Rama Lakshmana perform Posthumus Rites
on hearing the words of Bharata which was like the Indra’s weapon of thunder Bolt of his Father’s Demise lost his senses,wrestling his palms;Rama fell on the Ground like the Huge tree which is full of Flowers, Frutis, unripe raw ones when felled by a sharp axe falls.The Rogue Elephant which playing all the while on the river banks finally lays down tired and sleeps on it’s side, seeing the the Lord of the world fallen on the ground, Lakshmana, Bharatha, Shatrugana and Sita were wailing and rushed to Rama and sprinkled water on his Face and tried to Lift him. Then Rama regained conciousness. Tears rolled down continuously from his Eyes, Raghava (Rama) started lamenting.
“ The Greatest among Kings when he is bound by time and died, after that what work do I have in Ayodhya? Who will rule Ayodhya hereafter? What purpose he achieved in giving birth to me? For my sake he gave his life in grief. In his last moments I was not near him and serve him. Afterwards I have not done the Posthumus Rites as well. Are not Bharatha and Shatrugna blessed? as they could do the Funeral rites of the dead Father by being near. The Ayodhya devoid of Emperor Dasaratha, which is bound by the authority of many and having no leader, I will not go there even after my tenure in Forest of 14 years is over. Even If I go to Ayodhya who is there to correct me by counselling good advices and guide me in the righteous path? Earlier if had done some good deeds my father used to praise me with pleasing sweet words out of Happiness.Hereafter from whom can I hear same?” lamented Rama.
Then “ Sithay! Since he did not have a daughter he showered enormous Love on you more than your parents and tended to you with Chellam (opulence) your father in law has gone to Heaven. If I got annoyed with you or you had to get something done, you took the liberty to seek his help.That Dasratha who tended you so dearly is no more. More than me you only have more sorrow , there is no doubt on that; hereafter to whom will you confide? “ with immense grief he consoled Sita.
Then “ Lakshamana! Despite having mother,Elder brothers , younger brothers you have become a Father less Son! To convey this Gory news Bharatha has come!“ cried Rama. Others too cried with tears rolling down wailing and screaming.
The Portector of the World Rama was paicified by his brothers “Anna (Elder Brother) ! You have to perform Tharpanam for your Father.Please get up “ said they. Hearing the news of Demise of her Father in Law Sita could not bear the grief and as tears rolled down her eyes, she could not bear to see her husband’s agony.Rama pacified her and stopped her from crying and said “ Lakshmana ! our Father is a Mahathama(Great Soul) I am going to perform tharpanam( Libations o Water) for him. Please bring the dress made of wooden barks,Pungai, Pinnaku -Shampoo powder and other materials. Let Sita go first, then you go and then I will follow you. Under these circumstances this is the procedure to be followed.”said Rama.Sumanthara who has been the traditional Minster of their clan, servant and one who knows the actual Soul and it’s role as well as Intelligent and one who had controlled his senses as well as Manam{ Chitha(Memory)+Inner Conscience Mind +Intellect(Bhuddhi) +Ego} with soft behavior and close friend of his Father and one who has unchanging Devotion to Rama(Knowing Rama is God ) Sumnathara went along witht Prince Rama and pacified him took him to the River for bath.
Always filled with beautiful flowers in that forest ,they came to the River which flows very fast and, got down in the river bank which did not have slushhy mud,Rama taking that Holy water in his hand “ Father ! This water may reach you and satisfy you.” Thus they did Tharpanam.Rama taking water in his hand said “ Greatest amongst Kings This water which I am offering you with Affection, Devotion may reach you in the PithruLoka(Worl where Fore fathers Live) and give you unerasable Satisfaction.” Offered facing Southerly direction crying all the while saying these words.Then he went to another place with his brothers the efferegent Rama did Sapandeekarana Srardham. The Pinnaku mixed with Berry, pungai was kept on top of Dharba(Kushal grass) Rama crying said “ The food we eat dearly, may you also eat same and satisfy yourself. Whatever food man eats same the celestials eat.” Saying this they returned the same path by which they went to the Chithrakoot Hill. Then Rama caught hold of Bhartha, Shatrugna’s hands in the entrance of Parnashaala Lamented loudly like the Lion roars and chaos in that hill.
Those courageous brothers who were wailing so hoarsely and loudly made the People in the Army who accompanied Bharatha got scared “ Oh my Looks like Bharatha has met Rama. We are able to hear their wailing for Emperor who has attained heaven” saying this , each one threw of his upper shawl, started running in the direction of the sound single mindedly. Those who were brought up rich went riding on horses, elephants and some walked even though it was only a short time since Rama parted from them , they felt it was long ago, all became eager to meet him, to meet those brothers ran to the hermitage. Like the clouds clash and make sound ; similarly noise emanated from the horses heels rubbing on stones, Chariot wheels screeching, hearing this the Pious Male and Feamle Elephants of the Forest ran away from there. From there sweat the air had a stench. Wild Bores, Red Foxes, Bisons, Serpents, Monkeys tigers, Spotted Deers, ran fearing their Life. The Birds like Chkravaha, Nathyuha, Swan, waterchicks, Storks, Cockcoo, Crowncha, flew helter skelter in all directions. The cloud was covered by the Birds similar to Bharatha’s Army which covered the earth beneath.
Then they saw the great Valouros, Famed, the greatest amongst Men Rama being seated in his Hermittage. People seeing him were overwhelmed with emotions and crying aloud relentlessly started abusing Kayikyei and Manthara . Amongst those people who were in agony Rama paid respects to some ;some he hugged; as a Father he blessed some of them. He asked the realtions, Friends known persons to be seated. Those great souls who had gone to see Rama their lamentation caused huge noise reverberating in Earth, Sky, and created Echo in Moutains caves thus one felt Mridhangham was played. (Slokas 49).
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