleasing Shiva, but Shiva replaced his head with a
he owned with Ravana and the latter's siblings, new one. This was repeated Nine times, on which
who were Kubera's half-brothers and half-sister Shiva was happy and pleased with Ravana’s
through his stepmother Kaikesi. However, Ravana resilience and devotion. Thus he also got name
demanded Lanka wholly from him, threatening to Dasa-sheesha.
take it by force. Vishrava, advised Kubera to give it
up to him, as Ravana was now undefeatable.
Emperor of the Three Worlds
Although Ravana usurped Lanka, he was
nevertheless regarded as a benevolent and His abilities now truly awe-inspiring, Ravana
effective ruler. Lanka flourished under his rule, to proceeded on a series of campaigns, conquering
the extent that it is said the poorest of houses had humans, celestials and other demons. Conquering
vessels of gold to eat and drink off, and hunger was the netherworld completely, he left his brother
unknown in the kingdom. Ahiravana as king. He became supreme overlord
of all asuras in the three worlds, making an
alliance with the Nivatakavachas and Kalakeyas,
Devotee of Lord Shiva two clans he was unable to subdue. Conquering
several kingdoms of the human world, he
Following his conquest of Lanka, Ravana performed the suitable sacrifices and was crowned
encountered Shiva at his abode in Kailash. Here Emperor.
Ravana attempted to uproot and move the
mountain on a whim. Shiva, annoyed by Ravana’s Kubera at one point chastised Ravana for his
arrogance, pressed his small Toe on Kailash, cruelty and greed, greatly angering him.
pinning him firmly and painfully under it. His Proceeding to the heavens, Ravana fought and
ganas – attendants informed Ravana of whom he defeated devas, singling out his brother for
had crossed, upon which Ravana became penitent. particular humiliation. By force he gained
He composed and sang songs praising Shiva, and is command over the gods, celestials, and the serpent
said to have done so for years until Shiva released races. At the time of the Ramayana, set several
him from his bondage. hundred years later, Ravana is shown as
dominating all human and divine races - so much
Pleased with his resilience and devotion, Shiva so that he can command the Sun’s rising and
gave to him the divine sword Chandrahas (‘Moon- setting.
blade’). It was during this incident that he acquired
the name ‘Ravana’, meaning ‘(He) Of the terrifying
roar’, given to him by Shiva - the earth is said to Women
have quaked at Ravana’s cry of pain when the
mountain was pinned on him. Ravana in turn Ravana was known for his virility and his
became a lifelong devotee of Lord Shiva and is said aggressive conquests of women. Ravana had
to have composed the hymn known as Shiva several wives, foremost of who was Mandodari -
Tandava Stotra. daughter of Mayasura and an apsara named
Hema.
Mandodari was renowned for her wisdom and was betrothed to Kubera’s son, but her plea that
grace as well as beauty and chastity. She is often she was like a daughter to him did not deter
compared to Sita, the most beautiful woman Ravana. Angered at this, Kubera’s son cursed
described in Indian spiritualism. Ravana, stating that his ten heads would fall off if
he forced himself upon any woman thereafter. This
In addition to his wives, Ravana maintained a curse is said to have protected Sita’s chastity while
harem of incredible size populated with women she was Ravana’s captive for nearly a year.
whom he captured in his many conquests, many of
them accepted and lived happily in his harem for
his great manhood, power, and knowledge of
Depiction in other Scriptures
different subjects. Ravana was known to force as Vishnu’s cursed doorkeeper
himself upon any woman who rejected his
advances. Two significant encounters occurred that In the Bhagavata Purana, Ravana and his
would shape the course of the Ramayana. brother, Kumbhakarna were said to be
reincarnations of Jaya and Vijaya, gatekeepers at
The first was the encounter with the sage-woman Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu and were cursed
Vedavati. Vedavati had been performing penance to be born in Earth for their insolence.
with the intention of winning Vishnu as her
husband. Ravana met her at her hermitage, her These gatekeepers refused entry to the Sanatha
beauty enhanced by the austerities she had Kumara monks, who, because of their powers and
performed. He proposes to her and is rejected. austerity appeared as young children. For their
Ravana mocks her austerities and her devotion to insolence, the monks cursed them to be expelled
Vishnu; finding himself firmly rejected at every from Vaikuntha and to be born on Earth as
turn, he tries to molest Vedavati, pulling her hair. demons.
This greatly incensed her, and she forthwith cut off
her hair, and said she would enter into the fire Vishnu agreed that they should be punished. They
before his eyes, adding, were given two choices that they could be born
about 10 times as normal mortal people and
‘Since I have been insulted in the forest by thee followers of Vishnu, or three times as powerful and
who art wicked-hearted, I shall be born again strong as enemies of Vishnu, for which they chose
for thy destruction.’ the latter one. Ravana was one of their second
births as enemies of Vishnu.
So she entered the blazing fire, and celestial
flowers fell all around. It was she who was born
again as Sita, and was the moving cause of Ravana’s family
Ravana’s death, though Rama was the agent.
The family members of Ravana are hardly
Vedavati is said to have been reborn as Sita, mentioned outside the Ramayana, not much can
causing Ravana’s death and winning Vishnu (as be said about them. They are presented here as
Rama) as her husband. they are in the Ramayana, which is viewed by
some as being only the point of view of Rama
The second was his encounter with the apsara devotees, but is the most complete account of the
Rambha, upon whom he forced himself. Rambha story that is known.
Ravana was married to Mandodari, the daughter 2. Vibhishana - A great follower of Rama and
of the celestial architect Maya, Dhanyamalini, and one of the most important characters in the
a third wife. He had seven sons from his three Ramayana. As a minister and brother of
wives: Ravana, he spoke the Truth without fear
and advised Ravana to return Kidnapped
1. Indrajit Sita and uphold Dharma. Ravana not only
2. Prahasta rejected this sane advice, but also banished
3. Atikaya him from his kingdom. Vibhishana sought
4. Akshayakumara protection from Rama, which was granted
5. Devantaka without hesitation. He is known as a great
6. Narantaka devotee of Rama.
7. Trishira
3. Kumbhakarna – He is one of the most jovial
Ravana’s paternal grandfather was Pulastya, son demons in Hindu history. When offered a
of Brahma. Ravana’s maternal grandfather was boon by Brahma, he was tricked into asking
Malyavan, who was against the war with Rama, for unending sleep! A horrified Ravana, out
and his maternal grandmother was Tataki. of brotherly love, persuaded Brahma to
Ravana also had a maternal uncle, Maricha – the amend the boon. Brahma mitigated the
brother of Kaikesi. power of the boon by making
Kumbhakarna sleep for six months and
Ravana had six brothers and two sisters: being awake for rest six months of a year (in
some versions, he is awake for one day out
1. Kubera - the King of North direction and the of the year). During the war with Rama,
Guardian of Heavenly Wealth. He was an Kumbhakarna was awakened from his
older half-brother of Ravana. They were sleep. He tried to persuade Ravana to
born to the same father by different follow Dharmic path and return Sita. And
mothers. thus seek the mercy of Rama. But he too
failed to mend the ways of Ravana.
However, he fought on the side of Ravana of sacrifice to the Gods. Centuries ago King Shiv
and was killed in the battlefield. Before Shankar built a Ravana temple at Kanpur, Uttar
dying he met Vibhishana and blessed him Pradesh. The Ravana temple is opened once in a
for following path of righteousness. year, on Dashehra Day, to perform puja for the
welfare of Ravana.
4. Khara – He is the king of Janasthan. He
protected the northern kingdom of Lanka in A Jain temple in Alvar, Rajasthan is called the
the mainland and his kingdom bordered Ravana Parsvanath Temple. The legend says that
with the Kosala Kingdom, the kingdom of Ravana used to worship Parsvanath daily. While
Rama. He was well-known for his superior Ravana was on tour to Alvar he realized that he
skills in warfare. forgot to bring the image of Parsvanath.
Mandodari, Ravana’s wife, is said to have made an
5. Dushana - He remained deputy to Khara image of Parsvanath immediately. Hence there
and served as the Viceroy of Janasthan. exists a Ravana Parsvanath temple at Alvar.
