smilemakerkrishna

Another Salvation

2012-01-17T12:54:00.002+05:30

Lord Rama and Lakshman had walked too long

Lord Rama was pensive about what went wrong

He could not find fault with Himself, His brother, or His Wife

Yet, The Three of them had suffered so much in their life

On one side, He was being treated like a God

On the other side, He was tricked by a fraud

By law, by scriptures, by Dharma, He had never flawed

Yet, by the invisible claws of fate, He was being clawed

He was, on one side, grateful for the good things that came His way

And the good things were the people who loved Him, He would say

But the very same fate that brought them to Him

Also snatched them without informing, as if by whim

He could not understand as to why He should suffer thus

In spite of all the spiritual practices, His mind was now a mess

Thinking about all this, Lord Rama was silent and sad

On seeing the state of his brother, Lakshman felt bad

Lakshman mind was filled with grief but he did not think why

In Lakshman’s mind, Lord Rama’s face was the only sky

In that sky when the happy sun arises, Lakshman’s mind will be bright

When it is dark with sorrow, Lakshman’s mind will be like at night

It was night, and The Brothers found a place to sleep

Being new moon, the night was very dark and deep

Lakshman made ready, with leaves, for His Brother a bed

Lord Rama slept on it with His folded arms, for His head

Lakshman kept watch, for, insects or snakes may crawl

While to his surprise, he heard a woman’s gentle call

When he looked around searchingly, he saw a woman, dark

Coming closer to Lakshman, she said she wanted to lark

On seeing her, Lakshman was not in the least perturbed

But He did not want his Brother’s peaceful sleep disturbed

Signalling her to come to a place that was quiet

He humbly and strongly told her to behave right

“Lady! Go away from here, for, you may be tortured

I do not like beings like you, who are ill natured

Wanting my Brother to peacefully sleep, I stay awake intently

Without disturbing us, and getting hurt, you go away contently”

But the lady, named Ayomukhi, would not listen

She tried to hug Lakshman showing her teeth’s glisten

Already feeling sorry for Surphanaka, Lakshman pushed her aside

But the fallen Ayomukhi, on the ground, would not passively reside

She again tried to hug him and vehemently pulled

Lakshman drew out his knife, and on her face he tilled

Hurt badly and bleeding profusely, she ran away shouting

From the ears and nose that were cut, blood was spouting

On hearing her shouts, Lord Rama awoke

On Lakshman’s absence, His Heart felt a choke

Disturbed was His mind, by the lady’s crying voice

He called out to Lakshman with a broken voice

On hearing his Brother’s call, Lakshman quickly went

On seeing His brother’s face, Lord Rama’s fear did vent

“What happened? Lakshman! Where have you been?

I was completely unnerved, for, you were not seen!”

Lakshman narrated about the woman who was gruff

Lord Rama appreciated Lakshman for being tough

About how danger could anytime creep,

They talked for sometime and went to sleep

The sleep after that, for Lord Rama, was a gentle stream

He saw His beautiful Wife, by His side, in a pleasant dream

The next day morning, Lord Rama woke, calling out Her name

Shocked on seeing, His dream and reality were not the same

He sat silently for sometime digesting the truth that was bitter

He then, as per routine, worshipped the sun, and felt much better

The Brothers started the journey immediately after eating fruits

They kept walking for long through wild animals’ roaming routes

They had crossed the area, where with trees, the forest flushes

And were now walking on an area full of rocks, shrubs, and bushes

As They walked, They saw a tentacled being coming towards them

Before The Brothers could realise, what it was, it gripped them

The Brothers realised, They were gripped by a gigantic hand

And when it dragged, They could not resist or firmly stand

A weird creature was dragging Them to death, They saw

Towards its wide open mouth which had teeth like saw

It was like a big ball with one eye, which was red

Whether it was sitting or lying could not be said

It had two hands that were long, flexible like a snake

And it had a mouth in its stomach, for food to take

Lord Rama, to fight, had no mood

He decided, for the creature, to become food

Allowing Himself to be dragged, to Lakshman, He talked

Lakshman to escape somehow and go back home, He asked

“You have done so much for Me Lakshman, please escape

Let Me become food for the creature, whose mouth is agape

I am so unlucky, and for Me, You should not anymore suffer

A life, with Our mothers and your young wife, you must prefer”

On hearing Lord Rama say such things, Lakshman’s throat choked

With his sword, on the hand that was dragging His Brother, he poked

He poked it so hard that the hand, to the ground, was pinned and tied

The creature that was dragging Lord Rama, painfully, yelled and cried

Lord Rama was free, and Lakshman was being dragged

On seeing which, Lord Rama’s Heart deeply sagged

Lakshman lost heart and thought his death was close

As if bidding farewell to his Brother, his words he chose

“Brother! To be Your Brother, I know I was fortunate

Forgive me if I had anytime erred and behaved obstinate

I wanted to die with You, serving You till Your life is at brink

Now, I want You to live long! And often about me, please do think”

On hearing Lakshman say thus, Lord Rama’s tears burst

He ran drawing His sword as His anger was at its worst

Before Lakshman could enter the creature’s mouth, He leapt

The hand was cut, and by profuse blood the ground was swept

Lord Rama hugged Lakshman like His long lost wealth

In each others’ hugs, Their contentment was restored to health

They then looked at the creature, thinking, ‘what must be done next’

To their surprise, it started to talk as if reading from its heart a text

“Lord! I am Kabandha, wealthy Dhanu’s son

I am sorry, for Your life, I gave You a run

You Both are Ram and Lakshman, am I right?

I am blessed, for, You Two have come to my sight”

Lord Rama and Lakshman were surprised by his talk at first

But they remembered Viradha who was in a salvation quest

To Kabandha’s question, Lord Rama nodded

Wanting to know more, Lord Rama prodded

“Lord! Previous to this birth, I had good looks

But I did not care to be in sages’ good books

I took ugly forms and threatened all sages

And took much delight in provoking their rages

One sage, named Sthoolasiras, lost his patience

And I had to take, with ugly form, another nascence

In this birth, I performed severe penance

Brahma made my bodily strength enhance

I became arrogant due to my unlimited strength

I performed many anarchic activities at length

Once, Indra, the king of gods, in war I tried to win

Indra hit me with Vajrayudha and my head went in

My head and legs went in and stayed in my bosom

Yet, without tearing, all parts were wholesome

With my head sunk, I could not see, eat, or hear

I begged, pleaded and asked for forgiveness in fear

Indra out of mercy granted me an eye and mouth

And he told me to go down and live in the south

He also granted me hands that were long

So that, I can grab animals and eat, to live long

Indra already said that, by You Both, my hands will be cut

And that I would regain my original form, after that”

When Kabandha said so, Lord Rama was intrigued

About the information that His future was prologued

“Lord! Indra asked me to give You one more information

But my memory is vague and about it, I have no confirmation

If You could cremate me by digging a pit and building a pyre,

I can regain my original form as my sins will be burnt by fire”

As per Kabandha’s request, Lord Rama and Lakshmana did

Kabandha rose up from the fire, and the information he said

“Lord! I realise You have lost Your Wife, that noble Woman

She had been abducted by Ravana, the very wicked demon

A monkey named Sugriva, You must befriend

That friendship will change Your life’s trend

Before that, an austere woman, Sabari, You must meet

She has been waiting long for You, so that She can greet”

Saying thus, Kabandha wished them success all the way

Happy that, some useful information, to The Lord, he could say

He then disappeared after falling at The Holy Feet of Ram!

Hailing the Lord, by saying, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Kolaveri for Lord Rama!

2012-01-16T13:28:00.007+05:30

When a devotee of Lord Rama is caught by a Bandwagon such as 'Kolaveri'... This is what happens...:) ... Jai Shri Ram!

Yo Boys… I am sing song…..

Truth song….

Ruth song…..

How this Greatness Greatness Greatness Sir…..

Rhythm correct….

How this Greatness Greatness Greatness Sir…..

Maintain please…..

How this Greatness…. aa Sir…?

The Most Supreme God-u God-u…

Came to earth as Man-u….

The Man’s life so Great-u Great-u

While facing adverse fate-u!

How this Greatness Greatness Greatness Sir…..

Kaikeyi skin-u white-u white-u

But her heart was black-u

With Your daddy fight-u fight-u

But You did what was right-u….

Lakshmana came with you….

Mother Sita too joined with you…..

Ram Rama Ram… Ram Rama Ram… Ram Rama Ram Hare Ram…

Chant properly….

Super hut was ready…

Years went…one.. two …three….four

Waaa…. What a change over that was…..

Ok…Lord… Then ur life changed-u….

Kaatla… kudisa….

Only English—

Jungle Hut-u…. Hut-la life-u….

Life with no fear-u…..

Peaceful-life-u….Ravan-come-u…..

Life reversu gear-u…..

Searching Searching….U went searching…

All the way walking….

Bow-u Bow-u.. With your bow-u..

You won him with your bow-u…

God-u You are so so great-u

I am wondering how-u…..

This song-u at Your feet-u

Which is so sweet-u….

How this Greatness Greatness Greatness Sir

Brave Jatayu

2012-01-12T21:08:00.002+05:30

Jatayu was sitting on a tree he used to sit usually

Pecking at a fish that he had caught, casually

Suddenly, he heard Mother Sita’s wail very loud

He turned to see Mother Sita on a golden cloud

Jatayu was surprised on seeing the golden object, that could fly

On seeing his daughter-like Sita being abducted, his anger was high

Forcefully holding Her was a man dark, tall, and with ten heads

Jatayu was incensed beyond a limit by Mother Sita’s tear sheds

The man was grasping Mother Sita by Her hair

On seeing that Jatayu's anger was a furious flare

The man showed no mercy to Mother Sita's pleads

Jatayu wanted to wreck the man's heads like weeds

Jatayu saw no shame or mercy in the man's faces that were cruel

To Jatayu's anger, the arrogance exhibited by the man, was a fuel

Wanting to stop the man from getting away, Jatayu took flight

To give courage to wailing Mother Sita, Jatayu picked up a fight

“Stop! You coward! Philanderer and thief!

Wait for Her Husband, for a moment brief

If truly, you have any pride in your valour

Do not behave with a fox’s demeanour

You are that Ravana, king of Lanka! Are you not?

How could you act so stupid, without fore thought?

What you are doing is nothing but suicide

Rama will wreck the island in which you reside

I’ve heard stories about how wicked and stupid you are

Now you demonstrate that by abducting Her, in Your car

First play with Rama and Lakshman the valour game

Win! And then take Her, if You have any shame”

Ravana was keen on escaping and therefore gave no reply

Jatayu was incensed, and some violence, he did apply

He jumped on to Ravana’s chest plunging his claws

And pecked Ravana on all his heads, for his flaws

Ravana was irritated heavily by this unexpected obstacle

He could not proceed further caught by Jatayu’s tentacle

Blood sprouted from Ravana’s heads and eyes

He decided to kill the bird, in his path, that vies

Jatayu by then knocked Ravana’s all ten crowns down

Ravana’s eyes rolled in anger like the crowns that rolled down

Ravana snatched his knife and stabbed Jatayu vehemently

Though hurt very bad, Jatayu put up a fight more ardently

Jatayu clung on to Ravana’s chest and never left

Ravana’s hope of getting away was almost bereft

It was getting late, and Ravana was caught by fear

That Lord Rama and Lakshman would be coming near

He had heard in detail about Lord Rama’s strength

Maricha had explained about it to him, in length

Out of fear and anger, He took a powerful sword

And cut off the left wing off the dutiful bird

Jatayu lost his balance and helplessly fell

Assurance, to crying Sita, he could not tell

He saw, as he fell, Mother Sita with tears stretching Her hand

Heart broken for not being able to help, he hit the land

Jatayu prayed desperately that he must not die

Hoping Lord Rama would come soon, he did lie

Mother Sita’s wailing lay heavily on his heart

Though he knew, he did his best on his part

Lord Rama with Lakshman was walking south

Silence was decorating His ever truthful mouth

Mother Sita was decorating His beautiful mind

Whom He knew not, how He was going to find

As They went, drops of blood on the way, they saw

Dropping down from a tree, it was fresh and raw

They saw a little further, a flag, on which a Veena was drawn

They knew it was a clue to where the abductor was gone

As They walked a little more, They saw a crown

On seeing its white pearls, Lord Rama did frown

“This crown belongs to that wicked and cowardly abductor

Who, to his own people and land, is going to be the destructor”

Leaving the crown behind, they walked further south watching

The sun above was high, and it was to a great extent scorching

On the way, at some distance, They saw a body of a beast lying

When They went close, They saw Their beloved Jatayu was dying

Jatayu had wounds all over his body, shedding profuse blood

He had shed so much blood that the land around him was red

Without one of his wings, his body was looking like an oval jar

He was so weak that his moaning could not be heard from far

When Lord Rama called out to him, he replied weakly

Feeling relieved on seeing The Brothers, he talked meekly

“Rama! Lakshman! Where have You both been?

In protecting Gentle Sita, should You not be keen?”

On seeing the bird struggle, Lord Rama shed tears

He lifted the bird, and on his laps, he placed its rears

“Jatayu! My dear uncle! Who has done this to you?

My father is dead, Sita is lost, and now it is going to be you!”

“Rama! Don’t cry! Be brave and act very fast

I do not have much time left to breathe my last

Ravana, king of Lanka, has abducted Her by force

Having a flying object at hand, the sky way, he chose

But, do not think, She is lost to You for ever

Vindham, the time She was stolen, has some power

In that time if anything is lost, it cannot be lost for long

Realising this, search for Her, and always remain strong

Use Your weapons and wisdom; never become weakened

Make Ravana regret, for this incident to have happened

Promise me that You will win Her back without fail

In my ears echo Your names, She called to no avail”

“I promise, I will!” A crying Lord Rama strongly said

As He was wiping, from Jatayu’s wounds, flowing blood

Lord Rama realised, to protect Mother Sita, Jatayu had fought

Trying to defend Mother Sita, death on himself, Jatayu had brought

After hearing Lord Rama’s promise, Jatayu breathed his last

And attained the highest world, coveted by sages, very fast

The gates of the highest world opened and gave him gap

For, he was a lucky soul who had died on The Lord’s Lap

Lord Rama’s love for Jatayu was already deep

On seeing Jatayu’s loyalty, further love did seep

Lord Rama shed tears of love and regret ceaselessly

Feeling miserable about watching Jatayu die helplessly

After much crying, Lord Rama decided to do the ritual cremation

And offer, to the departed soul, water and sesame as oblation

Lord Rama’s regret, that He could not cremate His father, went

Being able to act like a son for Jatayu; great satisfaction it lent

Lord Rama lifted Jatayu and held him in His Hand

And waited till Lakshman readied the pyre stand

Jatayu’s body on the woods, He gently laid

Showering flowers on it, His homage He paid

He then set fire to it and stood by crying, profuse

And watched the smoke rise into the sky and suffuse

Once the body was burned to ashes, He collected them

Went to a nearby river, and chanting mantras, dissolved them

In offering to Jatayu’s soul, sesame seeds and water He gave

Praying that, the soul from hunger and thirst, it must save

He then chanted mantras for the welfare of the soul

And that made the cremation ritual complete and whole

Thus Jatayu fought bravely and gave up his life for Ram

Like a father, he died, on Lord Rama’s lap that was warm

Jatayu from heaven watched his body, cremated by Ram

Melting and in gratitude saying, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

The Lord's sorrow and anger

2012-01-11T20:56:00.006+05:30

A fox wailed loudly from Lord Rama’s hind

This ominous happening shook Lord Rama’s mind

Lord Rama walked towards the ashram in a hurried pace

Desperate sweat poured down from His darkened face

That His wife would not have sent His brother, Lord Rama hoped

In walks and runs with an unsteady mind, Lord Rama loped

On the way, Lord Rama came upon a sight

Seeing which, Lord Rama froze in fright

Lakshman was strolling with his head down

In his always humble face there was a thoughtful frown

There was no more enthusiasm left in his nerves

He swayed his bow, aimlessly, on the ground in curves

As He walked, Lord Rama called out to His brother as if to wake

Lakshman lifted up his head, giving to his thoughtfulness, a break

Lakshman’s face showed fears of disapproval from His Lord

As if accepting a failure and a mistake, he stood in accord

“Where is Sita, Lakshman?! What are you doing here?

To leave Her alone in the ashram, have you no fear?

To be on Her guard, till I come back, did I not tell?

Your action increases My fear that something is not well!”

“Brother! Mother commanded me to come to Your aid

On hearing Your voice call us, She was very much afraid

I knew it is not in Your nature to call anyone for help

But, the fear of losing You, Mother Sita could not gulp!”

“Knowing it’s just Her fear, why did you take it seriously?

What if something happens to Her, in Our absence, grievously?

Why did you not try to convince Her otherwise

That to fear about My safety is not very wise?”

Lakshman stood silently for sometime and then started to speak

The reason, as to why his determination to stay back, became weak

“Brother! Mother was angry with me when I wouldn’t go

Accusations regarding my character, She tried to throw

She accused me of coveting Her, and it very much pained

She accused me of awaiting Your death, and yet I remained

Hoping, the rightness in my decision, She would soon know

And that all Her anger, on seeing You, would melt like snow

But then, on seeing me so stubborn, Her suspicion and fear grew

With much firmness, Your sword from its sheath, She swiftly drew

Pointing it to Her chest, She threatened to thrust

My clarity of thinking was immediately bust

I fell at Her reverent Feet, crying and pleading

Telling Her to stop and that I was heeding

Only after I got ready with my weapons, the sword, She dropped

Her bitter crying, angry scolding, and vehement threatening, She stopped”

Unable to control anymore, Lakshman poured out his grief

Shedding tears, and dejected, He expressed his feelings, brief

“After all the years of service, this is the trust I earned

Being accused of betrayal, my heart is completely burnt”

Lord Rama hugged Lakshman and patted on his cheek

And tried to cheer him telling him not to be so weak

“She has spoken out of fear; do not take it to heart

You know, none can think of Me, leaving you apart

When She wanted to join Me in exile, She accused Me too

Women use tears and emotional words to get their points, through

Taking that to heart please do not get dejected or sad

Praiseful words for you, before Me, She has always had

When I tried to send you back home, did She not support you?

Only because of a wife’s fear, She has behaved, startling and new”

Lakshman, on hearing Lord Rama speak thus, dropped all his depression

Lakshman smiled at Lord Rama with a childlike and happy expression

“Brother! I am sorry I was affected by criticism and got distracted

Without getting hurt by passing anger, my duty, I must have enacted

I must have climbed some tree and watched the ashram without fail

Now I feel bad for coming all the way, dejected, with a heart so frail”

Both of their spirits were lifted by each other’s understanding and love

Both of them were walking towards the ashram in runs and walks, now

Lord Rama told Lakshman that He would pinch Mother Sita’s ears for sure

And make Her do Thoppukaranam before Lakshman, for Her obstinacy to cure

Talking thus Lord Rama and Lakshman laughed

In quite sometime, the distance was almost halved

Lord Rama asked Lakshman about the time he left

On hearing which Lord Rama’s hope was bereft

Lakshman had left the ashram more than an hour ago

More than five to six kilometer distance they had to go

They walked and ran fast, not talking much

Praying, They must see Mother Sita as such

Lord Rama’s intuition was ringing an uneasy alarm

Shaking off His fears, He tried to keep His mind calm

In the next thirty minutes, to the ashram, they were near

Unable to believe what they saw, They Both froze in fear

The plantain trees before the ashram were fallen

Flowers were scattered everywhere with their pollen

The fence at the entrance was, towards the ground, leaning

Lord Rama and Lakshman fearfully contemplated the meaning

As if for Their lives, towards the ashram, They ran

Calling out to Mother Sita as loud as They can

But to Their heartbreaking dismay, there was no response

Threatening silence was everywhere, sitting in an ensconce

Lord Rama knelt before the ashram catching His head

Lakshman could not think of words that could be said

Asking Lord Rama to rise, Lakshman stood by His flank

Lord Rama heard or saw nothing, as all for Him was blank

Lord Rama then, opened His eyes and looked everywhere

As if trying to find out, where He and His brother were

Just a moment went by and His memory was flooded

Lord Rama realised He was in the situation, He dreaded

As if pushed by a sudden impulse , He arose and ran

In, out, and around the ashram, like a crazy man

What ever He saw that moment, His tears did shroud

As if, like a blind man for help, He shouted loud

He rotated and revolved, like earth, around His favourite hut

To Him, all doors for a meaningful life ahead was fully shut

His wife, His only attachment, from Him was snatched

Any ray of hope, about getting Her back, was thatched

With hope, He ran to the river bank to see

Thinking, fetching water, His Wife could be

All He could see was the empty bank and flowing waters

Flowing nonchalantly, as if to tell Him, it could not care less

He ran into the woods where they usually walked

And looking everywhere, unto the air, He talked

“Sita! Dear! Just for fun, are You hiding anywhere

If that is so, please come out, I am unable to bear

To see Your Face and Smile, My Heart yearns

Clouded by fearful smokes, My Heart burns

I feel like my head is going to anytime burst

I don’t think life can become anymore worst

Why fate targets Me again and again and treats Me so unkind?

Why does it snatch from Me my loved ones, leaving none behind?

What sin have I committed that I can love no one for very long?

Previous birth, I must have been a sinner and acted very wrong

I had to walk away from My father while he bitterly cried

I could not be at his side, to caress his chest, while he died

I could not give a shoulder when his body was kept on pyre

Though being the eldest son, I was not there to light the fire

I had to send back the people, both young and old

They came to Me out of love but I had to remain cold

Bharatha came to Me, renouncing all comfort, like dust

But separation from Me, upon him, I had to thrust

Why was I not born as a farmer, who happily ploughs the land?

I would’ve gone back home, everyday, holding My Wife’s Hand

As a Prince, with high responsibilities, why was I born?

Is it only to be caught in inextricable situations and get torn?

Why was I gifted with brothers and wife, so loving?

And then, why am I forced into separation and lonely living?

If only I was born as an orphan would I know, ‘what is love?’

If only I never knew that, would I have to lament like this now?

Why does this fate, as if by random wish, give and take

By torturing innocent men like this, what does it make?

Why was I not born as a tree in the forest whose life is so good?

Dancing in the breeze and giving shade, I could have happily stood

When my life, to me, is a burden

What service, can I offer men?

Was I born only to suffer?

Why does death, from me, defer?”

Saying thus and more, Lord Rama cried out like an orphan

Lakshman caressed His chest and head and consoled Him often

Lakshman too had run about the ashram surroundings in search

He noticed, brave Jatayu too was not seen, in his usual tree, perch

After much crying, Lord Rama laid down on the ground

And remained there for long without a word or sound

Like a baby in the womb with folded legs, He lay on his side

As if wanting the earth to open and forever take Him inside

Not wanting to hear anything, He closed His ears

From His tightly shut eyes, flowed river-like tears

Lakshman sat by His side and begged Him to take courage

Reminding Him, how all problems in life, are just a mirage

“To handle the situation at hand, this is not the attitude

We must act now and find Mother Sita, with fortitude

We cannot find Her, if You lie like a bird without a wing

You must use Your valour and wisdom, being a ‘to be king’”

The words, ‘find Mother Sita’, stirred Lord Rama again

It was like a balm applied to soothe His unbearable pain

Lord Rama after long arose from the ground and sat

Tears flowed for long from His eyes that did not bat

After sometime, He composed Himself and wiped His tears

Gathering hope, He decided to keep at bay His sorrows and fears

He stood up slowly and walked mustering His formidable will

On finding what had happened, He fixed His thinking skill

The Brothers went to the ashram observing everything on the way

The ashram animals gathered around, as if they wanted to say

Lakshman told Lord Rama that even Jatayu was not seen

Nodding thoughtfully to Lakshman, Lord Rama’s eyes were keen

Lord Rama noticed a sage’s ochre robs lie on the ground

White pearls, not belonging to Mother Sita’s jewels, were found

Within the fence, Lord Rama saw new and big foot marks deeply sagged

From the ashram to the fence, marks showed, someone was dragged

Lord Rama remembered the king, Maricha had mentioned while dying

He realised it was that king’s plan to defeat Him, without face to face vying

Outside the fence, there was a large square mark on the land

A square so large, within which, about hundred men could stand

Just before the square, the drag marks and foot marks ended

As to what would have happened, some light They rendered

Lord Rama first thought, ‘the mark was made by a palanquin’s pressing’

There were no foot marks of its carriers to support Lord Rama’s guessing

“Lakshman, the square mark shows something heavy stood there

But I am unable to guess, how the abductor of Sita brought it there

The land around shows no mark of people’s or animals’ feet

Without anyone carrying it, how was it lifted from its seat?”

To Lord Rama’s question, Lakshman thoughtfully nodded

His conclusion about the scene, Lakshman thoughtfully added

“Brother! I don’t think there was more than one man here

Seeing the same foot steps everywhere, this to me is clear”

Lord Rama too felt Lakshman’s guessing was right

He wondered if there was an object that could take flight

Thinking about all this, His anger enormously grew

With much determination, fire like words He threw

“Somebody is being very desperate, to die at My hand

He wants to destroy himself, his people, and his land

If only I don’t get back My Sita, as I saw last

I will destroy this entire creation that is vast

I will make the Gods, I humbly worshipped, beg and plead

For silently easing and watching from heavens, this anarchic deed

If I do not get an explanation for making Me suffer thus

My arrows with deadly mantras will create unlimited fuss

I will crush the king to a painful death for crossing my path

Even Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva cannot escape my wrath

What works do these God’s have other than protecting a man of truth?

Always being worshipped and pampered, they remain silent without ruth!

I will force these Gods who are so high

To come down and give me a humble reply

First, I will kill that cowardly demon king in war

Then for my arrows, those heavens will not be far”

Saying thus Lord Rama fumed unable to control His rage

Lakshman had never seen Lord Rama like that all his age

Lakshman, himself fuming in anger, knew not what to say

He silently remained, leaving Lord Rama be His way

Lord Rama then composed Himself and decided to go ahead

In search of His angel who His good fortune made Him wed

The Brothers got up discussing in which direction they would go

The ashram animals gathered around as if they wanted to show

They ran towards the south and looked back at Ram

They lifted their heads pointing to the sky that was calm

Thus another arduous and enlightening journey began in the noble life of Ram

As the animals sadly watched Him, thinking, ‘Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!’

