Rama crosses Ganga
When the Dawn broke the great Famed Valorous Rama said “Child Lakshamana ! it is time for Sun to rise, the night is over. The black Cuckoos are cooing. Did you notice the Forest Peacocks sound is more profound than our city dwelling Peacocks? I think by seeing the breadth and the Current of Ganga’s Flow** (Naturally as Ganga emanated from Maha Vishnu’s feet and must be eagerly waiting to touch his(Rama) feet once more today ), it may not be possible to cross Ganga without the help of a boat. So do the needful for the same.” Lakshamana called Sumanthara and Guha and conveyed Rama’s command, Guha said he will do so accordingly and called his officials and ’Quickly a good boat may be made ready at the boarding point to cross Ganga; ensure that Boat,the Oars and the Rudder are sturdy, and is driven by a capable Boatman, and should sail smoothly without rocking ‘commanded. They carried out same and informed him. Then Guha with folded hands ‘ Rama as per your order a good Boat is ready, what is your command now? We can cross this fast river very quicly.i beseech you to board the boat’ said Guha. Rama ‘ You have done so much that itself is enough. Please keep the Spade, Basket,Dresses, ornaments, Weapons in the boat.’.then Rama Lakshamana wore the shields, Sword, filled the arrows in the Quiver and walked down to the boarding point.
Then seeing Rama is not wanting the Chariot, Sumanthara bowing his head and with folded hands said “ Lord ! what should I do?, what is the order for me?”. Rama touched him with his right hand “ Sumanthara ! Very quickly and carefully please return to the King. As per his instructions we have so far come in Chariot. Hereafter we will leave the Chariot and go to the forest by walk. Hence you may stop here.”
Sumanthara who was ordered to go abck to Ayodhya was overcome with emotion and said “Lord !You ,Sita and Lakshmana living like ordinarly people in the forest, does it have any one’s consent? If for you this sort of things happen, then I am not able to see any purpose in observing Brahmacahrya (Celebacy),learning Vedas,Mercy, Justice. If it was true then why did you not have benefits of the same as you have all the noble Virtues? Just like Maha Vishnu measured all the 3 worlds with his 3 Feet; you with Sita, Laskhamana by living in the forest, are going to get unmatched Fame by wiining over the 3 worlds. We first thought you will be coronated and we all will live happily. That thought has not been fulfilled and Kayikeyei deceived us. You brought the people as though you are taking them to Forest and when they were asleep you have come here without their knowledge; in that way they have been deceived by you. I thought you will ask me to accompany you, now you have sternly told to return, In this matter I have been ruined,by all ways we have all been ruined. As though this is not enough you are handing us over to the Great Sinner Kayikyei. We are destined to bear only sufferings.” said Sumanthara. Then knowing he cannot see Rama who is more dearer than his life here after cried loudly for a long time.
After he stopped crying , did Aachamanam , and became stable, Rama spoke to him “The ikshwaku Dynasty is privileged, as it is rare to get a friend like you and. It is your duty to ensure King does not feel sad. Emperor is very Old; till now he has been ruling a Vast Country; he has enjoyed all the Luxuries, comforts; all his aspirations have gone waste;at this juncture he has got PuthraShokam (Pangs of Separation from his Son) ; hence I am cautioning you. We have to go as per their desire the elders and Lord, rather than coerce them to go as per our desire.Hence whatever Dasaratha orders to please ensure Kayikeyi carries out the same without delay. One should not halt any action of theirs done out of Love or Anger ‘ for this only to serve the Kings, other officials have been appointed. Please conduct ourseleves in such a way that Dasartha’s face does not pale or he is antagonized. He is King for all of us;he is very old; he has controlled his senses; he is adorned by UthamaGunangal (Noblest Virtues); till now he has not experience sufferings;either me or Sita or Lakshmana is living in forest instead of city,this thought should not make you sad. Please convey to the King that ‘As soons as 14 years are over, we will come back soon and meet you.‘ and our Pranams to him.Then convey our greetings and enquiries to My mother and those around her and Kaykeyi ,Please tell Kaushalya that Lakshamana , Sita and myself prostrate at her feet.Please quicly get Bharatha and coronate him as per Father’s desire., if he does that the Sadness of being away from me will go away, please convey this to the King again. Tell Bharatha that “ As you respect King with devotion similarly you should treat all Queens alike without differentiation. Just as your Mother Kayikeyi is to you, Similarly Lalskshamana’s mother Sumithra and Kaushalya are worthy of respect.You became Prince as desired by King can achieve glory , comfort and Luxury ” said Rama.
Thus Rama gave permission to Sumanthara to return. He was overcome with emotions as he had moved with Rama from young age ‘ I will tell somethings; it is not said with courtesy; forgetting I am your servant , iam speaking this ,due to the respect, devotion and affection I have for you ;please forgive me knowing this aspect. Just like a person who has lost his only son and suffering, how will I go to Ayodhya? People have seen you with me in this Chariot, now when they see me without you, their Heart will explode and die.In a Battle when the Chief is gone and only the Charioteer is seen then the Army gets disintegrated, like wise not seeing you in this Chariot, your subjects will ache for you in your absence. Even though you are far away, they are thinking that you are right in front of them.Hence due to that they have no interest in sleep or food.You would haveseen the agony in their faces when you left the city. Is it possible to describe their anguish and confused state of mind? Did you not hear their wailings when you departed from there? Now if I go alone without you, their crying will become hundredfold .What message will I convey to Kaushalya? ‘ I have gone and left your son in your brother’s house, do not worry.’ Do I say that? If I say those pleasing words that will be a lie. Can I tell a lie? Or ‘ I went and left your Son in the Forest ‘ if I tell the truth Queen due to grief will lose her Life. Then what will I do? It is better I do not say anything, Even that is best.
