INDRA PROMPTS RAMBHA TO HALT PENANCE OF VISHWAMITRA

(After Menaka returned, Vishwamitra continued his penance. Indra wanted to somehow stop Vishwamitra from continuing his penance and therefore induces Rambha, another very charming Apsara, to entice Vishwamitra once again. This is the first part of Chapter of 64 in Balakanda of Sri Valmeeki Ramayana. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

SurakAryamidam RamBhE kartavyam sumahattwayA|

LOBhanam KaushikasyEha kAmamOhasamanvitam||1||

TaT0hOktA sApsarA RAma sahasrAkShENa DheematA|

VreeditA prAnjalirBhUtwA pratyuvAcha surEshwaram||2||

Ayam surapatE GhOrO VishwAmitrO mahAmunihi|

KrODhamutsrujatE GhOram mayi dEva na samshayaha||3||

TatO hi mE Bhayam dEva prasAdam kartumarhasi|

YEvamuktastayA RAma RambhayA bheetayA tadA|

TAmuvAcha sahasrAkShO vEpamAnAm krutAnjalim||4||

MA bhaiShi RambhE Bhadram tE kuruShwa mama shAsanam|

KOkeelO hrudayagrAhee mADhavE ruchiradrumE|

Aham kandarpasahitaha sthAsyAmi tava pArshwataha||5||

            “Rambha¹, you have to immediately to Vishwamitra, induce him to crave for you and with all sensuous conduct, he should become passionate. This is an important and significant divine task. Therefore, it is also your duty to conduct in a manner that is favourable to deities.”  Having been instructed thus by Sahasraksha (Indra), Apsara replied with her hands folded in submission:

         

 “Lord of deities, as you are aware, Vishwamitra is known for short temper. He will certainly be angry with me when I try to disturb his penance and he may burn me to ashes with the fire-like rage. There is no doubt about it. Therefore, I am scared of implementing your orders. Please be kind enough to assign this task to someone else, my Lord.”
Rama, Indra again told frightened, perturbed, trembling and pleading Apsara, who was standing in front of him with folded hands: “Don’t be afraid, Rambha. Make up your mind to do as I say. Moreover, I will not send you alone to Vishwamitra. Spring season will be there to assist you. In the trees adorned with just sprouting buds and blossoming flowers, nightingales will be singing melodiously. Along with Manmatha, God of Love, I will also be with you. Enhance your charm to make it more attractive. With such extraordinary and unmatched charm, coupled with sensuous postures and enticing acts, you have to breach into the mind of penance-ridden Kaushika Maharshi.”