SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S
SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI
(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ
ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ”)
Search for Seetha
continued/ಸೀತಾನ್ವೇಷಣ ಮುಂದುವರೆದುದು
Frustration and trivial thoughts of monkeys/ಕಪಿಗಳ ಹತಾಶೆ ಮತ್ತು ಕ್ಷುಲ್ಲಕ ಯೋಚನೆಗಳು
The monkeys who
had gone with Angada and Hanumantha were bitterly dejected and frustrated since
they could not trace Seetha Devi, the deadline that Sugreeva had fixed for
tracing Seetha Devi had expired, they had involuntarily and inadvertently
wasted a very long period in the cave and they were very much aware that
Sugreeva would punish them severely for their failure to trace Seetha Devi and
for expiring the deadline. Angada said: “Sugreeva will never pardon us for not
obeying his orders. Can a person who got his elder brother killed and is
enjoying life with his brother’s wife be expected to excuse us? He is very
strong and has secured the protection of most powerful Srirama. We are neither
strong nor do we have the protection of a powerful person. Let us follow what
Tara suggests us to do.”
Jambavanta and
other monkeys agreed with Angada. It was up to Hanumantha then to mitigate the
situation. He said:
“Tara is the
brother-in-law of Sugreeva. He terribly hates Sugreeva for getting his sister’s
husband Vali killed by Rama. Now he wants to take revenge by getting Sugreeva
killed by same Rama, who had killed Vali. Later, he wants Vali’s son Angada to
ascend the throne of monkeys’ kingdom. That is why his words are not worth
following. According to him, you should all ignore the words of Rama, stay back
in this cave, serving Angada so that Rama becomes angry with Sugreeva and will
kill Sugreeva. Somehow or other, we should not trace Seetha and thereby
instigate Rama to kill Sugreeva. Later, Angada will trace Seetha Devi, informs
Rama about her whereabouts and as a reward for that service, Rama should make
Angada the king of Kishkindha. This is the prank of Tara.
You are all fools
and following the foolish thoughts of Tara. Now, I will not allow this to
happen. You should do what I am going to say or else I know how to bring you
all back on track. I am capable of taking that extreme step. I wish you will
not force me to take such steps.
Oh Monkeys, the
Vajrayudh of Indra may not suffice to destroy this cave but a single arrow of
Rama can certainly precipitate this cave. Tara does not know what Rama can do
and you believed his words. It was such corrupt and misleading suggestion of
ministers that created misunderstanding between Vali and Sugreeva and ended
with the killing of Vali. Sugreeva was not responsible for that.
You Angada,
please tell me with a clear mind whether Sugreeva has ill-treated you either
before Vali was killed or after the death of Vali. It is true that Sugreeva
hated Vali and it is also true that he had to ultimately get Vali killed by
Rama. But, he has not harmed you in any way. In fact, he has immediately made
you the Prince. Has Sugreeva opposed you or insulted or ill-treated you since
the demise of your father? He is now following the words of your mother Tara
Devi. Let us not commit the crime of underrating Rama by thinking that he is
incapable of demolishing this cave.
I can never
tolerate criticism of Rama. None of you, either individually or as a group, can
bend me in any way. If you act as I say, I will be happy. Otherwise, I know how
to use the force to make you act as per my wish.”
All the monkeys
were frightened by what Hanumantha said. They politely, silently followed him
to the southern shores of the sea. Beyond that point, there was no way they
could walk or roam about. They climbed the tip of Mount Mahendra and surveyed the
surrounding area. They could only seawater everywhere and decided it was
impossible for any of them to cross the ocean. Their mission to trace Seetha
Devi ended there. They started thinking about the future course of action. None
could come up with any positive suggestion. Everyone was gasping for breath.
Ultimately, Angada remembered his father, mother, forefathers, elderly monkeys,
offered prayers and decided to fast till death. Angada spread a mat of
sacrificial grass facing north and laid down flatly on it. Everyone was weeping
and crying and cursing themselves for their plight.
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