August 29, 2017 archive

Janakasya kule jātā deva māyeva nirmitā

Sarvalakṣaṇa sampannā nārīnā muttamā vadhūḥ.

Meaning- Seeta, who was born in the lineage of Janaka, was like the illusion created to trap the demons. She has in her every auspicious trait as detailed in the Samudrika shastra. She is the most supreme amongst women.

We have earlier discussed the reasons that prompted Mother Goddess to incarnate as Sita. Sita was born in the worthiest family of Janaka. Every member of Janaka’s lineage was of righteous conduct and diligently abided by all good traditions and customs. While ploughing the field, King Janaka found a pitcher, within which was a baby girl. As such, Seeta was ayonija (not born from a mother’s womb in the normal course).

At the time of churning of the ocean, a terrible war broke out between the Devatas and the demons to obtain the nectar which had emerged. At that moment, to enchant the evil minded, wicked demons of bad conduct, Lord Vishnu, using the help of his illusionary energy, manifested as Mohini, who was an epitome of beauty. Through this illusory form he caused the destruction of all demons. Likewise, to destroy the demon brothers Sunda and Upasunda, the Devatas created the exquisitely beautiful maiden Tilottama taking the help of Vishnu’s illusory energy.

Illusion is one of the most fabulous energies of Lord Vishnu! It is impossible for anyone to comprehend, visualize or describe it. Limitless, immeasurable beauty is itself illusion. Such illusion is neither His magical power, nor some witchcraft, or deceptive power. It is an extraordinary and fabulous power. The word ‘maya’ also refers to Goddess Lakshmi. In other words, Lakshmi is known as māya.

Lord Vishnu incarnated as Rama. Hence his illusion incarnated as Sita. The Upanishads declare that illusion is the ultimate, stunning and extra-ordinary energy of the Lord that is far beyond comprehension. To bring delight to that Lord, such supreme energy took on a human form, served Him and acted in accordance to His wishes. She was Sita, the most divine, chaste and gentle lady. She was an epitome of virtue.

Demonic illusion causes destruction. The Lord’s illusion causes well-being. Sita was of unparalleled beauty and charm. She was created solely to delude the demons. As She was an ayonija, she brought along with her, sparkling beauty from Vaikuntha. That is why there is a proverb- ‘ati roopavati Seeta ati moorkhaschya ravanah’ which means the ‘the supreme most beautiful woman is Sita and the most foolish person is Ravana’.

Through this hymn, the impending death of Ravana is being subtly hinted. All the divine traits found in Rama, also existed in Sita. In her, all auspicious traits, as defined by the samudrika shastra, were clearly visible. She was a repository of every good trait.

If Rama is the ideal for all the men, Sita is considered exemplary and ideal for all the women. Those who imbibe and practise the good traits as exhibited by Rama, turn out to be virtuous men. Likewise, those ladies who adopt and follow the good traits found in Sita, become virtuous women.

Om Seeta Ramabhyaam namaha.

Brātaram dayito bhrātuḥ saubhrātram-anudarśayan

Rāmasya dayitā bhāryā nityaṃ prānasamāhitā.

Meaning- Rama’s dearest wife, Sita, is his soul mate. She eternally seeks the well-being of her husband. She always acts in accordance with his wishes.

Sita Devi was humble and divine. She loved her husband very dearly. Rama was handsome, loving and charming and she reciprocated with similar loving feelings towards him. Rama was eternally placed within her heart. Hence for Rama, Sita was equivalent of His life force (prana shakti). She was adept in reading the mind of her husband and in acting totally in accordance with it. At all times, she behaved in a manner that suited His mental disposition. She was at par with her husband, in seeking the welfare of those who had sought shelter under her. At all times she desired the welfare of her husband.

