SRI #RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S
SRI #RAMACHARITRYA #MANJARI
(ಶ್ರೀ #ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರಸ್ವಾಮಿ
ವಿರಚಿತ “#ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ”)
Conversation between #Seetha and #Hanumantha/ಸೀತಾ-ಹನುಮಂತರ ಸಂಭಾಷಣೆ
With Mystic Seetha already in the grip of fear due to
the arrival of Ravana, his instructions to female demons to torment her and a
state of confusion after Trijata narrated her dream, Hanumantha, who was just
sitting on a branch above Seetha, thoroughly assessed the situation and thought
of catching the attention of Seetha Devi by describing Srirama:
“Son of #Dasharatha, Srirama, is the overlord of all
Lokas and is adorned with all the wealth and riches. His eyes are like the
petals of lily. Like the oceans bear unlimited waters, all the virtues are
inherent in Srirama. The goddess sitting in front of me is certainly his wife.
He came to the forests as per the order of his father and she followed him due
to her love for her husband. Ravana stole her. Along with his brother
Lakshmana, Srirama has been searching for her and I am his messenger. Now, I
have seen her. Oh Devi! Rama and Lakshmana are enquiring about your welfare
through me, their servant. This is the actual truth.”
These words revived the dying spirits of Seetha. She
pushed her hair to a side and looked up with excitement and expectation. Her
eyes began fluttering and finally her sight was set on Hanumantha, who was
sitting on a branch of the Ashoka tree under which she was sitting. Hanumantha
had an oil red complexion and his clothes were sparkling like lightning. While
Seetha was still pondering over the entire seen and trying to correlate the
events that occurred since dusk, Hanumantha slowly descended from the tree
branch, bowed his head and saluted her by folding his hands and joining the two
palms in submission.
“Oh Goddess, you are staying amidst female demons and
I want to know who are you? Are you the wife of Srirama? If you are his wife, we
will be happy that all our efforts have finally yielded positive result. Shall
I feel happy?”
Seetha replied:
“I am the daughter of #King Janaka and beloved wife of
Srirama and my name is Seetha.”
Hanumantha, who was till then at a distance, moved
close to her feet and said “I am honored.” But, pretending to be still
suspicious, mystic Seetha moved backwards turned her face to a different side
and became quiet.
“That day, you hoodwinked me in the guise of a saint.
Today you have come in the guise of a monkey and trying to cheat me in another
way by claiming to be a messenger of Srirama. If you are really a messenger of Srirama,
quote a few prominent features of Srirama. Let us both become happy after you
narrate those features and after I hear those features.”
Hanumantha: “Mother Earth is known for her tolerance;
Sun is known for his light rays; Manmatha is known for his brightness and
Devendra has the popularity of being the king of three Lokas. Each and every
deity, god or goddess has one distinct virtue. There is no other person in the
whole universe except Srirama who possesses all the virtues. The deities are
just a reflection of one particular virtue that forms a part of his innumerable
and infinite qualities.
Poets say Srirama has a complexion that is reminiscent
of blue pearl; some say he is brave like lion; his eyes are like the beautiful
petals of lotus. These are the limited perceptions of some poets. None has the
comprehensive idea of the qualities that Srirama possesses. There are no
objects anywhere in the universe or qualities in any other person that can be
compared with what Srirama possesses. In fact, any comparison with Srirama is incomplete
and futile. Dear mother, whatever I have told and will be telling you
henceforth is true and I vouch for it.
There is absolutely no difference between his original
form in Vaikuntha and the different forms of his various incarnations. Defects,
fallacies and drawbacks, distress, pain, despair and dejection attributed to any
incarnation of Lord Narayana are dogmatic and false. The body of Srirama has
the best of features and his organs are exactly as per the Shastras and
Scriptures. The body of Lakshmana has similar features and is equally charming.
Our friendship was solemnized in Mount Rushyamuka. Srirama killed Vali, the
brother of Sugreeva and the latter, in reciprocation of the gratis shown by
Srirama, sent his entire army of monkeys throughout the earth and I am one
among those monkeys. My name is Hanuman. I flew across the ocean as directed by
Srirama. Here is the ring given by Srirama himself to be shown to you to make
you believe my antecedents.”
Mystic Seetha took the ring of Srirama with utmost
devotion. She closely observed the name of Srirama in that ring and certain
distinct features of the ring. She was finally convinced that the ring belonged
to Srirama and that Hanumantha was the messenger of Srirama. She said:
“Oh monkey, I now believe that you are a messenger of
Srirama and that you have come here to see me under the directions of Srirama.
No other person can ever cross that vast sea, enter Lanka and see me without
getting noticed by demons except you. Your deeds bear testimony for your power,
courage, bravery, wisdom and dedication.”
Hanumantha later provided elaborate answers to various
questions asked by Seetha about Srirama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva, army of Vanaras
and other Vanara leaders. As Hanumantha was still wearing a tiny physique,
Seetha expressed suspicion over his capacity to accomplish the future tasks of
prompting Srirama to cross the ocean, kill Ravana and take her back. Hanumantha
grew in his size and said that he had the capacity to lift the earth without
any hardship. Seetha praised Hanumantha for his bravery, power, strength,
spirit and wisdom.
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