6. Ahiravan – He was the King of the Ravana is said to have married Princess
Underworld ruled by the rakshasas as Mandodari at a place about 32 kilometers away
guided by Ravana and Demon King Maya. from Jodhpur, which is now called Mandor. There
is a mandap (altar or pavilion) where Ravana is
7. Kumbhini – She is the sister of Ravana and said to have married Mandodari, and which the
the wife of the demon Madhu, King of local people call Ravan Ki Chanwari.
Mathura. She was the mother of
Lavanasura who became the powerful king At the altar can also be found the images of
of Mathura who used to eat the sages. He Saptamatri (Seven Mothers) flanked by Ganesha
was ultimately killed by Shatrughana – the and Veerabhadra. The Saptamatri images are
younger brother of Rama. Kumbhini was said to precede the time of the Pratihara Dynasty
renowned for her beauty and later retired to (founded in the 6th Century AD) and are in fact
the sea for penance. reminiscent of the images of seven female deities of
Harappa - the oldest civilization in India. In the
8. Surpanakha – She was the other evil sister nearby stepwell, a stone bears a script that
of Ravana. She had fish like eyes and named resembles the Harappan script.
Meenakshi. She later on developed winnow
like ears and came to be known as The Dave Brahmins of Mudgal Gotra,
Surpanakha. She was the ultimate root of Jodhpur/Mandor who were originally from
the kidnapping of Sita. She was the one who Gujarat, claim to be the descendants of Ravana. It
instigated her brothers to wage a war is said that since time immemorial they are
against Rama. performing the shraddh (death anniversary) of
Ravana on Dashehra Day every year. They offer
There are several temples where Ravana is pind daan and take a bath after that ritual. They
worshipped. Ravana is considered most revered recently erected a Ravana temple in Jodhpur,
devotee of Lord Shiva. The images of Ravana are where daily puja is performed.
seen associated with Shiva at some places.
Ravana was the first to discover missiles and Ravana’s life is a typical example of brilliance gone
bombs. This is proved in the Mahabharata. They wrong. He was given the very best instruction and
were filled with venom and were called was truly great in his abilities and achievements
Nagashara, Agnishara and poisoned arrows. but never learnt the lesson of humbleness. His
These missiles were shot with a machine like a egoism and pride were boundless. Instead of
bow. Ravana’s flag was the sun and moon flag with following the path of Dharma, he consistently
a drawing of Ravana in the centre. This flag is chose to break it. Instead of gaining fame for his
drawn in the Ravana Katha Ola leaf book. This flag countless good qualities, he was known for his
was carried to the war front by the people of improper behavior. His atrocities kept growing in
Hewaheta which belonged to then Mayarata. It number and eventually became so terrible, that it
was in possession of Wilvala Raja Maha Viharaya took an incarnation of Vishnu to subdue him.
but now in the Kandy museum.
Most who have read Ramayana wonder why
Ravana was a mighty Emperor who ruled over Ravana, who lusted after Sita and kept her in
seven continents from Lanka. They were the captivity for years, but did not violate her. He
modern South America, and Southern Europe; repeatedly requested her to become his wife, but
Himalaya including the Hindukush mountain she refused his advances. Pious readers are
range and continents up to Madagascar (Dr. Suriya prejudiced and prone to the understanding that
Gunasekara - Rivira 2007). Sita’s purity made her inviolable. However,
Ravana had the benefit of power, and she was his
Ravana’s deadly flaw was his arrogance. When captive. It is said that Ravana’s mother Queen
Brahma conferred on him a boon and Ravana Kaikesi and Queen Mandodari dissuaded him
asked that the Devas should not be able to inflict from violating Sita. It is even possible to argue that,
harm on him. He did not think it worthwhile to ask having kidnapped her, Ravana wished to have Sita
for protection from men or animals as he was so for himself only if she gave her consent; to do
physically powerful. otherwise was to abandon the badge of honor the
mightiest carried. What an extraordinary high
discipline Ravana maintained. Right beside him, During Ravana’s time, the kingdom “Lanka” was
subject to his great power, was a woman for whom divided between three rulers by the queen
he had a burning desire, and yet he restrained Mandratha. Namely Tharaka; who ruled from a
himself. location near the current day Kelaniya,
Surapadma; who ruled from the southern parts
However, some interpreters, such as the 19th near Tissamaharama. The third, Sinha-Mukha
century Bengali writer, Madhusudan Dutt (1824- did not have a city to rule from. Thus he called
1873), were of the view that ‘Ravana displayed the upon the greatest architect and engineer of all time,
qualities of masculinity, honor, faithfulness, Maya-Asura (Known to some as “Vishwakarma”)
dependability, and justice to a great extent. Though to build him the city “Lankapura”. (Legend says
the character of Ravana may seem like a closed this is Atlantis itself)
book, there is sufficient plurality in Indian
traditions that even Ravana is capable of some But soon, the king Surapadma had a dispute with a
recuperation.’ foreign king and takes him into custody and brings
him to Lanka. This triggers an event that shapes
The Tamil Nadu countryside is exposed to folk the history of the country. A prince named Kathira
forms that celebrate Ravana as a hero and Rama (Later renamed “Mahasena” because of bringing a
as the villain who treated women unfairly. Many great army), comes to Lanka (The place he set his
Tamils know the Ramayana through its Tamil armies is currently known as “Katharagama” –
version, the Kamban Ramayanam. In it, Ravana is Kathira-Gama broken down–) and rescues the
highly venerated as a Vedic scholar, an expert of abducted prince by killing Surapadma.
music, a warrior—as an embodiment of everything Unfortunately, during this time, Tharaka and
moral. In short, Ravana is a tragic hero, not a Sinha-Mukha leave their strongholds and escape
villain. from the country. The country goes to the hands of
a king named Kubera.
Details pertaining to Ravana could be found from
‘Ravana Katha’ the Ola Book written by It is then Ravana overthrows the attacker Kubera
Mahakappinna Wickramasinghe Adigar of Nilgala and secures the country and most importantly, the
Walauwa. This book contains auspicious times and “Pushpaka”, the flying machine. Kubera might not
mantra’s (occult science) of King Ravana. have known to use it, but Ravana who had much
knowledge given to him by his father and his
‘Ravana was a globally reputed and valued great studies of the Vedas might have had an idea how to
intellectual. He was the author of many books. fly the thing. From the stories that are told about
However, parts of few books are found. They are queen Devayani showing off the battle capabilities
the Samaveda, Nadi Prakasha, Kumara Tantra, of the Pushpaka, Ravana might have figured out
Uddisha Tantra, Prakrurtha Kamadhenu, and that it would be a great advantage to have such a
Sivathandawa Sthothra and the Ayurvedic book craft.
‘Arka Prakasha’. His superior acquaintance in He took the country into a period of utmost
Sanskrit can be evaluated from Sivathandawa prosperity. It is rumored that the poorest of the
Sthothra and further he was a proficient Ayurvedic houses in the country had golden pots to feed from.
Physician. The art of distilling of Arka and the The people knew not the meaning of hunger. It is
preparation of Asawa was his invention states this prosperous culture, did Rama decided to bring
Ayurvedic history. He invented the ‘Varuni’ down, and it all happened because of a single
machine to brew Arka. Ravana was the founder of female.
SINDHURAM medicine. These medicine cured
wounds instantly. He was known as Vaidya Ravana’s last references are in the war that he
Shiromani as he rendered valuable service to made with Rama. He was quite an adversary to
Ayurveda. He was a divine pharmacologist and a Rama. Given the fact of his knowledge of science
Ravana Dhayana yogi”. Ravana is the historical and warrior tactics Rama was no match for him.
King of Heladiva But the inside help Rama got from Vibhishana
seems to have worked for him. If not for that, the
story would have been told in a different manner.
Dasis Ravana Dasis Ravana and
Maha Ravana – Ayurveda Vedic Yajnyas
It is said there were 11 Ravanas found in Sinhalese Basically, Ravana was a worshiper of nature and
history such as Nala Ravana, Manu ravana, Punu used to hate the Aryans Rishis and deities killing
ravana and Dasis Ravana. The most famous their totems in yajnyas. Manu enjoins killing of
Ravana is the king who fought with Indian Hindu animals in Yajnyas as Madhupark [p.66, ‘Ravana
Rama. He is called Dasis Ravana which means the aur uski lanka’]. It therefore follows that Ramayana
king with 10 great talents. The Dasis Ravana lived is a story of conflict between Adivasi cultures
lived nearly 5000 years ago in Sri Lanka. He was a versus Aryans culture. ‘Marathi Vishva Kosh’ vol.
descendant of Surya Wansha and Hela Raskshasa 14, p. 781 mentioned Ram and Lakshmana
tribe. He was one of the best fighters in driving away Maricha, and Subahu from the
Angampora, the traditional martial arts of ancient Yajnya of Vishwamitra. Ramaswami Periyar
Sinhale. observed that Ravana hated Vedic deities and
Rishis because they were indulging in cruelly
King Dasis Ravana was a great Scholar in killing of animals and there was no other reason.
