Bala khandam  Sargham  03

Katha Sangraham(PreView of Ramayana)

The description in this Epic Ramayaan has been seen with Divine Dispensation (GyanaDhrusti) and is adorned by Virtuous qualities of The Noblest person of this universe; hence it is the most suitable.

Valmiki heard the four Purusharthas (Affection –Materialistic- Dharma- Divine (Moksha) ) which are described in Rama’s story from Sage Narada. But he wanted to know it better as he was Noble and Just in approach. He did Achamanam, sat in Kushal grass seat facing East (since Sun Rises in East and Day grows it is Hindu custom to face East for all noble activites). Valmiki prayed to his Guru or teacher; with the special powers conferred on him by Brahma started thinking on the following lines.

I should describe whatever happened to Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Dasaratha, Queens, the people of Koshala kingdom, , their speech,discussions,behavior, dress, expressions,humour,revolution,anger, sorrow etc . In order to fulfill father’s wish Rama, Stia, Lakshamana lived in Forest what ever they encounterd then and what is likely to happen therafter Valmiki saw with his Divine eyesight(insight as well).

He derived immense happiness when he saw and experienced the Auspicious Virtuous qualities of Sri Rama.His own aura increased. Sri Rama took the avatar or incarnation in the interest of welfare of the world and to get rid of Demons and Rakshasaasand even Crow (Indra’s son Jayanthan lost it’s one eye) and Rama enticed all Living beings be it Monkey (Hanuman), Bear (Jambhavaan), Performed funeral rites for Jatayu (Eagle), Squirrel (Helping in building bridge, Rama caressed it with his 3 fingers thus forming the 3 white lines on it’s back seen only in our continent) etc. Thus Valmiki started to compose and compile the Ramayana based on the narration to him by Sage Narada.

Sea contains shells, Conches ,Shanku like ordinary materials are available , also rare Gems and precious metals are also mixed amongst them.Likewise Dharma Moksha are prominent and the Materialstic and Affection are in small dosages.It also makes it clear that there will always be falsehood and Wickedness along with Truth & Noble ness, that only enhances the greatness of Turth & nobility when Good prevails over Evil. Arrogant demonstrative audacious Ravana is required to show the Silent immortal Valour of saintly Rama to reinstate the faith of common man.TheSlokas(verses) are pleasant to the ears and their meaning Is soothing to the heart and mind.All Vedas which worships the Brahmam his Auspicous Virtuous Character is exemplified in Ramayana.

As Steven Covey says for any major execution there should be a mental creation thus Valmiki before undertaking the Giant 24000 Slokas (Verses) epic gives a Brief outline of Ramayana in the following paragraphs.

BalaKandam

Dasratha did immense penance and so Maha Vishnu was born as his son. Hence even at the tender age of 12 he defeated the Cruel wicked Rakshasaas like Mareecha, Subhahu. Rama had the strength ,Courage, Valour, to be accomadative to all,to endear one and all,bear the faults of others, always be pleasant,speak with a smiling face, are the ornaments he adorned. The brothers accompanied Sage Vishwamithra to various places and they heard strange stories,Rama broke the Great Bow of Siva in Mythila,thus leading to marriage of the 4 brothers Rama , Lakshamana,Bharatha, Shatrugna with 4 sisters Sita, Urmila, Mandavi, Shruthakirti respectively.Rama&Parasurama debate are also contained in this Kandam.

AyodhyaKandam

Dasratha finds all the requirements of a King in Rama and tries to make him the next king. Kaikeyi his 2nd queen stopped the same and sent Rama to forest.The People of Ayodhya lamented and he left the accompanying subjects on the banks of Tamasa River. He met Guha on the banks of Ganga and asked Sumnathara to return. Rama Crossed Ganga and met Bharadwaja rishi and as per his ordain constructed a Parnasala (cottage) in Chithrakoot by Lakshamana and lived with Sita there. Dasaratha breathed his Last unable to bear the separation of Rama(God MahaVishnu). Bharatha came to Rama beseeching him to return to Ayodhya.Rama&Lakshamana did final rites to their Father Dasaratha. Bharatha took the Wooden Foot wear of Rama to Nandi gram and cornonated the same and waited for Rama’s return. Rama came to Athri Maharishi’s ashram (Hermittage) and Anusuya gave Sita AkshayPathram(Vessel which will give food daily) and Saree which will never wear and tear and sandalwood.These are part of this kandam

AaranyaKandam

Rama enters Dhandakaaranya, kills Virahda, meets Sarabhangar, Sudheeshanar, Agasthya,Jatayu. While living in Panchavati Surpakarna comes and meets them and Lakshmana severs her Nose and Ear when she tried to harm Sita. Rama kills her brothers Kara, Dhooshana and Trichiras and other Rakshasaas who attacked Rama as a revenge for insulting Surpanaka. Hearing same Ravana comes with Mareecha and abducted Sita after Rama killed Mareecha. Rama lamented for the missing Sita. Jatayu reached heavenly abode. Rama killed kabhandan and gave salvation to Shabari and reached Pampa river are the excerpts of this Kandam.

