Rama stays in Bharadwajha Ashram
On completion of years Chithra Month Pancahmi thithi is 18th April Rama Lakshmana came to Sage Bharadhwajha Ashrama did Namaskara as per protocol.
Dissertation of Rama’s Pithry Vakhya pariphalanam by Sri Srinivasa Iyengar:-
Chaithra Pancahmi 5th Rama Lakshmana started from Ayodhya 14 Years back is (18th April). That night Thamasa River bank , 6th in Sringiberi pura, 7th Below the Baniyan tree, 8th Bharadhwajhra Ashrama, 9th Yamuna banks, 10th Rama went to Chithrakoot as per spies of Guha Minister Sumanthra was informed and Minister returned to Ayodhya. That night Dasaratha attained salvation. 11th ekadesi his body was put in a wooden open drum submerging him on Oil, 12th Emissaries left for bringing Bharatha. 13th they travelled, Pournami 15th they entered Capital of Kaykeyi Kingdom. Prathamai 1st Bharatah left from Kayikeyi Kingdom, they stayed 7 nights on the way 9th at dawn they reached Ayodhya, That day Dasratha’s Funeral pyre was Lit. From that day 13th day Vaishka Panchami and previous day Bharatha did srardham for Dasaratha. As per that Country’s Procedure on 6th Asthi Sancahyanam (ie collecting Bones from Cremation ground / immersion in River ) took place, on 7th Sapthami Bharatha called for Servants ordered the Roads were laid, 10th the job was done, 11th Bharatha left for Rama, Night in the banks of Ganga with Guha, 12th with Bharadwajha Asram, 13th he met Rama, 14th, Pournami , 1st Prathamai, Bharatha spent time with Rama, Vaishaka (May 15th) ie Dwadasi 12th Started for Ayodhya,14th entered Ayodhya, Panchami 5thRama Left Chithrakoot for Athri Maharishsi Ashramam then stayed in Panchavati for Years. 14th Year Chaithra Month (14th Apr to 13th May) Ravaana abducted Sita, Vaikasi (Mid May to Mid June) Rama met Sugreeva. Aashada Month Valli was killed. Feb Month Army was collected / grouped. Phalguni Month >14th Mar Rama did prabhovesam in Sea Shore seeking King of Ocean’s help to cross sea. 14th Chathurdasi Vanaras burnt Lanka, Amavaasya Ravana Killed, 15th Year in Chaithra shudha Prathamai 1st Ravana’s Funeral Rites performed, 2nd Vibheeshana’s Coronation, 3rd Left from Lanka, 4th halted in Kishkinda, 5th stayed in Sage Bhardhwajha Asrama - 6th went to Nandi grama and removed Jhata or Matted Hair entered Ayodhya , 7th in Pushya Star Coronation of King Rama )
Then Rama enquired “Are all safe in Ayodhya and Koshala Kingdom? Are people Living comfortably without Disease, Famine, Flood etc? Is Bharatah governing righteously? Are the wives of Emperor living comfortably?” - enquired Rama. Bharadwajha with Happiness smilingly said “Rama! Bharatha is observing the fast of Thapasvi (Saintly Mendicant) with Matted Hair with dirt all over his body is awaiting your arrival every second. He is governing the country on behalf of Padhuka (Footware of Rama). Every body is safe in Your House. Earliier when you came, you had came wearing Deer Skin, Maravuri (Dresses made of wooden Barks / Leaves) and was about to enter Danda kaaranya. You left the Kingdom which was due to you justifiably, You followed the Dharma of Pithru Vaakhya paripalanam (Implementing and Fulfilling Father’s words), shunned Wealth, came with Lakshmana and Sita walking here. You had since Chldhood enjoyed the best of every Luxury leaving them, like the Heavenly abode fall on the ground when their Punyam (Good fortune accrued from Past or being accumulated for future by Virtuous Dharma / good deeds / conduct) diminishes. Likewise in this uninhabitated by Humans Forest you lived due to Kaykeyi ‘s words. My heart was pained when you were eating Fruits, Roots, Vegetables. Now that the task you planned has been accomplished, you have destroyed your enemies. Surrounded by Friends, Families, and on your way to Ayodhya is giving me immense Bliss. I know the Joy and travails, troubles all are known to me. To protect Brahmins and Thapsvis in Jhanasthan, you destroyed Kara and others in Gory Battle, Mareecha in the garb of Deer deceived you, Your killing Khabanda, You went to Pampa and made friendship with Sugreeva, Slained Vali, Vanaras searched Sita, got the bridge constructed by Nala, Vanaras burning of Lanka, Ravana who tormented every Living being was killed along with his sons, friends, relations and his Army in the Battle field, Devathas got happy and gave you boon, I saw them all from here by my Power of Penance from here. I also grant you a Boon now. Today You stay in this Ashrama and leave for Ayodhya tomorrow” said Sage Bharadhwajha,
Rama too accepted it with bowed head and reverence and thought ‘from here itself he will send Anjaneya to inform Bharata of our Arrival’ and was in Anandham (Bliss, Happiness, Rejoice, Ecstatic) “hey Great Sage! We and friends on our way should have Trees with plenty of fruits, flowers, roots grown in abundance with honey flowing in streams” thus he prayed. Sage also said ‘So be it’. On both sides upto a few kms the Trees became like the heaven’s Trees. Trees which did not bear Fruits earlier were bending due to weight of fruits, Trees with out Flowers were bowing laden with flowers, Withered Trees once again got tender leaves and started growing. From the Trees Honey flowed in. Seeing that all the Vanaras were ecstatic. The Fruits which were like Amruth (Nectar / Elixir which confers immortality by drinking it) they ate to their heart’s content drunk Honey to their merryment enjoyed like the Heavenly abode celestails. (Slokas 51)
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