Ayurvedic medicine. He was the person who Ravana had started a struggle against the Vedic
invented Arka Shastra. The book Arka Prakshaya Yajnyas to protect the culture of Adivasis and his
reveals this truth to the present world. As his Rakshasa Gana. ‘Raksha’ means to protect.
willingness to research in Ayurvedic medicine he Acharya Chatursen named his book ‘Wayam
wrote several books revealing the cures for many Raksham’, meaning ‘we protect’ [p.131, ‘Wayam
diseases. Raksham’ by Acharya Chatursen] Aryans always
hated the Adivasis as seen by depicting them as
In one book he wrote ‘Eating beef cause to infect enemies of Gods and men.
ninety eight new diseases to human beings’. The
book ‘Kumara Tantraya’ reveals the treatments
for infant diseases was written by him at the Was Ravana a Buddhist?
request of his pregnant queen Mandodari.
Ravana was contemporary of Buddha (Kashyapa)
He has children and the eldest one was Indrajith and has attended His discourses and believed in
also known as Meghanada who followed his Buddha’s karuna and non violence. Acharya
father’s steps. There are some hints in Sri Lankan Narendra Deva in his ‘Buddha Darshna’ describes
rock inscriptions about the daughter of King Dasis Ravana asking one hundred questions to the
Ravana. Buddha about Buddhist doctrine like Nirvana. [p.
53-54, Ravana aur Uski Lanka] Ravana has
King Ravana’s kingdom was Lankapura. The accepted the concept of Nibbana and Shunyata of
kingdom is almost disappeared today. But If you the Buddhists.
keen on Sri Lankan folklore and ola manuscripts
there you can find some remaining sites of As Ravana was unbeatable, Rama had to acquire a
Lankapura today known as Sigiriya and special weapon to kill Ravana. Lakshmana got
Trincomalee. severely injured in the battle but he was saved by
the magical herbs from the Himalayas. Finally
He was the first king flew over the world with his Rama defeated Ravana and that was the end of the
aeroplane, known Dandumonaraya or Vimanaya, empire of Ravana. Ravana lost his life and his
Kashtawahana. Some evidence of virtues because of his Karmas. His ego was solely
Dandumonaraya the aeroplane is found in Rock responsible for his devastation. In fact Ravana used
inscriptions, Jataka Stories and Ola manuscripts. the tendencies of arrogance, lust, ego etc., amidst
The Sinhalese folk stories are enriched with numerous virtues to attain to salvation in the
Ravana Stories. hands of Rama and thus redeem the curse inflicted
upon him.
Valmiki in his Ramayana introduces Guha as a friend of Rama.
‘The king of that territory, Guha by name, was a friend of Sri Rama, dear to him as his own life. He was a
Nishada by birth, possessed of bodily as well as military strength [owning as he did a large army consisting
of all the four limbs, viz., elephants, chariots, horsemen and foot soldiers] and well-known as a ruler of
Nishadas.’ - Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Canto L, Sloka 33
‘But the epic of Valmiki is silent about details such as how and when Rama and Guha became friends’. It
just mentions they were close friends.
Guha was no ordinary mortal. He was the Chieftain creed, or religion. Each one of us carries the same
of the tribe of the Nishadas - a man of great potentiality of transformation.
prestige and power. By no means he was an
ordinary hunter. When Guha heard that Sri Rama Once it happened that in the forests of
was in his Kingdom, he leapt with joy and rushed Naimisharanya, the assembled sages accosted
towards Sri Rama to greet him. But when Sri Romaharshana to tell them about the Mahima of
Rama and Lakshmana rose to greet him, he Shiva, and he replied that he would gladly do so.
became calm and peaceful and hesitated even to But nothing that he is going to speak is from his
speak to his guests. own imagination - these are, as told by the Sage
Narada, who had heard it from his Father Brahma.
Sri Rama, perceiving Guha’s hesitation, hugged Thus the 24,000 slokas of Shiva Purana had been
him to his bosom and holding him at arm’s length recited by Brahma to Narada, who had taught
introduced him to Lakshmana. ‘Do you remember them to Romaharshna, the able disciple of Veda
him, Lakshmana? He is my dearest friend Guha, Vyasa. This story known as Shivaratri Vrata from
the King of Sarayu’. Never did Sri Rama mention the Shiva Purana has been retold many times, but
that Guha was a hunter, much below their status, not in the context that I am going to describe.
even to get acquainted.
Among the Hindu Trinity, Brahma and Vishnu
Guha, the Lord of the Nishadas, for whom Rama often worship Shiva. It so happens that it is the
had waited for a long time with Sita and lunar day, which to us is the Shivaratri. And since
Lakshmana, on the banks of the river Ganga. A they worship the Lord, with absolute dedication
hunter by profession, he lorded over the jungle at and devotion, fasting and keeping awake during
Sarayu. Valmiki, in his Ramayana, says that the night, it is known as a the Shivaratri Vrata.
Lakshmana was amazed and puzzled by the
compassion that Rama showed to Guha and the Rurudruha, was a hunter, very cruel and evil to
reciprocating love that Guha had for Sri Rama. the core with no belief in God or religion. He
Guha had unbounded love for the Royal family of hunted animals in the forests, but his specialist was
the Ikshavahus, of which Sri Rama was a to kill deer for his food and rob the wayfarers who
representative, a superior human being, with all frequented the forest that he was operating in. He
the Kalyana Gunas of the Lord Almighty. was a thief par excellence renowned for
committing burglary in those houses where the
But such was the compassion of Sri Rama, that he owners had left and kept it under lock and key.
considered all human beings as his friend
irrespective of their status, position in life, caste, On a Shivaratri day, his family consisting of his
wife, children and elderly parents felt very hungry,
as he could not find any animal to kill. He waited said: ‘Kill me but spare the others. They need to
the whole day in the forest, but his luck did not stay alive to look after the children.’
turn. It was evening time and very soon darkness
had crept in. As a last resort Rurudruha found a At this the baby deer said: ‘No, No, do not kill our
water-hole and decided to keep a night long vigil, parents. We do not want to stay alive after our
hoping that sooner or later some animal would parents are gone’. This startled the hunter. He was
show up. Very craftily he climbed up a tree next to surprised that the deer family could be so
the water-hole with a pot of water in case he felt accommodating. He shook in disbelief. And that
thirsty. He did not know the tree which he climbed shook the Bilva tree once again, some leaves fell on
was a Bilva tree and that there was a Shiva Linga the Linga and the pot emptied its water on the
beneath the branch on which he was perched. head of the Shiva Linga.
His wait did not go in vain. Very soon a doe was Among the Trinity, it is said, that the one Lord who
sighted and the hunter picked up his bow and is very easy to be propitiated is Shiva. Shiva now
arrow, to kill the animal. But this activity of removed all evil thoughts from the mind of the
Rurudruha, had shook the tree branch and some hunter Rurudruha, who spared the deer from
bilva leaves fell on the Shiva Linga, right below being killed.
him. The shaking of the tree branch also shook the
pot of water, which spilled on the head of the The all compassionate Shiva was so pleased by the
Linga. action of the hunter, he himself appeared before
Rurudruha and said: ‘From now on your name will
All this activity alerted the doe, which beseeched be GUHA. You will be so blessed that Sri Rama, will
the Hunter. ‘Don’t kill me now. I have a family, become your guest and the best of friends.’
with a husband and children. Let me go now and I
shall bid farewell to them and return here to be ‘Priya GUHA nivedhitha pada Rama’
your food.’
‘My Rama, Who was worshipped by his friend Guha,
But the hunter was not to be so easily deceived. He My Rama’
forced the doe to take a vow and then let it go.
