Tour of Ashramas
Rama walked ahead; Sita walked in centre Lakshamana with Bow & Arrows behind them. Many Mountains, Forests and beautiful Rivers and the Vandazhvaan sparrow birds,Chakravaha Birds are playing in the mounds in River and Water birds in the Lotus filled streams ; hordes of spotted deers, rogue wild Deers, Wild Boars which destruct trees, Elephants were looking at all these and enjoying treading along. At the time of Sunset they came to a huge lake which was ¼ sq mile area. The Lake was adorned with Blossomed White and Red Lotuses, the Elephants in herds were playing there. The Vandavzhvaan Sparrows, Royal Swans, Flower Swans and other Storks were dancing in delirium here and there. The water which was crystal clear emanated lilting music of Drums, dance but none were visible to the eye.Rama ,Lakshmana were awe struck and asked the accompanying Saint named Dharmaputhra “ this scenic beauty is awesome.if you can narrate the history we are eager to listen about it.” Said they.
This water front is known as ‘ Punjab Saras’ It is existent for ever. It was created by a Sage Mandakarani’s Power of his Penenace. He stood in this water for many thousands of years and did penance. He ate Air as Food. Celestials were afraid and got together ‘ he is trying to get our positions; we should spoil his Penance’ they planned and sent 5 Apsaras (Angels ) who were slim as Lightining bolt. That Sage knew the Omnipresent God. Still he behaved as though he is bound by the Celestials plan. Those Ladies became his wives. With his Power of Penance he created a Unique Living place and always living with them like a Young man and spent his time happily. Those Angels dancing with accompaniments are able to listen to. Rama said ‘it is lilting music to the ears’ and proceeded some distance and saw cluster of Ashramams.
They were filled with Brahmins with Dhrabai (Kushal grass) and Maravuris (Dressess made of wooden Barks / Leaves). In those Rama Lakshmana and Sita lived for some time. The Pious there were extremely affectionate courteous.
They stayed in each of those Asramas (Hermitages) and continued Living in the same in chronological order. In some places 13 months, I some places one year, in some for 4 months, some 5 or 6 ,7,8, and at some 3/4thmonth, some 11 ¼ month, some places 3 months, thus they spent 10 years .
Thereafter they returned to Sudheeshana’s hermitage and spent some time there.
One day Rama in humility asked the Great Sage “I heard in this Forest Sage Agasthya is Living from other saints, I am unable to locate his Ashramam in this huge forest. Where is it? With your grace I would like to go to his place have his Dharshan (Vision) and for some time I would like to serve him”. - thus he prayed. Sudheeshana got happy and said “Child ! I also had planned to tell you this”. You yourself expressed your desire. From this Hermitage in 1 km or 0.6 Mile Southward Agasthya’s brother stays. There are ThipiI Trees which are dense in population. Place is full of Flowers, Fruits, and Parrots in herds chirping away melodiously. Place is with crystal clear water, and filled with Swans, Storks, Chakravaha birds play there, with Lotus streams adorning the place. Stay there for a night. Morning from that Hilly grove if you go southwards ¼ mile Agasthya’s Ashram can be seen and you will be ecstatic to see those Unique Novel Birds, Animals, Flowers and Trees, if you are planning to go you can start today itself.” - said sage.
They travelled accordingly, enjoying the ravishing beauty of those sylvan surroundings of Forest and Clouds like Mountains, Lakes and Rivers in the path shown by Sudheeshana. Then Rama said ‘Lakshmana ! That appears like Agasthya’s brother’s Ashrama. As they commute the Fruits, Flowers and roots on the path can be seen. See the wind blowing the fragrance of the Ripe Thilpili’s bitter smell. You can see wood cut and stacked at different places. On the way you can see the Dharbai (Kushal grass) cut and are shining like (Vaidhooriyam) LapizLazuli.The dark smoke emanating from the Homa Ground is enveloping like a cloud. See the Brahmins having taken bath are plucking flowers. This must be the Ashrama of Agasthya’s Brother. His elder brother Agasthya came from south destroyed the Death like Asuras (Demons).
