Ravana goes to Mareecha
Hearing the harsh words of Surpanaka Ravana without consulting his Ministers, sent them off and went to Queens Chambers.Then he gave a deep thought to himself, decided his course of action, then again weighed the Virtues and Fallacies and verified their consequences “ is it good to fight Rama Lakshamana in a Battle and bring Sita? Or is it good to bring Sita without their knowledge ?Thinking of Slaughtering of Kara Dhooshana to oppose Rama seems to be impossible. So by some means or other bringing Sita without the knowledge of Rama seems to be appropriate. Having lost Sita, Rama will be immersed in the sea of Grief, what is the Fear of him then ? And thus having decided of his path he went to Horse steed and said “ Please bring the Chariot without anyone’s knowledge” ordered his Charioteer.
Charioteer did the same, The Chariot plated with Gold and embedded with Gems, the Ghost faced Mules duly adorned, he boarded the dazzling Chariot which was like huge cloud crossed the sea through the sky. With Exquisite White Umbrellas duly embroidered with thin gold wires, Royal insignia made of Quills and special Fibres and Hand Fans made of Peacock Feathers Ravana with 10 heads, 20 hands was shining like a Diamond hill.
The Lightning dark rain bearing clouds in the sky are surrounded by White Storks , Likewise with Body adorned with Jewelles sitting in that Golden Chariot , the eternal Enemy of Celestial Devas and Humans, Lankesh saw the following ,the sands near the sea adorned with Mountains having flowers and Fruits, The Lotus streams filled with cold Holy water, Wide Ashramas with lot of Agni kundas(Sacrifical Fire Pits), trees with flowers like Banana,Jack, Coconut,Acha, Green leaf etc were camaflaguing the earth, He also saw Naga(serpent) ,Ghandarva (Musicians), Kinnara (Punishment executioners of hells), Garuda(Eagle who feast on dead bodies), their entourages . those Sages who have Diet discipline of Ashhrama(Hermittage) like the Vaikanasa, Vaalakilya, Maasha, Mareechipa etc and those Sidhas & Charanas who have won over Lust, Anger , Those who are garlanded by Divine Ornaments and and having Lustrous beauties such bunch of Apsaras(Celestal Angels), and the Celestial Deva Ladies who are blessed with all wealth, Celestial Devas, Demonic Dhanavas were seen loitering in the Forest. Birds such as Royal Swans, Flower Swans, Crowncha and other Storks were cooing sweetly, the hills shining with Diamond Lapiz lazuli, Those who have attained Noble worlds of salvations by severe Penance like Gandharvas, Apsaras with Divine decorations and Musical instruments were flying in white wide bodied Aircrafts going to places , thus Ravana enjoyed seeing all this. Asofoetida herbals, Sandal wood fragrance Forests and other medicinal Spices herb forests including peppers creepers,and the Pearls and Conch brushed aside to sea shores, Hills having Gold, Silver and other metals, Water falls, Mounds, Towns with Granary, Wealth, Noble Ladies, with defence personnel, Ravana saw them all. The Sea shore without undulations and breeze blowing was sight to watch as though it was heaven.
There was a huge cloud like Banyan tree spread in all directions and long branches was seen. Underneath many Sages were doing penance. Then a huge Garuda(Eagle) was carrying on it’s two Legs Huge Elephant and huge Torotise in it’s claws and sat on that Bnayan tree to eat them Unable to bear the weight ,the branch broke ,Garuda was afraid if the Sages underneath will get destroyed . Hence Garuda took off with the Branch for a Long distance ate the Elephant and Tortoise, and threw the Branch in a Hunter’s slum, with that Garuda killed those wickeds there. Thus having negated the sufferings caused by those Wicked to the Sages, Garuda (Eagle) became happy, with having eaten those huge monsters gained strength and went to Celestial world to bring the Elixir. He had broken open the net and other machinery made of iron, broke the Fort made of Gems, brought the Elixir kept by the celestials from there. Thus Ravana saw this Banyan tree known as ‘Subhadram’ .
Travelling long distance he came to the other side of Shore, in a lonely place in a pristine pure Forest, in a Hermittage in the garb of Muni with diet restrictions Ravana saw Mareecha doing penance. Mareecha did special Upachaaram –Extend Courtsies-Civilities-vidhipadi –Portocol offered him Roots/Fruits and did civilites of Prayers accorded those days as Ravana was both relation and King, then when Ravana was seated in his Seat , Mareecha with great humility spoke to 10 headed Ravana “ Hey Great King ! in Lanka you and the subjects are they safe? What is the reason for you to come so early and so fast ? “ said Mareecha. ( Since Vishwamithra’s time when Rama put him away with a single Arrow into the Sea, Mareecha with grit became a Saint). (Slokas42)
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