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)       

While dying, Mareecha had screamed the names of Seetha and Lakshmana in a voice that was reminiscent of Srirama’s voice. Srirama could immediately guess that Seetha and Lakshmana would be terrorized by that scream of Mareecha. He rushes back to the Ashram and on the way he saw Lakshmana rushing towards him. Srirama took serious objection to Lakshmana leaving Seetha alone, though he was aware that everything had gone as per the divine will. However much Lakshmana tried to convince Srirama that he was forced by Seetha Devi to swiftly reach Rama and provide a helping hand, Srirama pretended as though Lakshmana had committed a sin by leaving Seetha Devi alone in the Ashram. Rama and Lakshmana experienced several bad omens indicating that Seetha was in serious trouble. When they saw that Seetha was not in the Ashram, Rama began enquiring with plants, trees and animals in the forest about Seetha. He had to pretend as though Seetha was actually missing despite knowing that Seetha too was omnipresent.

Atha ArtagruDhram swagatim nayan (SeethapahArirAvaNyudhDhEna shAntam gruDhram swapadam neetvA — ಅಥ ಆರ್ತಗೃಧ್ರಂ ಸ್ವಗತಿಮ್ ನಯನ್ (ಸೀತಾಪಹಾರಿರಾವಣಯುದ್ಢೇನ ಶಾಂತಂ ಗೃಧ್ರಂ ಸ್ವಪದಂ ನೀತ್ವಾ|| As said earlier, Srirama had decided to enact some drama to mislead the demons and other normal people that Seetha had been abducted and that Rama and Lakshmana were in deep distress. Demons should think as though distressed Rama bad begun searching for Seetha everywhere.

While searching for Seetha Devi, Srirama saw Jatayu in a serious condition. The wings of Jatayu were lying by his side. He was about to die. Srirama enquired with Jatayu about the reason for his horrible state. Jatayu narrated everything and expressed regret for failing to save Seetha from being abducted by Ravana. Earlier, Rama acted as though he was suspecting Jatayu. He expressed doubt that Jatayu must have swallowed Seetha Devi. However, when Jatayu revealed that he fought with Ravana to get Seetha Devi relieved from the demon’s clutches. Jatayu went on to tell: 

“Rama, the time Ravana had stolen Seetha Devi is known as ‘vinda’ and anything lost in that time would be recovered quickly. Ravana is unaware of this. You will get back Seetha very shortly.” After telling these words, Jatayu requested Rama to cremate his carcass and breathed his last. Later, Rama instructed Lakshmana to prepare pyre to burn the carcass of Jatayu. After performing the final rites of Jatayu, Rama and Lakshmana renewed their search for Seetha.
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