Yathra Dhanam
(Charity before Journey)
When Lakshmana heard this Holy Command that Rama is doing Dhaanam(Charity ) to Brahmins, he got exhilarated that he too is accompanying Rama to forest. The he went to Suyagnya’s hermitage and saw him In Agnihthra room and bowed and did prostrations to him, “ Dear Friend ! Please come along. Please come and see my brother’s house ,he has taken a task which none in the world have dared to do.” Thus being invited Suyagnya completed his morning Agni hothram reached Rama’s suite in a jiffy.
Rama and Sita immediately got up, bowed with folded hands, went around Sri Suyagnya the great learned Sage and did Prostrations(Namskarams). Rama felicitated Suyagnya with Shoulder bands made of Pure Gold, The braided Chains embedded with9 Gems and made of Gold, Ear Rings and Globes,Arm bands, Forearms jewelleries and many more precious rare gems. After Sita reminded him said “ Friend ! Sita would like to give your wife the Gold Garland, necklaces, Ornamental waist Gridle, pray please accept this. Further since we are leaving for the Forest she wants to give these Anklets, shoulder bands , Ivory ornaments,to your wife as well. Please accept this Cot with Shawl and this cot which has been adorned with very costly handiwork, may also be accepted. My uncle had given me this Elephant known as Sahtrunjayan and 1000 more elephants I am giving you. Accepting them, he Blessed Rama, Sita and Lakshmana.
Just like Brahma(God of Creation of Living beings)orders Devndra(Lord of celestials) Rama with affection said “Lakshamana! Please get the sons of Agasthya and Vishwamithra and Like we feed water to the Grains and nurture please give the Gems to Brahmins and thousands of Cows ,Gold, Silver , 9 Ratnas of Gems (1.Kembu- Ruby 2. Komedhaga - Sardonyx 3. Neela -Saphire 4. Maragadaha-Emerald 5. Pavazham -Coral6.Pushparagam -Topaz7. Manickam -Carbucle8. Muthu -Pearl9. VAIRAM/Vaidooriyam- Diamond/Lapis Lazuli)as much as you want.
There is a Brahmin Priest/Acharya who is well versed in Yajur Veda Thaithriya Shaka who comes and blesses my mother every day with devotion, he is a great Scholar, knows the intricacies/ secrecy of Vedas . Please give him as much as you want the Vehicles, Silken cloth, Shawls,Servantsetc . The Minister and Charioteer Chitraradhan who has been known to us for a long time,give him countless Sheeps, 1000 Cows, Gems in plenty, Dressess, Granary and satisfy him. Brahmacharis (Bachelors) who having Palasa Dhanda have learnt the Gadam and Kalabham portions of Vedas have been taken care of by me , as they are constantly reciting and learning Vedas they have no time to go in search of Food;by nature they are not agile, they always want tasty food, their conduct is often appreciated, please give them 80 Vehicles studded by Gems , 1000 buffalows to carry the Granary, 200 Ox to the till the soil, 1000 Cows for Milk and Curd. Many Brahmacharys (Bchelors) who wear the garlands called Mekalai have approached my mother to get them married, please give each of them 1000 Cows. Due to that Kaushalya may be pleased. Lakshmana like Khubera(God of Wealth) gave away whatever Rama ordered.
Then the families who were crying with tears profusely flowing in their cheeks Rama with his own hand gave them enough wealth by which they can live comfortably said “ till we come back the Palaces of Lakshmana and mine ,instead of becoming haunted houses please take care.Then he called the treasurer and told him ’ Please bring all my wealth here ’the servants came and dumped them. Then Rama and Lakshamana gave to all the Brahmin boys , Old People, Poor people till they were satisfied .
Then a Brahmin who was born in Garga Rishi’s dynasty came there. His name was Thrijhadar. Due to his Poverty his whole body was Yellow in colour; he picks the grains lying on the ground in the farm land and lives his Life. , he is very old, he lives with his wife and children in Forest.
The young lady who was his wife showed his children and said “ Mater! How long can we tolerate this Poverty? Please throw away Axe,Spade, tiller Plough and listen as I say, if you want any wealth go and see Rama who is incarnation of Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). He accepting his wife’s words hiding his torn worne out clothes, he came there. Since he was exuding Aura like Angirasa no one stopped him till the 5th Layer of Security. He went near Rama and said “ Hey Prince! Your fame is spread all over the world. I have a big family , I do not have enough wealth to take care of them.In the forest I pick up the Grain which are scatterd on the ground and I lead the Life every day.so please have mercy on me.” Said the Brahmin Thrijahada .
He is a Brahmin with a big family; extremely poor,he wanted to test how much desire he has for wealth with a smile jokingly said “ Swamy ! in my countless Cows I have, these have not been given in Charity till now. Please throw the stick you are holding where the sticks falls , the Cows till that place belongs to you. “said Rama to the Brahmin.
Immediately that Brahmin got busy and tied up his cloth with his full power threw his stick. That fell across the Sarayu River amongst the Cows. Then Rama with affection hugged the Brahmin **( Gifted is the Brahmin who was hugged by none other than Rama which privilege was given to Hanuman and later on & to Jhambhavan in Krishna Avathar) he aske the sheperds to drive the cattle to his(Trijhada) house all the Cows. Rama addressed the Brahmin ‘Swamy ! I request you not to get angry with me. In order to know your unmatchable Strength only I asked you to throw the stick, It was done for fun and nothing else. Pray if you want anything else please do ask. There is no restrictions for you. I have earned all my wealth for the sake of Brahmins only. If they are of use to great men like you, it will confer on me Immeasurable Fame and Happiness.’thus Rama pacified him. Thrijhada and his wife accepting those Cow herds got immeasurably happy and blessed Rama to get continuos abundant growth in Fame, Strength, Affection, Sukham with heartfelt happiness.
Then Ram who had earned with his PARAKRAM (Achievement, Might, Puissance,Exploits,Valor, Heroism, Gallantry,Prowess,Ability,Valour)in a Dharmic way (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation) the countless wealth gave to his friends and their families with proper protocol , respect and courtesy .All those who were present there Brahmins, his Friends, their families, sevants, poor poverty stricken people, thus all of them received according to their ability and usefulness and desire from Rama and got satisfied.there were none who was not satisfied.(Slokas 45).
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