After a short while, another doe appeared on the
scene and the entire drama was repeated, right Valmiki Ramayana
from the shaking of the tree till the taking of the
vow by the second doe, which was also married to
Sarga 50
the husband of the first doe. The hunter
Rurudruha was reluctant to let go of the second Rama bids farewell to his birth-place Ayodhya and
doe, but he felt some compassion, for the poor reaches the bank of the holy Ganga. There,
animal, for the first time in his life! Nishadas offers welcome reception to Rama and
others.
Time further elapsed. This time a full grown deer
came to the water-hole to drink the water. As Having traveled the extensive and beautiful Kosala
usual, the third time the hunter fitted his arrow to territory and standing with his face turned towards
the bow and the branch of the tree on which he Ayodhya, the wise Rama with joined palms spoke
was sitting shook, some bilva leaves fell on the the following words: ‘I bid farewell to you, Oh best
head of the Shiva Linga and some water spilled of the cities, carefully protected by Dasaratha
from the pot on the Linga and the deer, fully born in Kakutstha dynasty, as well as of the deities
alerted by these activities promised the hunter, who protect you and dwell in you. After getting
that if he let him go then, he would return with his relieved from exile in the forest and thus freed
entire family, to become his food. from the debt to the emperor, I shall see you again,
duly getting united with my mother and father.’
A promise is a promise. After some time, the two
does, with their children and the deer presented Lifting his right arm and wearing a woeful look, his
themselves before the hunter Rurudruha and each face covered with tears, Rama possessing lovely
reddish eyes, spoke them to the people hailing some places by whirl pools. At some places, its
from the countryside (as follows) : ‘Mercy and waters were still and deep. At some places, they
compassion according to my worth (in your view) were disturbed with violent agitation. At some
have been shown to me by you. Keeping agony for places, they made a deep roaring sound. At some
a long time is undesirable. Let each return to places, they were having a terrific noise. Hosts of
accomplish your desired object (attending to your gods took a dip into its water. It was adorned by
house-hold work)!’ white lotuses. It was hemmed in, with expanse of
small islands and at some places, lined with white
Respectfully saluting the high soled prince and sands. The river was rendered resonant by swans
going round him clockwise (as a mark of and cranes, was graced with cackling of
reverence), those men stood rooted here and there, Chakrawaka birds and other birds which are in rut
wailing frightfully. While they were lamenting thus all through the year kept hovering on its water. At
unceasingly, Rama passed beyond their sight, as some places the river was adorned with trees
the sun sinks out of view at nightfall. Then Rama, a growing on its banks encircling like garlands, at
tiger among men, in his chariot, crossed Kosala some places crowded with thick cluster of lotuses.
territory, which was rich in grain and treasure, At some places, it was graced with beds of water
inhabited by men given to charity, benevolent and lilies in the form of buds and at some places, it was
free from every danger, pleasing, full of temples reddened with the pollen of numerous flowers, as
and sacrificial stakes, adorned with gardens and though excited with passion. Having every
mango-orchards, intersected by ponds full of aggregation of dirt removed, the river presented a
water, populated by contented and well nourished spotlessly clear appearance like a crystal. The
people, abounded in herds of cows which deserved interior of the forest was reddened noisy again and
to be seen by all kings and which re-echoed to the again by the elephants guarding the quarters, by
chanting of religious texts. the ruttiest wild elephants and the elephants of
excellent breed used for riding by gods.
Rama, the best among the resolute, moved into the Surrounded by fruits and flowers and tender
middle of a happy and prosperous kingdom, leaves, shrubs and birds, it looked like a young
abounding in lovely gardens and fit to be enjoyed woman artistically decked with the best of jewels.
by kings. There, Rama beheld the celestial and The river was infested with dolphins, crocodiles
lovely river of Ganga with its tree tributaries, and snakes.
carrying clear waters without green moss and
frequented by sages. Rama, the mighty armed, reached the river Ganga,
which is devoid of sins and which dispels all sins,
The River Ganga was adorned with splendid which had fallen from the mass of matted hair of
hermitages within easy distance from one another, Lord Shankara through the spiritual power of
with pools overflowing with water, visited at Emperor Bhagiratha, which is rendered noisy by
suitable hours by celestial nymphs thrilling with cranes and herons, which is a consort of the ocean
rapture. The blessed river was graced by gods and and which is in the vicinity of Sringaverapura (the
demons, Gandharvas (celestial musicians) and modern Singraur).
kinnaras and was constantly visited by consorts of
Nagas and Gandharvas. The well known river was Beholding the river Ganga with its waves covering
hemmed in by hills serving as the play- ground of whirlpools, Rama the great warrior said to
hundreds of celestials and embellished with Sumantra the charioteer as follows: “We shall halt
hundreds of celestial gardens; it coursed through here itself today. Oh, charioteer! Not far from the
the heavens for the benefit of gods and which in river stands this very large sacred fig tree with its
heaven was named “The stream of Golden Lotuses”. many flowers and shoots. We shall stay here itself. I
shall see (from here) the excellent river Ganga,
The holy river, the sound of whose clashing waves which is auspicious and whose waters deserve to
and its striking with rocks resembled a deep be respected by gods, men, Gandharvas, beasts,
laughter, having a bright smile as white as a foam, reptiles and birds.
its waters reduced at some places to the shape of a
maiden’s plaited locks, was rendered beautiful at
Saying ‘so be it’ and nothing more to Rama, by the king Dasaratha, my father. I shall feel
Lakshmana and Sumantra too then directed the honored by these horses being duly fed.”
horses to that sacred fig tree. Rama, the delight of
Ikshvaku dynasty, reached that beautiful tree and Then Guha on that spot commanded his men as
got down from the chariot along with Sita and follows: “Let water for drinking and forage be
Lakshmana. Sumantra too dismounted from the supplied promptly to horses”
chariot, unyoked the superb horses after which
with joined palms, he seated himself near Rama at Having worshipped the evening twilight appearing
the foot of the tree. There, a king named Guha was in the west, with an upper garment made of bark
Rama’s friend dear to him as his own life. He was (on his person); Rama then took for food only
Nishada by birth, a strong man and well known as water brought by Lakshmana himself. Having
a ruler of Nishadas. washed the feet of Rama who was lying on the
ground along with his consort, Lakshmana then
Hearing of Rama the tiger among men having came and stood near a tree. Guha too along with
come to his territory, he approached the prince, the charioteer conversed with Lakshmana and
escorted by elderly ministers and relatives. Seeing thereafter wielding a bow; alertly kept a vigil over
from a distance the king of Nishada coming, Rama Rama. The illustrious, lofty minded and the high-
along with Lakshmana thereupon went forth to soled son of Dasaratha, who had never seen
meet Guha. Closely embracing Rama, Guha who suffering and who deserved all comforts, remained
felt disturbed, spoke to him, “This city too is as lying on the ground thereafter, while that long
much as Ayodhya to you. What can I do for you? Oh night passed away.
mighty armed! Who indeed will get such a lovely
guest?” Valmiki Ramayana
Having brought pristine cooked rice of excellent Ayodhya Kanda
quality and other dishes of various kinds, he then Sarga 52
quickly offered him water to wash his hands and
spoke as follows: “Welcome to you, Oh, mighty As per instructions of Rama, Guha gets a boat
armed! All this land is yours. We are your servants. ready. Sumantra requests Rama to take him as a
You are the Lord. Rule over our kingdom in an personal attendant to the forest, but Rama declines
efficient way. Here have arrived various kinds of his offer and after reasoning with him, sends him
dishes, drinks and syrups as also excellent beds back to Ayodhya. Rama and Lakshmana mat their
(for you to sleep on) and food for your horses. hair with the latex of a banyan tree procured by
Guha. On reaching the middle of the stream Sita
To Guha who was speaking as aforesaid, Rama offers prayers to Mother Ganga (the deity
replied thus: “We stand honored by you, by your presiding over the stream) and after crossing the
very visit to us on foot, as well as your show of river, all the three halt for the night at the foot of a
affection and are pleased with you". Pressing tree.