The Golden Deer

2012-01-08T18:44:00.005+05:30

The Noble Three had slowly returned to a normal life

It was more than a month since the unfortunate strife

The Noble Three thought of those incidents as a nightmare

Lord Rama’s wounds were long healed by Mother Sita’s care

About such encounters with demons, Mother Sita did fear

But, as time went by, Her mind became free and clear

Lord Rama and Lakshman, on Her, always kept an eye

Though no danger was imminent, their alertness was high

Lord Rama took care that Mother Sita’s mind is always light

Gifting flowers and rabbits, He was to Her, as always, a delight

About their parents, relatives, and friends, they talked a lot

Panchavati, to them, became once again a delightful spot

Lakshman at Lord Rama’s behest, for Mother Sita, made a swing

Pushed to and fro by Lord Rama, sitting on it, happily She did sing

At times, The Divine Couple sat together and kicked it to and fro

Their happiness like the waxing moon once again started to grow

Once Mother Sita, in the backyard, was picking up colourful flowers

The Brothers sat in the front discussing various mantras’ powers

The Brothers heard, Mother Sita call them in a delightful cry

They went back to see, what had made, Her spirits so high

They saw a golden deer that was strange and exotic

With golden skin and embedded gems, it was truly artistic

It had a white silky line of hair running on its hunch

On the tips of leaves and select herbs, a little it did munch

Its little tail that was colourful, often it twitched

From one shrub to another, it nonchalantly switched

Often it raised its head sprouting its ears that were swank

From the water collected on the grounds, for its thirst, it drank

As if to touch the ground gently, it placed its hoofs that were white

As if in fear, it blinked with its eyes that were black and bright

With every step, it looked like it was dancing to a rhythmic chime

Its black nose, like well polished granite, was, by beauty, very prime

Its silvery horns were branched and into the air they spread

With gems at the tips, they looked like a crown on its head

The gems embedded throughout its body were of various hues

Matching and contrasting each other, they were a splendid fuse

Catching Lord Rama’s hands, Mother Sita gazed at the deer

On seeing such splendour, Her child like excitement was sheer

Her joy made Lord Rama happy, and He too watched the deer

As if it wanted Them to admire, the deer came closer without fear

“I am bewitched beyond a limit by this wonderful creature

Beauty has been bestowed to it lavishly on every feature

I have never heard about such an animal so ornate in its nature

How would it be, if we could take it home, while we go in future?”

Lord Rama silently listened to Mother Sita’s desires with a smile

Lakshman tried to speak up his doubts that this could be a guile

“Mother! This deer that glitters may not be really gold

This could be some demon, cunning, deceptive, and bold

I hope You remember Surphanaka who was young and slim

Who later revealed her old body, once Brother Rama behaved grim

This is the nature of all rakshasas; we must not be deceived

A bitter lesson, regarding their nature, we have already received”

On hearing Lakshman speak, Mother Sita’s face fell

The disappointment in Her Heart, tears came out to tell

Thinking deeply for a moment, She accepted with a nod

That the beautiful deer could be the disguise of a fraud

Seeing Mother Sita’s tears, Lord Rama’s heart began to melt

Allowing His Wife to be disappointed, to Him, was great insult

Whether the deer was true or fake

An attempt for Her, He wanted to make

“I’ve decided to go for the deer” Lord Rama said

Smiling at Mother Sita, He turned His head

He asked obedient Lakshman to fetch His bow

The reason for His decision, He explained though

“Lakshman, Sita has desired for the deer

Fulfilling Her wish, to me, is very dear

She has never desired for anything as far as I know

But She has walked difficult paths for Me in a row

I do not want to sit back simply without trying

While, with an unfulfilled desire, Her heart is crying”

On hearing Lord Rama say this, Mother Sita was glad

Yet, She was afraid that something might go bad

“Lord! I know You would do this and more for Me

But this desire of Me is nothing, so let it be

As Lakshman says that deer could be some demon

Such acts by those wicked beings are always common

I do not want a deer, putting our lives at risk

Even a small mistake can make our fortune whisk

So, let the golden deer roam and go its way

The attempt to catch it, please keep at bay”

In His decision, to go for the deer, Lord Rama remained

The reason for sticking to His decision, Lord Rama explained

“Dear! One reason, I think I should go for the deer, is You

The other, is to know the truth behind the deer, which is new

I too think this deer must be some demon’s treason

In that case, to go, I have all the more reason

Why should some asura come here in guise?

Is their strength in the jungle again on rise?

How can we sit back and relax when we think,

Demons are still roaming in our ashram’s brink?

So let me go and try to snatch this deer for You

While Lakshman stays behind and protects You

I will be getting You a gift if this deer is true and rare

You and the deer, in our ashram, will make a beautiful pair

In case I find this deer is a pretense

Then I will kill it for such offense

A whole army, all by myself, did I not take on

So please do not be scared while I am gone

I am protected by mantras, sage Vishwamitra taught

I cannot be, by anyone’s deceit, defeated or caught”

Mother Sita, though worried, felt Lord Rama was right

Lakshman was completely satisfied knowing Lord Rama’s might

Lord Rama received the bow and arrows His brother brought

Kissing His wife good-bye, after the golden deer, He sought

He slowly walked out of the ashram looking for the deer

The deer was loitering amidst shrubs in a space that was clear

Lord Rama rubbed on Himself some herbs as a cover scent

Bending His knees and hiding Himself, towards the deer, He went

He came close to the deer about a distance, four feet

To hug it from behind, He leaped, and the deer took fleet

He was surprised when He thought how the deer could have sensed

While His smell, sound, and presence from it were completely fenced

The deer had run off quite a distance but was very much in sight

Only after Lord Rama went close to it, it again took flight

The deer repeated this act in a cunning way

Lord Rama, far from the ashram, it led astray

Lord Rama observed how the deer hovered within His sight

And how, only when He went close to it, it showed fright

Lord Rama noticed, from the shrubs, it pretended to eat

Leaves were all intact, green, fresh, whole, and neat

Lord Rama also noticed the other animals showing fear

When the golden deer, though very tiny, went to their near

Birds on the trees fluttered above and it took long to settle

Even larger stags ran away from it in spite of their mettle

Stronger and stronger became Lord Rama’s suspicion

So He hid Himself and watched the deer for rendition

The deer, to His surprise, started to search for Him

It traced back the path, through which it led Him

It went past the tree, Lord Rama was hiding

As if in doubt and in hurry, it was striding

Now it was not as relaxed as it was before

Nor did it munch or drink, as it did before

It went through shrubs and bushes tearing them rough

To its gentle appearance, such behaviour was tough

Lord Rama was sure that it was no gentle being

And that it had come there for some evil doing

Lord Rama came out of his hiding and clapped

The deer turned back in the direction and gasped

This time before the flurrying deer could take flight

Lord Rama’s arrows pierced it with the speed of light

“Lakshman! My Brother! Help! Help! Help!”

Lord Rama was perplexed to hear the deer yelp

“Sita! My Love! Send Lakshman to Me now”

The deer imitating His voice, He knew not how

As if to answer all His questions

And as if to confirm all His suspicions

In the place of the deer that treacherously ran

There lay, bleeding and half dead, a gigantic man

When He went close and looked at the lying man’s face

Lord Rama identified the person through His memory’s trace

It was Maricha who Lord Rama’s arrow threw afar like a ball

While Lord Rama was protecting sage Vishwamitra’s yagna hall

Lord Rama was very angry and confused about Maricha’s acts

He wanted to collect from Maricha all the plans and facts

Lord Rama realised Maricha was not working alone

He approached Maricha and talked in a demanding tone

“Are you not Maricha who came to disturb My guru’s work?

Now to come here thus, who is the one, who offered you perk?

Already once, you got a chance to live again

Using it properly, some merits, could you not gain?

Why is it that you are bent in spoiling others’ peace?

Relishing what nature offers, why can’t you live in peace?

What have you gained by this act, other than loosing your life?

With people living in recluse, why do you always pick up strife?”

Lord Rama asked those questions in an angry snap

Like shooting His arrows during a fight without a gap

To His surprise, Maricha replied in an apologetic tone

Immense respect towards Lord Rama, by him, was shown

“Forgive me Lord, for, this service to my king I owed

To make my daily provider happy, my gratitude I showed

When my king asked me to trick You, I was completely shaken

For, a lesson about Your amazing might, I have already taken

When I warned my king about Your potent

My king from his way would not repent

For eating his salt and singing Your praise, he did scorn

A death sentence for me, for disobedience, he did warn

I realised my time of death had come too close

A proud death during my service, I happily chose

I know playing the fool with You is nothing but suicide

Yet, to be a good servant to my king, I did so decide

In trying to protect him from You, I have genuinely tried

And now in carrying out his orders, I am fully satisfied

Please do not hate me, for I am just the arrow

I did not act with a grudge to give You sorrow”

Lord Rama was no more angry with the dying man

He realised, the man, as a servant, has did the best he can

Anyway Lord Rama wanted to know who the king was

For that king to hate Him, He wanted to know the cause

“Who is this king, please do tell

The name of his country, please do spell

What are his future plans? Please do say!

Why did he choose this tricky way?”

“Lord! Before rendering answers to Your questions

From my life, I like to give You some visions

To what I have to say, please do listen

Then you tell me, how to end this mission

Lord! We first met while You were a teen

More than twenty long years, it has been

I was flying towards the sage Vishwamitra’s hut

You were facing us, demons, with tremendous gut

The first moment I saw Your hand go to the quiver

The next moment I saw my pals fall in a shiver

Before I could travel a dozen feet

I saw all my men were deplete

Then I was shocked to see Your attention on me

The next moment I felt myself flying to the sea

I realised an arrow delivered from Your bow

Hit me so hard, and I had to involuntarily go

I was stirred, and I was shaken, to the core

Even now I shiver though the incident is of the yore

From then on I chose a pious way of living

Renouncing my anarchic path of misgiving

Since then my king has been feeding me for my hunger

So within the belt of loyalty towards him, I have to linger

Only with this loyalty I tried to protect him from You

But those who give the same advice in his ministry are few

As a person who has given up the sinful way

For the person who fed me, I have to repay

So I came here, and till now, have acted well

Now my king’s name to You, You want me to tell

If I do thus, I will be betraying my king

And such act is very much a sinful thing

All my life, I could not be a very clean slate

I like to be good at the end of my fate

As I am in Your hold, if You hit

My king’s name, in pain, I may spit

But then I will be dying, failing in my duty

From such shameful death, please show me pity

I am at Your mercy, do as You please

Either way at Your feet, my life will cease

For, to the next world, I am on my way

Whether it is heaven or hell, is Your say!”

Saying thus, Maricha ended His plea

Lord Rama decided to leave him free

He silently walked to a nearby lake

And brought back water for Maricha’s sake

Maricha drank water from The Hands of Ram

Maricha in friendship, smiled at Ram

Maricha died at The Feet of Ram!

Finally uttering, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Bloodshed

2012-01-04T15:57:00.009+05:30

Lord Rama was sitting before His ashram on a wooden seat

Thinking of Bharatha, who, His heart yearned to meet

Mother Sita was inside the ashram doing some chore

Lakshman, to fetch water, had gone to the river shore

Like a white and shining cloud that causes dark shadow

A beautiful lady came and stood upon a nearby meadow

Seeing Lord Rama’s manly features, her eyes became wide

The lustful desire, evident in it, she did not care to hide

She wanted to be embraced by Lord Rama’s arms that were strong

Though a married woman, she did not think it was wrong

She wanted to be kissed by Lord Rama’s lips that were red

She did not care to know if Lord Rama was already wed

On seeing the Warrior’s broad chest that was unarmoured

She heaved a heavy sigh as she was helplessly enamoured

To make amorous advances, towards Him, she decided

She entered the fence of the ashram, The Noble Three resided

Lord Rama was surprised on seeing her, in that, almost deserted place

He wondered why a young woman walked alone, through jungle ways

Anyway, with goodwill, He decided to do what was best

With folded palms and smile, He greeted the uninvited guest

“I am not a goddess, just because I am dressed in gold

I hope my toned body would tell You that I am not old

So this unnecessary respect for me, You can shun

And behave like a man so that we can have some fun”

Saying thus, she winked and smiled in a naughty way

Hands on her hips, she moved them in a tempting sway

Lord Rama was shocked, ashamed, and incensed by her act

Anyway, He decided to handle the delicate issue with tact

“Lady! By behaving thus you are only inviting pain

Within the prescribed limits of a woman, please remain

Look for a man who loves you, and please marry

In talking about this to your elders, don’t tarry”

On hearing such dialogues, from inside, Mother Sita was shocked

She came out to know, with whom, Lord Rama thus talked

On seeing Mother Sita, Surphanaka, the lustful woman, smiled

She thought, because of His Wife inside, Lord Rama had guiled

“Oh! So You already have a Wife, I did not know

Giving some privacy to the dumb Couple, let me go

Good bye Lady! You can, all for Yourself, have the man

Hmmm! I hope at least with You, He will behave like a man”

She said that and laughed as though it were a joke

A man’s ego in Lord Rama, hoping she could provoke

Allowing her robes and hairs to freely fly, she turned around

In a slow catwalk, she carelessly walked out the ashram ground

With water pots in his hands, Lakshman came

Wondering who that woman was, having no shame

Almost close to rubbing against him, she went by

Lakshman stepped aside to give way, feeling shy

Lord Rama assuaged His angry brother and disgusted Wife

Relieved that she was gone, He returned to His normal life

But to His dismay, she approached Him again

And spoke unruly words that caused Him pain

“What do You see in Her, that pious looking Hen

She can be no match for me, in satisfying men”

“One more word, Lady, you will loose your teeth

From that ugly face of yours, blood will seethe”

Lord Rama’s anger only fired up her lust

Herself on Lord Rama, she tried to thrust

Before she could touch, He slapped her soon

The slap was so hard, she fell in a swoon

Lord Rama stood there for a moment, controlling his anger

He walked back to the ashram not wanting to stay any longer

When He went to the ashram, He was in a pensive mood

Mother Sita and Lakshman realised something was not good

Lord Rama told Them everything and became silent

While Surphanaka rushed in with a behaviour so violent

As she came in, the ashram’s fence and plants, she battered

Terrified by her screaming, the ashram’s animals got scattered

This time, she was not beautiful or young like before

Lord Rama recognized her only by the mouth He tore

The Brothers realised, towards Mother Sita, she was rushing

Bad and angry words about Mother Sita, she was gushing

To be, by His Wife’s side, Lord Rama stepped back

While Lakshman moved forward, deciding to whack

Hoping to scare her away, Lakshman gave out a shout

Seeing she wouldn’t budge, Lakshman pushed her out

Surphanaka retorted by trying to slap and scratch

Lakshman twisted her hands, and kept her in his catch

Seeing her mouth, by His brother, was already torn

Not wanting to hurt her anymore, he tried to warn

“Lady! Violence against women is something I hate

Once I leave you, please walk out without debate

Instead, in such stupid and useless acts, if you persist

From cutting off your nose and ears, I will not desist”

Saying thus, he slowly released the hands he gripped

Back to her violent behaviour, from calmness, she flipped

Crying and yelling, she scratched Lakshman’s chest

Lakshman realised, patience would not be anymore best

He cut off her nose and ears without another word

Drawing out from its sheathe, his sharp and shining sword

Shocked, ashamed, and in pain, she started to run

The Noble Three felt bad for what was done

Lord Rama told Lakshman that They must be alert

For, Surphanaka, in one way or other, may try to revert

Since they discussed the matter thus, not even two hours went

Surphanaka came with fourteen hefty men, for her anger to vent

From afar, they heard horses’ hoofs, making a rattle

Instantly, The warrior Brothers, got ready for battle

Well before the ashram, by Lord Rama, the enemies were faced

Without a warning or a word, their attacks, they raised

Their iron clubs, at Lord Rama, at a time, they threw

Lord Rama shredded them in a second, and their wonder grew

At Lord Rama’s Feet, the clubs lay, broken asunder

As if to show, how and why, their wielders must surrender

“Not bad!” They said. “Nice tricks you have learnt!

But lo! They are wasted as You are going to be burnt

Having messed with our king’s sister, Your life is no more Yours

And that Dame, who watches from Your behind, is going to be ours”

Saying thus, and drawing their swords, towards Lord Rama, they rushed

The next moment, from their headless torsos, bloody fountains gushed!

Struck by wonder, dismay, and fear, Surphanaka was baffled

Her lust and anger on Lord Rama grew, seeing the way He battled

With disappointment, not anger, at Surphanaka, Lord Rama stared

Surphanaka took a run for her life, thinking His anger has flared

Mother Sita was relieved while Lakshman jumped with joy

Lakshman celebrated Lord Rama for handling the weapon like a toy

Not even three hours went, they heard a tumultuous sound

They saw agitated birds and dust, arising from the far off ground

They heard sounds of drums, trumpets, and conches

Sounds made by an army, while, an attack it launches

The warrior Brothers knew, it was time for a war

They quickly got ready, while the enemy was still afar

It was decided; Lakshman would guard Mother Sita in a nearby cave

While Lord Rama would cause in the enemy’s army a devastating wave

About Lord Rama single handedly fighting, Mother Sita was hesitant

Lord Rama reassured Her with a smile, saying, “He was not a debutant”

Mother Sita, to a cave in the nearby mountain, Lakshman took

The battle scene from there, They could clearly look

Lord Rama got ready for battle, invoking His anger

Thinking, ‘they will realise, they have never been wronger’

He wore His helmet, armour, and finger guards

Which were given to Him by various gods

He tied to His back, the quiver filled with arrows

He was pained about the many wives’ future sorrows

Worshipping the gods at heart, He lifted the bow

He decided to talk sense to His enemy, though

He walked in the enemy’s direction, and chose a high land

Like a fire awaiting moths, He took a majestic stand

The midday sunlight fell on His armour, and made it shine

Amidst the shady tress, like a second sun, He looked divine

He was like a fire; His fury its heat

He was determined to perform a mighty feat

His eyes and ears were alert, and sharp

His mind was playing the enthusiastic harp

Divine chariots that were beautifully fashioned

In the sky above, by gods from heaven, were stationed

Some rishis stood in the sky and prayed for Lord Rama’s sake

They wished, all the enemies’ heads, Lord Rama must take

The sound made by the enemies became loud

He could see amidst the trees, the enemy crowd

They were rushing towards Him like a swarm of bees

Lord Rama knew He could wipe them with a playful ease

His left hand was holding the bow that stood on the ground

His right hand was kept on His hips that were round

To show that He was ready, His legs were spread

Due to unlimited anger, His lotus like eyes were red

About thirty feet from Him, the army halted

To give way to its leaders, the army parted

To Lord Rama’s view, the three leaders of the army came

They were surprised to see, a single man against an army game

“So You are that Rama, our sister told, who has some weird little skill

With which You can shoot a dozen arrows, within a second, to kill

But now I am afraid, we are by numbers very large

Giving up this stupidity, surrender, before we charge”

The king of Janasthana, Khara, was the one who spoke thus

Trisaras and Dhooshana were on his sides, with an angry focus

Trisaras had three heads, like cauliflowers, as his name indicates

Looking at them with pity, Lord Rama spoke His vindicates

“Underestimating the enemy is not good for health, dear friend

Instead of coursing your sister’s path, why don’t we change the trend?

She behaved badly, paid no heed to Our words, and so got punished

If only you could realise this and go back, the matter is finished”

Instead, if you try to attack me, thinking I am alone

Even before you realise, your lives will long be gone

A thousand ants joining, doesn’t help them eat an ember

Do not dream of victory, just because you’re large in number”

Lord Rama spoke thus, in a very confident tone

The enemies, like animals, started to loudly groan

Without speaking anything more, an attack, they launched

The weapons that flew towards Him, Lord Rama staunched

Lord Rama spent some time defending Himself, hurting none

He kept cutting off all the flying weapons, as if it were fun

The army started to charge furiously towards Him

Seeing that, to hurt them now, Lord Rama got a whim

He kept cutting the weapons only to show

That He can shoot unlimited arrows in a row

He hoped, at least by seeing that, they would realise his might

But on seeing them charge, He decided to engage in a violent fight

Lord Rama sent a deluge of arrows as if showering a rain

Those arrows made the army’s spirits and numbers drain

They threw weapon after weapon, yelling their hatred, all in vain

Limbs severed, throats cut, and hearts pierced, they all cried in pain

Lord Rama was so fast that for every single weapon thrown

He retaliated with two swift and sharp arrows of His own

One, to encounter the weapon, and another, to hurt its wielder

Both found their marks and stressed, ‘their Lord is not a yielder’

Among the thousands of weapons, a few, on Lord Rama, did hit

Though they caused wounds and bitter pain, He never minded it

Along with the pain, His anger and alertness started to grow

Lord Rama started to send more arrows, knitting His hairy brow

To wipe the blood from His wound, He did not try

He made two, four, six, and eight arrows angrily fly

Covered completely by blood, Lord Rama was a sight, to look

None of His arrows missed their marks, and each a life, they took

A sharp arrow shot by Khara made Lord Rama’s bow break

Khara rejoiced thinking, ‘Lord Rama’s life was now for his to take’

But Lord Rama playfully smiling at Khara extended His hand

In it appeared a mighty bow, well decorated, and very grand

Three, five, and seven arrows, at a time, Lord Rama shot

Charged with mantras of fire, they were all red and hot

Four, eight, and twelve arrows, at a time, Lord Rama sent

The fire-charged arrows entered into bodies like hot iron rods

The Kandharva arrows split up bodies, and made them open pods

The fire-charged arrows drank blood and hissed like venomous snakes

The enemies’ lives, for the Kandharva arrows, were for generous takes

The enemies fought with physical strength that was brutal

Lord Rama fought with spiritual power that was immortal

Not a hundred, nor a thousand, but fourteen thousand men when numbered

Were all fallen to the ground, either killed, or their vital parts dismembered

Khara, Dhooshana, and Trisaras now realised what is frustration

This was the first time they saw, their army in utter devastation

They thought, ‘going back to their women would be any more shame’

Wanting either victory or death, towards Lord Rama, they swiftly came

Lord Rama cut one of Trisaras heads as if it were an apple

Shooting at Dhushana’s chariot, Lord Rama made him topple

Yet they rushed towards Lord Rama with maces, uttering angry words

Lord Rama swiftly pierced their hearts, and made their souls free birds

Khara was now alone in fear, and anger, completely shaken

By his army and his commanders, he was now forsaken

His chariot rushed towards Lord Rama, yet

Soon, soaked in his own blood, he was wet

Not wanting to delay anymore, Lord Rama cut off his head

On the ground, along with his soldiers, Khara sadly fell dead

Lord Rama saw one man run, taking the news somewhere

He did not try to hurt the man, as He thought it was unfair

Lakshman and Mother Sita, from the cave, came running

Hugging both of Them, Lord Rama rejoiced His winning

Mother Sita shed tears on seeing Lord Rama’s wounds bleed

She wiped them clean, and applied a paste made of turmeric seed

The Gods from above showered flowers on Ram

The Gandharvas with music sang praises of Ram

The Rishis were glad and relieved, by the victory of Ram

In a chorus they sang, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

An offender forgiven

2012-01-01T19:57:00.001+05:30

A crow flew down, and hit on Mother Sita’s face

Mother Sita waved a stick, at the crow, to chase

The stick She waved, it quickly dodged

Its beak into Her chest, it cruelly lodged

Though it pained, to cry, She did not raise Her voice

Disturbing Her husband’s sleep, on Her lap, was not a choice

The crow hit on Her, again and again

Mother Sita suffered abominable pain

She did not cry or shout, though She was incensed

Something bad happening to Her, Lord Rama sensed

He opened His eyes, and saw the unlawful crow

With tremendous fury and pain, He knit His brow

As He did not have with Him, His arrows and bow

He looked around for something heavy, to throw

Seeing nothing that could hurt, He plucked a grass

He held it like a weapon that was made of iron and brass

Into it the destructive Brahma mantra, He efficiently chanted

To come back with the crow’s life, His permission, He granted

The Brahmaastra- grass flew like a missile, spitting fire

Seeing danger at stake and fearing for life, the crow flew higher

The crow was actually Jayanthan, Indra’s son

Taking his true form, He started to run

He ran to heaven, and fell at his father’s feet

Not as a son, but even as a guest, Indra refused to treat

Again, becoming a crow, to Kailash he went

Shiva refused to help, wanting him to repent

From there, to surrender, to the creator Brahma he went

Only to realise, even on Brahma he could not depend

Realising no one would protect him from Lord Rama’s anger

He kept his head at The Lord’s Feet without delaying longer

The merciful Lord wanted to give Him complete protection

But it was too late for any such consideration or reflection

“Brahmaastra’s power cannot be nullified but can be reduced

The folly in torturing others, I hope you have deduced

Your left eye to the Brahmaastra, you must give

Giving up anarchic ways and misdeeds, you must live”

Jayanthan fell once again at The Lord’s Feet and apologized for his madness

Standing up once again to his height, he started singing The Lord’s Greatness

Along with his tears, his gratitude profusely flowed

Though his left eye was damaged by the grass that glowed

“Rama! Rama! Rama! Greatest Lord!

Though in human garb, I realise, You are God

Being the source of riches, like a mendicant, how could You be?

My fortune, not misfortune, has brought me to Thee!

Giving up my ego and shame, I beg Your love

Unlimited devotion unto Your feet, please bestow

I fall at Your Feet, wanting to be completely cleansed

For, from a devotee of Thy Feet, temptation is fenced

Never again must I err in my life

Never again must I look another’s wife

Though, the love of Your life, Mother Sita, I have offended

Me, from Your anger, You Yourself have defended

Both to Your might, and to Your mercy, I have been a witness

By which I have regained my mental sanity, and moral fitness

The loss I suffered is only a small fee

As from all future sins, I am free

Oh, Handsome One! The One with a heart, beautiful like a blossom

For every creature on this earth, there is a place in Your bosom

Only the lucky ones encounter You, with a good or bad intention

As they are released from all sins, once they get Your attention

You are unlimited love! You are all that is good!

For wisdom to grow, Your thought is food

You are the One, who has all the might!

You are the One, who is always right!

Forgive me, Lord, for all my sins, and accept me

Last in the queue of all Your devotees, let me be!”

Saying thus, Jayanthan fell at the Feet of Ram

Gratefully and truthfully saying, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Happy days in Panchavati

2012-01-01T19:41:00.002+05:30

Lord Rama, Mother Sita and Lakshman had walked for days, three

Though they had walked so long, from fatigue, they were free

For, in the past ten years, they had become tough

Due to the ten year pilgrimage, a process very rough

They had crossed mountains, and were now walking on plain land

On their way, suddenly, The Noble Three saw a huge creature stand

The warrior Brothers’ grip on their strong bows tightened

But when they heard the creature talk, their hearts lightened

“I do not eat human flesh; You need not worry or fear

No human has wanted to hold against me, his angry spear

Tell me youthful people, Your names and native place

I am neither a weakling nor Your enemy for You to chase”

The Noble Three were surprised on seeing that talking creature

Lord Rama admired, in its talk, the brave and friendly feature

The Noble Three walked closer towards the king size vulture

Wondering how a bird could talk like it was from human culture

They introduced themselves, and told about their native place

They noticed the old bird’s face showed a delightful trace

“Ram!” It exclaimed. “How is Dasaratha, my friend and Your father?”

Saying thus, it became silent as its memories had traveled back farther

Lord Rama’s face fell, reminded of the death of his dad

The vulture could not get why Lord Rama became sad

Lakshman told the vulture about the king’s demise

The vulture was pained as if, under a crushing device

“Oh! Dasaratha! My good old friend!

