Kaushalya's prayers

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!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

From The Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter 25

(The queen ,mother Kaushalya, gives her blessings and the Brahmins pronounce the

benediction.)

Restraining her grief and sipping a little pure water, queen Kaushalya,

purifying herself, the high minded mother Kaushalya performed rites conducive to

the welfare of Sri Rama.

Mother Kaushalya said: " Since your departure (to the forest) cannot be stopped,

depart now, O jewel among the Raghus! Follow in the footsteps of the righteous

(by redeeming your word of honour) and return soon (after serving the term of

your exile). May the gods you have worshipped in the temples, and those too whom

you humbly bow at cross-roads and the Rishis protect you. May the weapons given

to you by the wise Vishwamitra protect you. Protected on all side by the

services you have rendered to your father and mothers as well as by your

truthfulness, my mighty armed son, may you live long!

May the deities presiding over wooden sticks used for feeding the Sacred Fire,

blades of the sacred Kusha grass and rings of Kusha grass ( worn on the fourth

finger on sacrificial occasions), sacrificial altars, temples, and sites

selected by Brahmins for worship of gods, as well as mountains, trees, bushes,

large and deep pools of water, birds, reptiles, and lions protect you, O jewel

among men!

May no Rakshasas (demons), pishachas (ghosts), those who practise cruelty, that

which is ill-omened and the eaters of flesh, ever cause you injury! ....... May

your way be blessed, may your undertakings be crowned with success. O my son,

may you ever find fruits, roots and the means of subsistence. May you ever tread

the forest unhindered. May all things between heaven and earth protect you at

all times. May Indra, the Moon, the Sun, Kuvera and Yama, worshipped by you,

protect you from the enemies. May the gods presiding over fire (Agni), air

(Vayu) and smoke (Dhuma as well as the sacred formulas, taught by the Rishis,

protect you when inadvertently contacting the untouchables!

 

[The Sanskrit words are: Upsparshanakaale Tu Paantu Tvaam Raghunandana

Agnirvayustatha Dhumo Mantrashcharishimukhachyutaha - Verse 24]

May the Lord of the world, Brahma, Vishnu and the gods not mentioned by me,

protect you in the forest! "

Then the illustrious Kaushalya worshipped the gods with flowers and sandalwood,

offering oblations and kindling the sacred fire for the health and peace of Sri

Ramachandra with the aid of the pious Brahmins, learned in rituals. With ghee

(clarified butter), white flowers, sacrificial fuel and mustard seeds prepared

for the oblations by queen Kaushalya, the learned and pious Brahmins performed

the Havan ceremony (sacred fire ceremony) for the welfare of Rama.

Then the mother of Rama asked the Brahmins to pronounce the benediction and

present the oblations to the Lokpalas, the priests receiving the remainder. With

honey, curds, rice and ghee, the Brahmins pronounced their blessings and the

queen having offered them abundant alms and whatsoever they desired, addressed

Rama, saying:

" O Rama, may the same blessing bestowed on Indra on the destruction of

Bratrasura be yours. .. O Rama, may the seasons, the ocean, the islands, the

Vedas and the cardinal points contribute to your happiness. "

Saying so and fixing unbroken grains of rice on Sri Rama's forehead (as a form

of benediction) the large-eyed queen Kaushalya, applying sandal paste to his

forehead, fastened about his wrist by way of an amulet a herb known as 'Vishalya

Karani. For his protection the queen silently repeated the Mantras, and though

her heart was filled with distress, appeared as one content. Bending low and

smelling and kissing the head of Sri Rama and embracing him, she said:

" O my son, now go in peace. May you, having fulfilled the commands of the king,

return in health to Ayodhya. O my child, my joy will be complete when I behold

you at your coronation.... Having fulfilled the injunctions of your father, you

will return, and I, beholding you clad in Royal apparel with innumerable gems,

shall then find peace. O Prince, now depart and accomplish the desire of

Princess Sita and me. "

The queen, reciting the Peace Chant, her eyes suffused with tears, embracing her

son again and again, circumambulated him, gazing on his face.

Touching her feet repeatedly, the illustrious Ramachandra, resplendent in the

light of the perfection of Self, left for the palace of Princess Sita.

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Hare Krishna

Hare Rama