gently with his muscular arms, Rama spoke these
words: “Oh, Guha! Thank heaven that I am seeing That night having given way to dawn, the
you in good health with your relatives. Is all well illustrious Rama with a broad chest spoke (as
with the kingdom, the allies and the treasure? I follows) to Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra and
know your affection by which all this is extensively who was endowed with auspicious signs: “Oh, dear
well arranged by you. But I am not in a position brother! This is the hour of sunrise. The auspicious
indeed to accept it. Know me as under a vow to be night has departed. That bird of dark plumage, the
an ascetic, wearing the robes of bark and deerskin cuckoo, is singing. Hear the cries of peacocks
and by piety, I am determined to live in the forest resounding in the forest. Let us cross the swift-
by eating roots and fruits only. I desire nothing but flowing Ganga River that gushes to the sea.”
a little forage for the horses. By being provided
with this much at the present moment, I shall be The river Ganga, when brought down from heaven
duly satisfied by you. These horses were cherished by the austerities of Emperor Bhagiratha,
followed the latter to the subterranean regions in
order to consecrate the remains of his great grand when adversity has come to you. Living in the
uncles. In its course, it inundated the sacrificial forest along with Sita and your brother, you will
ground of king Jahnu, who in his anger, drank up obtain the same position as one who has
its waters. But the gods and sages and particularly conquered the three worlds. We are actually
Bhagiratha appeased his anger and he consented ruined, in that, disappointed in our hopes by you
to release the waters through his ears. The river is too; we shall fall under the sway of Kaikeyi the
thereafter regarded as his daughter. sinful woman and reap the suffering.”
Lakshmana, the delight of his friends, having Sumantra the charioteer thus speaking, wept for a
understood the words of Rama, called Guha as long time, stricken with grief, seeing Rama, equal to
well as Sumantra and stood in front of his brother. his soul, departing to a distance.
Hearing the command of Rama, Guha quickly
received it, invited his ministers and spoke to them Then, Rama again and again spoke these sweet
as follows: “Let a beautiful boat that is solidly words as follows to that charioteer, whose tears
constructed, sails well and a helmsman in it, be got dried up and who had sipped some water and
brought to the bank to carry this hero across!” got himself purified: “I do not see any one who is
as great a friend of the Ikshvakus as you are.
Hearing that command, the chief minister of King (Pray) act in such a way that king Dasaratha may
Guha brought a charming boat to the bank and not lament about me. The king, his mind afflicted
reported the matter to Guha. Then, Guha with with grief, is aged as well. He is pressed down by a
folded hands spoke to Rama as follows: “Oh, Lord! burden of passion. Hence, I tell you this. What so
Here, the boat has arrived. What more can I do for ever act that high-soled emperor may enjoin you to
you? Oh, Rama resembling a son of divinity! Here do, with intent to oblige the desire of Kaikeyi, it is
is the boat for you to cross the river, which flows to be done unhesitatingly. The kings indeed rule
into the sea. Pray get into it.” the states with this end in view that their will may
not be frustrated in any undertaking.
Then, Rama with great splendor, spoke to Guha as
follows: “My desire has been accomplished by you. Oh, Sumantra! Carry out everything in such a way
Let us embark with all speed.” that the said emperor neither finds it unpleasing
nor gets tormented by grief. Only after performing
Having equipped themselves with a quiver each respectful salutation to the old and venerable king,
with arrows, fastening their swords and armed who has never known suffering and who has
with their bows, Rama and Lakshmana, with Sita, subdued his senses, you tell these words to him on
proceeded towards the river of Ganga. Sumantra my behalf. Indeed neither I nor Lakshmana nor Sita
joining his palms in humility, approached Rama grieve for having moved from Ayodhya nor that we
who knew what is right and said, “What shall I do?” are going to dwell in a forest. After completing
Touching Sumantra with his auspicious right hand, fourteen years, you will once more see Lakshmana,
Rama then said: “Oh, Sumantra! Return quickly to myself and Sita too returned apace from the forest.
the king’s presence and be attentive in serving him. Oh, Sumantra! This is what you should say to the
Go now, that your service to me has been king, my mother, all other queens and Kaikeyi. Tell
completed. Abandoning the chariot, I shall go on Kausalya again and again that I am keeping good
foot to the mighty forest,” Rama said. health. Thereafter, convey salutations at her feet on
behalf of Sita as well as myself and Lakshmana the
Finding himself dismissed, Sumantra the charioteer faithful man. Tell our salutations to the emperor
was distressed and spoke to Rama, the tiger among too. Bring Bharata quickly. After his arrival,
men, as follows: “None in the world has had to Bharata may be installed in the position, as desired
suffer such a fate as yourself; that you should have by the king. When you embrace Bharata and install
to dwell in the forest with your brother and your him in the office of the Prince Regent, the agony
consort as if you were an ordinary man! I think that caused by the repentance felt by you on our
there is no reward in leading a life of religious account will not overpower you. Bharata too is to
student or in studying religious scriptures or even be told thus: “Treat without distinction all your
in cultivating tenderness and straight forwardness, mothers with the same regard as you behave
towards the king. As is your affection for Kaikeyi, to your austerities. The pleasure of driving your
so let it be for Sumitra and also the divine Kausalya, chariot has been obtained by me because of you
my mother. If you accept the princely kingdom and it is through you that I seek the happiness that
with intent to please our father, it will be possible comes in dwelling in a forest. Be graceful. I desire
for you to enhance happiness in both the worlds (in to become your close associate in the forest. I wish
this world and the next).” to hear your loving assent with the words ‘Be my
close associate! “Oh, hero! If these horses too can
Sumantra, who was being sent back by Rama, was render service to you, they can attain a supreme
agonized with grief after hearing the whole of that abode. By all means, I am leaving for good,
discourse and affectionately spoke to Rama as Ayodhya or even heaven.
follows: “If I spoke to you fearlessly in a friendly
tone without following courteousness, you ought to Dwelling in the forest, with my head bent low, I
forgive my mode of expression, considering me as shall render service to you. As a doer of wicked
your devotee. How indeed can I return without you deeds cannot enter Amaravati, the capital of
to that city, which through separation from you, Devendra, so also I cannot enter Ayodhya without
has been reduced to the state of a mother stricken you. This is indeed my desire that after reaching
with grief due to separation from her son. By the end of your exile, I may take you back to the
seeing my chariot on that day even with Rama in it, city of Ayodhya in this very chariot. So long as I am
the people were lamenting so much. Now, if they with you together in the forest, fourteen years will
see the chariot without Rama the city of Ayodhya slip away momentarily. Otherwise than this, they
will even be broken asunder. The city will be will multiply a hundred- fold. “Oh, prince, who are
plunged in misery, like an army in which its so fond of your dependents! You ought not
commander is lost in a combat with the charioteer abandon me, your devoted servant, established in
alone surviving, on seeing this chariot without you. the path followed by the son of his master and
always keeping within bounds.”
Thinking of you, who though residing far away are
established foremost in their minds, the people of Rama, who was compassionate towards his
Ayodhya must have been deprived of their food dependents, spoke as follows to Sumantra, who
today. The great perplexity that ensued, on the was miserably entreating him again and again in
occasion of your exile, among the people (of many modes. “Oh, charioteer so fond of your
Ayodhya), whose minds were depressed through master! I know your excellent devotion to me. Hear
grief on your account, was witnessed by you wherefore I send you from here to the city of
indeed, Oh, Rama! The cry of distress raised by the Ayodhya. Seeing you, returning to Ayodhya,
citizens (of Ayodhya) will be increased a hundred- Kaikeyi, my younger mother will get the proof that
fold, when they see me with an empty chariot. Rama has gone to the forest. Having completely
Further, shall I say to the queen Kausalya as satisfied, about me having gone to forest, Kaikeyi
follows: - ‘Your son, Rama has been taken by me to will leave her strong suspicion that the virtuous
the house of his maternal uncle, do not grieve’? I king may be a person who speaks untruth. This is
cannot tell such words too which are untrue. How my first priority that my younger mother should
can I tell, ‘I abandoned your son in the forest’, get the extensive kingdom, protected by Bharata
which words are true but unkind? How will the and thus ruled by her own son. For my pleasure
excellent horses obedient to me, which carried and pleasure of the king, you go along with the
yourself, Seetha and Lakshmana, draw the chariot chariot to Ayodhya and inform all the matters that
bereft of you? you have been asked to tell each in the way you
have been asked to do.”
For this reason, I cannot go back to Ayodhya.
