Bharadhwajha’s Feast
After Bharatha consented to stay back in the Hermittage, Sage Bharadhwajha said “ Child ! You and all those belonging to you should also have food here”.Bharatha replied “Lord ! The civilities of Argyam, Padhyam & Aachamaniyam which you gave are itself was equal to the food and I am satisfied.” Bharadhwajha understood what was going in Bharatha’s mind “ Is it so ! how can a Saint living in Forest;what else can he offer than these? It is not proper to trouble him . This is what he is thinking of me.He does not know my Calibre” and smiling said “ I know you will be pleased with my hospitality since you have special affinity for me. Still I want to offer a Feast for You and your entire entourages. You should accept happily my offer of Feast, which I am giving with affection.What was the reason that you alone have come and not briniging your Army as well? .Bharatha replied “King and his Prince with entourages should not go near the hermitage. There will be a hindrance to their observance of daily rituals.So I thought you might get angry, so I came alone.The Majestic Elephants, Horses, Chariots, Soldiers are countless and spead over a vast space. Due to them there will be disturbance to all the inmates of Hermittage Disciples, Birds and Animals , hence I have stopped them at a Distance. Bharadhwajha Replied “ You need not worry. Please bring them all here”and thus he ordered. Bharatha through his Ministers got all of Army with Animals etc near the Hermittage.
Sage Bharadhwajha meanwhile went to the Agnihothra place and did Aachamanam thrice and wiped his mouth twice, touched his head, eye , nose, ear heart and other parts of his Limbs once , to host a feast for Bharatha he called Vishwakarma “The Divine Architect Vishwakarma and the sculpturist of Demons Mayan I am calling you both. To Bharatha and his Army with entourages I would like to offer a Feast as per my desire.Please make arrangements for the same. To safely protect the Rice, beveragaes, Edible Liquids; I hereby calling you the Gods of Celestials (Indra),Death (Yama),Fire(Agni), Water (Varuna), Air (Vayu), Wealth (Khubera), Chieftains of 8 Directions(LokaPalas) and the Agni & other Celestials as well. I would like to do AthihtiPooja**(Intrinsic meaning respecting the God of Dharama with a Feast also to serve those in Rama Kainkaryam- Rama’s work) request You all should come and ensure it is done. May the Rivers flowing east wards and also the West flowing west wards may come here.In some of them Mairayum Liquid also may flow. In some other Sura(Whisky Drink),in some cool water having the taste as sweet as Sugar cane juice; Other the Deva Ghandharva (Celestial Musicians) such as Celestials Ha Ha , HooHoo, Viswavasu and other Gandharva Clan Apsaras(Angels), Kirudasi,Mishrakesi,Alampusa, Hema, Nagadhantha, and Swayamprabha who is living in a house built by Mayan in the cave of Mahendra Parvath(Mountain) **(Swayamprabha’s details will come in Kishkinda Kandham) ,I am inviting.Angels working for Rambha, urvasi, Menaka and also Apsaras of Brahmaloka and Thumpuru to come with Dance,Singing instruments here. The Forest Chaithraradham in Uthra guru country the leaves are the Celestial Ladies Dress and Ornamnets, and the Celestial Ladies may come as the Fruits I beseech them as well as Kubhera the Chieftain of North Direction to come here.6 types of Tasty (Sweet-sour-spicy-bitter-thuvarpu-Salty) Food with Best Rice and the Garland made of tender Unique leafs, with many types of Beverages, Meat,Herbs may the King Chandra(Moon) organize same in plenty.” Thus prayed the Sage of Eminence, Dazzling Radiating Aura due to His Penance Power, Gyana(Wisdom), Bhradhwajha called all the Celestials with Mantharas(Verses),recited with appropriate tone Lyrics invited them.
