Ramakatha Rasavahini, Part 2, Chapter 14 - Ending the Play

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Part 2 - Chapter 14Ending the Play

 

Janaki was amazed at the sight of the Vanaras and others, as well as the way in

which they were decorated and dressed up. Just then, Valmiki the Sage reached

the place, evidently overcome with anxiety. He described all that had happened

before Sita. He loosened the bonds on Hanuman, Jambavan and others and

bewailed, "Boys! What is this you have done? You have come here after felling

to the ground Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna." Sita was shocked at

this. She said, "Alas! Dear children! On account of you, the dynasty itself has

been tarnished. Don't delay further. Prepare for my sathi, that I may ascend the

same. I cannot live

hereafter." Sita pleaded for quick action.

The Sage Valmiki consoled her and imparted some courage. Then, he went with Kusa

and Lava to the battlefield and he was amazed at what he saw there. He

recognized the chariot and the horses of Rama and finding Rama, he fell at his

feet. Rama rose in a trice and sat up. Kusa and Lava were standing opposite to

him. Valmiki addressed Rama thus: "Lord! My life has attained fulfillment. O,

how blessed am I!" Then, he described how Lakshmana had left Sita alone in the

forest, and how Sita lived in his hermitage, where Kusa and Lava were born. He

said, "Lord! Kusa and Lava are your sons. May the Five Elements be my witness,

I declare that Kusa and Lava are your sons." Hearing these words, Rama embraced

the boys and stroked their heads. Through the Grace of Rama, the fallen Vanaras

and warriors rose alive. Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna caressed and fondled

the boys. Lakshmana hurried to where Sita was, for, Rama directed him to find

out from her

what she proposed to do about her "vow". Nearing her, Lakshmana fell at her

feet. Sita was desirous of fulfilling the "vow" if that was the wish of Rama;

so, she accompanied Lakshmana to the presence of Rama. Seeing the group she

made this pronouncement as the Truth: "O Gods! O Elements Five! I have not

dwelt even in my dream on anyone other than Rama, in mind, speech, body or

deed. O Mother! Goddess Earth! Take me into yourself". Immediately, the Earth

sundered where she stood, with a great rumbling and from the trench so formed,

there arose a Divine Lion-Throne, with the Goddess Earth seated therein. As She

came to the surface, She held out Her Hand, and lifting Janaki from the ground,

She blessed her thus. "O Janaki! From birth until today, no day passed without

your sorrowing therein. You streamed tears always. Come in my Home, be happy".

The next second, they were both out of sight. Her glory spread over the three

worlds. This was clearly seen by Lakshmana and

others.

They shed tears. Rama acted the role of a saddened person. He thought within

himself. "Janaki has gone in consonance with the inclinations of my mind. She

was always moving in accordance with the plans I had in mind. Now, we should

also proceed to our Vaikunta residence." But, to others, he appeared sad and

grieving a little. Soon, he left for the Capital City with his brothers and

sons. He performed the concluding rites of the Yaga as planned. He gave away in

charity the sixteen prescribed gifts in quantities that were beyond description.

Rama honored Emperor Janaka as befitted his status and took the sons to his

presence. He was immensely delighted when he saw his grandsons. Since Janaka

was replete with wisdom, and since he was aware through his divine insight of

the Divinity of Sita, he did not exhibit any surprise or wonder, anxiety or

worry, over what had happened; his mind was unaffected because he knew that

what had to happen had happened. His attitude was also not affected to the

slightest extent by the incidents that took place. Janaka left for Mithila City

filled with unbounded joy.

The Gurus and the Brahmins came into the presence of Rama, according to the

message sent by Him. And, they took leave of Him, happy that they were enabled

to witness the great Yaga; they returned to their homes fully content.

Thereafter, calling the sons to his side, Rama advised them about the means and

methods of administration of the empire; then he formally invested them with

the insignia of imperium. He placed the son of Bharatha, Thaksha, over the

Southern Kingdom; his second son, Pushkara, was given the Pushkara Kingdom.

They destroyed the remnants of Rakshasas that were there and established

themselves in those Kingdoms. The sons of Lakshmana, Chitrakethu and

Chitrangada, were mighty warriors, heroic fighters, veterans of wars. They were

deputed to the Western Region and destroying the Rakshasas there, they ruled

over that area. Rama invested those two with regal authority over Cities with

different names which became their capital cities. He also gave all the sons

valuable advice on political and administrative matters. Kusa was installed in

Ayodhya and so Lava was awarded the Northern Region, the treasure chest of

riches. The City of Lavapura (modern

Lahore) was fixed as his capital City. Rama gave away cows, lands, clothes and

money to the fullest to each.

Meanwhile, the news that Rama was contemplating return to his own place came to

be known by the people of Ayodhya; they came in immense numbers to his presence

and prayed that their requests be listened to. Their request was that they too

be taken by Him to His divine Home. The Lord said that it was a right request

and he agreed to do so. He was glad at their affection and the devotion and

dedication they had towards their Lord. Lakshmana led them all.

The Kishkindha Kingdom was allotted to Angada, Sugriva, Jambavantha, Vibhishana,

Nala, Nela and other individuals embodying parts of Divinity, and billions of

Vanaras come to fulfill the Divine Mission, came to the Presence of Rama at

that time. Rama accosted them and said, "Vibhishana! You have to rule over

Lanka; you will attain my Presence in the end"; He blessed him thus. Then, He

turned to Jambavan, and told him, "Jambavan! Be on the earth till the end of

the Dwapara age. Then, incarnated as Krishna, a fight with you will happen to

me. You will then recognize me as now". He blessed him in that manner.

Then he proceeded to the bank of the Sarayu river. Bharatha walked on the right

side of Rama and Satrughna on his left. Behind him walked the ministers and the

people of the city. As they entered the waters, Bharatha merged in the Lord;

Satrughna touched the water and shone in the Lotus and merged in the Lord.

The Lord uttered a Blessing that all who come to the Holy Land of Ayodhya and

all who bathe in the sacred Sarayu can reach Him.

 

Sathya Sai sings: Rama Kodanda Rama

Rama Kodanda Rama Rama Pattabhi RamaRama Kalyana Rama Raghava

Rama Nidokka Mata Rama Nakokka MutaRama Ni Pate Pata Rama Ni Bate Bata || Rama ||

"O Rama! Your every utterance is a bundle of wealth to me,O Rama! only Your song

is (the best) song, only Your path is (the best) path"

Rama Nikevaru Jodu Rama Nikanta JuduRama Nenu Nivadu Rama Nato Matadu || Rama ||

"O Rama! who is Your match (nobody)! look after me,O Rama! I am Yours, talk to me"

Rama Namame Melu, Svami Chintane ChaluSvami Namame Melu, Rama Chintane ChaluNi

Chintane Chalu, Ni Namame MeluRama Namame Melu, Rama Chintane Chalu || Rama ||

"Only Rama's name is beneficial, thought of Svami is itself enoughOnly Svami's

name is beneficial, thought of Rama is itself enoughYour thought is itself

enough, only Your name is beneficialOnly Rama's name is beneficial, thought of

Rama is itself enough"

 

 

Ramakatha RasavahiniThe Sweet Story of Rama's GloryOriginal in Telegu written by

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai BabaRendered into English by Professor N. Kasturi

Source: http://www.vahini.org/ramakatha2/ch14.htmlVahini.org: 'Vahini' Books

written by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

 

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