Rainy Season
After Slaying Valli and conferring Kingdom to Sugreeva, while Rama was living in Prasravana Hill cave one day he started describing the beauty of Rainy Season “ Child! The Monsoon which was mentioned by Sugreeva has started now.Huge mountain like Clouds are covering the Sky.The Sunrays drink the Oceans water from Karthika(Mid nov) till Ashada ( Mid July) is pregnant and carries in the womb, the Water which absorbs many types of essence and It delivers it now(Monsoon). Climbing steps like clouds, I think we should adorn Sun with Garlands of Flowers for it.It is white in periphery and in the joining area it is red with water filled clouds, the sky looks like it is injured all over it’s body . I t appears as if ,in order to heal it with Medicines, white clothes have been wound(Like Bandage)and amidst it some Blood is seeping out. To quench it’s Viraha (Carnal Longing) it is pasted the red colour of the Dusk/Dawn , unable to contain it’s grief, it is breathing heavily with Breeze. With few white clouds, it looks like the White Body of her Love lorn husband. Like the tears shed by Sita on being separated from me, The Earth which gave birth to Sita is is suffering due to the scorching heat of the summer when the Rains pour she leaves out Steam ,The wind which is blowing now have emanated from the centre of the clouds they are slow ,with the mingling of Chengakazhuneer it is pleasant and Cold. Since it is blowing through Thazhampoo (Pandanus odoratissimus, Ketaki flower) it is carrying it’s fragrance as well. You feel like Drinking the water by collecting it with the palm of your hands.This Mountain after losing the heat of the summer,with fragrance of Thazhampoo (Pandanus odoratissimus, Ketaki flower)with Flowers Blossomed overflowing all over the Place and wet by the Pouring rains when you see this ; it is akin to, after his enemy was destroyed and Sugreeva applying Sandalwood paste , Akil etc Fragrant materials, adorned by Garlands and being bathed by Holy waters. The Dark Clouds are like the Black Buck Deer’s skin, The pleasant Pouring rainwater is like Poonul(Jhanevu) thread which these Mountains are wearing, with caves making sound filled with Air, is similar to the Bachelors chanting Veda Verses. Being hit by Godlen Whip lashes is akin to Lightning and sound of the lashes is like the Clouds under pain are growling like a wounded Animal. The Lightning amongst the Dark Clouds seems like Sita who is forcibly kept in Ravana’s Lap All the directions are full of dark clouds,the Moon, Planets and Stars are hidden,we are unable to identify East from West.. This is opportune moment for those with their Darling companions.It will make them feel un happy if they part under these sylvan surroundings. In this Hilly terrain , the Umbrella Jasmine with water dews caused by Rain have been drenched due to the arrival of Rainy Season and Look at them having blossomed with happiness. Having been parted from their darling consorts and hoping they will rejoin during this rainy season, the moment they see them, Blissful tears welling up in their eyes, Don’t they look like the Love lorn damsels smiling bewitchingly blissfuly? Seeing this my own Longing for Sita enhances.
“ Now the dust has settled down; cool breeze is blowing.The discomfiture of Summer like Sweat, Heat have been erased; Kings have stooped marching their Army on Enemies.; the travellers who have gone to far off places are returning. Swans afraid of the rains are flying away to Lake Manasa**(is it Man sarovar near Kailash?) , Chakravahas birds are courting with their desirous Sweet hearts. Since it is raining consistently the vehicles are not able to move. The Clouds are well spread in the Sky, look in some places they are bright and not so in few other places. Places it is stopped by Mountain it looks like the Sea without waves.The water in water falls are hidden by Flowers with many minerals joining accompanied by Peaocks happy cooing & are running very fast. The Black Plum or Jhamun (syzycumini) fruit which are like Bees and Sweet like Honey, the birds eating them to their hearts content. The Mangoes with different colours are falling down due the force of the wind.The Dark Clouds are like the majestic Roguish Elephants , with Creepers like Lightining, the Garlands in an orderly Line formed by Storks, Body like the Peaks of the Mountains are roaring. The tender grass glistening due to Rain drops and the Peacock with it’s feathers stretched out and dancing, with Clouds having poured out rains these makes the Forest more beautiful to look at during the afternoon. Carrying immeasurable quantum of water, Look at these Clouds which are roaring , while halting in stages at the Mountain peaks? As the Flocks of Storks are flying towards Clouds with happiness to get pregnant, it appears as though the White Lotus Garlands are swaying in the sky being pushed by the gentle Breeze. When the Dazzling Damsel Lady earth was Lying covering with a Kashmiri shawl; in a Green coloured Parrots having it’s body sprinkled with Dots made of essence of the Red Cotton; was dazzling in like Indragopa Fire moths in the midst of Tender Leaf Grass Ranch.
Sriman Narayan starts having Yoga mudhra Poture in Adi(Mid July) and is in deep Sleep by Avani (Mid Sep) ; Rivers plunge into the Seas fast; Storks fly fast towards the Clouds; Ladies also Love lorn go in quest of their Heros (husbands). Peacocks dance in Gardens; Ever green Kadmabha (Neolamarckia cadamba),Trees are full of flowers; Oxen mate with their Courting hungry Cows; Entire Earth is blossomin with Granary; The Rivers are swelling with Water; Clouds downpour rain; The Rogue Elephants trumphet; The Forest Bloom with richness;Those who are away from their darling heroines ache longing for them Peacocks dance; Monkeys are happy that Food is available in one place. Pure breed Elephants having smelt the petal like Leafs of Thazhampoo (Pandanus odoratissimus, Ketaki flower) are happy; hearing the sounds of Waterfall near the Hilly Terrain Peacocks are scared and shout; Bees leaving aside the Lotus petals which shrink due to rain streams and are hanging in the Trees braches.They are awakened from the drunkuness of having Sucked(syringed) the Honey earlier.The Novel Tree having fruits which looks athough are made of Coal Powder looks as though is swarmed by the Bees. In the Forest where the rogue Elephant which wanders about without a care hearing the sound of the Thunder considers it as it’s enemy and goes to Battle with it. Forest in some places is having the sound of humming Bees, in some other places as though the peacocks are Dancing merrily. Pure breed Elephants In it’s majestic Looks is likened to a Rogue Elephant. Forest Is full of Flowers and tender leafs, with the fresh Rain accumulated in various places, with Peacock dancing in delirium, Look at the Forest adorned by Flowers.This Forest looks as though if is filled with Vessles full of Drinks, and people making merry with happiness.