Why did your life, so soon, have to end?

Green are the memories when we both roamed the world

I stayed away from you, only to allow you rule the world

Why did you go to heaven, leaving me

Without you in this world, how could I be?

Already my beloved brother Sampathi, I have lost

Now you too have left me alone and gone very fast

With no one to love me, why must I be alive

Tying my wings, from a mountain, I am going to dive”

Saying thus, the vulture cried for long, and got ready to fly

But Lord Rama stopped him before he could rise too high

“Live for us, uncle! We Three have none but you alone

What would we do, if you too go, leaving us alone?

I am so happy to see you, for you love my father so much

The one, who would die at a friend’s death, though not in touch

As though I am seeing my father, I am delighted at your sight

Be with us as an elderly guardian, and give us some respite

Please don’t think you have none; We are here, and We are yours

On seeing you, the wound from My dad’s death, in My heart cures”

By the sincere words of Lord Rama, the vulture felt embraced

To stay in that place, guarding The Three, the vulture’s mind braced

He introduced himself as Jatayu, the son of Aruna, sun god’s charioteer

Being Dasaratha’s children, to guard Them, he was a happy volunteer

The Noble Three decided to stay there choosing a suitable place nearby

Lakshman built an ashram asking The Divine Couple to simply stand by

He built the ashram, better than he did in Chitrakut, so beautifully

He meticulously cared for even the minutest details, so dutifully

The ashram was located at the heart of a place of plenty

Fruit bearing trees stood at a distance, by feet, just twenty

Nearby ran a river providing sweet water for their basic needs

They settled in the ashram, doing both spiritual and fun filled deeds

Lord Rama and Lakshman worshipped the sun without fail

The deities in the ashram, Mother Sita worshipped to hail

On specific days on the lunar calendar, they spent in fasting

For spiritual and material wellbeing as well as happiness, everlasting

On other days, they also had a lot of fun

To enjoy lives like them, there was none

They took long walks in the beautiful surrounding

Witnessing animals and birds that were astounding

They heard stories of the yore, through Jatayu’s narration

He brought to life, those days, with his act and animation

To go back to Ayodhya, after the exile term, they were eager

But the sorrow, due to separation and death, was now meager

They played little games for their hearts’ gladdening

To make time useful and for food, they did some gardening

Though in jungle, Their life was truly rich and wealthy

They did meditation and yoga, to keep Themselves healthy

Once, The Noble Three went to the nearby river to swim

Due to recent rains, the river was flowing brisk and brim

Mother Sita challenged Lord Rama in a swimming race

She said She could swim faster as She was an expert and ace

Lord Rama warned Her of defeat, but She would not budge

Lakshman was made to sit on a rock, to be a good judge

Once Lakshman clapped, The Divine Couple dived

To touch the other shore, and come back first, They strived

Lord Rama touched the other shore, and He came back fast

But He thought He would feel guilty, if His Wife came last

Splashing the waters, He pretended as if He was swimming

Mother Sita overtook Him quickly, and rejoiced Her winning

To keep it natural, He followed Her fast, and close behind

And complained, She had tricked, and the race must be rewind

The Noble Three laughed, but each, for different reasons

Time went like this happily, showing its different seasons

Days went by giving Them delight after delight

Months went by without any bickering or fight

Giving happiness as offering, time went by, serving Ram

As if it worshipped Him by saying, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Sage Agasthiar

2011-12-31T12:37:00.003+05:30

Sudeekshana let out a cry that was happy and loud

His happiness, on seeing Lord Rama, he could not shroud

He ran towards Lord Rama, and hugged him tight

Lord Rama had come back to his ashram, giving delight

“It is ten long years, and I thought you had forgotten

To visit me again, I thought, you wouldn’t think as important

But are You not The Ram, who always keeps up His word?

A promise made by You is a milk that never becomes curd”

The Noble Three, stayed in Sudeekshana’s ashram for months, ten

They were cared for, like the eyes by the eye lid, by his disciple men

Once as they were sitting and chatting about spiritual things

Their talk came upon Sage Agasthiar, who had done wonderful things

Sudeekshana narrated story of Sage Agasthiar, a man of little stature

But, who possessed stupendous powers, inherent in him, all by nature

“Sage Agasthiar is one of the seven rishis, created by Lord Brahma, first

Lord Brahma seemed to have given to sage Agasthiar, all his best

Sage Agasthiar lived in Kailash, worshipping Shiva the Great

A different course in life was planned for him by mighty fate

Once, all beings ever created, were in Kailash, while Shiva married

Earth lost its balance, as, so much weight, at one point it carried

To balance this, by all knowing Shiva, sage Agasthiar was sent

Earth regained its balance when, from North to South, Agasthiar went

This was the least of all miracles the sage did, I would say

For, he handled many challenges, and succeeded in a miraculous way

Once the Vindhya Mountain started to grow, out of greed, very tall

With a loud command, the little sage stopped its growth and made it fall

He had to do so, as it obstructed between sun and earth, the relative motion

Causing the confusion of days and nights, which led to a great commotion

Once lived in this forest, two demonic brothers, a wicked pair

Ilvala and Vathaapi by names, and cruel by nature, they were

Vaathaapi could come back to life even if he was, to ashes, burnt

By performing difficult penance for long, this trick, he learnt

Ilvala and Vaathaapi cunningly used this skill

To trick innocent sages, and wickedly kill

Vaathaapi, with his powers, would become a goat

Ilavala would cook him after cutting his throat

Ilvala then would piously invite some sage to be his guest

And serve, the sage, cooked Vaathaapi as if it was the best

Once the sage innocuously finishes the deceitful dinner

Ilvala would call out Vaathaapi, the deadly sinner

Vaathaapi would revive, leaving the sage’s body torn

The poor sage’s life would have, by then, helplessly gone

They played this trick on sages, until sage Agasthiar they met

The better of the little sage, their dubious tricks could not get

Sage Agasthiar finished his meal served by Ilavala, and belched

Following which Ilvala’s longtime arrogance was squelched

For, when Ilvala called out Vaathaapi, he received his lifetime shock

As the little sage said, ‘Vaathaapi is digested’ and laughed to mock

To attack and kill the little sage, furious Ilvala rushed

But the little sage burnt him by creating fire, and easily flushed

Thus, the forest again became a safe haven for the pious sages

As it had ever been, for the past hundreds of ages

Once upon a time there existed Kalakeyas, a deadly clan

To torture all beings on earth was their only plan

Indra was furious at this, and decided to kill them all

In order to protect themselves, into the ocean, they did fall

Indra approached sage Agasthiar, and asked for help

Sage Agasthiar approached the ocean, and drank it in a gulp

The Kalakeyas were revealed to Indra’s sight

And were killed, to the last, in a bitter fight

Thus goes on the little sage Agasthiar’s wonderful deeds

With amazing ease, he plucks out the problematic weeds

He has accomplished so much and more with his height, three feet

He is the father of Tamil, the language, so beautiful and sweet

He gave for Tamil its grammar books

He has also given many medicinal books”

Saying thus, the little sage’s story, Sudeekshana ended

The Noble Three said the story was edifying and splendid

The Noble Three had not met with sage Agasthiar till then

Though they had met with almost all sagacious men

About this desire, to Sudeekshana, Lord Rama said

Sudeekshana, in agreement, nodded his head

The Noble Three must meet sage Agasthiar, Sudeekshana felt

The way to sage Agasthiar’s ashram, Sudeekshana spelt

Sudeekshana told Them to stay in some ashram on the way in the dark

And that, on the next morning again, on their journey, they could embark

The Noble Three started on a morning before the sun reached high

Sudeekshana with tears, and along with his disciples, said good bye

They came upon an ashram when the sun had just set

A sage came out of the ashram and, with Them, he met

The sage was sage Agasthiar’s brother

With pride and love, he spoke about his brother

The next morning, The Noble Three again started

To sage Agasthiar’s ashram, they duly departed

In sage Agasthiar’s ashram, before sunset, The Noble Three were

Sage Agasthiar’s disciples invited Them in with utmost care

Sage Agasthiar came to them as soon as he was informed

All his other works, for Them, he immediately postponed

The Noble Three fell at his feet, seeking his blessing

He accepted with humility their praiseful addressing

He blessed The Noble Three with a heart that was sincere

He had to look up at Lord Rama who, to him, was procere

“Welcome Rama and Lakshman! To my humble abode

That, The Three of You would come, I did forebode

Welcome Sita! To my simple house

Rama is lucky for having you as spouse

Rama! You have come so very down from Your height

You will lift this world and mankind to a great height

Success and glory from reaching You none can withhold

Does it not show in the lofty values that you uphold

Sita! What You have done can be done only by Janaka’s daughter

Though being a king, he lives like a sage without a falter

You are the form of those qualities called chastity and purity

I can say this pledging my head with utmost surety

Lakshman! What can I say about you, my sunny boy?

This princely body of yours, to be a servant, you employ!

If only all men value love, before wealth and comfort, like you

To live on this heavenly earth, even gods will stand in queue”

Saying thus, and more, the sage, for long, sincerely appreciated them

His wisdom was such, with closed eyes, he could say stone from gem

The sage gifted Lord Rama and Lakshman with two marvelous bows

And two magical quivers that would supply arrows in unending rows

After staying with the sage for numerous days

The Noble Three wanted to stay in a separate place

They were satisfied They had completed a long pilgrimage

They decided to stay put in a separate hermitage

Sage Agasthiar told them about Panchavati, an abundant place

Which, The Noble Three would find fit for the rest of the exile phase

Sage Agasthiar and his disciples bid farewell to Ram,

While their hearts chanted, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Lord Rama's hidden Divinity

2011-12-30T16:08:00.002+05:30

For more than seven weeks, Lord Rama stayed in that place

The disturbing demons saw wisdom in giving up their ways

In one place for long, Lord Rama did not want to be held

Though the sages with Lord Rama, like relatives, gelled

Lord Rama approached the sages and told His wish politely

Though they were sad, being wise men, they took it lightly

“Dearest Rama! You do not belong only to us but all

Numerous sages await Your shadow, in their places, to fall

Respectful, humble and loving, You are a delightful Lad

We feel, while You go, the torment suffered by Your dad

But even this sorrow You give, by leaving us

Somewhere deep within soothes, by touching us

Even for a moment, in anyone’s life, when You enter

You walk into their heart and sit right in the center

You are truly that Love, which oozes in every heart

You leave us with beautiful memories while You depart

You melt our ego so much, we want nothing more

Your image, the highest wealth, our hearts would store

Giving up things, for nothing, is always fake

One can give up pleasure for higher happiness sake

You are the One, who gives us such happiness in abundance

Before which, all pleasures go to a state of redundance

Thank You Rama! For being so wonderful and good

For our inspired minds, Your thoughts are fuel and food

Your Wife and brother taking pains to be with You is no wonder

Only missing a chance to be in Your presence would be a blunder”

Saying thus, the sages gave leave for The Noble Three to go

Their heart’s love came out as tears as if to see the departure show

The Noble Three were accompanied by a group of sages

Who wanted to serve as guides, expecting nothing material for wages

The Noble Group headed by Lord Rama went past landscapes

Where teemed a number of animals like deer, boars and apes

As they were walking, they came across a beautiful lake

Where cranes flew in and out for the tasty fishes’ sake

They heard musical sounds of sitar, drums and flute

One blending with the other in a rhythmic suit

“Mandakarni is having fun!” One of the sages said

To laughter amidst the sages, this statement led

With a curious look, Lord Rama turned His head

About Sage Mandakarni, for Lord Rama, some light they shed

“Sage Mandakarni was a man of exceptional strength

He performed difficult penance for a century’s length

To intensify his penance, on this lake’s water, he stood

He consumed only air, renouncing water and food

In Indra’s heart, fear of loosing his position, started to grip

He wanted sage Mandakarni, from his determination, to slip

Indra sent five seductive diva’s near sage Mandakarni to seduce

Hoping sage Mandakarni’s attention on penance would reduce

But sage Mandakarni, to be tricked, was too wise

To give up his penance, from Indra, he demanded a price

He wanted those divas for himself by lawful wedding

And a permanent palace with servants to do his bidding

Indra created for him such a palace under this lake

And said any wealth from heaven was his to take

Now the sage lives happily there having unlimited fun

Blessed with a youthful body, his age will never run”

The Noble Three were surprised on hearing the account

Which was proof, on penance, one could always count

Talking about such wonderful stories The Noble Group went

Trying to understand what those stories deeply meant

The Noble Three thus embarked on a long pilgrimage

Which added, to each one of them, ten years of age

From one ashram to another, They continuously coursed

Every time They left, to stay, They were repeatedly forced

They stayed in some ashrams for a year’s half

They were not just guests but also working staff

They stayed in some ashrams for months, four

Being studious students of the Vedic lore

Like this, They went from one ashram to another

Each had practices entirely different from the other

But wherever They went, They were treated royally

The Noble Three adapted to the ashram’s ways cordially

The most interesting aspect of the pilgrimage was

The types of penances and ascetics they came across

Some ascetics sat under trees for years like stones

Some bent their bodies as if they had rubber for bones

They saw Siddhas who acted as if they were possessed

Occult powers, named siddhis, these Siddhas possessed

They saw Valakilyas with bodies, only a thumb’s size

Who hung head down from trees, opening their eyes

The Noble Three saw Marishibas, who lived by the energy of light

They derived their energies from sun and moon light

The Noble Three saw Samprakshalagas, who always did cleansing

Their bodies with water they were relentlessly rinsing

They saw ascetics, who sat encircled by five fires

They also saw ascetics, who only wore wet attires

They saw ascetics, who chanted mantras that were sacred

They also saw ascetics, who sat silently as if guarding a secret

Some ascetics to perform penance on water, stayed buoyant

Some shut their eyes, nose and ears to become clairvoyant

Some ascetics, for food, specifically ate only a few types of leaves

But they never saw an ascetic, who about his path, regrets or grieves

Lord Rama was both overwhelmed and surprised on seeing

Most of the sages considering Him as Vishnu, The Supreme Being

Lord Rama felt entertaining such thoughts would not be wise

Anyway, due to this, His humility and dutifulness was on the rise

Lakshman considered being Lord Rama’s brother as his luck

From being a brother, he changed to a devotee and strongly stuck

Mother Sita did not feel or show any difference at this thought

Lord Rama was anyway Her God, whether He was Vishnu or not

Thus the pilgrimage had, on The Three, different effects

However they were affected, only their Greatness it reflects

Though, like all humans, to their identity, Their eyes were tied

Their love for all beings They created, spread far and wide

Like the hidden fire’s heat spreads out

Like the hidden flower’s fragrance spreads out

Lord Rama’s hidden Divinity’s Love spread out

Realising which, those wise sages’ faith became stout

Though Lord Rama did not know, the sages knew, He was God

To their lives, souls and bodies, they knew, He was The Lord

Until then, they thought of God as a person of phenomenal ability

But when He came to them in human garb, they realised His humility

This humility melted them more and more

And melting, in spiritual pursuit, is the highest score!

Thus Lord Rama, wherever He went, uplifted everyone

Though he did not realise, He was The Supreme One

Both human ignorance and divine wisdom co-existed in Ram

This is why, The Greatest Human ever lived is Ram!

This is why, The Greatest God ever worshipped is Ram!

This blend is the true beauty of Ram! Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Lord Rama's promise to the surrendered souls

2011-12-29T15:52:00.001+05:30

Lord Rama, Mother Sita and Lakshman were now walking

Lord Rama and Lakshman were alert, in case anyone was stalking

Since they left the ashram of Sage Sarabhanga, it was almost a day

Sage Sarabhanga, before leaving his body, had showed them a way

The Noble Three were walking the path showed by the sage

While, in their hearts dangled, the ripe sage’s pious image

Emotionally impressed by the sage’s miraculous departure

Their minds were filled with thoughts of philosophical nature

They came upon a beaten path and went by it

They came upon a sagacious man, old but fit

The man, pointed at Lord Rama, his index finger

Thoughtful rays, on his face, started to linger

The man’s face suddenly got brightened

His spirits too were instantly lightened

Wanting to know if his guess was right

He started to talk with a feeling of delight

“You must be The Noble Ram, Ayodhya’s favourite Prince

In whose acts goodness and love would always evince

She, Lady Sita, Janaka’s Daughter and Your fortunate Wife

And he, selfless Lakshman, who, to service, has dedicated his life”

Lord Rama nodded affirmatively with palms that were folded

Lord Rama’s palms, within his hands, the man lovingly holded

Lord Rama’s hands within the man’s hands looked like a lotus bud

That sprouted, not because of water, but the man’s affection instead

“Welcome to my place, Dear Ram, I’ve been expecting You

The changes in Your life, from birth, I always knew

I’m one of Your ardent fans, Sudeekshana, by name

I’ve always delighted in stories that speak Your glory and fame

At last the day has come, and I delight in Your Vision

I feel like I have accomplished my birth’s lifetime mission”

Saying thus Sudeekshana embraced Lord Rama like a friend

Though they just met, like lifelong friends they could easily blend

Sudeekshana greeted Mother Sita with folded palms

He patted and embraced Lakshman within his arms

Sudeekshana was a man very outgoing and jovial

He talked a lot about matters that were even trivial

In Sudeekshana’s ashram, for a night, The Noble Three stayed

On the mat given by him, Themselves, They comfortably laid

Next morning, The Noble Three, decided to move ahead

Their desire to see different places, to Sudeekshana, They said

To allow Lord Rama to go, Sudeekshana had no heart

He did not think, Lord Rama would want to, so soon depart

Lord Rama promised, on seeing his fallen face,

To return after the tour, and stay longer at his place

From there, They walked for a couple of days

In the thick forest, through difficult and unused ways

The Noble Three came upon a group of hermitages

Dedicated to spiritual practices for numerous ages

They were well received by ascetics, both young and old

The ascetics took them to their homes, in a loving hold

Into the chambers where Yagnas happen, they were led

With forest produce and ascetic’s food, they were fed

The Noble Three had stayed there for almost a week

They were approached by a group of sages, wanting to speak

To hear what they had to say, Lord Rama became keen

They explained how difficult, life in the forest has been

“These are places where we hermits live in peace

Performing difficult penances, we are never at ease

We have chosen this path to keep away from anger and greed

We are careful not to hurt anyone by our thought or deed

But there is a demon named Ravana, Lanka’s king

Alarm of fearful jealousy, in his heart, does ring

Whenever anyone tries to perform penance for long

Ravana fears that person would become better and strong

He has ordered his minions to spoil all penance on earth

His minions, like him, are all very cruel by birth

They disturb our pursuits and give us continuous torture

Deriving sadistic happiness is inbuilt in their nature

While we perform Yagnas, they put off the fire

Screaming and laughing, they make our enthusiasm tire

The Yagnas are fruitless, when ended halfway

We will have to start from zero, another day

Again, there is no guarantee, this will not repeat

Spoilt thus, spiritual pursuits have started to deplete

Rama! Worthy of surrender, You are the One

Numerous battles against evil, You have won

Stories about Your valour in fight we have heard

We know, evil, in Your presence, becomes a wingless bird

You have routed out evil right from Your mind

Even to a thought of evil, You are the deadliest kind

Both in your mind and the battle field

Victory against evil, You always yield

We helpless people surrender our lives before You

By accepting to protect, hopes into our hearts, please imbue

To protect any surrendered one, we know You have vowed

Considering You as our resort, to Your feet, we have bowed”

Saying thus, the sages shed inconsolable tears

Lord Rama decided to wipe out all their fears

“Rama’s arrows are always ready! Fear not!

Now, a promise from Me, you have got

For more than a decade, I have to be around

I’ll make those vicious creatures rest in the ground

From now, Lakshman and I will be your guards

Giving up fear, pursue peacefully, your spiritual rewards

You work for the world, not just for selfish reasons

I cannot allow such work stop due to greedy treasons”

Hearing Lord Rama’s words of assurance

The sages regained their natural endurance

In their minds, the dreaded demons became mosquitoes

Waiting to be smashed by Lord Rama’s fingers and toes

They went back to their places, happy and relieved

Lord Rama’s word and might, they doubtlessly believed

Mother Sita was unhappy about Her Husband’s promise

She felt, in that promise, something was amiss

Once the sages were all gone

Leaving The Noble Three all alone

Mother Sita talked to Her Husband about Her dubiety

She sought His forgiveness if Her talk was impiety

“I feel something is very wrong, dear Lord!

In Your promise to the sages that You’ll be their guard

Not wanting to hide My feelings, I will speak My heart

In case of mistakes, please forgive and correct My thought

Have You not said You love all souls alike?

And that You consider a deer and a tiger, both alike?

It surprises Me, You have taken, though pious, these sages’ side

And have vowed to kill people, who with You, have never vied”

Lord Rama smiled at Mother Sita and started to explain

Questions about His acts, He never looked with disdain

In explaining the pros and cons of things to His Wife, He always delighted

For He knew, a mind could be happy only when all doubts are alighted

“From the day I learnt warfare, My dear Love!

I’ve been waiting for a chance to take such a vow

Better than fighting for a cause, for a warrior boy

No other act on this earth gives so much joy

A tiger kills not for pleasure but for food

No animal is guided by evil, therefore good

The demons, disturbing the sages, who I have vowed to kill

Have no reason to do so other than their wicked will

‘Have they not been ordered to do so?’ You may ask

It is their duty to discriminate before accepting a task

They have got this job because their hearts are bent

Nobody takes a cow to the jungle while they go to hunt”

With Lord Rama’s justification Mother Sita was convinced

But one more doubt of Her Heart, Her mouth evinced

“Thanks for clarifying my doubt, My Lord

I remember an act of Indra, heaven’s god

Once, long time ago, it so happened

Indra felt his sovereignty was threatened

Not by any enemies, with weapons, who went to him hitting

But by a pious sage who was in his hermit, peacefully sitting

Since any successful ascetic can become heaven’s king, is the law

Indra was afraid. As in the hermit’s character there was no flaw

Indra approached the hermit in disguise like a cunning fox

And handed over to him a well decorated box

To keep the box in the hermit’s ashram for a while, Indra requested

Seeing no harm in that, the poor hermit innocently accepted

Considering his job half done, Indra went back to his place

Days and months went by fast as if they were in a race

Seeing, the owner not returning to get the box for long

To know what was inside the box, the hermit started to long

One final day, his curiosity grew too strong to be contained

The hermit opened the unlocked box to see what it contained

The hermit found a sword of silver with a handle, gold

On seeing its beauty, the hermit immediately wanted to hold

He weaved the sword, like a fighter, through the air with a smile

Indra, in heaven, put up a party for the success of his guile

Though the hermit put the sword back in the box and locked

The desire to use the sword within his mind got unlocked

Often the hermit took the sword out and played, cutting the air

Soon he wanted to know if its sharpness was as good as its glare

He took the sword out and, a branch from a tree, he hacked

The sword into the trunk of the tree he forcefully whacked

He appreciated himself for his sword-using skill

One by one, the animals of his ashram, he started to kill

He always carried with him, the sword, wherever he went

In picking up quarrels and threatening people, he became bent

He started killing people without mercy when they tried to yell

He lived on like this until he was killed, and went to hell

To become the king of heaven, the man had scope

But was dragged to hell tethered by the angry rope

All because of a weapon, the man started to wield

He lost all the merits he earned in the spiritual field”

Lord Rama enjoyed His Wife’s beautiful narration

He had lost Himself in Her talk for the whole duration

The message She tried to convey, once He understood

He explained to Her why, in His grounds, He firmly stood

“Dear! Are You not the Daughter of King Janaka, the wise

When You say such wonderful stories, it is no surprise

But, You need not be afraid that I will be affected by sins

For, a permanent place in the heavens, a dutiful person wins

I am a Kshatriya by birth and My job is to fight

For a cause that would be, by the scriptures, right

Only for such a purpose, My Gurus trained Me, taking pain

If I do not protect harmless people, all that would be vain

These sages are people who live strictly by the book

Vows, not to hurt any creature, they have undertook

They have subjected themselves to risk, believing in God

Can there be a better job than being their guard?

I am thankful to Kaikeyi for ousting Me, in fact

Only in the jungle, not in the city, I can keep my skills intact

Also, in the story You told, I see the side that is flip

You have given me more reason from Your own lip

Seeing no one comes to protect their interest,

What if they personally enter into a brutal conquest?

Just think about, what next happens

If these sages decide to wield furious weapons

Won’t they all run the same fate the hermit ran?

To stop that, should I not do all that I can?

Not involving in violence, if they all, to heaven, rise

My Self falling in hell would only be a smaller price!

For, to Me, the surrendered ones are the most precious

To protect them, I’ll take up jobs that are most vicious

How can I let down some one who believes in Me?

Even if it takes, giving up My life, then it shall be!

When someone comes to Me in surrender

I become a mother to My faithful depender

I become his and he becomes Mine

And I will not rest until his life becomes fine”

Realising Lord Rama’s greatness, Mother Sita thanked

Once again in Lakshman’s heart, Lord Rama was highly ranked

To anyone who surrenders, this is the promise of Ram

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Liberation of a Sage

2011-12-27T12:52:00.003+05:30

“Your Feet is too powerful, Brother!” Lakshman exclaimed

A pensive Lord Rama smiled at Lakshman and silently remained

Lakshman expounded to Mother Sita about Ahalya’s liberation

Viradha was the second person; Lord Rama’s feet gave salvation

Mother Sita too realised, there was something great beyond conception

About Her Husband regarding which He Himself was in deception

Talking about the wonderful event The Noble Three traced their way

To the place, where Sage Sarabhanga had put up his stay

When Sage Sarabhanga’s ashram to Them was in yonder

The Noble Three happened to witness another wonder

Before the ashram a chariot, on the air, magically stood

And a man hopped on to it coming out of the ashram’s hood

The man noticed The Noble Three

But pretended like he did not see

As if to avoid them, his charioteer, he hurried

The chariot rose into the clouds and got buried

Though disturbed a little by the man’s pretense

Lord Rama remained calm without becoming tense

He guessed, the man could be Indra, heaven’s king

But regarding the man’s act, bells did not ring

The Noble Three entered the ashram and met the sage

Who, had kept his soul like a bird in his body cage

Weakened by old age and severe austerities, his body shook

Joy, love and contentment oozed from his eyes, through his look

On seeing Lord Rama, he smiled as if he had found

A gem that was long lost somewhere on the ground

He looked at Lord Rama as if, to him, Lord Rama belonged

It was also as if, to Lord Rama, he ever belonged

“Rama!” He said, as if calling his child

With a voice that was sweet and mild

“Indra just came to invite me to heaven to be a permanent guest

But I thought a glimpse of you would be better and best

Is it not for this moment I kept my body without dying?

Is it not for such a moment every sage in the forest is trying?

Are you not the joy in every sacred heart?

Do you not reside in every being’s deepest part?”

Lord Rama was overwhelmed by the old man’s love

At the old man’s feet, Lord Rama did bow

The sage folded his palms and accepted the honor

As if a slave receiving an award from his owner

“Rama! I have performed difficult penance for long

The merits I have earned are large and strong

I have earned for myself heavens innumerable

I like to gift them to You, if to You, it is acceptable

To the difficulties of the jungle, I am used

The forest’s resources, to my benefits, I have expertly used

To me, this forest is a heaven by itself

I need not own those heavens for myself

You are a good Prince who deserves all comfort

In handling the difficulties of the forest, You are no expert

Please accept those heavens and stay in them at ease

I gift them to You, accepting Your Vision as fees”

Lord Rama smiled at the sage with a Heart that was moved

As if looking at His grandfather, His eyes, on the sage, were glued

But the merits earned by others, Lord Rama would not relish

To Him, relaxing at the expense of other’s hard work was blemish

“Dear Grandpa! For the offer you have made, I do thank

But you are the one who deserves in heaven a godly rank

You have worked so hard all your life in a pious way

Now reach up to the heavens, relax, rejoice, and happily stay”

The sage almost knew that was what Lord Rama would say

Contented that he had done all his best, his heart was gay

The sage then prepared himself for his final travel

He did that in a way arousing The Noble Three’s marvel

The sage creating before him a powerful fire

Entered into it, and cast off his body like an attire

From the fire arose a huge and splendorous light

Towards the skies perpendicularly it took flight

The Noble Three’s eyes were wide and wet

It took time for their overwhelmed minds to set

Thus, both sinners and sages were liberated by Ram

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Salvation of a sinner

2011-12-26T22:59:00.008+05:30

Lord Rama was watched by a pair of eyes

Eyes that were filled with fear, anger and vice

Those eyes glanced on Mother Sita’s beauty with greed

And on muscular Lakshman considering him as a sumptuous feed

The Noble Three to Atri and Anasuya had just bid farewell

Sage Atri and Anasuya had blessed them and wished them well

Now, into the deeper jungle they were on a roam

Looking for a suitable place to build their home

The man to whom those eyes belonged

Was a wicked demon who, constantly wronged

All types of animals and birds he gluttonously ate

When pious sages came his way, he ended their fate

He was tall; almost triple the height of Ram

When he moved about furiously, he created storm

Skins of animals covered his body that was rustic

Skulls of men hung around his neck that was cystic

He suddenly leaped from his hiding before The Noble Three

Took them by surprise and grasped Mother Sita in a fit of spree

Holding Mother Sita under his arms, he laughed like hell

Lord Rama and Lakshman came under a shocking spell

On seeing His wife gripped by another man, Lord Rama’s heart bled

Unable to bear the abominable sight, uncontrollable tears He shed

His courage broke down and He knelt in pain

In that despondent state, Lakshman would not allow Him remain

“Forgetting your prowess, this is no time to sorrow

Let’s teach this demon, a lesson. Arise! Oh, hero!

Have you forgotten the demons who were crushed by your might

Oh lion among men! Rise up like a fire and put up a fight!”

Hearing those words, Lord Rama’s grief changed to anger

And erupted like a volcano making Him much more stronger

An arrow from His bow hit the demon between his brows

Arrows started to emanate from His bow in continuous rows

Hit on various parts of his body by the arrows that rained

The huge demon, beyond a limit, was bitterly pained

Mother Sita, from his arms, he duly dropped

The shower of arrows immediately stopped

Lord Rama ran towards Mother Sita to hug

But was gripped by the demon in a sudden tug

The demon also carried Lakshman in his other hand

Not realising where such act would make him land

Holding Lord Rama and Lakshman the demon rose to his height

Mother Sita lost all heart seeing that dreadful sight

She cried bitterly like a child lost in a fair

Her eyes became red like a lotus pair

Lord Rama and Lakshman by their necks, the demon seized

Hoping to take their lives out of them, he desperately squeezed

Lord Rama delivered a punch on the demon’s nose

Lakshman thrusted a thumb into the demon’s eyes, creating woes

On Lord Rama and Lakshman, the demon lost his grip

The warrior Brothers made use of the momentary slip

They drew their swords and started to deliver cuts

And were shocked to see the demon’s body showed no cuts

Lord Rama also noticed that on the arrow-hit spots

There was no blood or wound but only tiny little dots

Lord Rama realised the demon can only be hit

But his skin and flesh can never be split

Lord Rama dropped all weapons and started to punch

Talking to His brother about His hunch

“Lakshman! Though this demon is a wicked fraud

I think, He has secured a boon from some God

I hope you noticed our attack, on his body, has caused no wound

If only it had done, shedding profuse blood, he would’ve swooned

The only way to kill him would be to bury him in the ground

While I keep him in my hold, dig up a grave within a stound”

Like a dutiful servant, Lakshman started to dig up a grave

While Lord Rama started a fight that was furious and brave

Lord Rama caught the demon by his hand and started to twist

The demon fell on the ground yelling with a broken wrist

Lord Rama stamped him on the chest and pressed him under His Feet

Which removed, from the demon’s vision, the ignorance sheet

All the sins, fears, desires and hatred of the demon became vapour

His soul was released from bondage, and relieved from all stupor

Lord Rama noticed the demon did not anymore wriggle

Pressing the demon to the ground was no more a struggle

He looked down to see if the demon was dead, and He was surprised

He was being worshipped by the demon by whom He was despised

The demon touched Lord Rama’s Feet with his hands

From his eyes that were harsh, now hung tearful strands

As though he just awoke from a sleep

The demon talked with devotion, deep

“Lord! King of the world! And saviour of my soul!

To be under this Holy Feet is every wise man’s goal

The reason for that, now, I can see

Even a sinner like me, Your Feet make free

Though being a non-stop sinner and scum

Under Your Gracious Feet, I have come

Only because of Your Holy Feet’s touch

I am now able to remember my past as such

Before this birth, Thumburu was my name

Once forgetting my lord’s presence I carnally indulged without shame

From a state as a Gandharva in the skies

I was pushed down by my lord, Kubera, into mortal ties

In this birth, I am Jayan and Sathahrathai’s son

Numerous sages I have killed and warriors I have won

My name is Viradha that is widely dreaded

By my sinful acts, towards hell, I was headed

You came my way and changed my life’s course

To the joy seeping in my heart, You are the source

You have come down from Your level of height

To redeem sinners like me by casting Your sight

Though, merits earned by me are none

An act fitting Your Greatness You have done

My heart fills with gratitude for You without measure

Dying by Your hands to me would be a pleasure

Regarding the possibility of killing me, You were right

My body cannot be wounded in a weapon fight

Great Brahma is the one who gave me the boon

Please bury me in the grave and liberate me soon”

Saying thus Viradha ended his delivery of gratitude

Lord Rama was surprised by the sudden change of attitude

Anyway respecting the demon’s wish, Lord Rama decided to act

He threw him into the grave Lakshman dug and filled it with mud, intact

Lord Rama then hugged Mother Sita to remove Her fears

And kissed Her on the cheek that had strains of dried up tears

As Lord Rama was consoling Mother Sita this way

He heard from His behind someone say,

“Lord! May I go home? Please give me leave

On this earth for mortals, I can no more weave

Mother! Covered by ignorance, I behaved madly

Taking that as an insult do not remain sadly”

Lord Rama and Mother Sita turned and looked

On a celestial man, their sights were hooked

The man was dressed in silk and gold

He remained on air without any hold

The celestial man laughed, on seeing their astonished looks

He spoke further wanting a place in their good books

“Dear Lord! And reverent Mother! Do not be surprised

I am that Viradha who could not be incised!

This is my true form with which I live in the sky

I have regained my form as my sins have gone dry

It is time for me to go back to the world of music and dance

I feel blessed as upon The Both of You my eyes could glance

Forgive me Lord! For the offence I unknowingly did

I like to give You some information before, farewell, I bid

I realise The Three of You are coming after meeting with Atri Sage

I also realise Rishi Sarabhanga awaits You, at the end of his age”

Saying thus, the gandharva Thumburu, to Sarabhanga’s ashram, gave directions

And then arose to the sky and disappeared into the heavenly directions

Leaving behind on the earth, a surprised and amused Ram

All the while singing, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Womanhood's Greatness

2011-12-25T19:02:00.004+05:30

Weeks had gone since Bharatha had left

The Noble Three’s hearts were deeply cleft

Bharatha had come, touched their hearts, and left very soon

Now their hearts were like the sky bereft of the moon

Lord Rama was tormented by His father’s demise

Often the ground became wet by His silent cries

Mother Sita was sad on seeing Her Lord’s anguish

She did all that She could to stop Him from languish

Lakshman, like Guha, on seeing Bharatha’s army afar

Had suspected Bharatha and had got ready for war

But Lord Rama had stopped him, saying it was not needed

Only after some convincing, Lakshman had heeded

Lakshman often regretted for suspecting his brother

He melted for Bharatha, who now to him was like a mother

Lakshman could not forget the way, Bharatha had easily pardoned

On hearing Lakshman’s apology, though he was saddened

Time passed over The Noble Three like a peacock feather

Sorrows of separation and loss started to gradually wither

They slowly came back to their normal mood

Comforted by nature’s blessings which was too good

To visit the ashrams in the neighbourhood eventually they started

In the sages, they saw their relatives from whom they were parted

As time went by, Lord Rama noticed a sudden change

In the mindset of the sages living in the mountain range

Lord Rama approached them to know why they were troubled

They hesitantly revealed their fear which was recently doubled

“Rama! We live peacefully here renouncing violence, where as

The wicked demons of Janasthana often come here to harass

When they catch hold of a sage, who roams alone

They kill without mercy and eat even his bone

So, this Chitrakut Mountain, we have decided to vacate

And somewhere in the north we plan to locate

Seeing You and Lakshman strong and weaponed

The demons must have felt their sovereignty threatened

We realise that is why they have become aggressive lately

Not wanting to hurt you, we remained about this, mutely

Forgive us Rama! For planning to go away from you

But we strongly recommend the same to you

We know your protection is like an iron shed

But on our behalf, we want not blood shed”

Lord Rama was not offended but took it well

With people, without mistaking, he could gel

He offered to walk with them for some distance

They hugged him happily in acceptance

Lord Rama walked with them till it was time to say good bye

As if to throw out their attachment on Rama, they did sigh

“We will miss You very much, our pious Prince

But Your memories from us, nothing can rinse

To move elsewhere from Chitrakut, we would suggest

Discuss with Sita and Lakshman and do what is best

Our salutations to Your wife and brother, please convey

You are blessed to have such company walk Your way”

The sages took leave of Lord Rama and proceeded

Lord Rama to His ashram thoughtfully receded

After few days went by The Noble Three started to feel lonely

They decided to move towards a place, a little more homely

They vacated their ashram and started a new travel

The depths of the jungle, they decided to unravel

Across thickets, hillocks and streams, they went past

Into the depths of the Dandaka forest, that was vast

The day was coming to an end and it was dark

The Divine Three wanted to give a rest for their walk

As they were contemplating about a place they could stay

An ashram with a beautiful garden came their way

Lord Rama sent Lakshman to know who lived there

Also to inform the residents, who they were

Lakshman went ahead and called out to the ashram’s inmates

Who, had lost themselves discussing about Vedic dictates

On hearing all about Lord Rama through Lakshman’s voice

They ran into the ashram and came out shouting their joys

“Gurudev says he has been for long waiting for this day

He requests all three of you to come in without delay”

By a very old couple, The Divine Three were greeted

On mats made of thick grass, they were respectfully seated

Severe austerities had been done by the old couple

Even the laws of nature to them were now supple

Especially the wife, Anasuya was well renowned

Because of the spiritual powers she always owned

Only by serving her husband Atri, the powers, she earned

In spite of her powers, only to serve her husband she always yearned

Anasuya, in the past, had performed many miracles

Even for Gods’ sake she had removed many obstacles

Once the Sun was enveloped by Raahu, a shadow like being

Anasuya released the Sun from it for everyone’s seeing

Another time the world was shaken by a great famine

Anasuya brought rain with her powers and made it fine

She was a hermit who often took difficult vows

For which, even from the Gods, she received bows

Anasuya to The Noble Three, Sage Atri prefaced

He was happy; his ashram by Lord Rama was graced

Anasuya then took Mother Sita to the woman’s place

So that both men and women could have a personal space

While Lord Rama and Lakshman with Sage Atri chatted

Anasuya on Mother Sita’s shoulders appreciatively patted

“Daughter! I am happy to see You, to Your husband, so devoted

May Your greatness ever be sung and never be debated

I have heard news about You, right from Your nascency

You are revered by all for Your devotion and decency

But the stories I heard were always in bits and pieces

The desire to hear Your story, on seeing You, increases

Tell me Your story, impeccable one

By noble Rama, how were You won?

Tell me Your story, Oh, noble Princess!

Into Your beautiful life, give me some glimpses”

On hearing old Anasuya’s earnest and eager appeal

Her story to Anasuya, Mother Sita was happy to reveal

Choosing words Mother Sita candidly spoke

To hear which Anasuya’s ears were keen and awoke

“Seerathvaja Janaka, my father and Mithila’s king

Is an expert in the truth and wisdom, the Vedas sing

Once he wanted to perform a worship ploughing the land

The king like a farmer ploughed it with his own hand

He drove into the land, the plough, with a golden tip

The plough hit on an obstacle and he lost his grip

Wanting to know what the plough hit on, the land was dug

An ornate box was found in which I was on a silken rug

The king who had no child till then

To celebrate the event, ordered his men

The king announced to the world that I was his daughter

And since then cared for me like a mother, without a falter

Once as a kid, while I was at play

My ball, under a bow, made its way

I lifted the bow to reach to the ball

But misplaced it in the worship hall

Later my father called Me and asked if I knew

Who misplaced the bow, accessible only to a few

I said it was Me and that I was sorry

I saw disbelief in his eyes and a ray of worry

My father accepted my apology and told me to replace it

As he was looking, on its usual place, I made the bow sit

The King, with folded palms, before Me knelt

And spoke respectable words that made Me melt

“Oh! Great, little and beautiful one! Just six years old!

You lifted a bow, which mighty soldiers cannot uphold

Which goddess are You in a child’s guise?

Reveal Thy form and make me wise!”

Not understanding what he said, I started to cry

Various methods to stop Me crying, he had to try

Then he too became a child and played with Me

After which, questions like that he never asked Me

He then announced a condition to the world at large

That, to marry Me, lifting the bow was the only charge

Years went by while I waited like a lotus bud

My Lord came like the sun and created a mighty thud

The thud echoed His might that broke the bow

My Lord with His manliness had stolen the show

Though He won Me, He wanted to know if I liked Him

And also wanted His father to bless and permit Him

On knowing He respected His father, I liked Him

On knowing He respected my wishes, I loved Him

In a grand ceremony, He tied the nuptial rope around My neck

Since then, His love for Me, like His character, has no speck

It is twelve years now since we were married

I feel like, Me on His palms, He has always carried

Never did He disappoint Me, expect for once

Me, along with comforts, when He tried to renounce

Since He did that out of love, it doesn’t hurt very much

And also because I have understood His heart as such

He is the kind who always cares for all

By love and noble character, He is always tall

Only to protect His father from infamy, He gave up His right

With graciousness and greatness He avoided a fight

Though the king had already offered the kingdom by word

To put up a fight for material benefits, He was not gird

Yet, He considers such acts only as His own duty

His heart as much as His face is of immeasurable beauty

Thinking I renounced comfort, people say I am great

Not realising, leaning on My Husband’s shoulders keeps Me in a heavenly state

Will anyone eat the skin and throw the banana flesh

Can a fish live in a palace where no waters rush?

Can, giving up small for the big, be called a sacrifice?

I have given up nothing, to keep it precise”

Saying thus Mother Sita ended Her story

Anasuya completely understood Her glory

The old woman was happy seeing such clarity in a princess

She realised, before her was sitting womanhood’s greatness

“Sita! Dear Child! Your greatness I have understood

You will ever be considered a glory to womanhood

A Woman like You makes her life useful for all

Realising, relentlessly serving her husband is her duty’s call

Such a woman is an angel to her in-laws in human guise

The Good Karma of her parents will also be on rise

In serving her husband, by squeezing herself like a lemon

She earns for herself and her husband a place in heaven

Instead of valuing love and service, women who value wealth

Are useless and a disease on the family and society’s health

Though amidst crowd they live lonely lives

Their usefulness is like honey that is wasted in hives

You are a gem among all women, may god bless

You, as their role model, may all women profess

May You be always celebrated in times to come!

May Your name in history, earn a plum”

Out of love that oozed for Mother Sita in her heart

Closing her eyes, she created from thin air a costume lot

A yellow saree made of exotic silk and golden hems

And golden ornaments embedded with colourful gems

“During this exile wear these costumes on You

These will never fade and so, will ever look new

Between You and Your husband, may this costume make a stronger bond

On seeing You dressed thus, may Your Husband become more fond”

Mother Sita received the gifts along with Anasuya’s blessings

Went and stood before Her Lord, in Her new dressings

On seeing His wife so beautiful, Lord Rama was happy beyond measure

The very sight of Her to Him was always a source of pleasure

Thus, The Noble Three in Sage Atri’s ashram spent a night

On seeing The Noble Three, the old couple’s souls became bright

The disciples of Sage Atri delighted in serving Lord Ram

Always, murmuring in their minds, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Coronation of Lord Rama's Sandals!

2011-12-02T17:20:00.000+05:30

Lord Rama’s Sandal’s, on Bharatha’s head were stocked

Into the palace gates of Ayodhya, Bharatha walked

All the way from Chitrakut to Ayodhya, he had tarried

All the way on his head, Lord Rama’s sandals, he had carried

The next morning at an auspicious hour

He placed the sandals before the throne of power

All the honour Lord Rama, as a King, deserved

For fourteen years, for His sandals, were well reserved

Bharatha placed them on a red mat made of silk

He hoisted an umbrella above it, white like milk

He appointed two virgin maids, to fan for them

These maids too were decorated with gold and gem

Everyday The Sandals were to be wiped very neat

Anointed with sandal paste and to be placed on their seat

Musicians were to play music before them, as for a king

About Lord Rama’s glories, singers were appointed to sing

Shatrughna was to personally take care of worshipping the sandals

By showering flowers on them from silver baskets with golden handles

Ministers were to assemble and discuss matters in its presence

Considering the sandals to be Lord Rama’s essence

After making all these arrangements, Bharatha was content

He then stood before his country men and revealed his intent

He was satisfied that his reputation was no more at stake

But his brother’s absence kept him deep in the sorrow lake

“Lord Rama, my brother and that lion among men

Is supposed to sit on the throne making this assembly his den

But only for reasons, God and fate know well

That pearl is not here, making my heart an empty shell

I know all men here have the same feelings for our Ram

For Rama to step, each one of us would stretch our palm

We have tried our best to bring our Lord to the throne

But a different path of duty for us our Lord has shown

Now befalls on our heads, a responsibility, grave

As if in our Lord Rama’s presence we must behave

Keeping Him in our hearts, things He would like, we must infer

And carry out those things the way Lord Rama would prefer

In the village Nandigram, out of city, I will stay

Only with Lord Rama, I will again come this way

Through Shatrughna, from there, I will administer affairs

Making important decisions based on the reports he prepares

I pray to all of you with hope, to behave well

Sentences of punishment, never make me tell

Each one of you is welcome to meet me in person

But for that, I hope, there will be no reason”

Saying thus Bharatha folded his palms before all

He was in turn, greeted with folded palms by all

Bharatha then went to Nandigram, like Rama, by walk

Wearing dress made of deer skin and tree bark

An ashram, like that of Lord Rama’s, for himself he made

To all comforts Lord Rama did not have, farewell he bade

An image of Lord Rama’s sandals, in his hut, Bharatha drew

Worshipping it day after day, Bharatha’s wisdom grew

With the wisdom that was thus gained

Bharatha from Nandigram efficiently reigned

People adored him for being such a noble soul

To keep him happy was their only goal

Shatrughna traveled between Nandigram and Ayodhya, to and fro

In carrying out Bharatha’s orders, he was a servant more than a bro

Shatrughna too like Bharatha renounced all comfort

In keeping Bharatha happy he made a mighty effort

The Kingdom of Kosala was like a Yogi in meditation

Well disciplined and there by powerful by contemplation

On an ultimate reality that he remembers but never sees

In the Kingdom, Lord Rama replaces the ultimate reality with ease

Thus life in Ayodhya came back to normal

People started to do their works that were formal

All the while praising the selflessness of the brothers of Ram

And always, chanting with content, ‘Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!’

Your Sandals, My Crown!

2011-12-01T19:47:00.002+05:30

Lord Rama lifted up His beloved brother and hugged him tight

Caressed his head, cheeks and back and made him feel light

Lord Rama wiped of Bharatha’s tears with his loving hand

And kissed him on the forehead taking a fatherly stand

Bharatha composed himself and smiled but with tears

And then he hugged Lord Rama after so many years

He wiped his tears and smiled at Lord Rama for a moment

Then looked down pensively and talked about the exile event

“Is this how, I should see you brother?

Is this why you worshipped my mother?

For day after day falling at her feet

She has repaid well, with this courteous treat!”

Rama was not surprised as He knew Bharatha well

About a person, after spending minutes, Rama could tell

This was His brother who was with Him right from His birth

He knew, His brother’s loyalty to him was firm like the earth

“In what Mother Kaikeyi did, there is nothing wrong

She had earned her boons and she used them strong

I don’t think, she would consider a kingdom to be main

Somebody with some ideas must have washed her brain

Anyway what has happened, for some reason, has happened

By such unexpected changes, we must not be weakened

Let us take courage and do what is right as our father’s sons

It is a must, for in our bodies, The Great Ikshvaku’s blood runs”

To question Lord Rama’s points, Bharatha did hate

But he could not accept the damage wreaked by fate

Especially he could not tolerate His mother’s act

There fore he asked some questions. With humility in fact!

“Brother! Is it not wrong to create dissension amongst brothers?

Is it fair, granting one person’s wish, while a nation’s wish withers?

Instead of going by ‘us’ and ‘ours’, is it fair to go by ‘me’ and ‘mine’?

Is projecting a person who loves to be a slave as a usurper, fine?

Has it not been our family’s standard procedure for ages

That the first born gets crowned with the blessing of the sages?

When You sit on the throne, near You, won’t I get an equal chair?

Instead of thinking about all this, are my mother’s greedy acts fair?

Exiling some one is a punishment only criminals meet

Such harsh punishment on you, how could anyone mete?

In things that have been done and happened, I see no sense

Injustice to you and infamy to me is unforgivable offense!”

Lord Rama looked at his brother with a smile amused

Bharatha was looking at the ground totally bemused

Lord Rama knew well that His brother was completely right

He also knew there are situations one must avoid fight

Shatrughna stood all the while nearby with tears that brim

Lord Rama called Shatrughna by name and fondly hugged him

Lord Rama on Bharatha’s cheeks gently patted

And talked, wanting Bharatha’s moodiness duly abated

“Bharatha! With Sita and Lakshman, won’t you talk?

From what had happened to what should happen won’t you walk?

I hope you both have not fought with our dad

While I left him, he was already bitter and sad”

When Lord Rama said this His eyes were filled

With the sorrow of separation, His heart was drilled

Bharatha knew it was time to break the news

He knew in this he cannot adopt any ruse

“After you left the country, our lonely father

Liked not, to continue with life any further

The wound Kaikeyi caused was very deep

He left his body peacefully while in sleep”

To Lord Rama this was unbearable shock

His mental equipoise was no more a rock

He lost consciousness and fell straight like a cut off tree

He was held before hitting the ground, by His brothers, three

Lakshman splashed water to make Lord Rama awake

Lord Rama became conscious with an unbearable ache

He cried out loud as if to throw away his grief

He felt He was orphaned like a fallen leaf

Lord Rama cried out loud sitting on the ground

The people waiting heard the wailing sound

They realised Bharatha and Rama have met

In the direction of the sound, they hastily set

Lord Rama’s sorrow was inconsolable and endless

To anyone nearby consoling Him, He was mindless

Mother Sita and the three brothers were also crying bitter

Yet, they tried to soothe Lord Rama to make Him feel better

Lord Rama composed Himself and relaxed after long

Though devastated, for other’s sake, He tried to look strong

Yet, He could not control Himself from lamenting loud

By the death of His father, He was completely cowed

“Won’t I ever see my Father’s, loving face again?

Without him to bless, what is there for me to gain?

Won’t he ever call me by my name anymore?

Won’t he ever tell me to do a little chore?

Whenever he sees me his face would blossom

He would hug me like a mother, to his bosom

He would search my limbs by caressing them for wounds if any

As I used to practice warfare, the chances of wounds were many

In listening to my words, he used to take delight

On hearing my viewpoints, his face would alight

He used to sit by my side to see if I eat well

Only on me, his eyes would always dwell

Why did he love me like his life, this useless Son?

Towards an impotent tree, he made water run!

Walking away from him, I had to cause him pain

All the hope he had on me, has now gone in vain

Wicked fate cunningly pushed me to a point

I had to act in a way that I had to disappoint

The one who gave me all his love and blessing

But it gave me no time to do the needed redressing”

While Lord Rama was dolefully lamenting thus

People around gathered and there was a buzz

On seeing Lord Rama cry helplessly they too wept

Feelings of responsibility into Lord Rama’s heart crept

Lord Rama composed Himself and wiped His tears

But He could not wipe off His sorrow that sears

Lord Rama decided to make offerings to His father’s soul

As a son, Lord Rama always with perfection played His role

He went down to the Mandakini River and performed the rite

Bereft of ornaments and in sorrow, He was, to His people, a pitiable sight

He came back to the ashram and sat amidst His country men and kin

On seeing Rama’s love for His father, people were cleansed off their sin

Lord Rama hiding His sorrow smiled at all

At His mothers’ feet including Kaikeyi’s He did fall

Words of consolation and love were exchanged amongst all

Lord Rama was talking with a composure that anymore did not fall

Mother Sita hugged her sisters and her in-laws

She too fell at Kaikeyi’s feet, forgoing her flaws

Kaikeyi was now in shame and total regret

She wished she could go back and reset

She approached Rama with hesitation and shame

And gently uttered, the most sanctifying name

“Rama! Forgive me please! This wicked fool

My eyes were blinded and I fell into the sinful pool

All on a sudden I hated you for no fault

I have wrecked a family after eating its sugar and salt

I have lost my husband who had renounced me

And my beloved son will no more speak to me “

She said thus, with folded palms and tear shedding eyes

In her face, Lord Rama, saw no guise

He caught her hand and hugged her with affection

At Lord Rama’s feet, even for the worst, there is no rejection

Behind her stood Manthara with a face that was torn

All her arrogance and deceit to the dust bin were gone

There were wounds almost on all visible parts

A question of who could have done that, filled Lord Rama’s thoughts

In a moment He turned back to see Shatrughna’s face

Shatrughna put down his face that showed no regret's trace

“Brother! I am very sorry. Forgive me if I was wrong

But the punishment she got, for her crime, is not too long

She is the one, who brain washed Mother Kaikeyi to greed

She is the one, who wrecked our family for material need

The maids and servants of Mother Kaikeyi informed me thus

Unable to control my fury I went on to treat her thus

I accept that on her face I repeatedly punched

And kicked her on her back that is already hunched

I caught her by the hair and on the ground I dragged

Knowing, she not just broke our family but also bragged

If not for brother Bharatha I would have killed

Bharatha said you wouldn’t like it and I became stilled”

Saying thus Shatrughna fell at Lord Rama’s feet

Promising, violence against women, he would never repeat

Lord Rama told Shatrughna to let go of the past

And give Manthara a place in their palace that was vast

Lord Rama also told Bharatha to treat Kaikeyi like before

In Bharatha’s heart, a place for Kaikeyi, Lord Rama did restore

Kausalya was heart broken on seeing Lord Rama’s humble state

For keeping her in comfort and her Son in discomfort, she cursed fate

Looking at the hut and mud utensils used by her Son

Except for shedding tears, she could do none

On seeing Lakshman’s state, Sumithra too felt very sad

But it was self-appeased by the pride she got on seeing her lad

She only told Lakshman to eat well and be strong

So that in serving Lord Rama nothing would go wrong

While Lord Rama, Mother Sita and Lakshman had conversed with all

There were stars on the sky along with the moon, as night did fall

On seeing everyone settle, Bharatha decided to open talk

About making his beloved Brother, the mighty Monarch

“Brother! I have a request to make and you must relent

Please do not refuse to grant my wish and make me repent

Please do accept the Kingdom from me and relieve me from burden

For I am unable to bear on my shoulders, the weight it has laden

Your life in this jungle is totally unfair and serves no purpose

You must be in Ayodhya and ruling, guided by Manu’s corpus

So we, the citizens of Ayodhya including our Guru, Vashishta sage

Came here to crown You and take You back paying regal homage”

Saying this, Bharatha onto Lord Rama’s face eagerly looked

Lord Rama’s mind to His own decision was firmly hooked

“You on the throne and me in the jungle, is what father owes

I have chosen to fulfill one half of the promise, without remorse

You on the other side, in keeping his word, have a role to play

As a good son, you have no choice but to do it without a say

Go back with our people, crown yourself and be a righteous king

Protect them like the hen that protects its chicks under its wing”

Bharatha felt as if he was irrevocably chained

For quite long, without a word, silently he remained

He hated himself for not being able to do his brother’s bidding

From his virtue of obedience, he realised he was skidding

But how could he bask in comfort and luxury?

While his Lord would remain in extreme penury

On the seat that belongs to his brother, how would he sit?

Above all, how would he endure the separation, the slightest bit?

“Brother! You are right! Our father’s word, we must protect

To his honour, as a man of word, there must be no defect

It is also unfair for a younger to rule while an elder is fit

Deliberating on all these, I have an idea, please consider it

One son of our father must do, for fourteen years, the exile term

And another must become king and make the kingdom firm

As Your slave, on Your behalf let me do the exile

And You please rule the Kingdom, checking all revile

If we do thus, Brother! Infamy on both father and me will be abated

The genuinity of all three of us will no more be debated”

Bharatha hoped, to this plan, Lord Rama would accede

Firm in His path, Lord Rama would let nothing impede

“Bharatha! Regarding which son to be crowned, our father was not given a choice

Rama’s exile and Bharatha’s crowning was clearly demanded by Mother Kaikeyi’s voice

So, there is no way I am coming back before fourteen years pass

You, trying to change this, will only result in time loss”

Like a fish that is caught in the net

Was poor Bharatha’s helpless mindset

On one side, he would be separated from his loving brother

On the other side, as a usurper, his guilt would make him wither

And before him stands his Brother, firm like a hill

Fixing His mind on completing the term, with immovable will

After much thought, Bharatha knew he had only one way left

To the holy feet of Lord Rama, that never snubs anyone, he tightly cleft

“If a younger brother, exiling his elder brother, sits on the throne

All the glory, earned by our forefathers, to the dust will be gone

Can you imagine in the line of the Sun

An usurper seizing the throne, with justice none

Brother! In not returning home, firm as a hill, you are

In not accepting the Kingdom, I am as firm as you are

I am sure you know, the justice on my side too

Considering all these, please tell me, what to do

I cling on to your feet in total surrender

A solution to this, please do render

Unlike to your nature, if you snub me

In fast until death, I will have to be

I cling on to these feet that can liberate a sinner

These feet that can make even the weak, a winner

I cling on to these feet that bestows supreme knowledge

These feet that deserves a red carpet and regal homage

I cling on to these feet that has walked on the ground

For keeping a promise of a father, ripe and round

I cling on to these feet that can remove all burden and pain

These feet that let no one’s prayers go in vain”

Seeing and hearing His Brother’s sincere prayer

Lord Rama no longer wished to be a silent player

The problem that existed, He decided to resolve

His brother from infamy, He decided to absolve

Lord Rama touched the back of Bharatha’s head

Lifted Bharatha by his shoulders, and lovingly said

“Bharatha! Dear brother! Give up this sorrow that you deserve not

Nobility and virtue in your actions are fraught

I had no wish or desire to become a King and rule

Yet the first time I accepted it, to be our father’s tool

And now again I accept to become the King and reign

Because I want your greatness on earth to always remain

May your name, in the pages of history, ever be etched

May your story ever be sung and let men deeply be touched

May it be, that Bharatha gifted a Kingdom out of love

And that, poor Rama accepted it with a bow”

Bharatha was both embarrassed and happy beyond a limit

At last, he had got, seemingly the almost impossible permit

He folded his palms and looked up to the sky

And then at Lord Rama’s feet, for long did he lie

Lord Rama started to talk immediately before giving hopes

To Bharatha’s short lived joy they were restraining ropes

“Bharatha! But before that, I must keep up our father’s word

For fourteen years let me live, making friends with the jungle herd

You on the other side go back now, to the city

And rule the country protecting it from other’s pity”

Bharatha looked up at his brother with painful eyes

But he knew his brother’s decision was just and wise

Bharatha for long remained silent in thought

He knew as a prince he had to play his part

He was clear, even for a day, not to relish regal privilege

To him, being a king even for a day was like causing sacrilege

Bharatha then came up with an obligation

He had by then decided to rule the nation

But that was only on Lord Rama’s behalf

He had decided to be an administrative staff

“Brother! My dear Lord and my favourite God!

I am happy, to come back, your heart has thawed

Till you come back I will certainly administer

The country with justice, only as your minister

I came here with hope to take you back

But for that to happen, time is still black

At least let your sandals come with me

And at the foot of the throne, let them be

Till You come back and start Your golden rule

Your sandals on your behalf will continue to rule

I will be the chief minister managing all affairs

And will submit all my reports to your sandal pairs

Let those sandals that are privileged to adorn your feet

Be my crown making my head as their privileged seat

Let the world know that Bharatha to Rama is always a slave

And that for Bharatha, before His brother’s love, nothing else is fave”

Saying thus, before Lord Rama, Bharatha kneeled as if for alms

Lord Rama placed, with tears, his sandals on Bharatha’s open palms

Bharatha smiled like a child at the motherly face of Ram

The crowd around shouted, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

A Devotee's Search for his God

2011-11-24T22:02:00.005+05:30

Guha was beyond himself, boiling with rage

On seeing Bharatha’s advancing entourage

Bharatha’s army slowly gathered on Tamasa’s banks

Guha could see men in the army of all cadre and ranks

Guha summoned his men and told them to be ready

For a war might be fought and end up very bloody

“I see the army of Kosala headed by Bharatha assembled

The heart of a mother in a son is always resembled

Bharatha may plan to kill Rama, I fearfully suspect

A son of Kaikeyi, for elders, may have no respect

To do away with Rama, he may feel secure

So that after fourteen years, Rama in his path must not obscure

Anyway my heart also tells me not to suspect

As a brother of Rama cannot be a venomous insect

When Bharatha used to come with Rama for hunting

I’ve seen him treat Rama with devotion, unrelenting

Yet towards Bharatha I am cynical because

Kaikeyi’s love for Rama has already gone for a toss

Unbelievable and so dangerous is power greed

It can sow in any loving heart a poison seed

Let me go to Bharatha with good will first

I will understand his intentions and do what is best

If I realise, like Kaikeyi, he has changed from the past

We will defend Rama by fighting Bharatha till our last

On a boat only me will go to Bharatha’s side

Ready and watching let our army be in hide

After talking, if I duly fall at his feet

The will be no war and the army can retreat

Without falling at his feet if I return to the boat

Understand, for war I have decided to vote

Ofcourse after I come, we can talk more before action

Anyway please be keen and watch me, without distraction

As a king, in the empire of Kosala, Guha went

With good will towards Bharatha as he really meant

He noticed Bharatha was not wearing the regal crown

On his face there was sadness and a gentle frown

Bharatha was looking at Guha with eager and innocent eyes

Guha started to realise Bharatha’s heart was free from vice

Like the sun that reveals itself from behind clouds after a while

On seeing Guha, from behind Bharatha’s sad face emanated a smile

Bharatha rushed to the banks and waited with eagerness for Guha’s approach

Guha on seeing Bharatha’s eagerness started to regret his cynical reproach

Guha could see Bharatha bore no signs of royalty

But he looked more handsome decorated by the jewel of loyalty

From the banks Bharatha towards Guha excitedly waved

By that arm bereft of jewels and weapons, Guha became enslaved

Guha from his boat showed his respect with palms that were folded

For even suspecting Bharatha’s intentions, himself, he scolded

Guha rushed to Bharatha once the boat hit the floor

And accosted Bharatha whose heart was very sore

“Bharatha! Brother of Rama! And my dear friend!

Instead of staying put, to receive me, why do you descend?”

Bharatha caught Guha’s shoulders with friendliness

And questioned Guha eagerly, revealing his heart’s cleanliness

“Dear friend! Sumanthra said you may know Rama’s place

I like to meet my Lord, could you please help me trace?

I have come to surrender my Kingdom, to that noble one

The Kingdom which, by my mother, was deceitfully won

For the wrong that was done I have come to make amend

To help me in this process, on you and your men I depend

Like a devotee who surrenders to a Guru, to reach the Lord

I surrender to you to take me to my Brother, Lord and God

Like the devotee is ignorant of the intricacies of the path

I too am devoid of any knowledge about the jungle path”

Seeing the Prince of a great empire so humbly plead

Guha decided with all heart and joy that he must heed

Not just to signal but also out of respect Guha did fall

At the feet of Bharatha, who by character stood very tall

Guha took them to his capital and gave a tasty dinner

In delighting their heart with hospitality he was a winner

The horses and elephants too were well fed

They were bathed and rested near the river bed

Bharatha asked Guha all about Rama, to continuously repeat

Guha repeated the same stories without his enthusiasm deplete

Talking about all that The Noble three did, all night went

Bharatha asked Guha in detail about every event

“What did my Brother Rama choose to eat?

And when He ate it, which was His seat?

Where did my brother sleep during the night?

How did Mother Sita cope in the jungle without fright?”

Guha explained in detail all that Rama and Sita did

He respected the love with which Bharatha bid

Every son of Dasaratha, in Guha’ heart scored one above the other

Guha realised beyond doubt, Dasaratha was truly the luckiest father

Guha took Bharatha to the place were Rama and Sita slept

Bharatha knelt at the place, were Rama’s feet was kept

Bharatha shook his head in disbelief looking at the land

His Brother sleeping on the ground, he could not stand

Bharatha sat down there silently for long

His heart continued to sing the sorrow song

Bharatha could not tolerate, Rama coming down the comfort ladder

Thinking of where Rama might be sleeping then, he became sadder

Shatrughna, Guha and Sumanthra tried to cheer

People’s enthusiasm was already on top gear

They too sat around Bharatha and asked him to lighten

As they would soon meet Rama and things would brighten

Bharatha felt a little lighter by the coaxing of them

A pensive and hopeful smile lit up that gem

It looked as though his mood, in the sky, was reflected

As the Sun arose and all darkness was slowly deflected

Bharatha and Shatrughna worshipped the sun with water

Then they decided to start before the day gets hotter

People were all ready in a moment and gathered, prompt

At the banks of the Ganges awaiting Bharatha’s prompt

Bharatha discussed with Guha and gathered that

They must go to Sage Bharathavaja’s hut

For that they all had to cross the Ganges first

Guha asked his men to ready, boats that were best

On the banks of the Ganges, all types of boats were docked

Animals were helped to board them and were safely locked

People were asked to board on to a large ferry

A group boarded on to it with fun and merry

Another group, shouting and singing, boarded on to a schooner

Happy at the prospect of seeing Lord Rama, sooner

Even dogs that accompanied men on hunts

Wagging their tails, hopped on to little punts

The Royal Family boarded a well decorated junk

Even Manthara was on it, not wanting to bunk

Once they were all ready and settle

Boats on the waters started to bustle

With the junk at its head and the ferry at the back

And the schooner following the ferry with tack

It looked like a large eagle on water that glides

With wings of punts, flanking the ferry’s sides

The crowd got off the boats once they reached the banks

They now hopped on to animals according to their ranks

They traveled through the jungle creating rattle

The inmates of the jungle feared imminent battle

The travel through rocks and hills did not make them tire

But on the prospect of seeing Rama, their spirits were on fire

At the confluence of the two great rivers, they reached fast

They knew they were at Sage Bharathavaja’s ashram at last

Bharatha asked them to wait, while he would

Go by walk and meet the sage, as a prince should

Vashishta, Bharatha and Shatrughna went ahead

While the rest of them rested near the river bed

Sage Bharathvaja with due respect welcomed the three

He also summoned the crowd, and asked them to feel free

Bharathavaja heard from Vashishta all about Bharatha’s intention

And praised Bharatha for making a strong contention

“Even if this earth for a million years whirled

Your story will be said and heard in this world

You have made a point for all brothers, present and future

That pushing aside greed, selfless love, they must nurture

I am proud to have got a chance to meet you my son

Though very young, my respect you have won

Rama came like a sun and warmed my thought

Now you come like the moon and please my heart

Rama sacrifices a kingdom to help his father keep a promise

Lakshmana walks behind leaving the beautiful wife of his

Now you come all the way considering a kingdom to be nothing

The greatness of your virtues, words fails me while mouthing

How great must have been Dasaratha to be your dad?!

To see you all grow, the opportunity he had

To live in your times indeed I am fortunate

You four are nothing but Goodness incarnate”

Saying thus Sage Bharathvaja silently remained

His emotional effluence within him he contained

Then he looked at Bharatha and spoke as if in request

He wanted Bharatha and the crowd to be his guest

Bharathvaja smiled on seeing Bharatha hesitate

Closed his eyes for a moment and he did meditate

As if speaking to someone, he said he wanted to provide feast

Numerous Apsaras started to come dancing from the east

Apsaras so beautiful, none could take their eyes off

Had come down to earth to be Bharathavaja’s staff

They worked with speed and grace in fulfilling his wishes

Before a wink, they created numerous drinks and dishes

They played music and performed many dances

They charmed the crowd with wonderful glances

Men and women were treated with respect and love

Before each one of them the Apsaras did bow

In a minute they created palaces for the guests to stay

It took long for the people to keep their wonder at bay

The palace floors were covered with carpets of red hued silk

And from the walls hung festoons of pearls, white like milk

Every family was provided with rooms for each

And an Apsara stood at each door at their reach

The rooms had beds that were decked on ornate cots

Near them were kept numerous drinks in golden pots

Baths were arranged with waters both hot and cold

The steps to it were made of silver and gold

The people did not have to ask for what they wanted

Even as they thought of something, before them it landed

At first the people with reluctance saw Bharatha’s face

Bharatha smiled and asked them to enjoy the Sage’s grace

He too accepted the food and drinks to make them feel free

Seeing that, the people started to dance and sing in uproarious glee

They shouted that they got all that because, Rama they sought

Hitting each other with fruits and flowers happily they fought

Bharatha was the reason they enjoyed all this, they said

Before Bharatha they went, and they bowed their head

Celebrating thus the night was going too fast

They got completely exhausted and slept at last

The next morning they woke up to see everything gone

They were all lying now, instead of beds, on grass lawn

Anyway they had experienced something out of the world

Those memories onto their hearts, they decided to hold

They saw Bharathvaja and Bharatha too in the same state

Now their only worry was to start before it is too late

Bharatha thanked Bharathvaja for the exotic treat

The people too echoed him in a rhythmic beat

Bharatha with the sage, discussed about the route

Horses and elephants carrying the people started to scoot

They soon went past Sage Valmiki’s hermitage

After Bharatha met with the sage and paid homage

They then hit the foot of the Chitrakut Mountain

The joy in Bharatha’s heart was an irrepressible fountain

Bharatha asked all of them to stop and remain there

He wanted to know where The Divine Three were

He took along Shatrughna and Guha and eagerly started

While the entourage with the animals obediently halted

Bharatha, Shatrughna and Guha and a few other men

Separated into groups to search and started from the glen

They walked up the hill eager and fast looking every where

They were sure that Lord Rama must be some where there

They climbed tall trees and surveyed the place

They traversed the hill in a hurried pace

They had to climb on boulders and rocks

They saw animals freeze or run hit by shocks

Then at one point amidst a pine patch

They could see a roof that was thatch

That hut to be Lord Rama’s ashram, they easily guessed

Unable to control their eagerness they hurriedly rushed

As they ran amidst the pine trees with a final search

Amidst the trees in the open they saw the ashram perch

The ashram had a garden with a fence made of wood

Amidst the garden, like a lion, Lakshman stood

Shouting out to Lakshman, Bharatha ran to the ashram gate

Following him closely was Shatrughna at a very fast rate

Bharatha could now finally see Lord Rama and Mother Sita also stand

Like God's vision to his devotee, that vision for Bharatha was very grand

The sight to Bharatha was both pleasing and trying

He saw Lord Rama with eyes that were crying

Lord Rama who always dressed the softest silk

Was now dressed in deer skin like a jungle ilk

He saw on the arms, which adorned gold

Chains of Basil beads tightly hold

His ears that adorned fish-shaped golden earrings

Looked as though they were now only for hearings

Lord Rama’s neck that bore a sapphire pendant

Was now like a temple without an attendant

But that smile, full of energy and love, like a child

Remained the same, as it was before being exiled

Bharatha on seeing that smile melted more

Rushing towards Rama he knelt on the floor

Calling out like a child, he hugged his Brother’s knees to his chest

Like a devotee who at last succeeded in his God searching quest

With or without a kingdom his Brother was his King

Whose, hands’ blessings were precious, even without a ring

Even if his Brother’s feet, without sandals, were dirty

Bharatha would kiss them adoring their beauty

With so much love and respect for his brother

Bharatha cried out his heart for his sorrows to wither

Keeping his fore head at the feet of noble Ram

He repetitively said, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Bharatha's Impeccant Heart

2011-11-21T20:56:00.005+05:30

Bharatha had woken up, having inauspicious dreams

Memories of Dasaratha in his mind, gushed in streams

For reasons unknown he was uneasy and moody

Not talking to anyone properly he was broody

Shatrughna seeing Bharatha like that, became worried

News about their dullness, to their Uncle, hurried

Kaikeyi’s blood brother, Yudhajith, was their uncle

His father Asvapathi, King of Kekaya was old with wrinkle

Asvapathi and Yudhajith came to Bharatha’s presence

About Bharatha’s mood out, they wanted the essence

Bharatha told about his dreams that were inauspicious

About Dasaratha’s and Rama’s wellness he was suspicious

“I saw my father with oil in hands that were cupped

Without leaving a drop, he then completely sipped

Wearing torn clothes, he continuously laughed

As if caught by disease, now and then he coughed

He traveled south in a chariot driven by donkeys

Watching this and playing were a few monkeys

I saw stars and the moon falling from the sky

I saw mothers Kausalya and Sumitra helplessly cry

It is bad to see such dreams at dawn

Since I woke up my peace is gone

My father’s chest to my face, I want to tug

My beloved Lord Shri Rama, I want to hug

It has been quite a while, since I came here

With my parents and my brothers, I want to be near

My heart is wrecked by unknown fear

I regret I am not an all knowing seer”

Bharatha’s face was writ with a worry line

His grand father was worried, he would not dine

He brought before Bharatha royal courtesans

In making someone laugh they were expert artisans

For Bharatha, his wife Mandavi was no more a charm

His brother Shatrughna’s hug failed to make him warm

When all attempts to lighten Bharatha became fail

Messengers from Ayodhya came, carrying mail

The letter written by Sage Vashishta was superficial

It said Bharatha must return at once, for reasons official

Bharatha became eager and anxious to reach home soon

The prospect of seeing Rama made his face glow like the moon

Without heart, Asvapathi and Yudhajith, said their farewell

Without patience, Bharatha and Shatrughna, started their travel

Accompanying them were their grand father’s troupes

On horses, elephants and chariots they came in groups

They carried gifts from their king of enormous quantity

Gold ornaments, gems and silks, all, of supreme quality

They started at dawn from Rajagriha, Kekaya’s capital city

They traveled fast and safe with a mind that was witty

Through cities, villages and forests they quickly traveled

Across mountains, rivers and deserts their path unraveled

Where water and shade was available, they took rest

They knew, for the horses and elephants, it would be best

After traveling for seven days and seven nights

They could at last see, Ayodhya’s palace heights

But Bharatha was not happy with the sight

Caught by fright, his face became white

He could not see the flag that usually flutters

Shops along the streets were closed with shutters

He noticed, in the temples mantras were not uttered

People, at his sight, turned away their faces and muttered

People who always adored him, did not smile

The city which always buzzed had lost its style

Bharatha, after those dreams, was already troubled

On seeing the state of the city, his fear was doubled

Bharatha looked for his father all around the palace

Then he went and saw Kaikeyi whose face was callous

Seeing her face, anything untoward, he did not suspect

He fell at his mother’s feet and showed his respect

“Where has dad gone, my dear mum?

He will be glad to know, I have come

Hale and healthy, is he well?

I’m eager to know, please do tell!”

On her face there was no remorse

For choosing to walk the evil course

Thinking, her achievement will make him glad

She spoke with pride, to her innocent lad

“To what has happened there are two sides

From one person to other, luck always slides

The Kingdom to you, has been rendered

As your father’s luck, like his life, abruptly ended”

It took some time for Bharatha to grasp

Once he understood, he started to gasp

He fell on the floor, like a tree that is axed

Yet Kaikeyi stood like a giant, fully relaxed

Shatrughna too was completely baffled

Yet, the falling Bharatha, he tried to scaffold

On Bharatha’s cheeks, he gently patted

Cool water from his hands, he gently spatted

Bharatha awoke and asked his mother what she said

Unmoved Kaikeyi repeated that the king was dead

Catching his head Bharatha sat on the floor

His wailing was heard long beyond the palace door

Shatrughna on one side inconsolably cried

On the other, to console Bharatha, he tried

Sitting on the floor he cried like an orphan

Sorrows and shocks had not visited him often

The brothers cried for long hugging each other

They then became calm remembering their brother

The thought of Rama soothed their heart

Lord Rama to them, was the only resort

Kaikeyi watched them cry, as if it was childish

To the glory of the family she was a blemish

Bharatha turned to her for solace, not yet realising her nature

Like a pearl born in a stinking shell, he was an impeccant creature

“Mother! For Rama’s presence in the palace, I see no sign

Is my Lord and God, the ruler of my heart, doing fine?

As father is dead, he must now be leading the country

But in every direction I look, I do not see his entry!”

Bharatha looked at Kaikeyi, very eager!

Kaikeyi spoke as if, Rama’s importance was meager

“Oh! Rama! He lives in the forest donning deer skin

Sita and Lakshman too have followed suit, akin!”

Bharatha’s head was now reeling

Sheer pain was his only feeling

On hearing this news, he was totally confused

With a lot of questions, his mind was infused

‘A prince to live in the forest would mean

That, in evil and anarchic ways he had been

Why will noble Rama, the keeper of justice

Be punished as if he did an act of malice?’

Now he could connect the two apparent dots

Question after question buzzed in his thoughts

‘Father must have died on seeing Brother go!

Why did Brother to the forest, have to go?’

‘How did The Gem, who deserves all goodness

To be exiled from the kingdom, deem fitness?’

Bharatha knew Rama would not have flawed

This made Bharatha’s heart even more gnawed

“Mother! So many questions, your vague statements arouse

Please tell me clearly, why did Brother have to leave the house?

Our mighty king‘s life has been eaten by the fatal mouse

Yet you seem indifferent, being father’s favourite spouse”

All that had happened, Kaikeyi decided to reveal

She wanted to put it in a way that would appeal

To Bharatha’s heart and give him a desire

To decorate himself with the regal attire

“To make you King I acted clever and fast

I exiled Rama, and the king breathed his last

Your father! And Brother! Leave them aside!

About crowning yourself, you must decide

I have won the kingdom with an idea of my make

Now the Kingdom of Kosala, is yours to take

I have taken care that no one will dare to talk

While towards the throne, you royally walk! ”

Saying thus Kaikeyi smiled with pride

That was the last time, that way, she smiled

Bharatha became furious and her pride was crushed

On to her fallen face, the shameful blood rushed

“What the hell are you talking, you ugly bitch?

To me you have become a lifetime itch!

How did you expect I will support this treason?

For me to live, you have wiped off all reason!

My beloved father, you have wickedly killed

Why does your heart beat without becoming stilled?

Who in the world told you, that I would steal?

My Lord’s throne, before which, I will always kneel?

I am unable to control my fuming anger

I will crush you to death, if I stay any longer

I am afraid My Lord Rama will dislike such act

That is the only reason you are still in tact”

Saying thus Bharatha walked out of her room

All of Kaikeyi’s dreams were fallen to doom

Shatrughna silently followed though boiling with rage

Without Bharatha’s consent he would not turn a page

Bharatha rushed to Kausalya and fell at her feet

Kausalya towards him tried but failed to be sweet

“For you to rule, the Kingdom has been won

You can now happily sit, in the place of my son

If only you told him, you wanted the kingdom to rule

My son would have gifted it happily and remained cool

Yet your mother acted with a mind that was bent

To the forest for fourteen years, he was unjustly sent”

“Mother! Mother! Mother! Don’t doubt me please

If you do so my life would immediately cease

Do not think of me, any different from Ram

Without Him, I am a tree fallen by storm

Anymore, do not think of me as Kaikeyi’s son

Relationship between her and me is long undone

In exiling My Lord, if I had a hand

In the deadliest of hells, may I land!”