Earlier there were 2 Demon brothers Vaathapi and Ilvalan, were very cruel; used to eat Brahmins. Illvalan used to be in the garb of Brahmin during Srardha will very courteously invite the Bramin Priest, then he will make his brother Vaathapi as a Goat (Demons can take any disguse any time) and with that meat of the goat, cook the Food and serve as Srardha procedure to the priest. After they have had taken the Lunch he will call ‘Vaathapi please come out‘. Immediately that Sinner Vaathapi will come out like a Goat from the Brahmin Priest’s stomach tearing the skin sounding like a goat. Then both the brothers will eat that Brahmin’s body. This was going on for a long time. Many a Brahmin Priests had died. Since the Celestials requested Agasthya, he came and ate in Ilvalan’s Srardha as usual. “Lord! are you satisfied?” asked Ilvalan. He said ‘yes I got satisfied‘ Then Ilavan as usal called ‘Vaathapi, please come out’ by pouring water in Agasthya’s hand.Agasthya smiled. ‘He has been digested and is presently in Yama Loka (City of God of Death). Will he come? or else would I have said , I am satisfied’ - said Agasthya. Ilvalan got angry and to take revenge leaped on Sage Agasthya. His eyes raging like an inferno turned Ilvalan into an Ash. By being merciful to Brahmins, Agasthya accomplished this impossible task. His brother Ithmavaha lives in this place which has ponds and Forests here. Sun also set. (In the Mooladhara Chakra whose Prime Deity is God Ganapathy; Sage Agasthya thought of him and prayed to him and raised the Jataraagni with which he killed Vaathapi. Hence this form of Ganesha is known as Vathapi Ganapathy).
Rama Lashmana did sandhyavandhana (Prayers in Dawn & Dusk to Sun God) and entered the Ashrama (hermittage).That Sage with all affection received them, That night they stayed there. Morning he did Namaskar to the saint and said “Lord! thanks to your hospitality we enjoyed the stay here. We are going to Sage Agasthya; please grant permission” thus he prayed. “go and return” thus he blessed. They went in the Sudheeshna’s way. There were very many Trees like Neerkadambu, Jack tree, Palm, Thinisi, Ashoka, Thavam, Alexandriya Laurel, Pungai, Ilupaai, Bilvam with 3 petals formation, thumba Forest wild trees , Creepers and Plants, Flowers were adorning those creepers and broken by the Elephants, and they had many types of Birds and Monkeys, were screeching Rama said “Lakshmana! The Leaves of these Trees are grown well due to the inmates of the Ashram. The Animals and Birds are soft and humble, so I think the Ashram of Agasthya is nearing. Those who struggle here all the problems will be solved here. The Maravuri (Dresses made of wooden Barks / Leaves) surrounded by the Smoke from Homa, the Birds and Animals are silently wandering. Look at them. Even the Rakshasaas have left their enemity and are living peacefully. Hence this place is known as Agasthya Corner. Cruel will not even dare to look at this place.
One time Vindhya Mountain to stop the path of Sun went on growing; but stopped growing with Agasthya’s command. He has Long life, Great Fame, he is worshipped by all Living beings, who searches for Pious welfare. If we go to him he will do special good only for us. We will worship him and spend the rest of our tenure in Forest. Here Celestials, Gandharvas, Sidhas, Sages, are here amidst the great Tejhasvi Agasthya whose effervesence was Dazzling in all directions with Limitless Aura and worship him. Those who are Liars, Cruel, Sinners committed in Secrecy, heartless, Living as per his wont, liking such people cannot be here. Celestials, Yakshas, Nagas, Gandharvas, Garuda also observe their fasting here and earn their Dharma. Here many Great Sages have been able to do Penance and attained salvation by leaving their Bodies and have gone by Aircraft like the Sun with Divine Body to Heaven. Here Celestials are taken care of by the Pious and give position of yaksha leader and many kingdoms. We have come to the Ashrama. “Lakshmana! Please inform that Myself and Sita are waiting to see the Great Sage” thus Rama ordained. (Slokas 95).
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