Even if I agree to return , the horses will not agree. So far these horses have brought you here , so now they will refuse to pull the Chariot at all without your presence.Hence I cannot return to Ayodhya without you. Please order me to live with you in the forest. Inspite of my pleadings, if you still deny me from accompanying you , I shall along with the Chariot jump into the Fire and leave my Life. I will stop the creatures, who go against the Vrat of yours & which will harm you by being in this chariot itself. I did not get the privilege of driving your chariot after your coronation. I would like to be near in the forest. By serving you in the forest, even these Horses will get an utopian salvation. I will serve you fully in the forest. I do not want Ayodhya or heaven or Salvation , Sinners cannot enter heaven , Then the sinner I am , how will I enter Ayodhya without you ? I will stay with you till the forest tenure is over and then in this Chariot I will drive you to Ayodhya , this is my desire. When I am with you, the 14 years will pass like 14 minutes. If I am separated each minute will be like one Yuga ie million years. Is there any Master who has Loyalty to their servants like you ? You are my Master’s son, so my desiring to stay with you is it not justified? I Pray please do not shun me. I have decided to be with you, wherever you are going to be.
Rama by nature is very merciful to all animals; those who approach him with humility and have no refuge, such devouts, he has special affection and shows mercy. Hence “ Sumnathara ! I have not seen anyone like You ,who have faith / Loyalty towards their Masters.iam also aware of the affection you have for me. , Unless there are important reasons will I ask you to return to Ayodhya? After you return it will become certainity to Kayikeyie ‘ Rama has gone to Forest’. So she will get pleased and will not think of Dharmathma as a Liar. Bharatha will get his Kingdom; thereby Kayikeyei’s aspiratiosn will get fulfilled. This is an important task to be done first. Hence please return to Aydhya. Please tell the words I asked you to convey.” Rama said.
Then he looked at Guha‘ Friend ! Your desiring that I should live here is not correct. Here there are lot of Humans. I have to definetly live in Hermittage. , my father’s orders are also that. ‘ 14 years I have to live in Dandakaaranya forest with dresses made of Wooden Leaves/Barks.’ Did not Kayikeyie say that? I have to follow the Disciplnes of the Saints in forest which enhances the Saint’s reputation, thus I will earn Limitless Punyam (Good Deeds ) for my Father, Self, Sita and Lakshmana. So I am going to Matt my hair. So please hurry up and get the Milk of Banyan Tree. “ said Rama.
Guha did the same. Rama and Lakshmana wore the Jata( matted the Hair with that Milk ) as per Vaikananasa Dharma and started observing Vanaprastha (Living in Forest, renouncing all the worldly matters including relations/family). Rama had arms stretching upto his Knees, matted his hair. What a Pity, the Princes Looked like the Saints with special Aura . Then Rama called Guha and said “ Friend ! Army, Treasures, Fort,Country please safe guard them carefully.” Spoke Rama and bid him good bye and proceeded to the banks of the Ganga river. There seeing a Boat ready said “ Lakshmana ! Sita who is timid, kindly get her on the boat carefully and you also board same” Lakshaman who knew the opinion of Rama did accordingly. Then Rama also boarded the Boat , while crossing the river recited the verses to be done by Brahmins and Kshatriyas. He and Sita and Lakshmana did aachamanam, and as per saashtra prayed and did bow to Ganga River.Then he gave permission to Guha, Sumanthara, his Army , Raam sat and allowed the boat to proceed.
When the Boatmen oared the boat very fast , when it reached the centre of Ganga, Sita with folded hands “Please Bless us that My Husband who is the son of Emperor Dasaratha should fulfill the Vow of spending 14 years in the Forest and return to Ayodhya ; safely with his brother and my self. Then I will do puja as per my desire. You are traverse in all he 3 Wolrdsie Heaven, Earth and Paathal(beneath Earth); you were born in Brahma loka; wife of King of Oceans; I am hereby bowing unto you and praising you,if my husband safely returns and get back the Kingdom then I shall offer Millions of Cows, Dressess, and Best of Food to Brahmins and thus satisfy you. Soon after I return to Ayodhya , I shall with various types of Meat, Many thousands of Pot vessels , will worship you and various other dieties who live here , also Manikarnika and other Holy places, Kasi and other Holy places . My husband and his brother are Punyathmas (Noble Souls) should return with me to Ayodhya after Forest Life “ thus she prayed to Ganga Devi. By then the Boat had reached the other Bank of the River , immediately they alighted from the boat.
Rama said “ Hereafter we have to live alone in the unihabitted forest. Hence we have to safe guard Sita very carfully. You go in the front; let Sita come behind you, i will come last behind you guarding you both. Hereafter we have to protect each other. If we miss the time, any work cannot be done easily. Today only Sita will know the hardship of living in Forest. There is no Humans, no Villages, no Gardens here. We will be entering the Forest with ups and downs with deep pits and thorns “ said Rama.
Lakshmana went ahead ; followed by Sita and Rama. Sumanthara was watching Rama crossing the Ganges(Ganga) and walking away from the other bank without batting an eye lid. Since they went far away, slowly they faded from eye sight, unable to contend his sorrow he broke down crying hoarsely.Rama is equal to the Lords of the worlds(Lokapalas); he who fulfills the wishes of all the Living beings;Still being a Mahathma he behaved like an ordinary mortals and bound himself to words of his Father and had to undergo many a suffering. After crossing Ganga, they reached Matsya country which had flourishing Wealth and Granary with happy people;there they killed a wild boar, rishyam, deer which is used for sacrifice in yaga known as Brishadmaaharu, came in the evening to a Tree and sat down (Slokas 102).
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