Rama Visits Ashrams
Preface :
Sri Rama who is the root cause of universe and who can be known by Vedanta that omnipresent God is devoid of Avidhya (Ignorance caused by the human failings of ten indriyas). He is omnipresent in all, **(the is in the form of 5 elements e.g., 1.Space (be it Sky, Room, Vessel, Our body, even Vaccum) is same space is present every where. 2 . Water (be it Oceans, Water falls, Rains, Rivers, ponds, Streams, Lakes, Tap, in the drinking cup) it is same 3. Fire (be it Volcano, Gas stove in our Home, Light bulb, Forest Fire, Sun Ray) it is same, 4. Air (be it the Breath we inhale, exhale every 4 seconds, Pleasant Breeze in Sea Shore / Hill station, Strong gusty winds, Twister) it is same Air, may be of different magnitude,5. Earth (Be it on place we reside, the plants we eat are grown, the cement / wood with which we build our house, Vessels, Aircrafts, ships, Jewels, gems) all made of Composites or devloped by using the combination of above 4 elements in addition to Earth .our own body comprise of 55 % water, the Food is sucked by the Last breath called Apanan, the Food gets digested first by Jatara Agni (Fire) and then the enzymes dissect it further and sends the energy to Various parts of the Body, Heart wighing 450 gms pumps 4 litres of blood 200 billion times in Life span without respite / spare parts and monitoring ). So God is Omni present. He helps in creation, sustenance, destruction of the Living beings). Hence he is Omni present, and unparalled Tejhas ( shining with dazzling radiance of Aura) like mid day Sun or Lightning, but he confines himself to samller things for we poor mortals sake. And the duty of establishing Dharma was shown in the earlier Kandham. Here the Dhram of protecting the Pious is being explained. In the Ayodhya Kandham PithruVaakhya paripalanam (Implementing and Fulfilling Father’s words) should be done the Pious, whereas in Aaranyakandham it is Protecting the Sadhus (Pious) that is being established which is the main Upadesam (Sermon / counseling / teaching / Preachings). Dhandakaaranya became like this due to the curse of Demon’s Guru Sukhracharya. This Kingon was ruled by the King named Dhandaka. Rama entered in one part of the Dhandakaaranya. He did not have an iota of fear in moving around this dense Gory Forest. Is there any thing that can shake the Originator of all? After walking some distance he saw cluster of Ahramas (Hermittages). The Dharbais (Kushal Grass) were kept in bundles to perform yaaga. The Dress made of Wooden Barks were hung here and there to dry them. The beauty abd Aura was widely spread due to Chanting of Vedas and observance of Vaideeka Dharma. When Sun rises and Sun sets 33 Crores (330 Millions) Cruel wicked Mandhehar Rakshasaas oppose him **(For this only Brahmins during Dawn & Dusk do Sandhyavandhanam by reciting Gayathri, which helps Sun to ward of these evil forces ) During Mid Day they do not near him .That time we cannot look at the Sun who is in full Dazzling form. Similarly the Rakshasaas were unable to near these Ashrams. Even by Nature those wild animals also become soft and Live with each other in Harmony in these Ashrams. Hence they converged there to avert the Rakshasaas and took refuge in these Ashrams. The Place was spic and span and had no dirt or garbage any where either inside or outside the Ashrams. Many varieties of Animals and Birds were living here happily. The place had Sylvan surroundings and was enchanting and the place is resided by the Dieties; it was no surprise in such a place even the Apsaras (Angels from Celestial world) were enamoured to comeoften and Dance in that Holy Place.BroadAgnihothra (Religious offering be reciting Vedic Verses in the Sacrificial Fire Pit with Melted butter and other materials to Gods / Celstials) Stages were constructed, Vessels for yagaa, Deer Skins, Kushall grass, Samithsticks, Watervessels, Fruits, Roots, Vegetables were seen. Many Holy trees with tasty Fruits were in the near vicinity.the place was kept clean due to Bhoothabhali and Vasudewam rites. The Air was filled with Sounds of Veda Chantings. The place was decorated by the Flowers brought for Worships to Gods.the Louts streams were seen.
The Saints who eat Fruits, Roots were adorned by the Maravuri. (Dresses made of wooden Barks / Leaves) and were Living there. Some of the older saints were dazzling like Sun and Fire. There were other Saints as well, some are Blessed Punyavaans (those with Good fortune accrued from Past or being accumulated for future by Virtuous Dharma / good deeds / conduct), some who were very strict on Diet; those worshipped by the above saints. The place looked like Brahma’s place with reverberation of Vedas during Karma season.The place dazzled with illuminance with presence of great Bhagysaali (extremely Blessed and charmingly Great Good Fortunes), the Brahmins who were BrahmaGyanis (Wisdom of Knowing the difference Atma (eternal) and the body (perishes) - Atma (Life force) is the reflection of Paramthma (God) like water in Ocean, river, pond, tank, vessel and cup Is same. Atma takes the birth in different bodies as per karma).