(Pray) permit me to accompany you to the forest. If Having spoken thus to the charioteer, the
you leave me even though I solicit you to take me courageous Rama consoled him again and again.
with you, I shall enter a fire with chariot and all, Then, he spoke the following reasoned words to
here itself the moment I am forsaken by you. “Oh, Guha: “Oh, Guha! This stay in the inhabited woods
Rama! With the help of the chariot, I shall ward off is not proper for me. My stay should definitely be in
those animals in the forest, which create obstacles a hermitage. Let an action diverted towards that
aim be taken. I as such, wishing well of my father, across the water. Coming to the middle of
Seetha as well as Lakshmana and having taken up a Bhagirathi river, the irreproachable Seetha with
discipline to be followed by ascetics, want to joined palms, spoke as follows to the said river: -
proceed further, wearing matted hair. Please bring
the latex of a banyan tree.” “Oh, Ganga! Let Rama, the son of the emperor
Dasaratha honor his father’s command under your
Guha immediately brought that latex to the prince. protection! Having dwelled in the forest in full
With that, Rama made matted hair to himself and fourteen years, may he return once more to your
to Lakshmana. Rama, tiger among men who bank with his brother, Lakshmana and myself! Oh,
possessed long arms wore the distinguished mark blessed goddess Ganga! Returning safely, with all
of an ascetic in the shape of matted hair. Then, my desires fulfilled, I shall worship you with great
Rama and Lakshmana the brothers clad in the bark joy.”
of trees and wearing a round mass of matted locks
(on their head) looked bright like two ascetic sages. “You, Oh goddess flowing through three regions
(namely heaven, earth and subterranean regions),
Having adopted the way of a hermit temporarily include in your basin the realm of Brahma (the
along with Lakshmana, Rama then accepted the outermost of the six spheres enveloping the earth)
vow of an ascetic life and spoke to Guha, his friend and are vividly seen on this terrestrial plane as a
as follows: “Oh, Guha! Remain vigilant in defense, consort of the ocean king. Oh, charming goddess! I,
finance, internal security and public relations, for a Seetha, greet you and extol you too. When Rama
kingdom is the most difficult one to be protected!” the tiger among men safely returns and regains his
kingdom, I shall give away a lakh of cows, soft
Then Rama, who was a delight to Ikshvaku dynasty, clothing and food to brahmanas with intent to
bade farewell to Guha and departed quickly, please you. After reaching back the city of Ayodhya,
remaining undistracted, along with his consort and I shall worship you with thousand pots of
together with Lakshmana. Seeing the boat on the spirituous liquor and jellied meat with cooked rice
bank of the river and keen to cross the swift- well prepared for the solemn rite. I shall worship
flowing Ganga, Rama spoke to Lakshmana as all deities dwelling on your banks as also sacred
follows: spots and sanctuaries. May the sinless Rama with
mighty arms re-enter Ayodhya again from the
“Oh, Lakshmana the tiger among men! You get into forest, along with Lakshmana and me.”
the boat stationed here unhurriedly afterwards,
having helped Seetha the virtuous wife step into it.” Thus praying to Ganga, the efficient and
irreproachable Seetha rapidly reached the right
Hearing the command completely of his elder bank of the river. Reaching the bank and leaving
brother, the prudent Lakshmana, by not the boat, Rama the best among men and the
counteracting it, made Seetha to ascend the boat chastiser of foes proceeded further along with
first and stepped into it afterwards. Then, the Lakshmana and Seetha.
glorious Rama got into the boat himself. Thereafter,
Guha the ruler of Nishadas commanded his kinsfolk Then, Rama the mighty armed spoke to Lakshmana
to row them across the river. After ascending the (who heightened the joy of Sumitra) as follows:
boat, Rama too of mighty splendor then recited a “Security is an inevitable need in a forest, which
sacred text (daiviim naavam etc) fit for brahmanas has unforeseen dangers and is uninhabited, Oh,
and Kshatriyas alike and conducive to his own Lakshmana! Go in front. Let Seetha follow you. I
good. Having sipped water as per scriptures and shall proceed in the rear, protecting you and
with extreme delight, Rama with Seetha made Seetha. We must accord protection here to one
obeisance to that river. Lakshmana, of infinite another. An act which has gone out of hand,
splendor, followed suit. Bidding farewell to Guha whatsoever, cannot indeed be remedied again.
with his army of men and Sumantra, Rama sat on Seetha will experience the hardship of staying in a
the boat and directed the boatmen to move on. forest only from now. Today she will enter the
Propelled by those splendid and vigorous oarsmen, forest, where density of people is not seen, which is
that boat furnished with a pilot, rapidly moved
utterly devoid of fields and gardens, has a rugged
surface and is full of stumbles.” “Treat this land as your own.
It’s really my good fortune,
Listening to Rama’s words, Lakshmana walked in At this moment opportune
front. Immediately after Sita, Rama, the delight of To serve you, guests of mine.”
Raghu dynasty, advanced. Constantly gazing at
Rama, who reached soon the other bank of Ganga “All the time, you stay here,
River, the distressed Sumantra, his vision having You need not go elsewhere,
failed due to the long distance and perturbed as he Promise, I shall take care,
was, shed tears (of grief over separation from For me it’s a pleasure.”
Rama). Having crossed the great river, Rama the
high-soled, the bestowal of boons, equal in glory So said Guha, with his prayer,
with the guardians of spheres, then reached Rama took him as his fifth brother,
progressively the prosperous and the happy land of And politely rejected his offer,
Vatsa; which contained rows of beautiful crops. Of a fourteen-year-long shelter.
Having hunted there four deer, namely Varaaha,
Rishya, Prisata; and Mahaaruru (the four principal The night passed as the day broke,
species of deer) and taking quickly the portions Sumantra, the charioteer took
that were pure, being hungry as they were, Rama Leave, with his grief-stricken look,
and Lakshmana reached a tree to take rest in the For his return to Ayodhya back.
evening.
Rama then told Guha not to press,
Rajaram Ramachandran, India For their stay there endless,
As he was bound by promises,
Poem Ramayana (16) Meet Guha, the Chieftain To live only in forest premises.
The chief of the region, Guha, For us, any day, to cross,
Came running to greet Rama. The ocean of our life across,
With all his love embraced him, To overcome untold miseries,
Extending a hearty welcome. We seek for Rama’s kindness.
T
his story is from the epic Ramayana. Scornfully he also told Angad go back
Kumbhakarana was the younger peacefully and forget about Sita. He would not
brother of Ravana, who had kidnapped attack the retreating army of Rama. Thus the
Sita, the wife of Lord Rama by deceiving her to talks failed and the war was sure to follow.
be the recluse. When Rama came to know
Ravana has seized his wife, he attacked Lanka, Angad returned to the camp and briefed Rama
the kingdom of Ravana with the army of and others about the adamant attitude of
monkeys. Ravana’s youngest brother, Ravana not to free Sita. Rama, Lakshmana,
Vibhishana was the man of ethics and justice Hanuman, Sugreeva, and Vibhishana held a
and he tried to convince Ravana to send Sita closed door meeting to chalk out their final
back to Rama and take his refuge, but highly strategy. Accordingly, Angad led one team of
egoistic Ravana was never going to listen to his brave soldiers and attacked the Lankan
him and in fact he threw him away from his guards. After a brief fight, the guards were
palace. Vibhishana finally takes refuge of Lord defeated and Angad and company entered the
Rama and decides to support him in the war. border of Lanka. Rama and others followed.
The bridge was completed and one by one all of The news was received with mild concern by
them reached near the shore of Lanka. Ravana who sent more number of troops to
Ravana’s spies informed him about the attack the advancing men of Rama. Hanuman
approaching army of Rama, but the arrogant and his men defeated them too. Vibhishana
Ravana did not attach any significance and was quick to guide Rama through the secret
importance to this. inroads. This disturbed Ravana and he decided
to take the things more seriously. He therefore
Vibhishana, on the other hand, was quick to sent for Kumbhakarna, his brother with
grab the opportunity and joined Rama in his immense powers, to come to the court for
noble mission. Rama Tries to settle the issue urgent meeting with him. Ravana was sure that
with peace as a result Angad was selected to Kumbhakarna alone was powerful enough to
represent Rama to give diplomacy a chance. defeat Rama and his army of ‘monkeys’.
