SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S
SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI
(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ
ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ”)
Within the stipulated period of seven days from
the day of the orders issued by Sugreeva, all the chiefs of Monkey platoons
arrived at Kishkindha. Angada, Neela, father of Tara Devi SuShena, Shatabali,
Panasa, Kesari, Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Gandha Madana, Vrushabha, Shalabha,
Mainda, Vividha, most intelligent and brother of Tara Devi Tara Dadhimukha,
Kumuda, Dareemukha, Jambavan, Vinata, Rambha, Sampati, Vijaya, Vegadarshi,
Mahahanu, Shararchi, Sharagulma, Sahotra, Ulkamukha and other commanders, heads
of Bears and other animals assembled there along with crores of their
battalions.
Sugreeva, along with Hanumantha and Lakshmana,
came to the place where Srirama was waiting, saluted the latter and said: “Oh Srirama,
kindly pardon me.” Srirama smiled and asked them to be seated.
Sugreeva requested Srirama: “Your Majesty, we
are all your servants. Your tasks are our tasks. Please order us to do your
work, which is our work and duty.” Srirama ordered Sugreeva to give the
directions to his various heads of platoons.
As ordered by Srirama, Sugreeva told Monkey
Chief named Vinata to search for Seetha Devi in the regions around the banks of
Yamuna, Ganga, Sarayu, Kaushikee, Narmada, Shona, Uttarakaveri, Gomati, Purvasaraswati
and other rivers, sub forests, Videha, Kashi, Kosala, Paundra and other
countries, Mandara and other mountains and all those areas in the eastern
part..
Sugreeva asked Hanumantha: “Oh Hanumantha, you
are my friend, philosopher, minister, protector and master too. Angada and
others will follow you from behind like Indra and other deities follow behind
Sri Mukhyaprana. The entire task is now on your shoulder. Go to the residence
of Ravana, find out the place where Seetha Devi has been hidden and return to
Srirama. There is no bar for your, like Lord Vayu, to travel anywhere in the
ten directions. You may search in the southern region comprising Vindhya and
other mountains, banks of Narmada, Dakshinakaveri, Malaya Mountain where the
Ashram of Agastya is located, the region surrounding Pulastyashram and other
places.
Sugreeva turned to Sushena and said: “Dear
father-in-law, you can search in the western direction consisting of Kashmeera,
Gandhara and other countries, Chakraparvata and other mountains.”
Shatabali was told to search in the northern
regions of Matsya Shurasena, Madra and other countries, Himalaya, Kalagiri,
Bhrugutunda, Tamrataka, Sudarshana, Devagarbha, Kailasa, Trishikhara, Krauncha,
Mainaka, Gandhamadana and other mountains.
Sugreeva finally asked everyone to return
within a period of one month. “Whoever comes late will be sentenced to death. I
will part with half of my kingdom to the one who finds Seetha and returns.
Salute the Rishis and Munis you come across and enquire about Seetha Devi. You
can enquire with anyone and everyone about Seetha Devi. Go across the seven
islands, Jambudweepa, the seven seas and everywhere and return with positive
information.”
After all the monkeys departed, except
Hanumantha, Srirama specifically called him and said: “Oh Hanumantha, Except
Sri Varaha, no one else can ever lift the Earth. Similarly, none else can do
this job, except you. Go in the south direction, meet Seetha Devi. To make her
believe you, hand over this ring that my father-in-law had given at the time of
my wedding.” Srirama handed over the ring to Hanumantha.
All the monkeys departed and began the search.
An important factor to be noticed in this regard is that none else, except
Hanumantha, was capable of crossing the 100-Yojana wide sea to reach Lanka.
Angada, Jambavantha and others, who were more powerful than all the monkeys,
could not accomplish this task. Srirama was well aware that Seetha had been
confined in Lanka, the kingdom of Ravana.
In Valmeeki Ramayana and other prominent
versions of Ramayana, it is mentioned that the monkeys were ordered to search
for Seetha Devi in four directions, whereas in Sriramacharithrya Manjari, Sri
Raghavendra Swamy has mentioned that the monkeys were sent in ten directions. This ambiguity can be resolved by stating
that Sugreeva roughly divided his armed forces into four parts but ordered the
monkeys to search in all ten directions. (To be continued)
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