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)                           

As instructed by Ravana, Mareecha disguised like a dotted deer of golden color. It had four horns and Seetha Devi, who knew everything, tells Srirama: “Oh Lord, this deer is adorned with four horns of gold and the dots on its skin are golden too. It is decorated with pearls and precious stones and gems. I was just yearning to have such a deer to play with. Please get it for my sake. If you cannot catch it alive, you kill it and get me its skin. I will enjoy sitting on its skin.” This appeal of Seetha Devi to Srirama was like a prelude to the destruction of the entire demon community. It spelt the beginning of an era of happiness and joy to noble and cultured people. For philosophers, her appeal was like a drama script.

Srirama asked Lakshmana to take care of Seetha and departed. The mysterious Mareecha in the form of golden deer began deceiving Srirama by appearing and disappearing, altering its location and running away from his sight. Srirama pretended to be chasing the deer. The aim of Mareecha, as instructed by Ravana, was to ensure that both and Rama and Lakshmana were away from the hermitage and Seetha Devi was alone in it. When Srirama felt that the deer could not be caught alive, he killed it with an arrow. On the brink of death the deer transformed into Mareecha, who, while dying, pronounced aloud “Oh Lakshmana! Ha Seetha!” This was enough for Seetha Devi to force Lakshmana to see if Srirama was in any sort of trouble. Unwillingly, Lakshmana drew a line outside the hermitage, requested Seetha Devi not to cross it at any cost. Unwillingly, he departed from the hermitage, in search of Srirama, though he knew that nothing could happen to Srirama, the supreme Lord of the Universe. Even Seetha was aware of this. All this drama was necessary to make Ravana and company to believe that Srirama was an ordinary human being.

Now, Ravana comes into the picture. DashavadanahrutAm BhUmijAyAha Akrutim anviShyan (tadA swApahArArTham Agatam RAvaNam druShTwA, KailAsaparvatam jagamiShantyA SeethayA nirmitAm pratikrutim RAvaNApahrutAm vicharan)| He was waiting for that golden opportunity to abduct Seetha Devi. He appears in front of the hermitage of Srirama in the guise of an elderly hungry Brahmin and asks Seetha Devi to serve some food to him. When Seetha refuses to cross the line “Lakshmana Rekha”, Ravana tries to cross over. A huge flame of fire pushed Ravana away, thwarting his attempt to forcibly make Seetha cross the line. Seetha tells him about her background, while Ravana too said about his great heritage. As nothing could shake Seetha, Ravana forcibly takes into his arms and gets into the Pushpak Viman, that was waiting there, begins his journey to Lanka, along with Seetha.

Please read, comment and share. SDN