SRI
RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI
(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ
ಮಂಜರಿ ಅರ್ಥವಿವರಣೆ)
Sri
Rama begins his journey into the forest.
AraNyam yAn (ಕಾಡಿಗೆ ಹೊರಟನು) – What did Rama do first? “SahAgatAn pitrAdeen sajjanAnujnApya” (ತನ್ನನ್ನು ಹಿಂಬಾಲಿಸಿ
ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ತಂದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಜ್ಜನರನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿದ ಮತ್ತು ಅವರ ಅನುಮತಿಯನ್ನು
ಪಡೆದನು).
As
directed by King Dasharatha, his Minister Sumantra got the chariot ready for
Rama to go to the forest. When everything was ready, Dasharatha looked at
Seetha and ordered his Treasurer to bring jewels and special clothes for her to
wear. Accordingly, the Treasurer brought everything. Seetha Devi wore
everything. Kausalya Devi, who saw her daughter-in-law, caressed the head of
Seetha Devi with compassion and said:
“Dear
daughter, your husband is an ocean of virtues. He is the beloved of all the
virtuous. I know that you respect him from the depth of your heart. Still, due
to my motherly affection, I wish to suggest you something. Your husband, who
has all the qualities to be the King, has now assumed the form of an ascetic.
Please do not insult him or look down upon him.”
Seetha
Devi replied: “Dear Mother, I am not a person to insult my own husband for any
reason.” Kausalya was overjoyed and she embraced Seetha Devi. Next moment,
Kausalya Devi told her son Rama: “My dear son, protect you, Lakshmana and
Seetha Devi and happily return to Ayodhya.”
Sri
Rama, Lakshmana and Seetha Devi revolved around Dasharatha, Kausalya Devi and
Sumitra and saluted them by prostrating before them in submission and with
devotion. Sumitra Devi showered praise on Lakshmana for accompanying Sri Rama,
leaving behind his young wife and aged mother. “I am indeed very lucky to have
begotten a son like you.”
Sri Rama
indicated to Sumantra that it was time to depart. Sumantra promptly brought the
chariot. Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Seetha Devi got into the chariot. Unable to
bear the pain caused by the departure of Sri Rama, several civilians, officials
followed the moving chariot. Aged Dasharatha was running behind the chariot for
a long distance. Sage Vasishtha told Dasharatha that if he were to follow Rama
further, it would be a bad omen and it would indicate that the parting person
might not return at all. Dasharatha stopped and told his servants to take him
to the apartment of Kausalya, where Rama had spent a lot of time so that he
could feel the presence of Rama.
The
citizens and Brahmins who were running behind the chariot of Rama stopped for a
while and vociferously asked Rama to return to Ayodhya. Rama did not respond as
he was helpless. By evening, they had reached the banks of Tamasa River. Rama
told Lakshmana that from that moment, their food would be restricted to roots, fruits
and vegetables. He asked Lakshmana not to be depressed by remembering the
comforts of royal life. Sumantra liberated the horses from the chariot, gave
fodder and water to them. Due to the fatigue and exhaustion caused by running
behind the chariot, the people who had followed Rama from behind slept quickly.
Rama then asked Sumantra to drive the chariot towards Ayodhya for some distance
and then return from the southern side. Sumantra did accordingly. Rama, Seetha
Devi and Lakshmana got into the chariot and crossed the river through air or
sky. They travelled a long distance before dawn. The people were taken aback
the next morning when they could not see Rama or even Sumantra. After seeing
the marks of chariot wheels in the direc
Meanwhile, Rama surpassed several villages. While crossing Sarayu River,
the citizens of Kosala kingdom surrounded the chariot of Rama. However, with
folded hands, Rama said that he knew their affection and devotion for him and appealed
to them to return to their houses. They saluted Rama and obeyed his orders.
Finally, Rama arrived at the banks of Ganga, the divine river that flew from
heavens to earth and from earth to the nether world.
In the
next episode the worship offered by Guha, the hunter king, to Rama will be
described. Please read, comment and share. SDN