KishkindaKandam

Rama does peace Treaty in Rishyamukha Mountain in presence of Agni (Fire) and developed Friendship with Sugreeva. He created trust in Sughreeva, killed Vaali when Sugriva and Vaali were battling it out.

Tara wife of Vaali mourned and then Sugreeva was coronated as king of kishkinda who in reciprocation promised to help find Sita. Rama stayed put in Prasravana mountains duringmonsoon. When sugriva totally forgot his promise to Rama in the merriment, Rama got angry. Sugriva assembled the army of Monkies and Bears and descended on the earth and sent them to all 4 corners of the earth and all 8 directions including sky.

Rama gave his Ring to Hanuman to give it to Sita and the Monkey Army which went south got caught in a cave and were in distress. Search party reached the Sea shore near Rameshwaram. Came to know from Sampathy that Sita is kept in Ashokavanam(Park) in Lanka. Maruthi (Hanuman) climbed on top of Mahendra Mountain and Jumped to cross the sea between India & Srilanka.

SundaraKandam

Hanuman was extended hospitality by Mynaaka Mountain. Killed Simhika and landed in Srilanka near Malaya mountain and entered in the night the city. Thought in isolation searched for Sita all over, saw Ravana asleep, saw the cottage, saw Ravana’s Queens. Finally located Sita in Ashoka garden and also saw Raksahasis tormenting Sita,Ravana’s vain discussion with Sita. Sita told Trijata her Dream. Hanuman gave Sita Rama’s ring. Got Sita’s Chhodamani(rear head ornamental Hair clip ) from her. Later destroyed the Ashoka Vanam-Park.Maruthi killed the kinkaras sent by Ravana when he came to know of the Mayhem in Park.Got himself bound by Brahma’s missile just to see Ravana. Burnt Lanka and Roared. Once again jumped across the sea. Destroyed the Honey Park of Sugriva celebrating their success in locating Sita.Gave choodamani to Rama and consoled him. These are contained in this kandam.

YudhaKandam

Rama Lakshamana went with Monkey Army to the sea coast, gave protection to Vibheeshana who came away from Srilanka not liking Ravana’s adamancy. Nala made the bridge across the sea. Troops crossed the sea and made a Siege of Srilanka.With the tactics given by Vibheeshana killed Kumbhakarana and Indrajit and finally Ravana and his army. Retrieved Sita and coronated Vibheeshana. All got into Pushpaka Vimaana (Flower Hover Craft-Aircraft). And reached Ayodhya, Saw Bharatha Sahatrugna. Sri Rama Pattabhishekam was celebrated.Took care of the hosts and saw them off with suitable gifts.

Rama’s able governace Godlen age of Ayodhya are contained in this Kandam.

UttaraKandam

Contains the details of Ravana and other Raakshasaas and also the Ram Rajhya – Able Governance of Sri Rama. Fearing societal recrimination Rama sends Sita to forest.Ashwamedha and future likely happenings are aslo described by Valmiki clearly in this Kandam. **( Sita walks into the Earth after it explodes and Canyon created benath in front of Rama’s throne , as She came from Earth). Like wise Rama after 11,000 years of Golden Rule enters Sarayu River with all those Devas who had come to earth with him and returned to Vaikuntam). Thus Rama Avathar took place to reinstate Dharma in earth and solely underwent all discomfiture to ensure and enshrine PithruVaakhya paripalanam (Implementing and Fulfilling Father’s words) in each and every Devotee of Rama. “Sri Ram , Jai Ram , Jai Jai Ram” is the Taraka Nama which even Lord Siva is reciting constantly. May All of us recite this holy Nama and attain God’s Noble Feet. Like wise Rama on his way to Ayodhya halts at Rameshwaram and does Consecration for a Sand Linga cast with Sita’s hands ie God Shiva as a Prayaschitham(Atonement of Killing Ravana who was Brahmin). Rama explains if he does not do that, it is His Citizens who will have to bear the brunt of the Sin when he returns to Ayodhya. So Both Rama and Siva are independently interdependent. Let us recite the  Taraka Nama “Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram”conferring all that you righteously desire after removing Lust & Anger, Unabated trials & tirbulations of Life and takes You in his Charanam)(Slokas 40).     

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