Hence as ambassador of Rama Angad reached
the court of Ravana. He explained that Rama
had sent him to seek release of Sita. Ravana Story of Kumbhakarna
should heed this last appeal of Rama so that
the war could be averted. But no. Ravana did In the war Ravana loses many soldiers,
not accept the peace proposal. When he had important commanders and also his sons, but
such a great army, when he was immortal by still wants to continue with the war with Rama,
the boon of the God, when he had all the super just for the lust of one woman, Sita. He was, in
powers and instruments of war Ravana fact heading for the fulfillment of the destined
maintained that it was futile and immature of curse inflicted upon him. Deep within he knew
Rama to think of victory. Thus he took pity on this to be the only way for salvation. When he
Angad and his friends that they had come to lost most of the important persons, he decides
Lanka to get killed.
to involve his younger brother Kumbhakarana name of glory of their forefathers, in the name
in the war. and honour of their clan and dynasty,
Kumbhakarna agreed to terminate Rama for
This Kumbhakarna used to remain awake for ever. Thus full of enthusiasm and well prepared
six months and sleep for next six months! As he for the ensuing battle, he led his army to the
was preparing to go to his long spell of sleep, battle ground.
the message of Ravana was delivered to him.
Kumbhakarna was in no mood to fight. He also Seeing the gigantic Kumbhakaran arrive, the
thought that Ravana was in wrong in inviting monkeys started fleeing in all directions.
this unnecessary war due to his useless Kumbhakaran then grabbed a handful of
insistence to marry Sita. monkeys and ate them. Meanwhile, the arrows
that Rama and his army fired at Kumbhakaran
When Kumbhakaran woke up, he asks his broke on hitting his strong body.
elder brother why he has remembered him.
When Ravana tells the story of seizing Rama’s A fierce fight raged between the two armies.
wife and going to war with him, Many monkeys were killed so also many
Kumbhakarana gets shocked. As such all the Rakshasas. Even Angad and Sugreeva were
three brothers, Ravana, Kumbhakaran and on the defensive. Hanuman was helpless.
Vibhishana were very learned persons and Therefore, Rama took charge of the front
knew everything about the whole universe, but himself. Kumbhakarna was adept in taking
somehow Ravana was overwhelmed by his ego various illusory forms to confuse his enemy. It
and lust. His arrogance and lust became the was difficult to attack his true body! As many
instrument for the fulfillment of the curse Kumbhakarnas used to appear in front. All the
inflicted upon him by Vishnu and the Sanat missiles and arrows eluded him.
Kumars.
Moreover Kumbhakaraan could create ‘rain of
Kumbhakaran reminds Ravana that Rama is fire’ engulfing the enemy. This caused
a Lord or the ruler of the universe, and Ravana confusion and chaos amongst Rama’s army. To
can never defeat him. Kumbhakaran also tells this, Rama replied by pouring rain of water to
him that it is wrong to take away somebody’s put off the fire. Kumbhakarna poured ‘rain of
wife by deceiving her. He finally suggest to stones’, and Rama countered by appropiate
Ravana to give Sita back to Rama and seek his protective cover. The battle went on for quite
forgiveness. But Ravana gets very angry with some time. Finding the arrows ineffective,
his suggestions and tells him that he can go Rama decided to cut off his head. So he flung
back to sleep if doesn’t wants to go to the his chakra and cut the demon’s head. The
battlefield and that he had woke him up for monkeys came back once again and rejoiced on
help and not for the advice. seeing the dead body of the demon.
At this Kumbhakaran decides to support At last Rama attacked the demon with his most
Ravana in spite of knowing well that Ravana is powerful arrow fortified with deadly divine
wrong and in spite of knowing that he can missile. This hit the mighty Kumbhakarna at
never defeat Lord Rama and that he would his vital centre that led to his downfall.
eventually be killed. Kumbhakaran tells
Ravana that his life is committed to him and he On the death-bed Kumbhakarna took the
can happily sacrifice his life for him without name of Rama and thus he was liberated from
even trace of grievance. his base instincts and tendencies.
Early in their exile, when Bharata enters the forest The Lakshmana 'Rekha'
with the royal entourage to persuade Rama to
return to rule Ayodhya, Lakshmana initially When Sita asks Rama to fetch the magical, golden
mistakes his intentions. He jumps to the conclusion deer for her, Rama asks Lakshmana to guard Sita
that the former was approaching with malicious and their home, and to take special care since he
intent. Rama, however, knows of Bharata’s love felt bad omens and sensed danger and evil. The
for him and explains to Lakshmana that Bharata golden deer is in fact the demon Maricha, who must
would never try to harm them. distract Rama and Lakshmana away from the hut
so as to allow Ravana to kidnap Sita.
Lakshmana serves Rama and Sita reverently
during the exile, building them a home in the forest When Rama kills the deer, even as he is dying,
and devotedly standing guard during the night, and Maricha cries out in Rama’s voice, lamenting for
accompanying them on tiring journeys and long Sita and Lakshmana to help him. Although
passages of lonely forest life without complaint or Lakshmana knows that Rama is invincible and
beyond any danger, Sita panics and frantically astras and shastras by Gandharv Raj Kuber. His
orders Lakshmana to go to Rama’s aid killing of Indrajit was considered to be an
immediately. Unable to disobey the frightened and important turning point of the war, as the latter
panicky Sita, and genuinely beginning to fear for was almost invincible, having overpowered Indra,
Rama’s safety, Lakshmana goes out to search for the King of Heaven himself. Indrajit’s sheer
him. He however uses his mystical power to draw physical prowess was further illustrated through
the Lakshmana Rekha or Lakshmana’s Limit, an Lakshamana’s use of unorthodox means to kill him.
invisible perimeter line across the hut that Sita
must not cross, and no other being except Legacy
Lakshmana or Rama may enter uninvited. If any
intruder enters, it will be instantly burnt into Lakshmana is revered for his absolute devotion to
ashes. Rama. His performance of his duties as a younger
brother is considered to be a sacrifice and
Sita however, out of compulsion of religious duty superiority of character as such duties are
and compassion for a poor brahmin, who is especially hard to do in adverse conditions.
actually the disguised Ravana, crosses the line to Lakshmana’s life symbolizes the duties of a man to
give him alms. Thus Ravana is safely able to seize his elders and superiors, and how greatly valued is
Sita. selflessness in a man’s character.
The Lakshmana Rekha has become a metaphor in While he is generally considered to be rather short-
situations where a certain limit must not be tempered when compared to Rama, Lakshmana is
transgressed by human beings in any circumstance also considered an important element of Mariyada
whatsoever. Purushottama, displaying great courage and
Ramacharitamanas, the wildly popular North presence of mind when Rama becomes distraught,
Indian rendering of story of Rama, does not feature angry and desperate over the loss of Sita — in an
the Lakshmana Rekha story in the Aranya Kanda. uncharacteristic display of desperation, a furious
Neither does the original, the Valmiki Ramayana. and almost hopeless Rama, not knowing of Sita’s
However in Lanka Kanda of the Ramcharitmanas, fate or whereabouts, is suddenly about to fire a
(35.1) Mandodari rebukes Ravana on his weapon capable of bringing vast devastation of life;
boisterous claims of valor by hinting that his claim Lakshmana stops Rama, calms him down,
of strength and valor is shallow for he could not explains to him that the world is not responsible
even cross a small line drawn by Shri Rama’s for their separation from Sita, and consoles and
younger brother Lakshmana. encourages his righteous brother, while giving him
support and strength to keep looking for her.
Prowess in war When Sita’s jewels were given back by Sugriva to
Rama, Rama lamented Sita’s absence,
Lakshmana is considered a powerful warrior
remembering the jewels she used to wear.
nearly equal to Rama. Like Rama, he was a
Maharathi able to battle 60,000 warriors at once. In Lakshmana then gave Sita’s toe-ring to Rama in
the war against Ravana and his Lankan army of order to aid his grief. What was implied is that he
rakshasas, Lakshmana slays thousands of powerful has never looked beyond the toe of Sita. As a great
respect to the discipline followed by Lakshmana,
demons such as Atikaya and Prahasta, Ravana’s
the great Tamil poet Kamban made the statement
chief commanders, and his son Indrajit.
on his character that ‘a great person never looks
Injury and revival desiringly upon another's wife.’