When he stood facing East and heartily prayed with Manam{ Chitha(Memory)+Inner Conscience Mind +Intellect(Bhuddhi) +Ego} all the Dieties came one by one.The Sandalwood Tree which is present in the forest of Moutain Dardhooram fragrance was absorbed and was blowing a pleasant Breeze of Sandalwood in his Hermittage and it’s surrounding.This reduced the heat in the Body, erased Sweat and also reduced the Craving and showered Sukham (Soothing comfort of Luxury conferring Bliss).The flowers came in drizzle from the Celestial world from the sky.The celestial Dhundhubi instruments played every where in all 4 directions. String instruments like Veena were played; Apsaras Danced; Sruthi and Laya were synchronized where by all the animals of the world were in ecstacy and enjoyed unexplicable Bliss. Once the sound subsided Bharatha’s Army saw for themselves the Rare awesome Power of Vishwakarma. Upto 5 Yojana distance there were no ups and downs and the ground was Level and was green all over as though it was dazzling with Rare gems. Suddenly Trees with fruits appeared Jack, Mango, Amla(Nelli), Bilva etc.The Forest Chaithraradham in Uthra guru country with the leaves appeared with materials, which the celestials enjoy. The Rivers came with trees on it’s banks. Beautiful houses with centre open and all 4 directions with Veranda appeared. Places for Elepahnts and Horses to be tied up; Balconies with all Decorations, Houses and Palaces looked like the white clouds and also came the King’s Palace. These Houses were beautifully Carpetted, were nicely decorated, with Garlands and Fragrant materials with beds, sofas, cots of the best choice. Came the beautiful Dressess, Eatables, snacks, Beverages, Different Jiuces and uique and rare tiems came on the scene.Bharatha with the permission of Sage Bharadhwajha entered the Palace bewjewelled by the Most expesive rarest Gems. Ministers, Priests and his entourages went in and enjoying the awesome scenery and articles on display and were totally stunned. In one place a throne akin to Indra’s(King of Celestials) was laid down, with white Umbrella and Chamaram(Fans made of Quills signigfying Royal Insignia). Bharatha with folded hands alongwith Ministers went around the Throne deeming it that Sri Rama was seated there.Within Mind he did Puja and all courtsies to Rama and worshipped him.To show he is the salve of Rama he took the Hand fan made of Quills/Feathers and sat on the seat laid down for the mInisters.Priests, Ministers and Government officials as per their order of Seniority were seated. Behind Bharatha were Generals followed by Brigadiers were seated. The Rivers full Of Payasam(Sweet Porridge) started flowing near Bharatha as per the Sage’s order. On it’s banks were Unique and rare Houses emanating Perfumes .
Then Apsaras(angels) sent by Brahma were 20,000 of them appeared beautiful Ornaments and Dresses therin.Apsaras sent by Khubera also came there.Vedas say if a person gets enchanted by this Gandharva World Aprsara he will become a mentally derailed person overcome by lust.From the Garden of Indra came 20,000 Apsaraas.Narada,Thmbhuru and Khopa Kings of Ghandarva Clan with Dazzling radiance came there. Alampusa, Mishrakesi, Pundarikaa and Vamana danced in front of Bharatha on Sage Bharadhwajha’s order. The materials of Chaithraradha Forest from the Celestial world also on Sage Bharadhwajha’s order reached. Bilva trees played the Drum Mridhangam; Thaani trees played the Thaalam(Beats);Peepal (King of trees) danced;Saralam, Manchadi, Palm, Pungai took the guise, as though they were Dwarfs and hunchbacks.Simbasu(Palmgranate), Red beery, Amla(Nelli) Forest trees Jaathi and White Jasmine took the form of wild forest Women,”you enjoy us, hey guys who are intoxicated by Drinks! please take this Payasam(Sweet Porridge) and Meat.“ said they.
Each man was massaged by 7 or 8 ladies with their own hands and were bathed in River and adorned with Special Dresses and Jewellery and caressed , pressed their Legs and made them drink Whisky in isolation. Those who were brought specifically to protect the vehicles; Elephants, Horses, Oxen, Yaks and Camels gave them food with Sugar cane and Ricepop corn mixed with honey and with Food of their Liking were fed to their Heart’s content.(Food is the only item which an Animal or Human can get satiated.Those who accompanied the Mahuts of Elephants, Horse trainers and were excessively drunk with Mind swoon/swayed did not know where their Horses were and were unable to loacatethem.Best of Food, Bevearage, Dresses, Jewellery, coverings, Scent/Fragrance materials, Garlands and additionally what ever else they desired were showered on them. Thus Bharatha’s Army enjoyed to their Heart’s content with very dearly given Hospitality by Apsaras Dazzling beauties from Celestial World, with no control over their Senses said “ We will not go to Ayodhya nor or we going to Dandakaaranya ; May all the auspiciousness be showered on Bharatha and may Rama be safe and secure” thus blabbered the Soldiers, Elephant Mahuts, Horses trainers and were not listening to their bosses and due to the festivity screamed thier heart out in jubilation.of excessive Happiness; some said there in no separate heaven other than this;some were laughing away without any reason;some sang; some danced without any inhibition;some wearing garlands ran helter skelter. Seeing those desirous Food, Beverages, Deserts, Short eats they again got desirous of taking Food.TheCateres, Servants and Soldiers wives and those accompany the Army wore new dresses were ectatic and reached an Unattainable bliss. The Elephants,Yaks,Camels and Horses along with animals and Birds which were brought specifically to entertain/play with them got boundless satisfaction and did not desire for anything other than the Food given by Sage Bharadhwajha .There was none who wore a white dress or who was Hungry person or with Dirty dishelved hair. Mounds of White Swan Chcikens duly decoarated with Garlands and Meats of Delicacy and the best of Pickleswith Deserts of Fruits which were soaked/ baked in Sugar and Honey and novel preparations made of Cereals like the Thoor, Ulud,MoogDalls and delicious and tasty Essences were enchanting mouth watering aura/smells,this completely bowled over everyone. In that forest, there were many Wells which were filled with Payasam( Sweet Porridge).The Cows gave Milk as they much as one wanted. The honey from the Trees flowed like Stream.