Rama seeing the cluster of Ashramas, in order that he does not scare the Animals and Birds he loosened the String of the Bow and walked towards the Parnashala (Hut hoofed with Leaves). Those great Sages who knew the 3 Times ie Past, present and Future knew that Maha Vishnu himself incarnated as Rama to kill Ravana; Sita is none other than Mahalakshmi; Lakshmana is his part of him ie Adhisesha Serpent on whom Maha Vishnu sleeps. Knowing the secret of Rama is the only one who can help us cross over the shores of this Worldly bondage; they came forward to receive him personally. Like the Moon which rises to remove the Darkness he has come to remove the weight of Sinners from this Earth; Raam is like the Full Moon which will vanish all our cravings;While coming through the Dark Forest, Rama is akin to the Full Bright Moon coming out of the Dark Clouds. They realized that Rama is none other than the Omnipresent God they are carving to attain through their Penance, Pooja, Homa (sacrificial offering in Fire pits to Gods, Celstials by invoking prayers / Vedas), Upasana and Chantings. So far they have been seeing the God through their Vision of Wisdom, now they are Blessed to see him with their Mortal eyes. They knew that God also will be anxious to punish those Rakshasaas who were troubling his devotees, hence they blessed him “May all Managalam (Auspicious well being, accrue happier moments, shower inbrighter times ahead) happen to you. Knowing God Rama is their true protector so they worshipped him with extra care, Humility and Devotion.
Those Saints did severe penance and were never mentally disturbed and were focused. Still seeing the Body of Rama were in accordance with Samudhrika Lakshanam (Features) with uniform Limbs without undulations, in the entire body, the Aura was stealing the eyes, they were soft as the Blossmed Flowers, When shadow shake amongst the Best of Pearls the they emit light in al its parts seeing the aura in his Body they were not satisfied despite seeing him number of times and there craving only continued to have glimpses of him again and again.Those Saints who were seeing Rama, Lakshmana and Sita for the 1st time were awe struck at their Sowndharyam (Beauty, Handsome).The God who is not visible even to Brahma & Devas has come with Sita and Lakshmana to their Ashram like the Ganges flows, and is coming to give Vision to them and they wanted to continually enjoy the Bliss of seeing him, they were looking at him not even batting their Eye Lids those Saints were Great Bhagysaali(extremely Blessed and charmingly Great Good Fortunes)made Rama who is the fulcrum of happiness for all creatures Live in those Ashrams in comfort.
Then they enquired their welfare, and extended civilites such as Arghyam Padhyam as per the treditions prevailing then.The saints who had their own aura of an Inferno , could do Upachaaram –Extend Courtsies-Civilities-vidhipadi –Portocol offered him Roots/Fruits and did civilites of Prayers accorded those days to their dear God and this they felt was only because of the Penance, Thapas & Pooja they have done so far. What Punyam( Good fortune accrued from Past or being accumulated for future by Virtuous Dharma / good deeds / conduct) did they do in their previous Births? Rama by seeing you we have become Blessed. Can we even spell out our Good Fortune.?” Thus they celebrated, prayed to Lord Rama.They came and gave the Food that was available in the Forest. God who is witness for everything, the saintly servants to God, knew the Dhrma they were to follow and implement; firm in their faith and he is the Eternal God, with that Devotion they Prostrated and with folded hands said “Rama, you guard the Varna Ashram Dharma without shortcomings; one who can be the refuge for saints like us who have been suffering; Since you are the God you are worthy of worship; Since you are King you are worthy of respect; you have the right to punish us; You are Guru since you counsel only the Good for us. In this world, Kings are 1/4th of the Lokapalas (Adminstrators of the World) like Indra by protecting the subjects, hence they are respected by the People and the Kings enjoy the Luxuries. The king has1/4th of the 4 Dik Palas (Lords of Directions). Whereas the Dipalas are your slaves.When the King himself has such fame, then you, who is the protector of the entire universe who has come here is it a surprise to be known as Protector of Dharma, Sharanya (refuge of one and all)? We are suffering a lot. You have taken it as your mission to protect those who undergo troubles, You only have protect us. “is it beacuase you are praying to me that you are demanding” if you ask No as any mistake during worship can cause harm. So we are seeking your help as we are Living under your Kingdom, in this way there can be no error. If you say ‘ok, but I will do so after Forest life and after I return to Ayodhya that is also not ok. As whether you are in the Throne or Forest, you are our King; protector; you are full of all Powers. You are beyond Time, Country, Materials and all other boundaries. These Virtues are natural for you and is it not well known world over? You are the store house of all Virtuous Characters. The bliss we get by worshipping your Face that is being spoilt by these Raksashaas, please stop them.Other Kings are capable of protecting their people by use of intelligence and strength Army; they are only capable of guarding their own people. You are the protector of all the Worlds, Does it matter whether you are in Ayodhya or Forest? If you ask “You can do this with Power of your Thapas” but we are Thapasvis (Mendicant Saints). We have won over the Anger; won over the senses; hence we are not in a position to curse these Rakshasaas. If you assess our position then you will find this is justified. We who possess power should not use it to protect ourselves. We should seek refuge in you. Are We not also your Subjects? You are our refuge. If you ask “what means you adopted, for me to protect you? ”We have the only wealth of Charanagathi ( Last resort is to fall at God's Feet and seek his guidance, for he knows what is in store for us). “Keep that as the only reason for protecting us. “they prayed. These Saints were asking for Salvation and release from this world. Then with Fruits and Roots, flowers and other materials available in the Forest they did Upachaaram (Extend Courtsies-Civilities-vidhipadi –Portocol offered him Roots / Fruits and did civilites of Prayers accorded those days) to Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. This is the service that is allowed by those who opt for Charanagathi. Some of the others adopted other means and attained Sidhis. All adopted the means to serve Rama as they felt comfortable and chanted his name, did Namaskaram (Slokas 23).
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