This auspicious and chaste lady, Sita, knew no world apart from Rama. Hence, she was ignorant of the happenings within the city of Ayodhya. She was under the impression that the coronation ceremony of her husband Rama would begin shortly. Seeking his welfare, she had performed all the rituals and had undertaken complete fast. With complete faith and dedication, she abided by all the rituals. She worshipped the Gods seeking her husband’s welfare. She recollected the dharmas that her husband, as a king, would have to abide by, once the coronation ceremony was completed. She recollected all her dharmas that she would have to follow as a queen after her husband’s coronation. She arranged all the auspicious materials like sandal paste, akshata (colored rice), flowers among others. She was awaiting the arrival of her husband. All her maids and attendants within her palace were equally happy. There are no words to describe this moment of happiness of Sita. Her maids decorated all the hallways in her palace. Flower garlands adorned the entrance to the palace. Her room was beautifully decorated. They too decked themselves in the finest of ornaments.

Sita, the gentlest woman, never ever spoke in a manner that caused even a slightest pain to the heart of another. She was always humble. Even at times of extreme anger, she could never utter words that caused misfortune to another. All the ladies who were associated with her were akin to her in their traits.

No amount of words can ever justify her greatness. Both Rama and Sita were great exemplary characters. One surpassed the other in the possession of great traits. It is impossible to say who was the superior of the two in this aspect. Hence we think of them simultaneously and say Seeta Ramaabhyaam. They were like Lakshmi –Narayana. Both of them are worthy of dhyana.

Om Seeta Ramabhyaam namaha.

Taṃ vrajamtaṃ priyo bhrātā Lakṣmaṇo nujagāma ha

Snehādvinayasampannaḥ sumitrānandavardanaḥ.

Meaning-  Rama’s dearest brother is Lakshmana. Lakshmana has undying love for Rama. Humble Lakshmana, displaying the natural love for his brother Rama, accompanied him to the forest. Through the performance of this great deed, he brought happiness to his mother Sumitra.

Rama, who had firmly determined to execute his father’s command, left Kaikeyi’s palace and proceeded to mother Koushalya’s house, along with Lakshmana. Koushlaya affectionately greeted her son and offered him a seat. Very humbly, Rama said, “Dear Mother, this is not the time to take this seat.  This is the time for me to sit on the seat made of grass (darbha). A calamity has approached us. It brings grief to you, Sita and to Lakshmana. I am leaving for Dandakaranya now. There I have to spend 14 years living on honey, fruits and roots. King Dasharatha has decided to conduct the coronation ceremony to Bharata. I have been asked to retire to the forests for 14 years”.

Upon hearing these words, Koushalya swooned. Gently Rama lifted her up, and consoled her.  Koushalya, who was completely afflicted by grief, said, “Rama, although my husband, is a great emperor, I have never enjoyed any happiness in life. I hoped that at least after my son is crowned the king, I shall enjoy some respect as a queen-mother. Even when you were by my side, I had to put up with all the insults. Now with you away, I cannot, in this old age, listen to the disagreeable words and insults thrown upon me by my co-wives. I will accompany you to the forest and spend my time looking after you”.

Lakshmana was pained seeing Koushalya’s grief. His anger knew no bounds. He condemned the actions of his father. He said, “Brother Rama, I will be by your side. I will kill anyone who comes in your path. This kingdom rightfully belongs to you. The king has no permission to simply gift it away to Kaikeyi. You please be courageous. I will wash away your sorrow totally”.

Rama remained unruffled. Calmly and peacefully, he acted based on dharma and consoled his grieving mother. He convinced her that he would return in 14 years. He gently asked for her blessings and circumambulated her. He asked his brother to make all the necessary arrangements for him to leave. Mother Koushalya uttered auspicious words and blessed her son. She bid him farewell.

Lakshmana said, “Dear brother, I will come with you. I will hold the bow and clear the path for you. The lordship over the three worlds is meaningless to me in your absence. Please permit me to accompany you to the forest”. Deeply touched by the love shown by his dear younger brother, Rama agreed.

