Sudheeshana
After walking long distance and crossing Mandhakini river in many locations, they saw a huge Mountain almost touching the Sky. They entered the Dark Forest surrounding it, they saw in the centre a Ashram (hermitage) with Trees full of Fruits, Flowers and Roots. The Maravur i(Dresses made of wooden Barks/Leaves) were hanging for drying in the wind.Amidst them there was a Saint who was meditating with matted hair which was dirty, they understood he was Sudheekshana, did Namakskaram at his Feet “Lord ! I am Rama I do hereby introduce my self. I have come to visit you. Hey knower of all Dharma! Great Sage! one who has unmatchable Power of Penance! Please bless me” - said Rama.
Sudheeshana opened his eyes and endearingly hugged him “Rama, one who follows the Dharma to protect those who seek refuge in you! Though you have been present here all the while for the Worldly you have come here now and can be Visible ; now only they feel that this Ashrama has a Lord. Did you arrive safely? I have been waiting with this mortal body without going to God’s world, only waiting for your arrival. Experience of heaven is Enmical to Mokhsa (your feet). I heard you were sent from your country and you were living in Chitrakoot. I had not gone to heaven, because I will not get an opportunity to have a Vision of you; few days ago Devendra (Lord of Celestials ) came here and said “Due to your Punyam (Good fortune accrued from Past or being accumulated for future by Virtuous Dharma / good deeds / conduct) you have attained all the Virtuous Worlds” said he. Rama you Sita and Lakshmana can roam aroung in all these Worlds, I am giving it to you. Thus the Great Sage who submitted all the Benefits of the Punya Efforts made so far, Rama replied “Lord! I will earn them myself. Please show a suitable place where we can Live. Gautama Lineage Sarabhanga has informed me that you are sagacious in all matters and one who does Hitham (Soothening- in the interest / Good of the person- well meant) for everyone” said Rama.
Like Brahma (God of Creation) tells Kashyapa; Rama told the Epitome of Virtuous Truth, and the one who had done the severest of Penance Sage Sudheeshana that he will grant him Moksha. Since Rama had conferred the Salvation of Moksha sage was in immnse Bliss and said “Rama! This Ashram is having all the noble Features .Fruits, Roots are available in abundance. The Rishi Ganangal (Saints and their entourages) live here. Many an animal (Rakshasaas) are taking unique / novel disguises and spoiling the Saints Samadhi (State of concentration by Meditationon God you are own with him and oblivious of surroundings) Other than that there are no shortcoming here” said Sage. The Rakshasaas who take the guise of Animals come and torment the Saints, this message was subtly conveyed by Sudheeshana, Rama understood same and took his Bow strung the same with an Arrow an said “Lord! I will kill those animals with sharp pointed Arrows. But if I kill them in your presence it will tantamount to a big Aparadh (Unpardonable acts such as sin, misdemanour, delinquency, infraction, violation, crime, offence, guilt, lawbreaker, crime, outlaw, felony). I would not like to cause any agony. If I wait till they come here, you have to spend your time wasting , so I will kill them elsewhere” which Sudheeshana approved. Then Rama went to the Lake and did Sandhyavandhanam (Libations with water to God, Sun & Planets, Prayers on during Dawn and Dusk) Chantings of Manthras, completed same and stayed that night in Ashrama. Sudheeshana brought requiste food needed by them and served them himself and did all Upachaaram (Extend Courtesies-Civilities-vidhipadi –Protocol offered him Roots / Fruits and did civilities of Prayers accorded those days) with Devotion.(Slokas 24).
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