The body shall remain meaningless if it can be of no Then at the request, the sages blessed Hanuman thus
use for its beloved! Therefore Shiva out of his own reducing the intensity of the curse, “If someone will
Maya assumed the form as Hanuman to be the part remind you of your courage and valor, you will
of Divine plan for the establishment of righteousness remember once again. So too, many gods, Shiva,
and the protection of the sage!!! Rama, and Sita blessed Hanuman in many ways. Sun
God Aditi accepted him as his disciple at the request
How Hanuman came to be of Prajapati Brahma and blessed Hanuman in many
ways. Shiva blessed him with long life, knowledge of
known as Bajranga weapons, and bestowed with his strength to cross
the ocean. So too the divine architect Vishyakarma
It happened once Indra hurled his weapon Bajra on blessed him with the understanding of weapons and
Hanuman when he was still a boy. This damaged his weaponry.
left hanu (chin). But hanuman was so full of valour
and courage that the invincible weapon could not During his journey to Lanka in search of Sita, she
destroy Hanuman. Thus he came to be known as blessed Hanuman as son after she was convinced of
Hanuman. In Sunderkand of Valmiki Ramayana his identity. Tulsi Das sings this in Sundar kand
Hanuman in the episode of the search of Sita, 17/2:
mentions has name as Hanuman during a
conversation with Ravana: (Valmiki Ramayana Su: Aaisz dIiNh ramiày jana
51/15):
hae# tat bl sIl inxana,
Ah< tu hnumaNnam marutSyaers> sut>
Ajr Amr guniniXa sut haehU
sItayaStu kte ztyaejn matym.
Being a celibate Hanuman had no children. Yet still it krhU bhut rxunayk DaehU.
is said Hanuman had a son. There is a story. It
narrates that after burning Lanka when Hanuman izvZcte XvaStu hir àvIr .
took a dive in the ocean to extinguish the burning (Valmiki Ramayana Sundar kand40/24)
tail that set Lanka to fire, a drop of his sweat fell in
After Hanuman returned with the message of Sita,
Rama told Hanuman: gCD saXy ramSy kayR< budixmta< vr,
AtSTv< mm ÉKtaeAis hirpu<gv, Ô:va sIta< pungRTva ram Ô]yis gCD Éae>.
(Adhyatma Ramayana Sundarkand 5/63) (Adhyatma Ramayana Sundar kand 1/23-24)
Implying O Hanuman you are most dear to me. Also After Shinghika was slain the birds floating in the
you are my beloved devotee. sky expressed similar sentiments (Valmiki
An ecstatic Tulsi das sings the glory of Hanuman Ramayana Sunderkand: 1/200). And when Hanuman
through Rama: entered Lanka the demon Lankini spoke of similar
prediction about her and the fate of Lanka. She also
deohu kr ivcar mn mahI taese tat %ir[ mE< nahI blessed Hanauman with her energy field through
these words:
When Hanuman was on his way to Sri Lanka in
search of Sita, Sursa created obstruction in his way hnumn gCD –drm te ijta l<ka Tvyanx
to test the courage, sincerity, aspiration and (Adhyatama Ramayana Sundar kand 1/47, 54)
intelligence. Sursa did this at the request of Gods. It
is always so. When an individual begins his inward Valmiki Ramayana has similar mention:
journey obstacles and problems impede the way. It
is only the sincere aspirations that help the aspirant ydCDya Tv< jnkaTmja< stI<
to overcome such impediments. These come as tests
of one’s sincerity. And when problems surround ivmagR svRTra gtae ywa suom.
generally we tend to move away from the path. It (Sundar kand 3/51)
always happens first such problems impede the way.
Joyfully Lankini blesses Hanuman to move freely in
And then the same problem becomes the way for
search for Sita. With all such blessings Hanuman
transcendence. Sursa, Singhika, and Lankini that
manifest tremendous qualities. This always happens
came in the way of Hanuman represent the
once an aspirant breaks the cordon of negativities
personification of negativities. Certain negativities
tremendous energy is released. And as the energy
arise because of individual actions and thinking in
thus released is absorbed with awareness
day to day life. Others are collective and cosmic in
transformation happens. Remember energy cannot
nature. These negativities can be accumulated as a
be destroyed. It can only be transformed. This is
result of the past while others accumulate due to our
reflected through the life of Hanuman. Thus the life
present functioning. However these certainly
of such an aspirant like Hanuman remains a source
impede your way.
of tremendous inspiration for anyone on the path.
Whenever negativity decomposes tremendous
energy is released. It is like atomic explosion. And Hanuman and perennial youth:
when the aspirant absorbs such energy it acts as fuel
to propel the journey forward. For this the aspirant Rama blessed Hanuman to inspire devotees on path
has to be AWARE and AWAKE otherwise the as long as the portrayal of Sri Rama remains. About
negativities will engulf you. All along the way to the Ram Katha it is said:
cross the ocean, that stores within its womb a vast
treasure of ineffable bliss, Hanuman breaks such Yaavt waSy<it igiry> sirtSc mihtle
energy blocks. And once these blocks are broken
Hanuman gains momentum for the continuation of Taavt ramay[ kwa laeke;u àcir:yit
his journey! Thus Hanuman remains a perennial
inspiration for all aspirants. As long as mountains and rivers shall remain, the
story and thus the portrayal of Sri Rama shall
Sursa therefore impedes hanuman’s way to test his continue to inspire the aspirants along the path of
courage and sincerity. And seeing his indomitable devotion. And Rama had asked Hanuman to remain
courage and sincerity she comes out of her present on earth until last to inspire and guide the aspirants.
form and blesses Hanuman as:
This has given Hanuman the blessing of perennial When Hanuman was on his way in search of Sita and
youth. Sita also blessed Hanuman for such a quality. Sursa obstructed the way Hanuman used this quality
to reduce his form to almost an invisible state. As
Ajr Amr guninix sut haehU, Sursa increased the size of her open mouth
Hanuman increased his size in the same proportion.
(Adhyatma Ramayana Sundar kand 17/2)
And when eventually Sursa zoomed her open mouth
Thus Hanuman is godly. And along with Rama 50 times Hanuman immediately reduced his size to
Hanuman is also worshipped.
infinitesimal and thus entered her mouth and came
out unhurt. Thus he exhibited tremendous
Hanuman and Eight Siddhis: intelligence and wakefulness in the most difficult
situations.
In the life of Sri Rama Hanuman is an important
character. Hanuman played an important role in Valmiki Ramayana narrates the moment Sursa
Rama-Sugreeve friendship; search for Sita; and the zoomed her open mouth 100 times immediately
battle with Ravana. Hanuman has a very significant Hanuman became infinitesimal. The same quality
place in service, devotion, and duty. Along with this Hanuman used when he faced the demoness
Hanuman is bestowed with eight siddhis. Patanjali Singhika. She had the quality of swallowing the
explains these siddhis to be of five types; creatures while flying in the sky. And seeking
Hanuman size she had to open her mouth big. And
when something is zoomed many times it takes time
jNmaEix m<t& tp> smaixja> isdXy>
to return to normal. Thus Hanuman shows his
intelligence and indomitable courage in adverse
Patanjali narrates five reasons for the attainment of circumstances.
these siddhis energy fields: janmaja or by birth;
aushadhija or due to medicines; mantraja or mantra On reaching the security at the entrance of the city of
and samadhija or samadhi. Because of any of these Lanka Hanuman thought to remain in disguise as
reasons one can attain tremendous energy fields. narrated by Tulsi Das in Sundar Kand Doha 2, 3, 5:
Patanjali explains the methodology to attain to such
energies. Amar Kosh explains these siddhis or pur rovare deio bhu kip mn kINh ivcar,
qualities or energy fields as:
Ait lxu êp xraE inis ngr kraE< p#sar.
Ai[ma maihma cEv girma lixma twa àaiPt>
géf sumeé renu sm tahI ram k&pa kir ictva jahI
àakaMymIizTv< vizTv< ca:q isdXy>
Ait lxu êp xre% hnumana pEQa ngr suimir
(Amaar Kosh 1/1/35)
Égvana.
Also at times after garima kamavasayita is used:
Adhyatma Ramayana in Sundar Kand 2/1 explains
Ai[ma lixma àaiPt> àkaMy< mihma twa this incident differently as: