Sriramayana on telebridge#21

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Sriramayana#21

 

Om Asmath Gurubhyo Namaha

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

 

In this 26th Sarga Rama encounters his first dilemma, a female demon Thataka,

and He has to cleanse the earth, by eliminating her by the orders of His Acharya

Sage Visvamithra. This is a crucial test put to Rama by Sage Visvamithra where,

Rama eradicates Thataka and fulfills His Acharya's wishes. Now let us see in

detailed manner how it happened in this Sarga.

 

On hearing the words of Sage Visvamithra about the she demon Thataka, Rama with

reverence, adjoining His palms replied to Sage, "Upon my father's order, to

honor my father's words, and as per Your command Sage Visvamithra, I will

undertake this task". Dasaratha instructed Rama to do whatever was assigned by

Visvamithra. Here Visvamithra is conveying something confusing. Hence is a

dilemma for Rama, between these two instructions, to which He has vowed to obey.

Here Rama is in the same difficult situation as Arjuna in Maha Bharatha.

Arjuna's dilemma was to kill his own relatives, whereas Rama's was to kill a

female at this juncture. What Krishna preaches in entire Bhagavad-Gita which is

told in nutshell by sage Visvamithra, i.e., "do your duty as a Kshathriya, (the

ruling class), i.e. to protect virtue and eradicate vice, whether it is in the

form of a female or relatives".

 

"For the welfare of cows and Rishis, and for the benefit of this province, I am

ready to abide by Your wish," said Rama to Sage Visvamithra. Then He held the

middle of His bow with His left hand, and pulled the string with His right hand.

The sound that was created by this simple act reverberated throughout the

forest. By that echo the inhabitants of the forest were afraid, even Thataka was

stunned by that sound and she wondered who would dare to make such a noise in

her forest. She turned to the direction of that sound and with animosity she

rushed towards that echo.

 

Rama, on seeing that monstrous-looking Thataka, Rama turned to His brother and

thus spoke, "Lakshmana! See this Thataka's disgusting and frightening physique.

While seeing her shape yogi's heart will quiver. She is unstoppable and she has

magical powers. Lakshmana, you may see now, how I will make her retreat by

cutting off her ears and the tip of nose. Because she is a woman, I don't want

to slay her, but I intend to end her wickedness and mobility". While Rama is

still speaking, Thataka convulsed in anger, and making a roaring sound, she

rushed towards Rama, swinging her arms. But Sage Visvamithra undaunted said to

Rama and Lakshmana,(swasthi Raghavayorasthu) "May you be safe, and be

victorious".

 

Thataka threw fistful of dust on Rama and Lakshmana and she baffled them with a

massive cloud of dust (with her size a fistful is equivalent to a mountain).

Then by witchcraft she showered both of them, with torrential stone storm, by

which Rama became indignant and He efficiently blocked it with His arrows. This

angered Thataka so much, that she made a mad rush towards Rama and Lakshmana.

Rama tried to stop her advance by mutilating her arms with arrows. With her arms

severed and fatigued she dashed towards Lakshmana and He caused some more damage

to her face, and now the guise changer (shape shifter) vanished, but continued

to shower stones. Upon seeing both Rama and Lakshmana being overpowered by

storms of stones from all-over, Sage Visvamithra spoke to Rama. "Enough of your

compassion Rama, she is a menacing, malicious, a hinderer of rituals, and this

yakshini will get a grasp on her powers in a short time. Sun is going to set in

a short time, and before that time she should be destroyed, You know! Demons

become more active and indestructible at dusk and after dark". Rama displaying

his capability in archery stopped her with his arrows and He struck an arrow in

her chest which threw her down like a thunderbolt and she fell to earth with a

roaring sound and died.

 

On seeing her lifeless body, Indra and other demigods were extremely pleased

and praised Rama for His courage. Then Indra spoke with approval to Visvamithra.

"Oh Vishvamithra! You are blessed. Rama is steadfast in following your

assignments. Now You may offer the asthras at Your disposal to Rama, since He

has proven to be a worthy recipient. Rama has a lot more accomplish."

Visvamithra was satisfied with Rama for eradicating Thataka, He hugged and

kissed the forehead of Rama and said. "Rama we stay here for the night, and

tomorrow morning we will go to my Ashram." Now the forest was rid of Thataka and

her terror filled reign, and it was shining like the Chaitra Ratha Gardens .

{Chaitra Ratha garden is the luxurious heavenly garden of Kubera}. The celestial

beings and liberated Souls (the Rishis and Yogis) eulogized Rama for His

bravery.

 

In this Sarga Rama follows His Acharya's instructions implicitly. With that

satisfaction Visvamithra wants to give many weapons to Rama as suggested by

Devathas. What are they let us know?..

 

Contd.

Jaisrimannarayana!

Jet Prajna Teachers.