The Streams were overflowing with beverage knowna s Myrayyaum.On it’s banks were the meats of Deer, Peacock, Chicken, in Hot vessels like small hillocks. There were countless vessels made of Gold which were filled Basmati Rice and Pickles. The Pots, Basins , were filled with Curd and it was neumerous and countless. Tyes of Food to cater to the different type of Food requirements such as those Who can only swallow(elephants, those who can only Lick(Dogs,cats), Meat for some of the Humans, Lions and Tigers which use their Sabre Tooth) those who can only nibbling, gnawing (animals like rats, squirrels who have nuts etc), those who can only Munch,ruminates, with their Jaws like the Cows, Humans who bit and chew Fruits, cooked Food etc accordingly they were provided. The Buttermilk(Lassi) Churned out of pure Butter with fragrance of Vlaa Fruit with ingredients like Ginger, thiplili, Pepper, Asofodeita,nuts, Cardomom, Clove ,thakolam, Shanbaga flower, with Sugar and specially tailor made were filled in many containers;Some containers had Curd(Yogurt); many containers were filled with had Paaysam(Sweet Porridge); Many containers were filled with Churned Curd viz Butter milk; nearby the (Appam)sweet pancake made of grounded wheat and cereals etc were kept as a side dish for Desert.
For taking Bath The Amla(Nelli) essence , Fragrant Soap powder (Cosmetic) etc Medicinal concoctions,special Liquids, Oils for massage , and Hot water in Huge Vessles were kept in the banks of the Rivers.There were brushes provided for taking bath, and post bath for adorning one self Sandal wood Paste, Clean Clear Mirror, Expensive Garments, Nice comfortable Foot wear, Eye brow pencils, Black paste for lining under the eye lashes (eye Liner). Special combs for Hair, Moustache and Beards. The Weapons of Archery, Bows and Arrows along with Shields which Soldiers would Like towear for sheer pride, Beds Sofas were laid out in plenty in countless numbers. For Elephants, Horses and other animals to enable them drink water from the Tanks, with easy slope and hard ground to enable them walked down to drink with ease drink clear water were constructed. The Lotus and Red Lilly Ponds with crystal clear water, where you can see Sky in it’s reflection ,were inviting luring everyone to take Bath. For the animals to grass there were ranches created with the grass shining like Diamonds in the morning dew.
The materials were like those seen in Dream, Vichithra(awesome, Novel, Surprising, Unique and were unimaginable also they were Peculiar are beautifully crafted in a novel manner by nature/Artisan), and were made to cater each one’s whims and fancies were created in seconds by Sage Bharwajha by his Spiritual Powers, to please Bharatha; it’s sheer magnificence, unexplicable variety and cadre took everyone by surprise. Like the Celestials spend time in Nadanam of Indra’s Garden, so were Bharatha’s entourages and Army celebrated the entire Night in Sage Bharadhwajha’s hermitage. Then Gandharvas, Apsaras, Dieties of Rivers took permission from Sage Bharadhwajha and went to their respective worlds. But this was not an illusionary magical one like Indra’s where all materials vanish; but those satisfied and mesmerized by the sheer Delicacy of Food & beverages , those who were anointed by Special aprhodisiacs and Sandal wood Paste; those who were garlanded by the best of Flowers were still experiencing the Bliss,as they were during the festivity the previous night’s Feast.The place was strewn with flowers garlands all over the place enjoyed by the People earlier.(Slokas 84).
**( Sage Bharadhwajha’s feast was an appreciation accorded to Bharatha for his adhearance to Dharma and also confer on him the Bliss of an Utopian King’s comfort. 2nd It was also a Lesson to all Ayodhya people and the people of the world , that by observing Dharma , you can still enjoy all these comforts in Post Life period.
Another uique inference is, even today in Allahabad(UP India) (2013) once in 12 years Khumb Mela is observed where in 10 Crore (100 Million ) People (Mostly Hindus)visit to have Holy Bath in Ganga. Harvard University had deputed people to study how an entire city is built and dismantled in 30 days. Taking care of Water, Food,Security, Electricity, Sewage, Garbage disposals, Medicines etc . It is is Unique and only one in the world. Kumbh mela is also propbably a rememberance and knack of keeping alive the Technique and Skill of Saint Bharadhwajha who live in Allahabad-Prayag where River Yamuna and Ganga merge) .(Slokas 84)
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