Lakshmana, the incarnation of Adiśeṣa, had already firmly determined to protect Rama, as an eyelid guards the eye. To protect Rama zealously in this manner, it is essential to give up food and sleep. An ordinary human being cannot accomplish this great feat. Being spiritually accomplished, Lakshmana could accomplish this feat. Just before he left for the forest his wife Urmila Devi addressed him and said, “please give to me your share of sleep. I will compensate for it”. It is said that Urmila slept for the entire period until Lakshmana returned. Lakshmana diligently performed his duties towards his brother Rama during these 14 years.

Lakshmana’s decision brought great joy and delight to his mother Sumitra. She was pleased that Rama was not alone; her son would be there to look after him.

Om Seeta Raamabhyaam namaha.

Sa jagāma vanaṃ vīraḥ pratijnā manupālayan

Piturvacana nirdeśāt kaikeyyāḥ priyakāraṇāt.

Meaning- To bring about happiness to his mother Kaikeyi, the valorous hero Rama, took up his father’s words as a command and in order to fulfill them, immediately left for the forest.

Time and tide wait for no man. Night passed away and morning dawned. It was the day on which Rama had to be ceremoniously appointed the crown-prince of the land. All arrangements were completed and the city wore a festive look. Recital of Vedic hymns and of the auspicious musical renderings could be heard. People thronged in thousands to witness the coronation ceremony. All the royal paths were filled with people. Maharishi Vashistha together with his disciples bathed in the River Sarayu and arrived at the court. Vashistha summoned Sumantra and asked him to fetch the king, who had not yet arrived.

When Sumantra arrived at the palace of Kaikeyi, Dasharatha told him, “Go and fetch Rama to this place. This is my order”. Sumantra approached Rama and informed him of the king’s order. The next moment Rama set out to meet the king. When he approached the doorway, he found Lakshmana waiting for him with folded hands. Lakshmana walked behind Rama, who was on his way to meet the king.

Rama reached the quarters of Mother Kaikeyi. He went into the room where Dasharatha was lying down and offered his reverential obeisance to his father. He also offered namaskara to Kaikeyi’s feet. Dasharatha could not utter any thing apart from the word ‘Rama’.

Rama shuddered seeing the plight of his father. He was totally frightened and overcome with grief. He turned towards Kaikeyi and said, “O Mother, it appears as if my father is deeply perturbed. Did I commit any mistake? Is he not in good health? What is he thinking about? O mother, please tell me what the king seeks. I pledge that I will fulfill whatever he seeks”.

Heartlessly and shamelessly Kaikeyi began to speak, “Long ago your father had give me two boons. As the first boon I have sought that you should be exiled to the forests for 14 years. As the second boon I have asked that my son Bharata should be crowned the king. Now it is in your hands to fulfill your father’s vow of truthfulness”.

Upon hearing this, Rama did not grieve. He remained absolutely unperturbed. Feelings of hatred, anger or irritation were not visible in him. He was neither smiling nor laughing, neither surprised nor shocked. He remained like a statue.

His father had not commanded him to leave for the forests. It was his mother who had done so. Rama did not even discuss about it. He did not pick faults in it. He silently accepted it as their command. He had already decided to honour the command at any cost. This was his greatness. More importantly, he sought to see the delight and happiness in the face of his mother Kaikeyi.

Rama replied, “Mother, I stand by the command of my father. I will obey it. Wearing the tree barks and braided locks I shall leave for the forest to live there. For the sake of my brother Bharata, I can give away not just this kingdom, but also my life. Please ask Bharata to return. He should be crowned as the king upon his arrival”.

Kaikeyi was overjoyed. Dasharatha turned pale. Overwhelmed with sorrow, he fainted. Rama hurried to leave for the forest. While leaving, he said to Kaikeyi, “Dear Mother, these riches mean nothing to me. I live by dharma. I will fulfill my father’s command. Even though it was you who commanded, I respect it and accept that it was his command.  I believe that both of you would have come to a consensus on this issue and then commanded me. I shall live in the forest for 14 years. This day itself I will leave for Dandakaranya (forest)”. He circumambulated his parents and left.

Om Seeta Ramabhyaam namaha.

Sa satya vachanāccaiva dharmapāśena saṃyataḥ

Vivāsayāmāsa sutaṃ rāmam daśarathaḥ priyam.