Saying this before Kausalya, Bharatha pleadingly knelt

Seeing this, Kausalya’s motherly heart started to melt

Kausalya blessed him passing her hand through his hair

She asked him to do, what he thought was fair

“Forgive me son! For talking thus

I have lost my mind in this fuss

All wellness upon you, I heartily bless

Do what is right, as per your guess

Bereft of my husband, bereft of my son

To live on this earth, I have reasons none

You sitting on the throne, I won’t hate to see

But with my beloved Rama, I long to be

My son and me, if you can unite

I will be grateful, for giving me respite”

Saying these words Kausalya became quiet

Even those words, to Bharatha, were a bitter diet

“Mother! I will certainly take you to that immaculate sapphire

But to sit and rule, in my Lord’s place, I have no desire

Anyone thinking of me as a usurper is unbearable shame

I will do what it takes to wipe off this dirt from my name”

Saying thus Bharatha took leave from Kausalya and went

To Sage Vashishta’s ashram seeking guidance and consent

Vashishta advised Bharatha to ritually cremate

Dasaratha’s preserved body before it is late

Dasaratha’s body was kept, soaked in oil

In a large golden vessel to prevent spoil

Dasaratha’s body was bathed and royally dressed

Then on an ornate palanquin, it was made to rest

The dead king was taken royally to the cremation ground

Trumpets, conches and drums made his greatness resound

A white umbrella and canopy, above the king’s body towered

From both sides of the path, fragrant flowers were showered

The procession was followed by people creating a rattle

Talking about the king’s, mercy in giving and valour in battle

To the royal family, condolences were said

Tears of love and sorrow were silently shed

The king’s body was kept on a sandalwood pyre

Bharatha to it, sadly set fire

On the banks of Sarayu, the king was burnt

Lessons of impermanence were once again learnt

The tall and hefty Dasaratha was now a handful of ash

Which was offered to and dissolved by Sarayu’s splash

In offering water and sesame, Bharatha did Rama’s role

To quench the thirst and hunger of the departed soul

Carrying only the King’s memories as remnants

His family and friends returned to their residence

Bharatha and Shatrughna started to mourn

And remained so, until ten days were gone

Sage Vashishta approached Bharatha, eleventh day morning

Informed him that it was high time he ended the mourning

He said, ministers and citizens were anxiously assembled

Fearing, without a king, the kingdom will become dissembled

“Bharatha! The kingdom needs a king and the country a ruler

Without Dasaratha and Rama, you must now act as leader

If no one from the Royal House, takes over control

Evil in every field will start to soon enroll

Without a judge to do justice

Prosperous will become, injustice

People will loose faith in sticking to Dharma

They will no more do their prescribed Karma

Do not keep your lips anymore tight

Overcome your grief and do what is right

On you is fixed, everyone’s expectant sight

Lead us all, as a man of might!

Rama has moved, to make you way

To honour and make true, His father’s say

Things needed for your coronation, are all ready

Make a decision and act with intellect that is heady”

After listening to this silently, Bharatha nodded

He knew the country by a king, must be guarded

After some thought he made up his mind

Vashishta walked to the court and he went behind

Bharatha fell prostrate before his father’s throne

Tears welled up on seeing the empty throne

He circumambulated the items used by the king

Then he stood with firmness amidst the people ring

“Venerable Gurudev! Honourable ministers and fellow men!

The house of the Ikshvaku’s has been wrecked by a hen

To get me the throne, without my consent, my mother has vied

So our Lord Rama has left us and our king has died

Now the kingdom is like a woman without husband

And we, its citizens, like children who are orphaned

I have no desire or strength to be a king

An eagle’s job cannot be done by a sparrow’s wing

Noble Rama, the mighty Dasaratha’s favourite son

To rule us like a God, He is the only one

It has been the desire of our king at start

In this very place, before all, he had revealed his heart

And all of you, dear fellow men, have jumped with joy

Celebrated, blessed and supported Rama as your own Boy

The wish of all must not be crushed for one woman’s whim

We must make Rama our King and start serving him

For, that God among men, with mighty arms

Knows all nuances of Dharma and ethical norms

When that mighty man protects us, being our head

Enemies will not dare to attack, fearing blood shed

He has ultimate faith in the strength of truth

For every creature’s welfare, He thinks with ruth

See the way He happily gave up his right

And sacrificed all comfort without fight

Now! That prince who deserves all wellness

Live like a mendicant in the wilderness

All because He wanted me, his beloved brother

To happily adorn, the royal feather”

Bharatha, when he said this became overwhelmed

His flow of speech for a moment got stemmed

Then he composed himself and continued to talk

Clearing that, his mother’s greedy wish, he would balk

“My Brother Rama to me is like a God

I consider Him as my guide and guard

I will jump into fire if He commands!

I will give up my life, if He demands!

My Lord Rama has the largest heart

Welfare of all always fills his thought

He would even forgive the greatest offender

He always protects the ones who humbly surrender

He is a mother to them giving what is best

He is a servant in doing for them what is best

He is always a man of His words

He would allow them to be free like birds

To solve ego issues, He would try to bend

For people who err He gives time to amend

Even for His enemy’s welfare, He would sincerely wish

He would happily remain hungry, if he has to offer His dish

By character that is spotless he is gold

His greatness for eons will be told

I am only fortunate to be the brother of such a great man

To spend every second of life for him, I will do all I can

Sitting at His feet and seeing his face

I love to forget myself singing his grace

I wish to keep His feet on my thigh

And look at it forgetting hours go by

To make Him laugh, I like to joke

And get from Him an appreciative stroke

Reading texts, I want to sit by His side

And discuss on topics He would decide

I would like to see him sleep and then go to bed

And be back at dawn, to see him wake, near his bed

I like to sit by His side and eat my food

And hear from Him, all that is good

Leading such a life has always been my dream

In my heart flows, for him, a devotional stream

I am unable to accept this kingdom he readily gave

I would surrender it to his feet, and be His slave”

Hearing this effulgence of love towards a Brother

Everyman in the court, towards Bharatha, became a mother

They blessed Bharatha with tears and all their heart

To go to the jungle and bring Rama, they were eager to start

Bharatha ordered his army to prepare for the journey which was long

He invited every one in the city who wished to come, to join along

His plan was to crown Rama in the jungle and bring Him back

He wanted Rama, only as a King, to return in the track

Rama’s fave elephant Shatrunjayan, which was strong

For Rama to travel back on it, was to be taken along

It was bathed and decorated with ornaments of gold

It trumpeted shedding off its grief, till then untold

With Sage Vashishta heading it, the procession started

Even new born babies, for Rama, promptly departed

Men and women, both young and old

Journeyed as if to get a treasure of gold

They danced with joy to music that was heard for far

Bharatha, like Rama, had become their super star

All the way, they sang the glories of Bharatha and Ram

All the way they shouted, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Dasaratha's Death

2011-11-18T21:58:00.003+05:30

Tears flowed down Dasaratha’s eyes, ceaselessly

His wide open eyes stared afar lifelessly

After reporting Rama’s exile, Sumanthra had just left

Since Rama left, in Dasaratha’s actions, life was bereft

The day his sons left, he stood at the gates for long

Unable to believe his favourite Rama was gone

Once the chariot disappeared, he fell in a swoon

His wives rushed to him, and held him soon

He awoke to see Kaikeyi, holding him close

To unimaginable heights his anger arose

He shook her off and pushed her away

He warned her angrily to stay at bay

“I renounce you today for your wicked act

We are no more tied by our marriage pact

To rule the kingdom, I hope Bharatha will not choose

If he does, rights to perform my cremation, he will lose”

To be with Rama’s mother, he longingly opted

To Kausalya’s chambers he immediately departed

He was made to lie on a silken bed

It soon became wet by the tears he shed

Now that Sumanthra, in detail, had exclusively reported

About how The Divine Three, to the jungle were deported

The King’s state fell from bad to worse

In his memory flashed, a long forgotten curse

Like a helpless man he loudly wailed

To see and hear his senses failed

He called to Kausalya, his hands searching in the air

He regretted for showing her, before Kaikeyi, lesser care

Already sad, Kausalya was now easily irritated

She censured him with angry words, fully frustrated

Unusual to her nature, she spoke a lot

She made bitter remarks that were tart

“You deprived my son of kingship, breaking norm

Did my son bring upon your Kaikeyi, any harm?

To exile my son when Kaikeyi was bent

All you could do was to remain silent!

On seeing Kaikeyi, you always melted like wax

Unaware, to cut yourself, you were polishing that axe

You have made me stand deprived of all

Wanting what more from me do you hysterically call?”

Dasaratha felt, he deserved the scolding

Kausalya’s hands, he caught for holding

His hands searched for her face and touched her cheek

Remorsefully he spoke, with a voice that was meek

“Kausalya! Please be kind to me dear

Your husband’s death is already near

I know, I deserve to be verbally whipped

In my duty to you, as a husband, I have slipped

Yet! I beg of you to show me some mercy

I know, for the mother of my Rama, it would be easy

In spite of my misgivings, you have always been good

Upholding this noble quality of yours, you always should”

Hearing her majestic man plead, giving up pride

All feelings of hatred, from Kausalya’s heart dried

In to her heart, womanly feelings for a husband rushed

Remorseful tears from her eyes profusely gushed

“What did I do now, losing my mind?!

How could speak words, so unkind?!

Knowing well that you are morally great

How did I treat you with disrespect and hate?!

Forgive me my Lord! You have not wronged

To cause dissension between us, fate has longed”

Saying thus and crying, she kept his head on her lap

At last, their hearts were bonded with a thick love strap

At last, Kaikeyi lost and Kausalya won

Now, Dasaratha’s and Kausalya’s souls were one!

Both of them mourned the ill luck of their son

Who, even in sleep would commit, mistakes none!

In Dasaratha’s mind, memories of the past flooded

Dasaratha realised, towards death, he was headed

The burden in his heart, he wanted to lessen

He spoke to his wife, almost like a confession

“Kausalya! My beloved lady! Do you hear?

I’ve lost my sight and my death is near

For this state of mine, I know the reason

For a sin I committed, this is harvest season”

Kausalya was shocked by her husband’s declaration

To her, this was unbelievable information

To know what happened, she became keen

Dasaratha narrated the happenings while he was a teen

“I was then young and robust like a bull

Even my moustache had not grown to its full

In all kinds of warfare I was trained

To excel in archery, I always strained

Soon to expertise level, I became skilled

To test my skills, I went hunting and killed

That particular day, I had hunted for long

Night insects had started to hum their song

I thought it was time to try my favourite shot

Which, was to hear the sound and hit the spot

Sabthavethi was the name of the technique

To excel in that, one needs to be unique

I waited nearby a river, with a wild hunch

‘Animals would come, for their thirst to quench’

Gulping sound I heard, from a distant spot

An elephant to be drinking, I wrongly thought

Towards that direction, an arrow I shot

Ignorant of the miseries, it could wrought

In return, I heard a young man’s painful cry

Realising my folly, my throat went dry

I ran towards the spot with hope after hope

But with the speed of fate, I could not cope

I had hit a young man, as I feared

All over his fallen body, blood was smeared

From his chest, the arrow I shot protruded

Deep into his lungs, the arrow must have intruded

Hit by shock and my arrow, he confusedly wailed

On the ground, towards the river, hot blood trailed

“To be punished thus, what is my crime?

Why should I die, before it is time?

Even to die young, I don’t mind

But who’ll care for my parents, old and blind?”

His words pierced my heart with unbearable guilt

I walked unsteadily towards him on the silt

Nearby him in submission, I humbly knelt

Not knowing how, the situation must be dealt

With painful eyes, he asked me who I was

I explained how the accident came to pass

At first he was angry but cooled down later

Being a sincere ascetic, he was no hater

Realising in my act, no harm was intended

Even without me trying, he became contended

Without me asking, he forgave me

With words of love, he tortured me

“Accidents happen. Leave it Sir!

To face inevitable death, I don’t care

Only when I think of my helpless parents

My heart is flooded with painful torrents

My parents and I live in a nearby cave

They needed nothing as I was their slave

I loved them and they loved me

After my death, how will they be?”

Saying thus he inconsolably cried

Then to speak, he pitifully tried

I too cried beating my head

Catching my hand, the following he said

“Could you please pull this arrow out?

It hurts me bad that I want to shout

Anyway my life is ebbing, believe me

At least from this pain, relieve me”

As per his words, I pulled out the arrow

He left his body, leaving me to sorrow

Sitting on the bank, I cried a lot

Then composing myself, I filled his pot

With water for his parents, I searched for their place

With the marks he had left, I could easily trace

Ready to accept any punishment they give

I stood before them, no more wanting to live

They thought it was their son

Remaining silent just for fun

The old man spoke giving out a chuckle

On his son, his confidence was muckle

“Son! What is the reason you newly play

By silently standing, what do you say?

We like to hear your loving voice

Only because of you, living is our choice”

First I gave the unlucky couple some water to drink

My silence was pushing their patience to its brink

To speak the truth I gathered strength

Their son’s death, I narrated at length

The unsuspecting couple was completely shaken

Like a deer that was, by a tiger, unawares taken

Unable to believe, they cried so bitter

While they cried, their bodies shook in a jitter

While the old mother was still crying

The father composed himself after much trying

He suddenly caught me by my hair

His anger now was a flare!

“Why have you not yet, killed us both?

To torture people have you taken any oath?

If you had killed us without disclosing the news

To us, you could have been of much more use”

Not knowing to answer I fell at their feet

To my death, I wanted them to beat

Realising my state, the old man’s anger subsided

To be taken to his son, in me he confided

On my shoulders I carried them both

To the spot where I sinned, inviting loathe

They sat with their son’s head on their lap

They couldn’t believe or digest this bitter hap

Beating their head and chests they wailed piteously

Then they asked me to arrange for cremation courteously

I placed their son’s body on logs of wood

They lit up the pyre and silently stood

The old man turned to me and calmly spoke

He had regained his composure and no more broke

He looked as if he was newly born

His sorrow was now completely gone

“You have done me both good and bad

Though to curse you it makes me sad

I am unable to forgive, the killing of my son

For that act of yours justice must be done

Though I can curse that your head must burst

Considering your good side, I will not be worst

One day in future, like me, you too will die

Separated from your son and heaving a sigh!”

Saying thus the couple entered the pyre

Soon they were ashed by the fire

This happened long before we wed

From my memory it was long shed

Now that time has come for me to reap

In my memory this incident stands too steep”

Saying thus Dasaratha, closed his eyes

Kausalya helplessly hoped that these were lies

Dasaratha lay with closed eyes for a while

Remembering something he opened it with a smile

“Kausalya! I don’t think Bharatha will accept to rule

Bharatha may try to bring back Rama, if I am no fool

Do you remember something Bharatha did?

While he was just a five year kid”

Dasaratha talked with a smile forgetting grief

Seeing him like that, Kausalya got some relief

“To sit or stand near Rama’s side

The other three brothers always tried

Regarding this they always fought

One on the other complaints they brought

Once Bharatha came running to me

Near Rama’s side he wanted to be

Lakshman and Shatrugnan would not allow him near

Bharatha said this with his chubby cheeks wet with tear

I somehow tried to console my boy

I talked to him hoping to give him joy

“Being away from Rama is good for you

As Rama’s black colour may stick to you

You are white

So pleasant for the sight

But Rama is dark

So not worthy of talk”

What I said only made him sad

In his little eyes I became bad

He jumped from my lap and ran in a craze

And came back applying kajal all over his face”

Saying this Dasaratha became stilled

Again in his heart sorrow was filled

His favourite son’s name, for sometime he chanted

And then again loosing composure he loudly ranted

After sometime he went into sleeping

Life was no more for his keeping

While in sleep, his soul had left

As a man of his word, his glory was heft!

Not just a king, he was his citizens’ father!

Not just a man, he was God’s own father!

His reputation stood tall by the sacrifice of Ram!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Chitrakut

2011-11-17T20:17:00.004+05:30

Lord Rama, Mother Sita and Lakshman were now climbing a slope

Lord Rama and Lakshman often slowed for Mother Sita to cope

They were now climbing the Chitrakut hill

Against a downhill breeze that was chill!

They were looking for a place that would suit

To build a cottage and start their spiritual pursuit

They came across a flat land, surrounded by pine

Lord Rama felt, the place would be perfectly fine

The river Mandakini flowed, down hill, near by

Varieties of fruit bearing trees all around grew high

Flowers blossomed all around, emanating uplifting scent

To Mother Sita’s mind, great amusement they lent

As Lord Rama deemed the place to be fit

Lakshman meticulously started working on it

When Lord Rama tried to help, he accepted not!

To keep his Brother like a King, was his only thought!

Within hours the cottage was amazingly ready

With tree trunks as pillars, it was steady

Grasses and straw made up the thatched roof

For Lakshman’s dexterity, it was a proof

Walls were made with bamboo reeds

Cut in different shapes to suit the needs

Smooth rocks and logs were readied to sit

To live for years, the cottage was made fit

Finishing his work, Lakshman humbly stood before his boss

To appreciate Lakshman’s skill, Rama’s words were at loss

Lord Rama was happy about his new found house

He knew it would be comfortable for His beloved spouse

Lord Rama felt, an offering must be made to the Gods

Mother Sita and Lakshman accepted it with nods

Lakshman soon returned with a deer he hunted

Offering it to the Gods, into the cottage they entered

In serving Rama and Sita, Lakshman’s days were packed

With Lakshman’s service, there was nothing Rama and Sita lacked

In each others’ company, The Three were immensely content

To desire or want for more, they had no intent

They visited sages who lived in hermitages nearby

The sages too dropped in leisure to say, ‘hi!’

Spiritual matters and stories of Gods were spoken

Fruits gathered were shared as a friendly token

Lakshman grew a garden of plants that can be eaten

In front of his relentless work, even the ants were beaten

Rama and Sita had time to spend near some lotus pond

In each other’s company, they were tirelessly fond

Chitrakut in its abundance was a child of nature

Nature for Lord Rama, raised it to a heavenly stature

There were ponds, lakes and cascades enhancing the beauty

Musical birds continuously chirped, as if it was their duty!

Water bodies were decorated with lotuses blue and pink

Nature had sketched a master piece with multihued ink

Lord Rama and Mother Sita walked around exotic places

The sigh they saw brightened their astonished faces

Sunlight reflected from the water and lit up the space

Which, made flowers to blossom adding grace

Flocks of birds and herds of animals were seen

Well fed by Mother Nature, none of them were lean!

Hefty elephants, sturdy bison and gentle deer

Roamed about everywhere with unrestrained cheer

Cheetahs and tigers at times cautiously walked

To hunt down their prey, they stealthily stalked

Every day they saw a new kind of bird

Invisible cuckoos singing, they always heard

Flowers for worship they plucked from the lakes

On their return they saw on the rocks crawling snakes!

Thus life in the jungle moved on for The Divine Three

From the pains of separation, they were mostly free

The jungle was sanctified by the presence of Ram!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

A sage with a past!

2011-11-16T22:20:00.005+05:30

The sun rose up, brightening yet another day

Untired of his role, in this endless play

Lord Rama worshipped him offering water

Which He did thrice a day, without falter

The divine three then approached, the sage

Who looked much younger, for his age

For the hospitality shown, they expressed their gratitude

And asked him about some place, to reside in solitude

In letting them go, the sage was reluctant

For his admiration for The Three was so abundant

He tried to persuade them in staying along

But Lord Rama felt, city from there was not very long

With the city so close people may often come

And to the sage that could become bothersome

This reason to the sage Lord Rama explained

The desire to keep them with him, the sage contained

The sage appreciated the thought and wished them well

About a place called Chitrakut, they heard him tell

He described the way for them to pursue

And then with a smile, he bid them adieu

Lord Rama, Mother Sita and Lakshman were now walking

About sage Bharadhvaja’s wisdom and love, they were talking

From the confluence of rivers, along Yamuna, they proceeded east

The sight of the river upstream to the eyes was a feast

They crossed the river at one point building a raft

Which, Lakshman had built with utmost craft

They then walked through a bamboo thicket

It’s soft ground and music to them was a welcome ticket

They then came across a banyan tree, Shyama by name

Which, with its majesty, was putting all other trees to shame

Mother Sita circumambulated the tree in the clock wise direction

This worship she did as per sage Bharadhvaja’s direction

They then proceeded further and saw another sage’s place

Seeing the ashram’s location they admired nature’s ways

They entered the ashram eager to meet its owner

Who welcomed them, considering it, to be his honour

The sage gave them seats and offered them water

And some fruits, roots and honey in a wooden platter

He then enquired after their well-being and appreciated their life

And then with a little regret he started to talk about his life

“My life is not as worthy as yours’

For the wounds I caused, there is no medicine that cures

Even to see you I know not, if I have any merit

For I have wasted my youth as a cruel culprit

Unlike you, in a family of thieves I was born

To expect any ethics from them was lorn

Grown up by them, I started at an early age

As a highwayman and thief, to earn my wage

When people came through the forest, their throats I gripped

Their possessions off them, by intimidation I stripped

When they failed to submit, without hesitation I killed

In my black heart, only arrogance and cruelty were filled”

The sage said this with pain in his eyes

Regret was evident about his pastime vice

Opening his heart before the Lord, made him light

He continued to narrate his story with a renewed insight

“I had no regret or remorse for my act

I was proud of my wealth, to say in fact

I loved my parents, wife and children more than my life

To keep them happy and wealthy I used my sinful knife

Days went by like passing clouds

On my vision, casting a shadow that shrouds

Then came in my life a very revealing day

That passed through my dark mind, wisdom’s ray

On the fateful day I was waiting for my prey

While an effulgent man came my way

With a voice very sweet, I heard him sing

Enrapturing music he made, plucking his veena’s string

I forgot myself lost in the delight of my senses

Gone was he, before I came back to my senses

Shocked was I, as I realised I let go of my catch

Hurriedly I traced my steps, through the bamboo patch

I saw him walking a furlong ahead, as if he was in leisure

I caught up with him in minutes and held him in my seizure

He was not, but I was in shock

As, with a cool smile, he started to talk!

“Why are you so tensed, my dear friend

Is there any service for you, I can lend?

You seemed to have run for very long

May I know, what went wrong?”

Little was he affected by my horrible looks

He spoke words of class, as if from grammar books

Numerous people, all my life, I had seen

Only two kinds, they have always been

The ones who give all, in fearful submission

Or the ones who fight and die, in angry aggression

But this man was different, with no fear or anger

This man to me was truly a stranger!

For the first time in life I admired a person

For me to be in awe, he gave enough reason

Anyway driven by my usual nature

I stared with angry eyes at his stature

“Nothing has gone wrong, my dear friend

Just that you may be at your end

Only if you can give me all your wealth

I can consider, not giving you a painful death”

The man in my hold was not in shock

But his reaction to my wit was a lock

For he answered to my question in affirmation

It was difficult for me to conceal my admiration

“Ofcourse, I can share my wealth without trouble

As the nature of my wealth, when shared, is to double

But before that may I know why

You threaten people, making their throats go dry”

Out of my control I answered the man

Justifying myself with reasons I can

“I have parents who are now very old

Wife and children who, on to me, always hold”

“But my friend, you accumulate sins by this, didn’t anyone tell?

For which you may be thrown afterlife into the deepest hell!”

Stirring my soul with fright, the sage asked me the question

Not knowing why, I saw myself answering his question

“What ever I earn is for my family to share

With them by my side, even if it is hell I do not care”

The man in my clutches

Continued to point out my glitches

“But don’t you know, when in hell, you’ll be alone

You to your family would then, long be forgone!

Relations crowd around, when a man lives wealthily

But when he is in bad luck, they disappear stealthily”

“I can bet, my family is definitely not so

Even to hell, with me, they would happily go”

“There is no family that partakes of in sins, as far as I know

If there were such people, I would be happy to know”

The sage’s words provoked me strong

I was desperate to prove that he was wrong

As I was about to leave to fetch my folks

I got a doubt that he was playing jokes

I thought he was playing with words to make me a fool

And while I left, he would walk away cool

I gripped his throat, angry beyond measure

And intimidated him to reveal his place of treasure

“You cunning fox, how deceitful you are

You plan to run away, once I go far

To make me go, you talk wise and sweet

But I am not a fool to fall to your deceit”

The man was not shaken, the slightest bit

To every doubt of mine, he gave answers that fit

With none of my victims, I have talked so long

But now I realise, it was fate playing strong!

To come along with me, he said he was ready

To take him to my secret home, I was not ready

Understanding which he made a suggestion

Which, wiped off all my unwanted suspicion

“I have an idea to wipe out your fear

Tie me to a tree and leave me here

Go back home and check if I am wrong

In this case, to be wrong, I sincerely long!”

I could no more take this man lightly

Though in my hold, he had caught me tightly

I tied him to a tree and hurried home

Little did I know, it was my last trip home!

I went straight to my mother with ultimate hope

I told her about the man, I had tied with a rope

I then asked her about my sins, if she would share

But she answered to me, as if she had no care

“Son! I have worked for you lifelong and now very old

I eat what is given and sleep where I am told

You have enraged the sage with a behaviour cold

The consequences of which only you must hold

As my son, it was your duty to feed me well

Between good and bad, as a grown up, could you not tell?!

Instead of taking responsibility for what you have done

Do you expect me to suffer, despite of mistakes none?”

Unbelievable were those words, my mother spoke

Needles of reality at my heart started to poke

I went to my father who hurriedly denounced me

And then to my children, who similarly renounced me

Shaken was I, for I had loved them so much

All that I did, I did for their welfare as such

All the time I spend, was now waste

Only leaving me alone with a bitter taste!

With one last hope I went to my wife

With whom, I never had any strife

In front of whom I renounced all my shame

And spent endless hours in sensual game

I asked her the same question, I asked my mother

She answered as if, for me, she could no more bother

“Lord! The duty of a wife is to run family affairs

Within the limited income her husband acquires

I would have done my job with perfection, eagerly

Even if you had earned a honest income, meagerly

Without my consent you chose a path that accumulates sin

On your way to hell, why do you want to drag me in?”

Sorrow was heavily resting on my helpless heart

Something within me broke and fell apart

Something for which I lived all this while

Something within me, that had no guile

In front of them, I spoke not, another word

Though in my nest, I was a lonely bird

I left my house and family never to return

Disgusted by the gratitude, they showed in return

In want of love, I cried like a child

And hurried back to the sage, in the wild

I fell at his feet and wept out all my pain

And told him about the life, I had lived in vain

I told him, I had no more cause to live

Even my life to him, I was ready to give

I clung on to his feet, which was my only refuge

And washed it with my tears, which was now a deluge

Seeing my state, the sage’s loving heart melted

Forgoing the fact that I had earlier insulted

He asked me to get up and wipe my eyes

And then asked me to severe his ties

“It is difficult to bless being tied up with strands

As I am unable to lift, both my hands”

The sage said jokingly, while I was cutting the rope

And smiled brightly, sending through me a ray of hope

He made me sit and taught me mantra to chant

He said that was the best boon, one could ever grant

The mantra was nothing but Lord Vishnu’s name

But I could not chant it as my tongue was not tame

The sage suggested different names of the Lord

One after the other

Unable to pronounce any of them in accord

My hope started to wither!

My loving Guru Narada, would not give up on me

For he had accepted me as his disciple, with my tear as fee

He then told me to try, your name that is simple, beloved Ram!

