Capt Purushottam Sharma (Retd)
King Dasratha of Ayodhya belonging to Ikshvaku, Dynasty had three wives but no issues to succeed the imperial line. As they were crossing the middle age, they decided to consult their family preceptor. Sage Vasistha. The Guru closed his eyes and dwelt deep in himself and found that the king should perform ‘Puttarkameshti’ Yaga to beget sons. Rshyasrnga was engaged to act as Chief Priest. On culmination of the Yaga, the Fire God appeared from the flames of the spiritually fed fire and handed over a pot of ‘Kheer’ (a sweet pudding) to the king advising him to distribute it to his queens in appropriate shares.
“Naumi Tithi Madhu Maas Punita
Sukal Pachh Abhijit Hari Preeta”
‘ It was the ninth day of the bright half of the auspicious month of Chaitra; the moon had entered the asterism called Abhijit, which is very dear to Shri Hari’.
Birth of child to Kaushalya was on most propitious time. It was Monday, the Ninth Day, Punarvasu Star, bright fortnight of Chaitra Month, Utterayan, Simhalagna (the zodiacal sign of the lion), the Abhijit (the period of victory). Nature was on its peak of magnificence and weather extremely pleasant. Kaikeyi gave birth to the child next day, that is, on Tuesday, the tenth day, ‘gandhyayoga’. On the eleventh day were born the twins to Sumitra, Ashlesha Star, Vriddhiyoga. The news of birth of four babies to the three queens brought joys and happiness all over. Naming ceremony of all the four newly born took place on eleventh day after the birth of child to Kaushlaya. They were educated in the Gurukul and learnt soon whatever was taught.
Once Sage Vishwamitra visited Ayodhya to seek help of Rama to protect Yajnas he had to perform. Both Rama and Lakshmana were allowed to accompany Vishwamitra to the forests and they killed many demons. The Sage also took them to Mithila where king Janaka had resolved to give his daughter princess Sita in marriage to any one who would bend the old bow that belonged to Lord Shiva. Rama not only bend it but broke it and won the hand of Sita. Lakshmana was married to Sita’s younger sister Urmila. Bharata and Shatrughan were married to Sita’s cousins Mandvi and Srutakirti respectively.
After the marriage of his four sons, Dasratha decided to coronate Rama, his eldest son, his successor. When all preparations were in progress, Kaikeyi, instigated by her hunch-backed maid servant Manthra, rushed to the king to seek the boons she had been promised by her husband on two previous occasions. She demanded that her son Bharata be crowned as Yuvaraja and Rama be sent to forest on exile for 14 years. This shock caused the death of Dasratha besides plunging the subjects to sorrow. Rama immediately left for the forest on exile for the sake of Truth accompanied by Lakshmana and Sita. Bharata, on return from his Grand Father’s house in Kekaya Desh, was pained to know what all had happened and rushed to Chitrakoot to pursuade Rama to return to Ayodhaya but he declined and wished Bharata to act his vicegerent to run the administration of the Kingdom. Bharata returned to Ayodhya carrying Rama’s Charanpaduka to symbolize Rama’s sovereignty over the Kingdom. After 10 years of exile, Rama made Dandakarnya his next abode where he killed thousands of demons. The news of these killings was conveyed to Ravana by his sister Surpanakha whose nose and ears were chopped off by Lakshmana when she attacked Sita out of jealousy and misbehaved with the two brothers. Enraged Ravana with the help of Maricha, his former minister, kidnapped Sita in the absence of Rama and Lakshama who ran after a beautiful golden deer which Sita longed for. In fact it was Maricha who had assumed the form of this deer. Ravana had appeared before Sita in the form of an ascestic.
Jatayu (king of vultures) put a bitter fight to Ravana to get released Sita being carried in an aerial car but was fatally injured. He left his body in the lap of Rama who was on his way in search of Sita.
Rama proceeded further on the guidance of a celestian being to befriend Sugriva, the king of monkeys. On falling in alliance, Rama killed wicked Bali (Sugriva’s brother) and recovered from him the lost kingdom of Kishkindha and Sugriva’s wife. Sugriva organized search of Sita, it was Hanuman who crossed over the sea and reached Lanka, met Sita in Ashok Vakita where she was in confinement under the care of Trijata, a pious demoness. Prior to that, he had visited Vabhishana also for guidance, Vabhishna was an ardent devotee of Rama. To introduce himself to Sita, Hanuman chanted Rama Nama and handed over the golden ring of Rama to her. To prove his meeting with her, he was given Chudamani which he presented to Rama on his return to Kishkindha. Hungry Hanuman had heart fill feast on the delicious fruits in the Ashok Vatika and also killed many demons including Aksa. To catch the mischievious monkey god, Brahmsastra was used on him. To pay due regard to the sacred weapon, he fell down and got arrested. As punishment, his tail was wrapped with oil soaked rags and put on fire. Hanuman stretched his tail to reach places at far distances and burnt the golden city of Lanka. On return, he conveyed all the good news to Rama. Soon a bridge was built and Rama’s Army reached on the other shore of sea in all readiness to attack Lanka but before striking. Rama sent wise monkey prince Angada (son of Bali) to plead with Ravana to avoid war but the mission failed. Rama attacked Lanka and fierce battle took place in which heavy casualities occurred. Kumbhkarna was killed by Lakshmana in the first phase of battle. Meghnatha came heavily on the enemy and Rama and Lakshmana were rendered unconscious. Vabhishna brought them to consciousness by using Pragyastra and Vishalya (medicine). Under Kuber’s instructions, a special type of water was also brought by Guhayak which enabled to see the demons in illusory state. In this battle, Meghnatha was also killed by Lakshmana. Ravana let loose his illusive power and inflicted heavy casualities on Rama’s army. At last Vabhishna revealed to Rama that nector abides deep in Ravana’s navel. Rama then put an arrow on his bow, drawing the bow-string right upto his ear and released 31 shafts. One of the arrows sucked up the nector in the navel while others chopped off his heads and arms.
After the death of Ravana, Vabhishna was made the king of Lanka. Rama accepted Sita after the Fire-God vouchsafed for her chastity. He returned to Ayodhya with His consort in Pushpak Viman. Bharata surrendered the kingdom in favour of Rama. Rama’s reign was glorious. Shri Rama is embodiment of Truth, Compassion, Selfsacrifice, Selfless service, humility and nobility. Every soul of Bharat is imbued in Rama. Men and women are given sacred names of Rama and Sita.
These names are loudly chanted, sung in Bhajans, written in repetition and contemplated in meditation. While meeting, departing and wishing each other, these names are pronounced for the sake of universal brotherhood and ultimate goodness. Every breath is Rama propelled and in every joy and sorrow, we make Him to participate since he is the nearest and dearest to us. Rama is the inspiration that runs in the blood stream of our culture and national life.
Indweller of our heart. He is believed to abide in our Home Shrines. Community Shrines and Shrines of National and Inter-national significance. Rama is our life and Rama is everything to us. We have derived the concept of Ram Rajya (Ideal Administration) from Rama.
“Bhav Bhanjan Ganjan Sandeha
Jan Ranjan Sajjan Priya Eha
Ram Upasak Je Jag Mahin
Ehi Sam Priya Tinh Ke Kachhu Na Hin”
(UK, R Manas)
‘Rama Nama puts an end to transmigration, disperses doubt, delights the devotees and is dear to the saints. To the worshippers of Rama, nothing is so dear as Narrative of Rama’
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