Meaning- With the intent that truthfulness should rule, King Dasharatha was tied down by the noose called dharma (righteousness). With a heavy heart he sent his dearest son Rama into exile.

Dasharatha, who was aghast on hearing these cruel words from Kaikeyi’s mouth, trembled profusely and lost consciousness. There were no words to describe his agony. He regained his consciousness a little while later and wept piteously, “O cruel woman of wicked conduct. Do you seek to annihilate my family? What harm has Rama done to you? Rama has always loved you more than his own mother. Yet you are being unjust to him. O demoness! he always serves you first and only then attends to his own mother. You too cannot live even for a moment without him. You would always leave your own son and choose to carry Rama when he was little. Now why are you behaving in this manner? Who has taught you all this? Who has fed you all this? What a fool am I! I brought a poisonous snake and was lovingly feeding it all these years and now I have brought about my own self-destruction”.

After this outburst, Dasharatha pleaded with her in many more ways. He said, “I beg of you, my dearest wife. Choose any other boon apart from this. I plead you. I will grant you any other desire apart from this one. If you persist, Bharata will be made the king of this land. But please do not abandon Rama. I cannot imagine sending him away to the forest for so long. I cannot even live for a moment without seeing him”.

Dasharatha thus begged of her. He even touched her feet and prayed. The more he pleaded, the more defiant Kaikeyi was. She kicked him with her feet. Fiercely and ruthlessly she said, “O valiant king. Earlier, you had given me the choice of boons and had promised to fulfill them when I sought.  Now, a little while earlier, you have taken an oath as well. Having done so, now you seek to go back on your promise. You are grieving now because you have to fulfill your promise. How can you be called truthful? You are a disgrace to the clan of Ikshvaaku. What dharma is it to break one’s promise?

Let me warn you- if you go against your promise and appoint Rama as the king, then I shall consume poison then and there in your presence. How can I bear to see Koushalya being called Raaja-maata (queen mother)? If not now, then when else will I get that title? O king, I had pinned great hopes on Bharata. I want to see Rama leaving for the forest. Only that will give me peace. I will not accept any other boon in its place”.

Dasharatha felt as if he was struck by a thunderbolt. In great agony, he lay weeping. Such was his pain that he could not even move his lips or open his eyes. After a while, with great difficulty, he said, “Kaikeyi, I cannot live without Rama. Lakshmana cannot remain separated from Rama even for a little while. Rama and Lakshmana are one soul in two bodies.

Lakshmana loves Rama more dearly than either you or I do. If Lakshmana is pained, then naturally Sumitra, his mother, will grieve. Through this desire of yours, you are causing grief to each and every one of us. Please re-think. The entire kingdom will be rendered sorrowful. They will say that for the sake of a woman the king has deserted his own son and sent him away to the forests. What do you know of Rama? The moment he hears that he has to leave for the forests, he will do so. He will not even wait to find the reason behind this decision. How I wish Rama would go against my decision”.

‘Kaikeyi, you are hell-bent upon tormenting me. Do you know that the entire kingdom will become chaotic with Rama’s absence? Whom will Bharata rule? Kaikeyi, you are a goddess. Kindly shower your blessings upon me. Grant my wish. Let Rama remain here itself. I will once again hold your feet.” Dasharatha tried to hold on to her feet, but then before he could reach her feet, he sank and fell down like an ailing man.

The whole night Kaikeyi adamantly continued to torment and pierce him with harsh words. She preached about adherence to truthfulness. She continued, “O King! All of you from the Ikshvaaku dynasty are said to be eternally truthful. You take great pride in this. You are all extremely righteous. How can you now go against it?’

Dasharatha wriggled in pain upon hearing these words. The rope called dharma and the vow called truthfulness bound him tightly. In anguish he lay down, agitated, helpless and pale. He choked. People despair when they fail to have a darshan of Rama. Then what would be the feelings of a father who was being forced to send away his son into the forests?

Om Seeta Ramabhayaam namaha.