Happy days in Panchavati

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!!”