But even those two syllables, my tongue could not form

I apologized to the sage for wasting his time

But the sage was lost in thought and came up with a rhyme

“Ma Raa, Ma Raa, Ma Raa, Ma Raa” He musically led

“Ma Raa, Ma Raa, Ma Raa, Ma Raa” I easily said

The sage told me to repeat this as much as I could

I continued to repeat it forgoing, water and food

MaRaa became Rama eventually, as I uttered

For many years, only your name I muttered

I was so lost in your name, forgoing all

Around me grew an anthill, very tall!

After many years I came out of it

The name Valmiki, for me, became fit!

Since then I have been living here in peace

My regrets now have started to slowly, cease

Today before me, my noble Ram stands

Is there anymore I can ask, than your merciful glance!”

Saying thus with a smile Sage Valmiki ended his narration

The Divine Three were engrossed, for the whole duration

Lord Rama’s heart was filled with respect for the sage

He admired the sage for breaking the Karmic cage

“You had loved and served your family selflessly

Such selfless heart is never left helplessly

Thus came Sage Narada on your way

And with his wisdom and love, showed you the way”

The sage nodded with a smile at Rama in acceptance

This recognition to him was of utmost importance

After that, about spiritual matters, they talked a lot

Lord Rama then enquired the sage about the Chitrakut spot!

The sage told them the way to the beautiful place

In his knowledge of that area, he was an ace

The Divine Three took leave of the wise man

Eager to see their home, they walked and ran!

Lord Rama knew not, He was playing hero in a fabulous story

Valmiki knew not, He was going to fabulously write the story!

While he stood near his hermitage, watching Ram

Chanting in his mind, Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Life and its breath!

2011-11-15T22:17:00.002+05:30

The Ganga flowed behind them with rhythmic chime

The oarsman stood with tears as it was farewell time

Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman wished him well

And started their journey, in search for a place to dwell

They entered the woods which were dark in the day

Through rocks and trees they had to make their way

The crafty jungle before them slowly loomed

Wild animals all around roamed and vroomed

To clear the path and watch out for danger

Lakshman went ahead as a dutiful ranger

Following him closely was Mother Sita at the centre

Behind Her went Lord Rama who was now the mentor

That was a forest; Sun could not enter, from the start

Now his descendants were exploring its deepest part

Looked like the Sun failing to enter the forest through his ray

Had sent his descendants to explore it to have his say!

Lakshman walked ahead removing stones and thorns

Sita watched at distance, few stags locking their horns

Lord Rama took delight in naming them for her

And also enumerated the uses of their skin and fur

Various flowers were grown to decorate the forest

Trying to better one another in a colourful contest

Flowers of colours white, red, yellow and blue

Had blossomed to contrast the wild’s greenish hue

Sita was excited on seeing the incandescent scene

For, to such beauteous locales she had never been

Like a little child she wished for flowers to hold

Lakshman got them for her before being told

Tall tree branches laden with luscious fruits

Bent down to the ground touching their roots

Looked like the trees prostrated with gifts to Ram

Welcoming Him in their home which was always calm

Elephants lifted their trunks and trumpeted loud

As if welcoming Lord Rama to rule the fauna crowd

Peacocks spread their plumes as if to hold a banner

For Lord Rama to enter the jungle in a royal manner

The large hearted lions watched Lord Rama’s arrival

Considering Rama to be, in majesty, a perfect rival

The tigers watched from distance, Lakshmana’s gait

Fearing Lakshmana’s might they went to a frozen state

The deer and rabbits watched Mother Sita’s face

And felt safe like kids who were in their mother’s embrace

Beautiful birds, around Her, flew and fluttered

With musical chirps, their welcome, they uttered

Admiring the beauty around, the trio steadily walked

About the exotic visuals they happily talked

Now and then they stopped to take some rest

Under trees on which birds had built their nest

They walked all day long until sun set

They picked up woods that were not wet

They lit up fire to evade darkness and cold

Emitting heat and light, the fire glittered like gold

Around the fire they sat, in the open, under the sky

Thinking of His parents Lord Rama breathed a sigh

With no people around, His emotions took over Him

In a pensive mood He became silent and grim

Tears flowed down when He thought of His mum

Thinking of His father’s health He became numb

Seeing His sad face Sita tried to cheer Him up

But He continued to drink from His broody cup

“Damn my birth, for giving my parents, pain

After raising me well, this is what they gain

A son who cannot be a devoted staff

But snatches away their happy laugh

Mother always eats only after I eat

Father, to me, has always been sweet

Now, not knowing if I’ve eaten, how will she eat?

How will dad sit, with majesty, in his royal seat?

How did mother Kaikeyi who was always kind

Out of lust for power and wealth, become blind?

Only for kingdom, over king, does she care?

Even to kill my father, for kingdom, would she dare?

When I think of this my head starts to spin

How could one love wealth over their kin?

I am afraid Mother Kaikeyi might even plan

To kill father, if he does not go by her plan!

If thus be the state of my father, such a mighty one

What would not happen to my mother, the puny one?

Lakshman! You have made a mistake by joining me

Did you think of what Mother Sumitra’s state would be?

You must return immediately home, I beseech

Please! With kindness, see sense in my speech

Mothers Kausalya and Sumithra need your protection more

For Kaikeyi might try to settle some past time’s score

Lakshman I want you to go to Ayodhya now

And serve our parents with devotional love

It would be selfish of me to keep you here

While our parents are bereft of any sons near

To serve one’s parent comes first, before all

From serving your mother you must not fall

For me to be in the jungle, fate has decreed

But for you to be here, what is the need?

Sita and I can take care of ourselves

Our old parents are the ones who need your helps

Did you think of your wife Urmila, the humble?

The one who bid good-bye to you without a mumble

I have made up my mind, my dear brother

Anymore for my welfare you need not bother

Tomorrow at dawn, in the jungle, Sita and I will stay

While, towards Ayodhya, you must make your way”

Hearing this Lakshman was in utter shock

For a moment, he knew not, what to talk

He felt forsaken, by his God

Was he a burden to his Lord?

To stay with his Brother, he was desperate

How can life and breath, ever be separate?

Collecting himself, he expressed his view

Drops of tears from his eyes fell in queue

“Brother, our mothers are no ordinary women

To serve them, at their behest, there are a thousand men

Both men and women, await for them to clap

And get things done in a split second’s gap

But who would care for You, in these woods that are deep?

Who would make bed for You, while You go to sleep?

Who would bring water for Your daily needs?

Who would ready the place to perform Your religious deeds?

Will You do these all by Yourself?

And while You do this, leave Sita all by Herself?

In this jungle where wild animals linger

Searching for a prey, to quench their hunger

Please Brother, don’t do this to me

Serving You in the forest let me be”

Saying thus Lakshman fell at Lord Rama’s feet

Hugging Lord Rama’s knees, he made the ground his seat

Mother Sita tried to speak on Lakshman’s behalf

She tried to make Lord Rama see the other half

“Lord! With us, by Mother Sumithra, Lakshman has been sent

Her son to us, for our service, she has happily lent

By serving us, Lakshman does serve his mother

For he will only be carrying out her precise order

If Lakshman goes back, our mothers will be worried

Deeper in their sorrows, about us, they will get buried

At least now they take respite in knowing we two are not alone

If Lakshman goes back, even this consolation will be gone

People will also criticize Lakshman as being weak in mind

For the determination at start, he will be leaving behind”

But Lord Rama was not convinced with any of these points

He would always stick with his decision, even if it disappoints

His wife, or His brother or any of His kith and kin

For He always wanted what is right to always win!

“No Sita! It is not fair for him to be here

About my parent’s life, I am in fear

Lakshman! Tomorrow at dawn, you must go

That’s an order from me, so don’t say no!”

Lord Rama’s words were like needles that pierce

But against His orders, Lakshman could not be fierce

With no heart at all, Lakshman agreed to obey

Bereft of any energy, he became like lifeless hay

The night went by, a silent one

Against Lakshman’s prayers fate had won

Sun rose up lightening all but Lakshman’s face

Who was with much difficulty trying to brace

Lord Rama embraced Lakshman to console

Lakshman’s emotions were not easy to control

Lakshman embraced Rama very tight

And cried like a child until his heart became light

Lakshman asked Rama and Sita together to stand

He fell at their feet, prostrated on the land

He came around them keeping them to his right

Both to Lord Rama and Sita, he was a pitiful sight

He hugged Lord Rama for very long

The embrace, like his love, was very strong

Lord Rama caressed his back and head

And kissed him on his cheek with love unsaid

Though it pained for Lord Rama too

To change the decision, He did not want to

Lakshman now smiled at his brother

And at Sita, who, to him, was always a mother

“I take leave of both of you

Though this act, at my heart does hew

Sorry brother, for not obeying without talking back

The courage, to do what is right, I always lack”

Saying thus Lakshman bid farewell and turned

Though to stay back, his heart strongly yearned

He walked away with steps that were unsteady and slow

His head as if in defeat, hung very low

The mighty man was now crying like a child

And tracing his steps back in the wild

Lord Rama could see Lakshman wiping his eyes

And could sense Lakshman heaving heavy sighs

Lord Rama saw Lakshman’s walk was a stumble

Lord Rama was afraid Lakshman was going to tumble

With tears barring his vision Lakshman tripped

At Lord Rama’s heart, for Lakshman, sympathy gripped

Lakshman slowly walked and disappeared behind a tree

Lord Rama’s love for his brother was now at spree

Tears flowed from His eyes like a profuse river

Lord Rama shook His head as if in a shiver

Calling out to His brother Lord Rama ran

Following Him behind Mother Sita too ran

Both of them, to Lakshman, called out loud

From Lakshman’s heart disappeared the sorrow cloud

Not sure if he was being called but with hope

He peeped from behind the tree to see his Brother lope

Waving out to him, he saw the Divine Two running

He realised his Brother was going to get back the shunning

He ran towards his Brother, like a calf to a cow

And stood before Rama with a respectful bow

With a curious look and a hesitant smile

For his Brother to talk, he waited for a while

“Never will I send you hereafter away from me

If I have to do so in future, that would be the end of me”

Saying thus Lord Rama took back his order

Lakshman smiled a smile that could not be broader

The divine three now felt light at heart

Lakshman was happy for Rama could not see him apart

They continued their journey deeper into the jungle

Sita teased Rama’s act, like in a jingle

All three laughed at the turn of the event

And continued to walk enjoying the moment

They soon reached the junction of two sacred rivers

The waters colliding with each other and creating quivers

Situated between the Ganga and Yamuna was a hermitage

In which lived a groups of hermits serving a sage

The sage’s name was Bharadhvaja, the wise

Whose, spiritual powers were always on the rise

The divine three entered the sage’s place

Which, was brimming with vibration of divine grace

The sage was more than happy to receive the three

His assistants, to serve them, became busy like bee

Sage Bharadvaja appreciated Lord Rama for his adherence to Dharma

And reassured Him that He was earning by this, very good Karma

The sage praised Mother Sita for taking up such pain

He wished very good life and children for her to gain

He appreciated Lakshman for being so devoted

“You set example for brothers!” the sage denoted

The sage offered them fruits and roots for food

And provided them shelter, for the night, under his hood

After relishing the food, the divine three slept

To lofty heights, the sage’s joy had leapt

Pondering all night about the identity of Ram

The sage said unto himself, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Across the Ganges

2011-08-19T19:35:00.008+05:30

Guha and Sumanthra stood by the shore

Watching the boat drift away with the four

With his mind fixed on Rama, the oarsman oared

Proud on cradling Rama on her lap, the Ganges soared

Like a man trying to cross the Samsara ocean

The boat, like his body, was now in motion

Like the surrendered ego, the oarsman looked

Towards Rama, the conscience, his attention was hooked

Sita sat beside The Lord like the man’s devotion

Lakshman like efficiency stood to serve with passion

We learn from this that if our ego surrenders

The Lord enters our heart forgiving blunders

Along with Him come love and talent

Awakening within us our goodness latent

Once we manage to invite these three

We are, very soon, bound to be free

Her hands through the waves, Mother Sita swayed

Like a daughter to a Mother, Mother Sita prayed

Wishing their exile, at large, must benefit the world

Aromatic flowers to the river, in offering she hurled

She turned towards Her Lord with a whim

Story of Ganges, She wanted to hear from Him

The Lord narrated the story with a serene flow

Revealing the reasons for the river’s reverential glow

“This water was first born from Vishnu’s feet

And gifted to Brahma who sits on a lotus seat

In his kamandal, Brahma saved this water

And used it to worship Vishnu without falter

When Vishnu as Vikrama measured the sky

His feet entered Heaven, as He lifted it high

Seeing the Supreme Lord’s Feet appear before his eye

Brahma poured this water on it, leaving no part dry

The water that spilled flowed as a river through heaven

Sanctifying the upper worlds which are totally seven

The Devas rejoiced the birth of this water

By dancing for music accompanied with laughter”

Saying thus, Lord Rama paused for a moment

To see how His listeners had taken the event

For, a pot of water becoming a river was magical

He expected them to seek an explanation logical

He especially looked at the oarsman’s face

Which, did not show a doubtful trace

He then looked at Sita, who understood His mind

In picking up gestures, She was of the smartest kind

“Lord! How does a pot of water, small in size

To a river that is large, could give rise?”

In the oarsman’s view, this question was not right

On Mother Sita’s ignorance, he liked to throw some light

He came up with a beautiful example

To unquestioning faith, that was a sample

First, The Lord’s permission, he did seek

Then unto Mother Sita, he did speak

“The flame that we light, though tiny and small

Its light and heat throughout the room does fall

When a flame that we light can expand to that extend

Why must a drop, from the Lord’s feet, not expand?”

The oarsman’s faith, Lord Rama did appreciate

He also advised the former not to hate

The ones who seek logical reason

For curiosity is not a sinful passion

“Faith on one side is a matter of the heart

Brain on the other side, plays the rational part

Working as a team, they create wonders

Mocking each other, they commit blunders”

The oarsman realised Lord Rama’s words to be fair

And apologized to Mother Sita for mistaking Her

He then sought the answer for Mother Sita’s question

Lord Rama asked Lakshman to grant some vision

Mother Sita and the oarsman became eager to hear

Lakshman started to explain from Lord Rama’s rear

“I share with you what my Brother has taught

None of the following is my own thought

What, is a second in Brahma’s world

Is like a year in the heavenly world

What, is a year in the heavenly world

Is like a century in our human world

What, is a drop in Lord Brahma’s world

Is like a river in the heavenly world

What, is a river in the heavenly world

Is like an ocean in our own world”

The oarsman‘s eyes were now open wide

He turned with remorse towards Mother Sita’s side

“You are the Lord’s wife, how could you go wrong?

My Intellect like Yours is not very strong”

Mother Sita reassured him that he need not be sorry

Heated debates while learning are nothing to worry

Only that, one must not become angry or proud

From seeing the truth, these two would shroud

A lot from them, the oarsman learned

He felt grateful for the knowledge earned

Talks from Lord Rama, he wanted more

For his chance was only till the shore

“Lord! I want more of your voice that is melodic

The message that you convey to me is benefic

Mother! Ask the Lord about something interesting

Perhaps about scriptural verses, sometimes contrasting”

Mother Sita accepted, on his behalf, to enquire

She wanted the oarsman, some info, to acquire

“Lord, The Ganges that once belonged to heaven

How and why, to the earth, was it given?”

Lord Rama was delighted to continue Ganga’s story

Which also spoke of His great fore-fathers’ glory

The story that was His childhood fave

Great inspiration, to Him, it always gave

“King Sagara belonged to the Sun Dynasty

He ruled the earth with all honesty

He had two wives, like his right and left hands

Except for a child, they had no demands

So, King Sagara and his wives approached a sage

And expressed their grief after paying homage

The sage pitied them and decided to offer relief

He spoke words to wipe out their grief

“My power can give one son to one of your wives

The other wife must bear sixty thousand lives

The one son, for progeny, is blessed to be paternal

The sixty thousand sons will make your name eternal

The one son, for progeny, which queen would bear?

To mother sixty thousand sons, which queen would dare?

They must make their choices in agreement, mutual

If not, I cannot perform for them the needed ritual”

The first queen chose to prolong her husband’s glorious line

The second queen chose to make his name eternally shine

Thus was born Asamanjan who was very cruel

And his sixty thousand brothers, masters in duel

Asamanjan begot Ansuman a pious and beautiful child

But to other kids, in the kingdom, he was wild

Sadistic was he, throwing children into the river

He watched them drown, laughing out his liver

When King Sagara heard this, he was dejected

He ordered his son, out of the nation, to be ejected

Anyway, the King found solace in his grandson Ansuman

Who, grew up through years into a very good man

King Sagara started the Aswamedha yagna

Somehow overcoming the unpleasant stigma

Ashwameda involves a horse that is white

To travel all nations and return without fight

If it comes back safe, the yagna is completed

But if any king obstructs, he has to be defeated

In case the horse promptly doesn’t return

Endless misery would start to churn

So, the horse was sent out fully decked

Indra did not want it to go unchecked

He was jealous, King Sagara would succeed

He stole the horse and hid it, to impede

Sixty thousand sons of Sagara started to search

Around the world they started to angrily lurch

They dug up all land leaving it with dents

The world was terrified by those furious gents

They entered a cave that was dark on the way

Sage Kapila was meditating there night and day

Behind him, tied was the horse, well secluded

Sage Kapila to be the thief, they hastily concluded

Wanting to punish him for the act, forward they dashed

The sage opened his fire emitting eyes, and they got ashed

The Sage regretted the event that ended up nasty

But he knew, in defense, he had to be hasty

Their return from search, by the king, was eagerly expected

Seeing no sign of their imminent return, the king suspected

Something bad, to his beloved sons, must have happened

His sorrow of loosing the horse, further, got deepened

At his grandpa’s behest, for his uncles, Ansuman sought

He searched in all the places, where his uncles had fought

Finally he too entered the cave and saw the horse

Also his uncles’s ashes and wanted to know the cause

He waited in the cave, till the sage’s penance ended

The answer for his questions, Sage Kapila then rendered

The sage also said that his uncles, who are now ashes,

Will be liberated, only if, Ganga descends and washes!

Already old and now in pain, King Sagara breathed his last

The job of getting the Ganges, unto Ansuman’s shoulders was cast

Ansuman could not think of a way, till his end

It became his son Dilipa’s job to make amend

Dilipa was renowned in the world as a mighty warrior

Yet, to the job his predecessors left, he was just a carrier

To him was born King Bhagiratha the great

The compulsive one who wiped off his clan’s ill-fate

King Bhagiratha handed to his ministers, the kingship reigns

And went alone to the forest to take up pains

Determined to bring Ganges to the ground

Deep in his meditation he got drowned

Brahma appeared before him after centuries went

To Bhagiratha’s noble request, he accepted to relent

Anyway he warned of Ganga’s mighty force during descent

And only Shiva can bear it on his head that sports a crescent

Bhagiratha, towards success, wanted to advance

In order to propitiate Shiva, he started his penance

A few centuries again slowly went by

Until one day Shiva appeared to say hi

Shiva the splendid who is easily appeased

Accepted to dike the Ganges, once it is released

Brahma kept up his word and Ganga started to rush

Proud of her might, she thought, Shiva would crush

All knowing Shiva sensed her thought

Hence within his tresses she got caught

To teach her a lesson Shiva kept her there

Later, released her on seeing his devotee’s despair

Ganga now pure, with her pride humbled

Down from Kailash, she gradually tumbled

Like the happy tears that rolled down Bhagiratha’s cheek

She rolled down the hill like mercury with grace and sleek

On the way down she suddenly vanished

Leaving poor Bhagiratha fully astonished

When he went in search, his heart was about to burst

As he saw a sage named Jhanu, quenching his thirst

The sage collected all of Ganga in a pot

And drank to his content, the entire lot

The sage had done so since she became proud again

And spoiled a ritual he was doing for spiritual gain

Bhagiratha explained to the sage about his quest

The sage accepted to release The Ganges, lest

Bhagiratha’s tremendous effort will go in vain

And effort-taking habits, in future, will go drain

The sage released The Ganges through his ears

Bhagiratha at last succeeded after a legion of years

The Ganga now flowed unhindered with pomp

Dragging rocks and trees, in its playful stomp

Ganga roared into Kapila’s cave washing off the ashes

Liberating sixty thousand souls before a lightning flashes

It further went on to fill all the dents those warriors dug

After occupying two third of the world, it became smug

Thus were formed the seven oceans of the earth

Where fishes, sharks and whales play in mirth

It is popularly known as Sagar as per the sage’s word

The sixty thousand sons made the name always heard

Bhagirathi and Jhanavi are also Ganga’s names

To ever remind us of Bhagiratha’s and Jhanu’s fames

This is the story of Ganges, the holy

Which, cleanses sins, earned by folly

Thus Lord Rama expounded the story of the Ganges

Whose roots are not exactly in the Himalayan ranges

Sita, Lakshman and the oarsman were delighted with Ram

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

The Oarsman’s trick!

2011-08-07T22:46:00.006+05:30

Lord Rama woke up opening His beautiful eyes

Resembling lotuses blossoming on seeing sunrise

His eyelids while opening were like, shells of the sea

Revealing black coloured pearls gleaming with glee

Mother Sita had already woken before Him

The jungle had raised Her wit and vim

She always wanted, by Her Husband, to be seen

Beautiful, brisk and decorated serene

Lakshman had made all arrangements for his Lord

To perform worship to the sun as per Vedic record

He became a mother in caring for His Brother’s needs

Not as a service, but worship, he performed his deeds

Guha by this time had arranged, vegetarian food

Fruits, roots and green leaves, tasty and good

He had seen in Shri Rama, the meaning of noble

He was inspired by Lakshman to be selfless and able

Sumanthra was the one who was now sad at heart

Knowing Rama would order him to soon depart

He gazed at Rama as if to capture Rama’s image

It looked as if he was trying to gauge

If he could take Rama captive in his virtual mind

In order to prevent Rama from staying behind

He realised the futility of what his helpless mind wished

He could not stop the tear that profusely gushed

Lord Rama worshipped the sun giving water as oblations

This gave Him clarity in seeing, amidst problems, solutions

Rama then accepted the food, Guha offered with care

Sita and Lakshman also accepted their humble share

Lord Rama then approached Sumanthra, the earnest

Folded His palms in reverence and spoke words, honest

“Venerable Sir, Thou to me have been more like a father

I seek your permission, in my journey, to continue further

Though being a minister, you took up the rein

And served me as a driver, not expecting gain

I know how much your heart would pain

In seeing my image, as I go, become wane

Yet I have to say, it is time for us to part

With gratitude I appreciate you, for your part

Go back home and be with my dad

You are the best friend, he always had

Tell him we are happy and help him lighten

Let his face that is dark with sorrow, brighten

Tell our mothers, we send our regards with respect

On noble Bharatha’s character, let them not suspect

Serve my brother, like you served my father

The subjects support for him, you must gather

When you meet my brother next, you must tell

I will always be praying for him to be well

Tell him to accept the Kingdom without any guilt

I know it was his mother, not him, for me being jilt

Tell him when I return, I will not dispute over right

I will lay my life for him, rather than starting a fight”

Saying thus Lord Rama ended His message

To Sumanthra’s heart it was a heavy luggage

Anyway he nodded realising its worthy weightage

He decided to carry it without demanding freightage

To keep Rama with him for ever, Guha desperately desired

Even to surrender his kingdom, he was truly inspired

He spoke words, through which his devotion transpired

Hoping to succeed in achieving for what he aspired

“Shri Rama! To thy holy feet, I surrender my all

May Your rule on this kingdom from now befall

You father’s words don’t fail as this is already jungle

I want you to be with us, as our King, and mingle”

“Dear Guha! What merit have I done to be your friend!?

One’s own kingdom for his friend, who could extend!?

Goose bumps through me, your loving words send

As a fifth brother in my heart you have tightly blend

Wishing to make the exile term useful, I have taken

Some vows as per the Vedas that cannot be shaken

In staying with you, Father’s promise does not flaw

But I cannot do my penance abiding ascetic law

Thank you so much for making this noble offer

One who has friends like you is never a pauper

Enjoying comfort and pleasure I must not stay

Please forgive me and allow me to go my way”

Guha, though not happy, realised Rama’s position

He could appreciate the genuinity in Rama’s decision

He fell at Lord Rama’s feet seeking Rama’s blessing

Rama blessed Guha, with an embrace that was pressing

Rama’s action proves that in His eyes all are same

Though one may belong, by caste, to any frame

It also brings to light that He is simple by mind

To the fact that He was royal, He was always blind

Lord Rama then discussed with Guha about His route

And decided, crossing Ganges on a boat, would best suit

Guha ordered his men to summon his personal oarsman

And wait at the place where the river’s course ran

The oarsman was not a very educated man

To Lord Rama he had already become a fan

He was also among the crowd that spent the dark

In awe and amazement hearing Lakshman talk

When Guha told him, to take Rama across

He straight away refused to obey his boss

Embarrassed before Rama, Guha asked for a reason

To which the oarsman replied without any confusion

“Dear King, for not obeying your words I am sorry

Only yesterday we heard your divine friend’s story

Though I love to serve Him, I am afraid to

Thinking of what His Holy Feet’s dust can do

In case my boat becomes a girl, like the stone

My wife will fight with me and break my bone

Even her anger I can manage, if I try to sob

But I will end up with two wives and no job”

The divine three and Guha laughed at this

Guha tried to tell him, nothing would go amiss

But the oarsman was not convinced enough

To make him see the truth was very tough

Lord Rama said He was going to wash His feet

The oarsman could check for himself if it was neat

And then he could allow Lord Rama to board

The beautifully decorated boat that is shored

Though the oarsman did appreciate the thought

It could not untie completely his doubtful knot

He personally wanted to do the cleaning

Guha now realised the oarsman’s meaning

“So intentionally you put up all this Drama

Seeking a chance to worship the feet of Shri Rama!?”

He looked to Lord Rama for opinion with a smile

Lord Rama agreed to accede, to the oarsman’s guile

The oarsman made Lord Rama sit

On a rock that was flat and fit

For Lord Rama’s Feet, he placed a wooden slate

He worshipped The Feet, singing a song innate

“Even great sages wait for years, in numbers, vast

For the moment their Lord blesses them, at last

But this fortunate one is here, before his Lord, now

Could anyone understand this and tell me how?

How blessed am I to be here now!

And see the Feet that blessings bestow!