The Chaathak Birds having different colours drinking the rain water droplets which were in the Leaves shining like Pearls are happy.**(Chaathak Bird drinks only Rain water and remains thirsty all through the Year). Birds melodiously humming is Like Veena instrument, and the Frogs sound is like the Thaal for Music consort, for the Rythm we tap with our legs or Clap with on our thighs,The sounds of the clouds is like the Mridangham (Drum Instrument) and it looks like there is Music concert in the Forest. Then some peacocks are dancing, some are singing, some sitting in the Trees spreading it’s Feathers and enjoying the moment. Long sleeping Frogs woken up by the thunderous clouds and hit by Pouring rain are crackling in different tones and Voices. River is in full flow,corroding it’s embankments,splashing on the banks, and taking along variety of Flowers and Fruits in it’s Fury of Flood. Even Chakravaha birds are flying very fast towards the Sea along River’s direction of Flow.Just like taking along beautiful Flowers, Fruits and other ingrendients, with fragrant scents and Beatle Leaves, when the Women are going speedily in quest of their Husbands , there upper garments have slipped from their positions and this is not noticed by these Ladies , Like wise the Rivers are seen in spate. Hills grown on top of the Black Hills which have been burnt by the Forest Fire ; similarly on top of the Dark rain bearing clouds can you see other Clouds are resting on top of them? The Peaocks which are cooing due to happiness and the tender grass with indra gopa moths, and with Fragrance of Flowers these Forest have Rogue Ele[hants wandering freely.
“ Sitting on Lotus Flowers, Bees drinking the Honey run away due to splashing of rains go and sit in the just blossomed Kadhamaba Tree Flowers. Elephants become Roguish; Ox are happy; Lions are relaxing in the Forest; The hills become beautiful due to Flowers and grass with tender leaves. Kings do not go to battle during this time.Indra(Lord of Celestials) plays with clouds; Clouds stay in the Rain bearing sky, roar like Ocean, they fill Rivers, Lake, Ponds , Wells etc and increases water accumulation; Like Elephants trunks the Rain pours constantly downwards; Wind blows with big sound; Rivers hitting their banks run very fast.
“ When people gather and do Abhishekam to the King his Aura, Beauty, happiness grow; likewise the Holy waters given by Indra Air takes them in the Vesslles called Clouds and do Abhishekam to Mountains, they blossom with Fruits, Flowers and radiance with Vibrance . The Sky with stars are covered by clouds , Sun is not seen. With fresh water the earth is satisfied. Directions are dark and with out lusture. Due to incessant rains because of the clouds pouring them the Valley regions of the Hill water was flowing in full fury,was like the Pearls necklace is hanging the neck of the Hill. The Rains pouring on the Hill getting scattered get into the Caves which have Peacocks, looks like the petals of Flowers are withering from the Garlands. The Rain which is swayed by the Wind falling everywhere; looks like the garlands were stripping and falling from the Celestials womens Garlands during their time of enjoyment. Since Birds goad and rest in their nest, Louts closing, the jamine flowers Blossoming, it means the Sun has set.Since King had stopped the Wars the Army soldiers are coming back.
“ Due to rain water accumulation ,unable to walk on the path. The enmity of the Kings have subsided. The Learning time for Samavedis (People who follow Sam Veda) has come. Bharatha would have stopped all the governance work ,would have gathered all the materials required would have started observing Chathur Masya (4 months during Monsoon) Vrat (Fasting). When I was coming from Ayodhya the sound which came from their Lamenting, likewise the sound of Sarayu river in this monsson time will be echoing. Sugreeva has got huge Kingdom alongwith his wife is without any enemy and is enjoying at this Monsson season comfortably. Whereas I have lost my Kingdom and having been deprived of my Wife, without winning over Enemy, like the banks of the River iam being corroded again and again and I am in Sorrow. This season it is on the increase. Ravana is not an ordinary Enemy. My sorrow knows no bounds. Since the path way is blocked by the rain water, and there is no practice for the kings to wage war during this time, when Sugreeva offered to go in search of Sita, I did not give consent. He has so far and for Long been facing many trials and tribulations; and it has been long time since he was separated from his wives. Now only he got an opportunity to see them. My task is not one which with minimal work can be finished in small time. So I did not have the heart to make him give importance and make him suffer now itself. When the Winter comes he will fulfill his pledge and since therewas no doubt on that I am waiting for the time when Water in Rivers will reduce and thus awaiting for Sugreeva will mentally undertake this task. If a Warrior is helped, he will not remain without reciprocating same. if he is ungrateful then he will be ridiculed by the Sages “ when Rama said this Lakshmana with folded hands appreciated it and said “ Lord ! Sugreeva will do as your desire. After making arrangements for destroying the enemy, please wait for the Rains to abate and wait for Winter to set in” is my prayer to you.” Thus Laskhaman opined a Noble thought. (Slokas 66)
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