Hanuman Details Bharatha on Rama’s Exploits
Bharatha spoke to Hanuman “Friend! It is a long time since my Lord entered Dandakaaranya and many years have passed by. Now only I have come to know of his details. It is the worldly adage that ‘if one is only alive he wouldn’t escape enjoying Life seems to be applicable in my case. But how come relationship taken place between Rama and Vanaras? Which place? For what purpose? Please tell this in detail to me “asked Bharatha. Hearing Anjanyea was happy to get an opportunity to speak about Rama with happiness said “Lord! When Chakravarthy gave boon to your mother, as per that Rama was sent to Forest, due to grief of his separation Left this world, You were brought back to Ayodhya by emissaries, when you were given the kingdom, you refused to accept same, though you had the capability to rule this world, you went to chithrakoot, met Rama, as per the culture of Pious you submitted the Kingdom unto him, You beseeched him to return to Ayodhya, he declined same and in lieu of it gave you his Padhukas at your behest all this are known to you. (In order to instill confidence in him of the things he does not know he 1st narrates details of Rama and him known to Bharatha so far)
I will tell what happened after you returned to Ayodhya. In that Forest Animals, Birds Thapasvis (Saints ) due to enormous Army’s presence they had not seen such commotions they were scared, Rama Lakshmana entered Dandakaaranya. With Elephants, Lions, Tigers and other cruel wild Animals was dangerous, with no Human habitation in that vast forest while they were travelling, One Rakshasaa Viradha challenged them. They killed him and dug a huge pit and buried him. That night Rama halted at Sage Saranga’s hermitage, after he left for Noble world Salvation, Rama departed from there. He paid respects to all the Sages and went to Jhanasthan. There a Rakshasi named Soorpanka insisted Rama to take her as his wife. Lakshmana sheared her Ears and Nose with a sword. She went and complained to her Relations Kara, Dhooshana. They with 14,000 Rakshasaas challenged Rama. They were very strong; great warriors; they spoilt Yaaga and Thapas (Penance); Raghu Veera single handedly in one Yama with sharp Bhanas sent them packing to Yama Lok without an exception. Then Soorpanaka went and complained to Ravana. The Lord of Rakshasaa came to Dandakaaranya, made Mareecha take the disguise of Golden hued Deer, made it play in front of Rama Lakshmana’s hermitage. Sita “Lord! This Deer is really beautiful, please capture it for me. If we tie it in Ashrama it will be Unique” thus she prayed Rama. Then Rama duly armed chased the Deer to a Long distance. At the time of death Mareecha yelled out aloud in Rama’s Voice “Haa Lakshmana, Haa Sithay”. Sita thinking danger has befallen Rama sent Lakshmana. At that time Dasagreeva (10 Headed Ravana) entered the Ashrama, forcibly abducted Sita like Rohini star abducted by Mercury planet. While being taken by Sky Lane Dasaratha’s dear Friend Jhatayu ( King of Eagle) stopped Ravana and a gory Battle took place. Ravana won over him and fatally wounded him and in the sky lane was carrying Sita towards Lanka. Myself and Sugreeva and other Rakshasaas were sitting in the Rishya mukha Mountain. One Rakshasaa in an Aircraft was carrying a Divinely beautiful Lady and we saw her yelling Rama! Rama! and we were surprised. Then Ravana took Sita to Lanka and kept her in his Palace and tried to pacify her and asked to her to succumb to his postures as per his desire. Sita considered him a piece of straw and abhored him. She was totally devoted to Rama in her mind. Ravana kept her in Ashoka Garden and arranged for Rakshasis to Guard Her.
Meanwhile Rama killed Mareecha and when he was returning to Ashrama met Lakshmana. Both of them did not find Sita and went in search of her. They saw Jhatayu wounded and they felt sorry for him. Through him they came to know of actual happening. Rama did cremation rituals for him. Then Rama Lakshmana went in search of Sita in the banks of Godhavari and the forests. They found a Rakshasaa knowns as Kabhanda. They killed him and through him they went and met Sugreeva in Rishya Mukha Mountain. When they saw each other exceesive trust and affection developed. Sugreeva earlier, was driven out of his Kingdom by his elder brother and ran to all directions came to Rishya Mukha Mountain and came hid himself in Mathaanga Muni Aahrama. Rama and Sugreeva shared their stories and their Freindship grew. Then Rama killed the Great Strong Vali and coronated Sugreeva as the King of Vanaras with capital in Kishkinda. He in turn promsed Rama to search and find where Sita is located. So he sent 10 Crore Vanaras to all directions. In that we who went to South spend time in Vindhyas foot hills and spent a lot of time. Then Jhatayu’s elder brother Sampathy informed us that Sita is kept in Ravana’s Queen’s Chamber. When the Vanaras with me lost their heart as to how to go there, I leaped the 100 Yojhana (30 kms) wide Sea, went to Lanka, searched, saw Sita in Ashoka Garden alone with her body slim, dust laden with pale face, heart broken in the midst of Rakshasis with a single garment and was thinking of only Rama all the time there. I submitted the Ring which Rama had given as evidence and gave the details of confidential incidents known to them only. I made her believe. After obtaining her reply, took Choodamani (Broach for hair) as evidence from Sita, again crossed the sea making Vanaras happy, gave the Choodmani to Rama, also conveyed Sita’s reply. Like the person who is about to Die if he get the Nectar Amruth which will confer him immortality, Rama got back his Life.
Rama was shining like the Sun who destroys all the worlds during Pralaya (Deluge time) Agni (Fire) decided to kill all the Rakshasaas and collected the Vanara Army came to sea shore and got the Bridge constructed by Nala (Son of Vishwakarma Divine Architect) . Through that went to Lanka laid siege. Neel killed Prahastha, Rama Killed Kumbhakarana and Ravana, Lakshmana killed Indrajith. Then Indra, Varuna, Brahma, Yama, Emperor Dasaratha were met, obtained Boons from them. All the Dead Vanaras were reborn as though waking up from Sleep. He sitting in Pushpaka Vimana came to Kishkinda. Reached Ganges banks and is staying tonight at Bharadhwajha Ashramam. Tomorrow being Pushya yogam he will come and meet you” - said Hanuman. Thus Bharatha heard Hanuman’s narration with utter devotion folding his hands and bowing to Rama mentally “Anjaneya! My aspirations which I have been having for Long have been fulfilled today” - thus he enthused Maruthi. (Slokas 59)
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