To the feet that carry The Noblest, I bow

At the sight of which my heart seeps love

These feet, that kicked King Dasaratha on the face

And filled him with joy like he was in a heavenly place

These feet that walked on Queen Kausalya’s breast

Filling her with pride like she was honoured in a fest

These feet, that rode on mighty elephants

Which were overjoyed, like carrying their own infants

These feet, that hopped onto energetic horses

Making them want to run for ever, without pauses

These feet, those carry that mighty hero

Who reduced miscreant numbers to zero

And helped Vishwamitra complete his work

Not expecting anything in return as perk

These feet, that entered the Mithila city

And wiped off King Janaka’s longtime pity

These feet, that Mother Sita daily wakes upon

And touches them in worship at dusk and dawn

I am blessed as I pour water on it

I am blessed as I am cleansing it

The feet that cleansed Ahalya’s sins

Cleanses my soul as I rinse

To apply on it, I do not have sandal paste

Yet my worship to it will not go waste

For the one these feet carry is the most merciful

In protecting the surrendered ones He is ever dutiful

Won’t this precious moment, last for ever?

Can I not always be with the most gracious giver?

Anyway, I have already captured Him in my heart

Why should I worry, if He wants to depart?

The Lord who has a duty towards all other creatures

Has spend this moment for me, to admire His features

Expecting anything more than this would be greedy

Let Him go to devotees who are, for his presence, needy

Remembering this moment I can spend my life

For this moment in my memory is filled, rife

Thank you my Lord for giving me a chance

Thank you my Lord for casting a glance

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Singing thus the oarsman finished his worship

Guha felt proud of having the man under his kingship

Thus the oarsman rejoiced in worshipping Ram

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Lakshman Narrates Mother Sita’s Marriage

2011-08-04T11:41:00.011+05:30

Lakshman was beaming with joy that he got a chance

Enouncing his Brother’s glories, he entered a trance

Guha was so engrossed in his friend’s words

He was lifted from earth to the heavenly worlds

Neither of them noticed the crowd that had gathered

The Nishada people there were completely smothered

By the qualities and achievements of their king’s Noble Friend

Sumanthra too was one among the audience, in perfect blend

With The Lord and Mother in their divine sleep

And the moon allowing its rays everywhere to seep

It looked like Vishnu and Lakshmi in their divine abode

The Milk Ocean and white moonlight in perfect accord

The crowd that gathered there to be at guard

Was like the Devas who came to worship the Lord

Lakshman equalled Indra in both status and lustre

For he was now at the head of the devotional cluster

Lakshman continued to narrate the events that followed

Listening to which, the crowd was completely wallowed

“Our Guru then led us into a country beyond compare

I felt, nature to other places, had been very unfair

Videha was the fabulous country’s name

Mithila was the capital city of the same

Rivers gushed like children running towards their mother

The flora that flourished looked like they never wither

The cattle were well fed and roamed about free

Running, hopping, and chasing, they played in glee

Elephants that were trained carried people around

Trumpeting like thunder for their pride to resound

In the streets, long and broad, traces were buried

Left behind by chariots while their horses hurried

I saw mansions, white, tall and majestic on the sides

And pairs of eyes vanishing suddenly behind the hides

With the mansions passing behind us like a river

Those eyes looked like diving fishes, caught by quiver

The king Janaka approached our guru on the way

Treating our guru like God, he started to pray

Told our guru that it was his good fortune

And that he had long awaited this opportune

After our guru blessed him, wishing him well

He ordered arrangements be made for us to dwell

We were guided to a palace and well received

And showered with care and comfort, unconceived

After a night’s rest we were invited to the king’s court

Where numerous kings and princes had gathered to court

The hand of Janaka’s daughter, Janaki, in marriage

Determined to return, not without Her, in their carriage

For the news of the Princess’ beauty had traveled far

Making the hearts of those princes a love filled jar

With mounting desire they were gathered there

Hoping to outwit one other and possess Her

Once the assembly was settled down and ready

King Janaka who was learned, wise and heady

Stood up, welcomed all and started to orate

About a bow that was kept in a decorated crate

“The bow that you see belonged to Shiva, the mighty

The Consort of Shakthi and an adorable deity

It had been handed to my lineage by Him as a gift

Even when a thousand men pulled, it could not be shift

But a few years ago I saw a wonder with my eyes

From then on I have been heaving endless sighs

Worrying about finding my daughter a perfect pair

This condition of lifting that bow, I had to declare

For I saw my little daughter who was just five or four

Carry this bow with ease and place it on the floor

And then replaced it with ease in a playful flow

While trying to take her ball caught beneath the bow

She has always been a startling delight

Right from the day she fell at my sight

For I found her wrapped in a silken cloth

While I tilled the earth, forgoing sloth

I thought of her as my child, given to me by earth

My wife Sunayana rejoiced like she had given birth

From then on Sita had been delighting us like a butterfly

Growing in the garden of our hearts, relishing love supply

My little girl, Sita, is now grown up and ripe

As to who would marry her, there is much hype

Anyone who lifts the bow and strings it tight

Would win her hand and wealth of enormous height”

Saying thus the King declared the contest to start

One by one the kings and princes tried their part

The bow moved for none, not even an inch

Making the princes’ pride, feel a pinch

My guru then ordered my Brother to lift the bow

Brother Ram obeyed, disinterested in competing though

He walked up to the dais with all eyes open wide

And lifted the bow high, from where it had lied

Holding it tight, He placed one end on the floor

Leaving all His competitors shaken to the core

While He tried to string, the mighty bow snapped

People forgot to close their mouths leaving it gapped

The sound while it snapped echoed like thunder

It lay dead like His rival’s hopes, broken asunder

The people of Mithila, resounded the hall with claps

Their applauding shouts and cries took long to lapse

The king was filled with joy and almost in tears

For he was waiting for this moment for many years

He stood up along with his men and applauded loud

Showering applause on my brother like a sonic cloud

Looked like the sound that arose while the bow had snapped

Echoed in volume and numbers while the large crowd clapped

The king raised his hands to silence the crowd

There was pin drop silence making him proud

“I thank this young Man for accomplishing this feat

I hereby declare Him as the winner of this meet

I humbly request Him to accept my daughter as his wife

Who would be devoted to Him through out Her life”

My Brother Rama sought my Guru’s permission to speak

And spoke, revealing His character which is always at its peak

“I would be more than happy to accept your gift, provided

Two conditions imposed by me have been met and abided

Oh! Venerable King! Forgive me for showing reluctance

But the expectations of my mind are of utmost importance

I want your daughter to choose, like any other princess

After getting a chance to see all other kings and princes

I believe, women are not like cattle or land

To make them gifts and exchange by hand

Incase your daughter chooses me again

The second condition by me will still remain

Only my father can fulfill my second condition

By coming here and giving his hearty permission

If these two conditions are fulfilled with ease

My heart, after that, would remain in peace”

The whole assembly applauded His virtuous plea

His rivals thanked Him, saying, His heart was a sea

Though some princes again sat back with renewed hope

Many of them wished my Brother must win the nuptial rope

King Janaka appreciated my Brother’s noble thought

Praised our lineage for the kind of men it had brought

He said, my brother seemed to be an epitome of that line

And blessed that my Brother’s glory would eternally shine

He then had his daughter brought to the court

Told her the change of events in a short report

And gave her permission to be anyone’s bride

But the victory was always on my brother’s side

Without turning to the side of Her awaiting suitors

Leaving some of their hopes again in shatters

She said she wanted to marry the one

Who had broken the bow and already won

“With that mighty descendant of Raghu I am in love

My fortunate hands to Him, in marriage, please bestow

I choose Him not because of what he had did

But because, my opinion in this He tried to bid”

With eyes fixed on the floor she spoke her mind

Went near her father, the king, and stood behind

I was amazed by the firmness of her decision

In choosing her groom without having His vision

King Janaka patted Her for being so wise

My Brother’s popularity was on the rise

My guru congratulated and blessed my brother

Who was basking in kudos and praiseful shower

The king sent forth messengers to my father’s place

Who set forth on horses and hurried as if on race

The other princes though half-hearted had to return home

While we were requested to make ourselves at home

It took a week for my father to arrive on the scene

He embraced us tight, for quite a while it had been

He praised my brother and showered him with kisses

And gave his permission for marriage with a lot of yeses

My Brother was very happy and relieved now

For with the bride in question he had fallen in love

He had fallen in love with her at the very first sight

While She entered the court and said He was right

The week that went was like an era to him

Not liking to eat much He had become slim

Though He knew our father would agree

He was eager and anxious to a great degree

The King Janaka received my father with due respect

And discussed with him about the marriage prospect

Both liked each other and came to terms very quickly

They became like long term friends and bonded thickly

The marriage was decided to be on the very next day

By Vashishta and Vishwamitra who had the final say

After reading horoscopes and checking auspicious time

The next day morning was set as prime

It was also decided, along with my brother

Bharatha, Shatrugna and I will also tether

For the king had, three more daughters at hand

Who were ready to receive their bridal strand

The Big Day arrived like the rising sun

Soaking everyone in joy leaving out none

It was a Wednesday the most auspicious of the week

The star was Uttaraphalguni that shines bright and sleek

The stage was decorated with flowers of uplifting smell

Anyone who saw that came under a momentary spell

At the centre of it was a sacred fire emitting light and heat

To be a witness to the marriage, it had already taken its seat

Brother Rama arrived there in His majesty like a second fire

Looking handsome beyond compare in His wedding attire

He was dressed in white interspersed with yellow

He came and took his place with a walk that was mellow

Mother Sita walked like a swan and stood beside

Fixing her eyes on the floor for her emotions to hide

She wore a fulvid silk sari, woven with golden threads

Her ornaments of gold glittering with gem imbeds

Janaka took the couples’ hand and united them

And spoke, clearing his choking voice with a hem

“I here by declare my daughter as your wife

To serve you she will dedicate her entire life

In ever following you, She will be your shadow

In ever brightening your glory, She will be your halo

Like a mother She will take care of your need

Like a daughter, to your words, She will pay heed”

Saying thus, into Brother Rama’s hands, he poured water

Music of blessings was heard from the divine quarter

The duo came around the fire in clockwise direction

Thus was re-established between them their eternal connection

Following their union we brothers too married the very same day

Bharatha married Mandavi and they looked like a sun and its ray

Then I married my Urmila who is like breathe to me

And Shathrugna was united with Shruthakirti for ever to be”

Listening to this marvelous story, the crowd forgot

To see the sun that was rising like a red apricot

So enthralling to everyone is the story of Ram!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!

Lakshman Narrates Lord Rama’s Exploits

2011-07-24T00:26:00.009+05:30

Lakshman and Guha collected leaves that were shed

And also some grass and made them into a bed

For the Lord of the Universe to sleep on it

Without feeling discomfort, the slightest bit

Lord Rama laid down on the bed made of hay

The full moon greedily touched Him with its ray

The clouds covered the moon as if to say,

“The Lord needs to sleep, you keep at bay”

Yet the moon, through the clouds’ gap, tried to peep

Hoping to get a glimpse of The Lord’s divine sleep

Mother Sita sat at His leg side, caressing His feet

Feeling privileged to perform this coveted feat

For the Lord’s feet, She made Her lap, a bed

And for His peaceful sleep, a prayer She said

She caressed, massaged, and softly pinched the toes

Which on worshipping would end its devotee’s woes

Like all other beings, The Lord too became Her child

And entered a serene sleep that was gentle and mild

After ensuring The Lord was well asleep

She too, beside Him, went to sleep

Lakshman and Guha were standing afar

In keeping a vigil both were at par

Guha recommended Lakshman to take a nap

Promising, he would watch all night without a gap

Lakshman thanked him for offering to perform the deed

But also apologized to him for being unable to heed

He had decided not to sleep for the whole exile term

In the decision he took, he was substantially firm

Lakshman spoke seriously in a pensive mood

To the ground before him, his eyes were glued

“He does not deserve to go through this, my friend

For this injustice, I do not know who would amend

He is the kind who would not hurt an ant

For the welfare of beings, His life, He would grant

I have seen Him deal with both friends and foes

Never in His actions does disrespect shows

I have seen Him both at play and at fight

He has never done a thing that is not right

I have never seen Him do anything without any care

Nor does He possess something, He would not share

He, to me, is goodness incarnate

Volunteered to be mankind’s subordinate

Only to teach men live a life of values

By leading a life bound by virtues

Look at Them, born with royal blood

Sleeping in the open, on grass and mud

At least my Brother is a strong, tough man

Look at my Mother, that noble woman!

She is the heat if my Brother is fire

She, His energy, never lets Him tire

Green, are those memories in the pastures of my mind

The auspicious day, She became His and walked behind”

Lakshman was lost in His memories with a smile

Recollecting the past, he paused for a while

At Guha’s request he began to recite

The incidents, with words, he brought before sight

“My brothers and I had just finished schooling

Brother Ram was learning the nuances of ruling

We were all enjoying our mothers’ foods after long

And spending our times, listening to music and song

We heard from a servant that there was a visitor

Sage Vishwamitra who was a Vedic reciter

A renunciate who had conquered his senses

By performing a number of difficult penances

Even the Gods would stand up in his presence

Afraid of his anger and cursing sentence

Such a sage was being received with reverence

By our father, unaware of an impending severance

The sage blessed my father and revealed his intent

Which made my father lose his calm and content

For the sage wanted Brother Rama to fight

The demons of the jungle for a good fortnight

My father was shocked, and stricken with grief

Fainted on the floor for a moment, brief

He offered himself and his entire troop

But the sage would not loosen the request loop

“Oh, venerable one, please pay heed

I would sent this entire nation for your need

As a warrior, Rama is just a sprouting seed

How do you involve Him in such difficult deed?”

“Like all fathers you too under estimate your son

To equal Him in valour, on this earth, there is none

I have at hand a Yagna to run

I cannot have a crowd around me, as if for fun

Send with me, your son Rama The Brave

My Yagna, for the world’s good, let Him save

I will return Him to you safe and sound

With fame and glory that you will astound”

My father was still reluctant to relent

Utterly baffled by the change of event

Vashishta my father’s preceptor and guide

Reassured my father not to hesitate but abide

“On behalf of Vishwamitra, I give my word

He is a genius full of reason and never absurd

To go with him would be Rama’s privilege

To this request of his, please do oblige”

My father then some how decided to yield

Gifted my Brother and me, weapons to wield

The sage was already out of the palace gate

My father took us to him in a measured gait

With both of us under his arms

Surrounded by people as per royal norms

With a heart half-full, he finally conceded

And along with the crowd he slowly receded

To me it looked like a wave coming to the shore

To deposit its precious pearls on the floor

And then going back to the sea reluctantly

Loosing its enthusiasm, and therefore silently

Our guru, my Brother, and I started to walk

While, above us, flew a wonderful hawk

We entered the forest not before long

Though old, the sage was still going strong

He only stopped in the evening nearby a river

Which proves that nature is a relentless giver

We offered water to the sun before it set

In gratitude for the numerous benefits we get

Our guru taught us two new mantras to chant

Immense strength those mantras would grant

Bala and Athibala they were rightly called

Which would kill hunger and thirst once recalled

We then ended the day and went to sleep

Talking about nature whose glories are very steep

The next day we again started our journey

Which to Brother and me was an exciting tourney

We came across a desert that was dry

Once we entered it, we heard a woman’s cry

Followed by which we saw the owner of the voice

An ugly gigantic figure making unbearable noise

At the top of her voice, she started to scream

Asking us how dare we trespassed her control realm

Stones, trees and boulders she started to pelt

Giving us no choice with the way she could be dealt

Yet my Brother stood like a moral flame

Deciding not to play the violent game

As the attacker was a woman by gender

Violence against women He would not render

Our guru cried, telling Him not to hesitate

And ordered Him for violence to perpetuate

Once He received His guru’s command

The demon could not meet His arrow’s demand

She fell to the floor, like a tree to an axe

Her blood flowed all over like molten wax

The guru appreciated Him with a pat and a smile

And asked me to locate a place to rest for a while

While we rested under a banyan tree

Our noble guru smiled at me

“Your brother is not happy with what happened there

He thinks, to kill a woman is very unfair

Yet because I ordered, He has finished the job

Now for the sake of that lady He wants to sob

This unique quality will earn Him eternal glory

Making men sing with craze His matchless story

Impeccable Ram, always keep this in mind

Towards a demon like that you cannot be kind

You have avenged a thousand widows of the past

Checking the number of widows from becoming vast

A few men like me were allowed to live by her

Since our emaciated bodies lack fat and fur”

My Brother, caressing the Guru’s feet, smiled shy

And nodded His head to show He understood why

That was the very first time, He ever killed

I could see very much that His face had dulled

I could see, for quiet sometime within Him He mulled

And then with reasonable acceptance He became lulled

My heart went out to my Brother more than before

His love wave had washed off my ego, ashore

I decided right then that I would offer Him my soul

And took up being His servant as my life’s only goal

The next day we traveled further witnessing important places

Some Ashrams where God’s had done penance and left their graces

We passed Kamashram where Shiva had burnt Manmathan to ashes

Opening His third eye in anger and emitting fire like flashes

Manmathan had tried to incite in Shiva the burning lust

Disturbed and angry Shiva had burnt him to dust

Some say Vishnu avenged his death by seducing Shiva

By taking the form of Mohini, a beautiful Diva

Shiva realised that conquering the sense

Cannot be done by becoming tense

His pride in being the killer of the love-god vanished

He appreciated the lesson though He was vanquished

We then moved on to Sidhaashram, our destination

And met ascetics who awaited us in anticipation

That was the Ashram where Vamana was born

Who was Maha Vishnu, taken a dwarf-like form

From there He had visited Bali’s Kingdom

While Bali was trying to achieve God-like stardom

By performing a difficult ritual and offering wealth

Which was stopped by Vamana by applying stealth

Vamana, as a Brahmin, went there seeking alms

Holding up in request His chubby little palms

Asked for just three foot steps of land by measure

Which was granted by Bali with utmost pleasure

But once the request was granted, the little man grew

Bali could not believe what he saw was true

The dwarf became a giant and measured the sky

None present there could ask him why

And then He measured the whole of the earth

For Him to take the third step there was dearth

To fulfill the promise, Bali offered his head

Vamana placed the third step on Bali’s head

Pressed Bali down to the world that was nether

This gave to the Devas, their long awaited breather”

Guha was enthralled in hearing such wonderful stories

Lakshman continued to elaborate Lord Rama’s glories

“Our Guru’s assistants set up the place to perform the ritual

Our Guru took up a vow of silence, which for him was habitual

With dexterity and care the Guru started the rite

My brother and I kept vigil, expecting a fight

We were told the demons would anytime arrive

We decided that this time they must not survive

Six days went by without any trouble at sight

On the seventh day we saw demons in flight

They came screaming and yelling, creating hell

My Brother finished all of them in just a spell

Only two of their leaders were left alive then

Who were devastated on seeing all their fallen men

One of them Maricha by name was hit by Brother’s arrow

And was thrown far from sight like a helpless sparrow

Subahu approached us yelping with vengeance and fury

But within a snap of a second Brother finished off his story

The ascetics celebrated their Protector, singing His glory

And carried Him all around the land, which was now gory

The Yagna was completed well with success

The guru praised both of us more than excess

He gifted us with divine missiles for later use

And advised not to use them before trying truce

He then said, “I have one more gift for you”

The smile, while he said that was very new

We followed him on a new journey further east

Completely unaware of the awaiting feast

While we traveled, we came across a hut

Uninhabited and forsaken it remained shut

In the veranda before it, was a frozen stone

Which looked like a woman sitting alone

Brother Ram went nearby to see it close

Wondering how a stone could give, woman’s pose

Some dust from His feet touched the rock

The stone became a woman giving us shock

She fell at my noble Brother’s honourable feet

And worshipped my Brother with a silent greet

My Brother got puzzled and moved behind

To accept worship from elders, He was not inclined

Anyway she remained on the ground with folded palm

With her eyes fixed on my Brother’s feet, she remained calm

My Brother looked at our guru for guidance to seek

While the stone-turned-lady started to speak

“My name is Ahalya, Sage Gauthama’s partner in life

I was cursed by him as I had failed as a wife

By giving in me to Indra’s sensual touches

And enjoyed myself though I knew it were glitches

Indra approached me, taking my husband’s form

Once He touched me I forgot marital norm

Though I realised it was not my husband’s touch

Aroused and in pleasure I remained as such

Realising I relented, my husband cursed me to grief

But considering I was cheated He offered relief

He told my redemption would come through a Holy Feet

That carries the Noblest Soul who would make sins deplete

Thou art that Person who would never flaw

The One taken birth to restore cosmic law

The One who would be the final resort to all

None would go unclean at Your Feet if they fall”

As she was speaking Gauthama arrived there

Giving up grudge and rancour he embraced her

Being re-united they started a life fresh and anew

Thanking my Brother for helping them renew”

My guru gladly appreciated my Brother

For making their heart light like a feather

He said my Brother’s limbs, like the sky, work wonders

Showering both loving rains and punishing thunders”

Awed by the qualities and exploits of Rama

Guha was eager to hear more of the Drama

Lakshman like a child expounded the glories of Ram

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Six Words Celebration of Lord Rama.

2011-07-10T07:04:00.012+05:30

Lord Rama is standard for sanity.

Lord Rama is dictionary for goodness.

Lord Rama spoke with chosen words.

Lord Rama forgot what he gave.

Lord Rama never spoke a lie.

Rama spent his income benefitting all.

Lord Rama spent time with elderly.

Rama loved Sita, more than life.

Lord Rama isn't annoyed by criticism.

Rama responds, not reacts, to criticism.

Rama gives time to amend mistakes.

Rama fought not to prove might.

Rama is loving yet very strict.

When Rama ruled miseries took leave.

Lord Rama supports fulfilling desires honestly.

Chanting Rama's name was Gandhiji's strength.

Rama means bestower of unlimited joy.

I worship Rama to understand Him.

Worshiping Lord Rama's feet liberates soul.

Singing Rama's glories gives me joy.

I like to live like Rama.

Devotee of Rama has no needs.

Guha, The Coarse Diamond

2011-07-07T10:40:00.007+05:30

The people started home, next day morning

Cursing fate for hitting without a warning

Rama’s talk that they had put Him in shame

Had caught them by the neck and made them tame

They approached Rama to bid farewell

And apologised to Him, for trying to rebel

“Rama, last night was the most blest of our lives

The most precious page in our minds' archives”

Out of love for You we came here

Hoping to stay with You, always near

Not to disobey You and hurt Your heart

Sorry for acting without a second thought”

Lord Rama smiled at them, feeling relieved

He was not hurt, like everyone believed

He spoke such words only to get things done

In getting what He wanted, He always won

“I was planning to sit under a tree

Without food, until you let me be free

Thanks for not pushing me to that extent

Please forgive me, considering my intent”

“Rama, like a banyan, You are rooted strong

In values and beliefs that never go wrong

We are like children playing on its branches

Without knowing how deep its root ranges

Anyway we are happy we tried our best

If not, could we have taken one night’s rest?

Along with You, hearing Your forefathers’ stories

Relishing in values and wonderful memories

Once You complete the fourteen years

Do not make us shed these helpless tears

Please come back and redeem Your throne

Till then our hearts will be a lifeless stone”

Lord Rama smiled and spoke His thought

Who never felt enchained by the fatal knot

“Redeeming the throne is out of choice

Regarding this, never raise your voice

Coming back is something I can

I can live with you as a common man

With Bharatha, my bro, I will continue rapport

For his rule to shine, giving counsel and support

Anyway I will be there to work for you

For which we brothers will stand in queue

Remember my lineage of Raghu, The Great

You can depend on my words without debate”

The people listened as if hearing a lesson

The burdens of their hearts, a little, did lessen

The prospect of Rama being with them

Though in the future, assuaged them

Towards Ayodhya, for a journey, they got set

And said bye to The Three with eyes that were wet

Turning back often they began to walk

Started their vehicles and traveled without a talk

Sumanthra wanted to serve Rama a little more

So now, all were gone except for the four

Lord Rama accepted Sumanthra’s request

Seeing Sumanthra’s intention, strong and earnest

Sumanthra drove The Three up to the Ganges

Which cleanses the earth from The Himalayan ranges

Shringhiverapuram was the name of the place

Which was ruled by Guha, of the Nishada race

The Nishada people were hunters by profession

They matched lions and tigers in strength and aggression

Though by looks they were husky and rough

To get along with, they were not tough

Guha was Lord Rama’s longtime friend

With their lives on each other, they would depend

Rama and His brothers used to stay at his place

To take some rest after their hunting chase

Guha learnt of Rama’s arrival through his spies

Joy and love oozed from his eager eyes

He became excited and started at once

To prepare dishes with his wife and sons

He went to see Rama with those dishes

Cooked with care and love, mostly fishes

He also took a lot of jungle produce

Honey and fruits, he got in profuse

Rama was performing His evening ablutions

Propitiating the Sun as per Veda’s conclusions

Guha waited for Rama with gifts and food

Like, while waiting for God, a devotee would

Guha saw Rama clad in ochre robe

He felt in his heart a grief filled throb

News of Rama’s exile had already reached his ear

But seeing Rama like that, was difficult to bear

Rama came to Guha, after His worship

And embraced Guha in pure friendship

Rama introduced Guha and Sita to each other

He mentioned of Guha as His fourth brother

Guha had always been hesitant considering his status

But Rama had always adored him, as a pure white lotus

Guha now offered to Rama the gifts he brought

Lakshman on Rama’s behalf received the lot

On seeing the food that was all non vegetarian

Lakshman frowned, being quite a disciplinarian

Without Rama’s concern he did not want to speak

Lord Rama’s opinion about this, he did seek

Lord Rama looked at Guha with merciful eyes

Spoke his mind with words gentle and nice

“Guha, you know so well what we usually eat

And yet you have brought, fish and meat”

Guha was in a state of regret and despair

To the situation at hand, he thought of a repair

He spoke his reason with tears brimming

And a forced smile to hide his heart’s dimming

“Ram and Lakshman, please accept my apology

Of course to some extent I know Your ideology

About Your exile, when I heard news

I heard, You will be eating only jungle produce”

“Since then I have been awaiting Your presence,

Hunting and fishing. To give You these as presents

I am sorry for this shortcoming of mine

I have delicious fruits, please do dine”

To remove those dishes, Guha ordered his servant

To the expressions of Guha, Rama was observant

Rama noticed behind the forced smile

Regret and shame were starting to pile

Rama thought of the efforts His friend must have taken

He did not want His friend to be in shame, and shaken

Rama smiled at Guha and acted innocent

To taste the dishes, He sought Guha’s consent

“Please do not order them to be taken away

My vegetarian vow I can keep at bay

For quite sometime, I have had wishes

To know the taste of non-vegetarian dishes”

Lakshman was now completely in shock

And turned towards Sita, if She would block

But She was preparing to serve Rama

He could not understand, this new drama

Both Rama and Sita relished the food

And told Guha that it tasted good

Seeing this, Lakshman too followed suit

For what Rama laid was Lakshman’s route

Guha’s heart was filled with content

He sure understood Lord Rama’s intent

His heart and ego melted for The Lord

Rama had tied his heart with the love cord

After the supper they wanted to rest

Guha invited them to his humble nest

Lord Rama explained to Guha that it was not possible

And preferred to stay in the open with what was feasible

Thus Lord Rama, the friend of the humble

Accepts offerings with love without a mumble

Provided they are our devotion’s form

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!