SRI #RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S
SRI #RAMACHARITRYA #MANJARI
(ಶ್ರೀ
#ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರಸ್ವಾಮಿ
ವಿರಚಿತ “#ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ”)
Last rites of Ravana/ರಾವಣನ ಅಂತ್ಯಕ್ರಿಯೆ
When a tree falls, the birds taking shelter in its
branches fly away for safety. Similarly, when Ravana died, the demon force that
had accompanied him fled the field, though neither Rama nor the monkeys tried
to kill them. Vibheeshana wept saying: “Dear elder brother, I had cautioned you
several times not to develop enmity with Rama. I had advised you to surrender
Seetha and make alliance with Rama. You never agreed with me. Your faith in
physical strength and the coveted power of various boons was more. I expected
this sort of an end to you.”
Mandodari and other women in the royal apartments of
Ravana, who came to know that Ravana had finally died, rushed to the
battlefield, weeping and crying inconsolably. The corpse of Ravana was lying in
dust and his body was torn everywhere. Blood stain was there on the royal robes
he was wearing. Mandodari said: “Oh dear demon king! You stole Seetha Devi only
to lie on the ground in this manner. I requested you to surrender Seetha Devi
to Rama. You never heeded my words. You turned deaf ears to the advices of
Vibheeshana. You did not realize the power and strength of Rama, who is not the
normal human being, by any stretch of imagination. You should have judged his
capacity when he single handedly precipitated Khara, Dushana and Trishiras in
Janasthana. Where are you going, leaving all of us behind? Please take us with
you. We will continue to serve you wherever you go.”
At this juncture, Rama called Vibheeshana and said: “Dear
Vibheeshana, he is your elder brother. All his sons and relatives have died in
the war. You are the lone surviving relative to him. Therefore, perform all the
last rites to him.”
Vibheeshana replied: “My Majesty! He is undoubtedly my
elder brother. But the sin he has committed by abducting your wife is
unpardonable. Therefore, I am not willing to perform the last rites to him.”
Rama said: “Whatever I say stands forever and whatever
I despise should not be followed. At present, it is your bounden duty to
perform his rites. My enmity lasted with his death. Irrespective of what sins
he has committed, Ravana deserves honorable funeral. It is my wish that you
perform the last rites. You can treat my wish as an order and obey it without
any hesitation or apprehension.”
Vibheeshana arranged for the funeral of Ravana with
great reverence and conviction. He summoned expert priests for performing the
last rites. The body of Ravana was taken in a procession to the burial ground
and was cremated there, strictly adhering to the prescribed procedures.
Vibheeshana completed all the related formalities.
Flowers rained on Rama/ಶ್ರೀರಾಮನ ಮೇಲೆ ಪುಷ್ಪವೃಷ್ಟಿಗೈದ
ದೇವತೆಗಳು
BrahmapUrvaihi surEshaihi puShpaihi akeeryamANaha —
RAvaNavaDhEna santuShTaihi BrahmAdiBhihi puShpaihi aBhiShichyamAnaha| सन्तुष्टैः ब्रह्मपूर्वैः सुरॆशैः पुष्पैः आकीर्यमाणः — रावणवधॆन
सन्तुष्टैः ब्रह्मादिभिः पुष्पैः अभिषिच्यमानः। Totally relieved and satisfied
with the killing of Ravana (by Rama), Lord Brahma and all other deities honored
Rama with a rain of flowers.
Initially, Srirama cut the heads of Ravana and every time
he did so, new heads sprouted on his shoulders. This action was repeated
several times of Rama and finally, Srirama shot an arrow on the chest of
Ravana. The demon king immediately collapsed and all his heads fell apart. This
was an act to show to Brahma, Rudra and other deities that Rama, an incarnation
of Vishnu, was supreme, notwithstanding the innumerable boons that Rudra and
Brahma had bestowed upon Ravana following rigorous penance.
Lord Brahma offered prayers to Rama, praised the Lord for
killing Ravana, reducing the weight and burden of Mother Earth, protecting the
virtuous and for heralding a new era of righteousness and spirituality on
Earth.
Lord Rudra is known for his sublime devotion to Lord
Vishnu. However, at times, he is said to come under the influence of uncharacteristic
quality. Such instances should not be accepted on the face value. The hidden
message is for Satviks to understand, for Tamas to revolt and for Rajasas to get
confused and misunderstand the actions of Sri Hari.
Now, Lord Rudra pretended to have ‘mistaken’ Lord Rama
and tried to fight against Rama for allegedly disproving the boons he had
bestowed upon Ravana and other demons. Rama too tied the string of his bow and
pretended to confront Rudra. There was a huge tremor on earth, as a result of
which Lord Rudra lost balance and fell on the ground. The alleged ‘influence’
of diabolic power on his mind vanished and Lord Rudra immediately saluted Rama,
praised the Lord and worshipped his master.
It was time for the coronation of Vibheeshana on the
throne of Lanka, which was accomplished in a grand and spectacular manner.
Immediately after the coronation, Srirama directed Sri Hanumantha to go and
bring Seetha Devi. Accordingly, Seetha Devi was brought to the place where Rama
was staying and the duo met each other, gleefully.
The Fire Test of Seetha will be explained in the next
episode.
Please read, comment and share. SDN
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