SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI (ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ)

SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI

(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ)

Tumburu relieved of curse/ತುಂಬುರುವಿನ ಶಾಪವಿಮೋಚನೆ

The expression “VirADham hatwA”, which means “after killing Viradha” needs an explanation, which Lakshminarayana Upadhyayaru explains.

Tumburu was a Gandharva and a devotee of Lord Hari. He tried woo Urvashi, an Apsara and got cursed by Kubera, the Financial Controller of Heavens to be born a demon. “VittEshwarENa UrvasheesangadOShAchChaptam TumburunAmaDhEyam swaBhaktam rakShArTham tadamsakamitO(s)pi sahAnujEna, tam mOchayitwA anujnApya|” It means, Tumburu, a Gandharva, who was his  (Lord Hari’s) devotee, got cursed by Kubera (VittEshwara) for trying to have physical relationship with Urvashi, the Apsara. Due to that curse, he was born as a demon called VirADha. He took Sri Rama and Lakshmana on his palms to consume them. Srirama relieved him by killing that demon. After getting relieved from the curse, he offered prayers to Lord Srirama and returned to his Gandharva Loka.

Urvashi, Apsara woman, had great love for Kubera, who too loved her. They were like a couple. Tumburu, a Gandharva, too loved Urvashi, though she did not love him. Once, Tumburu tried to rape Urvashi by force. She ran to escape from Tumburu, who chased her and raped her. Urvashi went to Kubera and narrated the mischief played by Tumburu and wept. Enraged Kubera cursed Tumburu: “You have behaved like a demon with Urvashi and spoiled her against her will. Therefore, you should be born as a demon.” Tumburu fell at the feet of Kubera and sought a way to get relieved from the curse. Kubera took pity on him and said: “Lord Hari will incarnate as Srirama and he will kill you. At that moment, you will be able to rid your demonic body,” said Kubera.

Name of the Apsara involved in this incident has been mentioned as Rambha in Valmeeki Ramayana. However, in Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya of Sri Madhwacharyaru and other holy texts, the name is mentioned as Urvashi. Scholars clarify this ambiguity by stating that Urvashi trembled like a banana plant when she was attacked by Tumburu. Rambha refers to the swinging banana plant. Therefore, Urvashi her real name and Rambha is used as an alternative name to explain her condition, say the scholars.

Because of the curse, Tumburu was born a demon named Viradha, who impressed Lord Rudra by doing penance and secured a boon that he should never be killed by anyone. From Lord Brahma, he secured a boon that whoever gets caught between his two arms should become his prey. Empowered with these two boons, he began roaming in the forests and was killing Rishis, ascetics and saints. When Viradha caught Srirama and Lakshmana between his outstretched hands, Srirama thought: “Tumburu is my devotee and he has been eating human flesh and killing Rishis. I have to relieve him from the curse by killing him. As per the boon bestowed by Brahma, anyone caught by him should go under his control. The boon does not rule that his hands should not be cut. Therefore, I will cut one hand and Lakshmana will cut the other. Later, we will kill him.”

Viradha had killed eight lions and made them stuck them in his battle axe. When he saw Rama, Lakshmana and Seetha, he jumped into the sky, descended in front of the trio, caught Seetha by one hand and began running at great speed. He abused Rama and Lakshmana and announced that he would make Seetha his wife and then kill the two brothers. Srirama and Lakshmana fired arrows at him. Viradha could not bear the pain caused by those arrows. Stating that he would swallow Rama and LakshmSeveral Munis, who had been tormented by Ravana and other demons, arrived there and explained to Rama their plight. Rama promised them to soon relieve them of the torture being meted out by Ravana and his associates. Later, Rama visited the hermitage of Suteekshna Muni 

Rana, he caught them and took them on his shoulders, when Rama cut one shoulder and Lakshmana removed the other with sword. At that moment, Viradha recalled his past, fell at the feet of Rama and begged for pardon. He appealed to Rama to relieve him from the body of a demon. Srirama blessed him. Now, Tumburu offered worship to Lord Rama. The body of Viradha, which was lying on the ground, was buried by Rama and Lakshmana. Tumburu sought the permission of Rama and departed to his Gandharva Loka.Meanwhile, Seetha Devi questioned Rama: “Oh Lord, your attire is reminiscent of the attire of saints. The oath you have taken is to destroy all demons. What is this dichotomy?” Srirama replied: “The quality of Fire is to burn and similarly, the duty of a Kshatriya is to punish the evil forces.”The story of Vatapi and Ilwala will be furnished in the next episode. Please read, comment and share. SDN